Oil/water separation

Add transparency to your oil/water separation process

Knowledge of the position and thickness of the oil/water emulsion layer in a separator is essential to efficient control, e.g. when adding demulsifiers. By combining radiometric level measurement with SCADA visualization solution Profile Vision adds transparency to your process.

Field of application

Oil/water emulsion layers precisely determined with Profile Vision

The most exact information on the oil/water emulsion layer is gained by density profiling. In this multidetector radiometric solution, several transmitter/detectors are mounted, closely spaced, on the tank wall. The measuring range is subdivided into zones and a density value is calculated for each zone. The density image is then analyzed by a special algorithm and the result visualized on a monitor. Endress+Hauser offer density profiling as a scalable solution as Profile Vision.

Separator, FWKO (free water knock out drum) treater 

Profile Vision - displaying the invisible

Clean solution: Separating crude oil from water, sand and gas is an important process, e.g. on board a FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading) vessel or at an oil-sand extraction facility. With radiometric level and density measurements, Endress+Hauser's Profile Vision solution visualizes the position of the emulsion layers.

Benefits for your project

• Protects investment – highly accurate, automated separation extends the life-time and improves the output of older oil wells
• Maximizes production – automated profile acquisition simplifies the treatment of oil sands and increases oil yield
• Reduces costs – a clear view of the different interface levels enables optimal addition of demulsifier and antifoam chemicals
• Greens your production – reliable separation of oil and water minimizes pollution and protects the environment.

System architecture

Profile Vision comprises either a Rockwell or Endress+Hauser system with 4–20 mA, PROFIBUS or FOUNDATION fieldbus instrumentation to choice.

Proven-in-use and well documented automation solution

Solution at a glance

• Unaffected by build-up
• Maintenance-free, detectors easily accessible
• Simple, space-saving installation of the source container
• No moving parts

Profile Vision

Profile Vision from Endress+Hauser is a modular solution to calculate and visualize density profiles, comprising software, instrumentation, panels and controllers.

Profile Vision at a glance

• Marine/offshore and inland/onshore applications
• Safe and hazardous areas
• 240 density measuring points per project
• Optional connection to DCS system via Modbus TCP or Ethernet/IP

Functions

• Collection and scaling of measurement data´
• Calculation and visualization of up to five different interface levels
• Visualization of density profile
  – graphically (density indicated by colors)
  – chart (bargraph or line graph)
• Limit value and status monitoring
• Alarming and trending

Visualize your process

Profile Vision - Overview of individual tanks with profiles or bargraphs, alarming, history and event log.

Radiometric level measurement

The measuring assembly comprises a closed dip tube, into which the source is inserted via a rod or rope extension.  Depending on the measuring range and application, one or more detectors are mounted on the outside of the tank.

• Cs137 gamma source encapsulation meets  C66646 classification to ISO 2919
• Source containers guarantee optimum screening of radiation
• Compact transmitter/detector is adaptable to any measuring task

Download releated documentation

Profile Vision
Adds transparency to your separation process

Innovation brochure
IN014S/04/en

Radiometric Interface Measurement
The measuring method for special applications
in the oil and gas industry

Competence brochure
CP044F/00/en

Radiometric measurement technology
A safe principle that meets the highest demands

Competence brochure
CP017F/00/en