Total’s wash tank technology license

Sulzer’s Chemtech division has been granted a license covering the Total-patented Wash Tank Technology for Oil Processing. The main purpose of this technology is to enhance the removal of water, salt, and contaminants from oil and emulsions, by a controlled distribution of the feed into the bottom of a hull tank of an FPSO/FSO/FPU which transforms the water-in-oil dispersion into an oil-inwater one where high efficiency phase separation takes place more easily. The technology also involves a significant simplification of the topsides crude oil process.

The following benefits can be achieved and are maximised by an early concept selection of this technology:

• Reduced topsides weight, CAPEX and complexity through significant minimisation of topsides processing equipment, including reduced number of separators and elimination of electrostatic coalescers (dehydrators & desalters) and associated heat exchangers
• Robust performance through more flexibility towards flow rate variations and potential future capacity increases, as well as mitigation of risks associated with naphthenate formation (emulsion stabilisation, deposits accumulation)
• Improved Energy Efficiency and Lower OPEX through reduction of utility consumptions (heating, cooling and electrical loads)
• Improved safety through a more aerated layout of the FPSO topsides