1. Vertical Emulsion Treater
Heating, Degassing and Dehydration In One Efficient System
A crude oil dehydration system may
require one or more of numerous
processes: preheating, degassing, free
water removal, and heating.
NATCO Vertical Emulsion Treaters are
designed to use any combination of these
functions. In addition, special features and
options can extend a treater’s versatility
and enhance its efficiency.
Vertical treaters are primarily applicable to
low volume flows with high water
content.
A number of features contribute to the
system’s notable operating economy, and
optimum recovery of condensable, salable
hydrocarbons. These features include:
• A reversible firetube which provides
long life and the proper heat for
controlled separation
• Heat-retention baffling
• A condensing head which minimizes
vapor loss of hydrocarbons
• Corrosion-resistant adjustable fiberglass
siphon nipples
Continuous-flow separation
The inflowing wellstream separates into
gas and liquid. Gas is drawn off the top of
the vessel, while liquids flow through a
downcomer exiting below the firetube.
Specially designed baffles direct the
freewater downward and the lighter
oil/water emulsion upward.
The emulsion rises past the firetube,
absorbing heat. Heat and the scrubbing
action of the baffle trays break the
emulsion as it passes through the vessel.
Separated water drops coalesce and settle
to the bottom while oil continues rising.
Water is removed from the bottom of the
treater through a valve-monitored siphon;
oil is removed at the top through a
control valve. The desired oil/water level
can be maintained from the outside by
adjusting the siphon nipple.
Working pressures
Standard systems perform from
atmospheric pressure to 50 psi; special
systems to 100+ psi.
Three available options to cut fuel
costs
An external heat exchanger preheats inlet
fluid for more economical treating. It also
cools outgoing treated oil to the storage
tank, preventing vaporization and loss of
valuable hydrocarbons. The result is
reduced fuel consumption and increased
oil volume to sales.
NATCO’s combustion air controller
governs air flow into the burner system.
The result is optimum air/fuel ratio
throughout the firing range; hence,
improved thermal efficiency.
A turbulator installed in the firetube
exhaust chamber provides additional
economy by reducing heat loss out the
stack. Since heat is transferred to the fluid
more efficiently, fuel consumption is
reduced as the heater firing is optimized.
Additional benefits: reduced thermal
stresses, longer heater life with less repair.
Issue 7 July 2002 Page 1211-A1
NATCO Vertical Emulsion Treaters are designed and built for any climatic or atmospheric conditions
2. Standard features Optional features
Vertical Emulsion Treater
Shell
O.D.
Standard
Working
Pressure
(psi)
Standard
Btu/h
Use Rate
Capacity (Maximum gas/oil ratio is 1000scf:1 bbl)
20’ Vessel Height 27.5’ Shell Height
Oil Water Oil Water
(bbls/day) (bbls/day) (bbls/day) (bbls/day)
4’ 50 283M 96-360 200-600 120-480 250-1800
4’ 50 350M 96-360 200-600 120-480 250-1800
6’ 50 500M 192-480 400-1300 240-840 550-4000
8’ 40 100M 360-960 800-2200 480-1920 1000-7000
10’ 40 1350M 480-1200 1000-3500 600-2880 1500-10000
4’ 50 350M 120-360 200-600 150-648 250-1800
6’ 50 500M 192-360 400-1300 240-960 550-4000
8’ 40 1000M 360-1680 800-2200 480-2160 1000-7000
10’ 40 1350M 480-2160 1000-3500 720-3240 1500-10000
4’ 50 350M 120-600 200-600 150-648 250-1800
6’ 50 500M 192-840 400-1300 240-960 550-4000
8’ 40 1000M 360-1680 800-2200 480-2160 1000-7000
10’ 40 1350M 480-2160 1000-3500 720-3240 1500-10000
Warm Weather Series (W-1)
20º to 42º high gravity crude oils, removable
heat baffle, no excelsior section, outside
siphon assembly, one manway
Warm Weather Series (W-2)
Similar to W1 but with one excelsior section
and two manways
Cold Weather Series (W-5)
20º to 42º high gravity crude oils, large water
volumes, removable heat baffle. No excelsior
section, outside siphon assembly, two
manways, clustered external or internal piping
Description
Issue 7 July 2002 Page 1211-A2
• Automatically controlled gas burning
equipment with manual shutoff
• Single or multiple coalescing sections
• Oil and water control valves
• Pressure gauge
• Gauge glasses with safety gauge cocks
• Thermostat and thermometer
• Pipe bracing
• Access ladder
• Coalescing media (Performax®
matrix
plate or excelsior)
• Alternate heat sources: oil burners, hot
oil bundles, steam bundles, electric
heating elements
• Flame arrestor
• Automatic ignition
• Flame safety shutdown
• External heat exchanger
• Safety fuel gas scrubber
• Pilot or lever-operated gas back
pressure valves
• Top-mounted platform with safety rails
• Cone-shaped desanding design
• Cold weather configuration with
housed lines and valves or internal
piping
• Insulation
NATCO Group Head Office
Houston, USA
Tel: +(1) 713 683 9292
Email: sales@natco-us.com
NATCO Canada
Calgary, Canada
Tel: +(1) 403 236 1850
Email: sales@natco.ab.ca
NATCO Japan
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +(81) 33288 1901
Email: natco1@natcojapan.com
Axsia Group
Gloucester, England
Tel: +(44) 1452 833800
Email: asbl@axsia.com
Axsia Howmar
Camberley, England
Tel: +(44) 1276 681101
Email: ahl@axsia.com
www.natcogroup.com
For more information on the NATCO Vertical Emulsion Treater or other NATCO Group products contact:
