Paper: The Basics of Oil Water Emulsion Treating

When crude oil is brought to the surface, various amounts of water, gas and other elements are mixed with the oil into a homogeneous mixture referred to as an "emulsion. " Before the oil is refined, the water, gas and other elements must he removed from the oil. This removal, or separation process, is referred to as "treating. " A combination of heat, settling and chemical treatment is used to affect "treating." A recent development adds the use of electrostatic grids to improve "treating. "