ExxonMobil finalizes new emulsion-breaking technology marketing agreement

Imperial Petroleum Recovery microwave separation technology uses high-powered radio frequency/microwave energy to facilitate separation

Petroleum News Alaska

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co. of Fairfax, Va., and Imperial Petroleum Recovery Corp. of Houston said May 15 that they have finalized the terms of a worldwide marketing and technology development agreement for a revolutionary emulsion-breaking technology.

The companies said the Imperial Petroleum Recovery-developed microwave separation technology was recently commissioned at ExxonMobil’s Torrance, Calif., refinery and has met initial performance standards.

Petroleum refineries, chemical plants, and oil-producing fields deal with oil, water and solid emulsions on a daily basis. Many of these emulsions are very stable and difficult to separate, and, in addition to tying up valuable tankage, require expensive thermal, chemical or mechanical treatment. Specifically in the upstream, emulsion-related equipment problems and high treatment costs can limit production volumes and make production from some fields uneconomical.

Process facilitates separation

Individual microwave separation technology units can be designed to process up to 4,000 barrels of emulsion per day and can be installed in parallel trains to process higher volumes. After separation, the high quality oil product can be refined without further treatment. Water can be processed through existing wastewater systems and solids can be discharged as a slurry or dry cake for disposal per the plant’s specifications.

The microwave separation technology unit operates continuously and is able to process multiple streams with different levels of oil, water and solids. The companies said they anticipate that the technology will compete successfully with more costly emulsion treatment options.