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Journal of the Mexican Chemical Society
Print version ISSN 1870-249X
J. Mex. Chem. Soc vol.49 n.1 Ciudad de México 2005
Article
Optimum Temperature in the Electrostatic Desalting of Maya Crude Oil
Erik Fetter Pruneda, Enrique Rivero Borrell Escobedo y Francisco Javier Garfias Vázquez*
Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F., C.P. 04510 Tel/fax (52-55) 52 56225158; e-mail: garfiasv@servidor.unam.mx.
Received October 3, 2004
Accepted March 15, 2005
Abstract
The main variables that impact the crude oil desalting process were analyzed by developing mathematical models that represent the variation of Maya crude oil density, conductivity and viscosity as functions of temperature. An increase in process temperature has two opposite effects. First, a decrease in oil density and viscosity implies a significant increase in the settling rate of water droplets within the oil phase; which allow for a greater amount of oil to be processed. This increases the profit resulting from performing oil desalting. On the other hand, crude oil conductivity increases exponentially with temperature, which implies a higher rate of power consumption. A simulation model was developed to determine the optimum temperature at which a maximum economic benefit occurs. It was concluded that an optimum temperature occurs at 135oC.
Keywords: Maya crude oil, temperature, desalting, viscosity, density, conductivity.
Resumen
Se estudiaron las principales variables que impactan el proceso de desalado de crudo mediante el desarrollo de correlaciones matemáticas que representan la variación de densidad, conductividad y viscosidad del crudo Maya como funciones de la temperatura. La discusión teórica mostró que un incremento en la temperatura de proceso da lugar a dos efectos contrarios. En primera instancia, una disminución en la densidad y viscosidad implica un aumento en la velocidad de sedimentación de las gotas de agua contenidas en la fase orgánica. Lo anterior permite que mayor cantidad de crudo sea procesada en un mismo periodo. Por lo tanto, se incrementan los beneficios económicos derivados de realizar esta operación. Por otro lado, la conductividad del crudo aumenta de manera exponencial con la temperatura, lo cual implica mayor consumo de energía eléctrica. Se desarrolló un modelo de simulación para determinar la temperatura óptima, en la cual se obtiene el máximo beneficio. Se concluyó que la temperatura óptima de desalado es 135°C.
Palabras clave: Crudo Maya, temperatura, desalado, viscosidad, densidad, conductividad.
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Acknowledgment
Financial support from DGAPA-UNAM (PAPIIT- IN103001) is acknowledged.
References
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