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About heater treater

Types of heater treaters

The heater treater is a critical component of the oil production process, separating crude oil from water and gas. Several types of heater treaters are commonly used in the oil and gas industry to meet various production needs.

  • Vertical heater treaters

    Vertical heater treater units have a cylindrical shape and are widely utilized in oil and gas production. They are primarily employed to separate crude oil from water and impurities. The heater treater functions based on the principles of heating, gravity separation, and chemical demulsification. The vertical heater treater units can effectively separate oil, water, and gas phases, allowing for the recovery of crude oil and the treatment of water and sediments to meet disposal standards.

  • Horizontal heater treaters

    Horizontal heater treater units are widely utilized oil production equipment. They are employed to heat and treat crude oil to facilitate subsequent separation and demulsification processes. Horizontal heater treater units are predominantly used in onshore oilfields where the equipment density is high, and space allows for laterally laying equipment. Because of their almost one-on-one feed to treat ratio, global markets are expanding rapidly. Moreover, the heater separator combo is horizontally integrated to save space and boost treatment capacity.

  • Separator heater treaters

    Separator heater treater is an essential piece of oil and gas production equipment that combines the functions of heating and separating crude oil, natural gas, and other by-products. The heater separator treater operates on the basis of heating to promote the separation of different phase components, allowing for the recovery of valuable resources such as crude oil and natural gas. At the same time, the heater separator treater can also treat and dispose of other by-products to reduce environmental pollution.

Specifications and maintenance of heater treaters

The specifications of heater treaters may vary depending on the specific type and model. The following are some of the specifications with their details.

  • Design: This specification may include the overall dimensions. For example, height, width, and length, as well as the weight capacity.
  • Power supply: Whether it's electric or solar power. For electric, it might be AC or DC, and also, the voltage and current requirements or capacity.
  • Temperature control: It refers to how the heater treater adjusts its temperature, for example, manual adjustment, automatic control, etc. It may also include the precision and ranges of the temperature control.
  • Fuel: This refers to the type of fuel the heater treater uses, such as diesel or natural gas. It might also include the fuel storage capacity and supply method.
  • Heat exchanger: Some heater treaters have heat exchangers that can recover heat from exhaust gases.

Maintaining a heater treater is essential in order to keep it functioning for as long as possible. It is necessary to perform periodic inspections and ensure that there are no leakages or cracks in the pipes. Also, the electrical components should be examined closely so as to see if any worn-out parts require replacements or repairs. Moreover, users should check the supply of fuel and ensure that the sizes of pumps and valves are functioning correctly, too. Additionally, users should monitor the temperature as well as the pressure levels inside the heater treater continuously so as to ensure that it is maintaining desirable conditions forefficient oil production.

Application Scenarios of Heater Treaters

The application of a heater treater mainly revolves around the crude oil industry, where it plays a significant role in separating and treating oil and gas.

  • Production Site Crude Oil Treatment

    At the production site, crude oil may contain water and gas components. A heater treater can heat crude oil to promote the separation of water and gas and treat the oil to improve its quality. This process ensures that oil and gas are efficiently separated from the water and sent for further processing.

  • Pipeline Crude Oil Transportation

    During crude oil pipeline transportation, a heater treater can prevent the emulsion from forming and reduce oil viscosity to ensure smooth flow. This function helps maintain the transportation efficiency and safety of crude oil.

  • Storage Tank Crude Oil Pre-treatment

    Before storing crude oil in tanks, a heater treater can treat the oil to separate gas components and water. It can also reduce the risk of tank corrosion by heating the water layer at the bottom, making heater treaters valuable assets in storage tank management.

  • Gas Production Facilities

    In gas production facilities, a heater treater can separate natural gas from the liquid hydrocarbons. It can also heat gas to remove moisture, thereby preventing the formation of gas hydrates and ensuring the safe and stable operation of gas production facilities.

  • Offshore Platform Crude Oil Treatment

    Offshore platforms face more complex environments, and a heater treater can be crucial in crude oil treatment. It can separate oil, gas, and water in a limited space, thereby ensuring efficient oil production.

How to choose heater treaters

Selecting suitable heater treater machines for sale is crucial for optimizing oil production, reducing costs, and ensuring efficient operations. Several key factors should be considered before purchasing. First and foremost, buyers must determine their treating capacity requirement. Industrial heater treaters come in different sizes. To prevent bottlenecks and support the intended oil production smoothly, buyers should consider the volume of crude oil that needs to be processed daily.

Secondly, buyers should evaluate the configuration and design of heater treaters. They should decide whether they need vertical or horizontal heater treaters based on available space and integration with existing facilities. Buyers should also consider the efficiency of oil heater treaters. The separation and recovery rates, as well as energy consumption, vary from one heater treater to another. Selecting heater treaters with high separation efficiency and low energy consumption will benefit buyers in the long run.

More importantly, the type of heater treater also matters. Electrostatic heater treaters tend to have faster separation rates, while gravity-based treaters are more cost-effective. Depending on specific needs and budget constraints, buyers can choose which type is suitable for them. Buyers also need to consider the environment where heater treaters will be installed. If the location is exposed to harsh weather conditions, such as extreme high or low temperatures, distinctive humidity, or corrosive elements, buyers may need to invest in industrial heater treaters with additional protective features, like insulation or corrosion-resistant materials.

In addition, buyers should ensure that the selected heater treater complies with safety and environmental standards. The treaters should have proper safety mechanisms, like pressure relief valves and emergency shut-off switches, to prevent potential hazards during operation.

Finally, the maintenance and support services of heater treaters are also key considerations. Businesses need to choose suppliers who provide comprehensive after-sales services, including repair and maintenance services, spare part supplies, and technical support.

Heater treater Q&A

Q1 Are heater treaters still used?

A1 Yes, heater treaters are still used in the oil and gas industry. Although some innovations have been made, the heater treater remains one of the most effective crude oil demulsifiers.

Q2 What is the difference between a heater treater and a separator?

A2 An oil heater treater is different from a separator in that the latter aims to separate emulsions regardless of the heat. Separators can use mechanical means to split crude oil from gas and water, but heater treaters rely on heat and chemical addition to aid separation.

Q3 Is the heater treater under high pressure?

A3 The heater treater operates at atmospheric pressure because high-pressure equipment is required when gas is present in large quantities.

Q4 What chemicals are used in the heater treater?

A4 Demulsifiers are used in heater treaters. They can be ionic, anionic or non-ionic, and their selection depends on the nature of crude oil.