In December 2013, Fluxo's new division for Petroleum Services signed a representation contract with Forum Energy Technologies, a traditional manufacturer of valves and drilling equipment. From now on, Fluxo will represent, exclusively for the national territory, desalting machines and electrostatic oil treaters from Forum's electrostatic processes division.
Forum acquired from Howe Baker the ownership rights to EDGE (Enhanced Deep-Grid Electrical) technology, used in desalting machines and oil dehydrators. EDGE technology presents the most effective and established solution for removing contaminants from oil, such as sodium, calcium and magnesium chloride. The removal of these salts from the oil prevents hydrolysis from occurring, and as a consequence of this, the formation of hydrochloric acid, which is the main cause of failures, due to corrosion, in oil processing equipment.
With more than a thousand units supplied worldwide, EDGE desalting machines/dehydrators use AC-Type Electrostatic Coalescing technology, which provides efficient removal of contaminants. When the oil-water emulsion is subjected to a high voltage electrostatic field, generated by the energized electrode grids, coalescence occurs, that is, the water droplets come together, and due to the difference in density, the oil and water separate. . The various solids unwanted in the process, after treatment, will be present in the water, which will be discarded through the lower part of the vessel and the oil through the upper part.
EDGE technology is available in two different designs, 3G-SV and 3G-TV. Both provide salt removal options, depending on the type of application.
The 3G-SV design includes two energized electrode grids and a third grounded grid. This technology presents, as one of its advantages, the minimization of energy consumption.
3G-TV has three energized electrode grids and none grounded. This technology maximizes salt removal performance and storage capacity in the desalter vessel. EDGE desalting machines were designed using demulsifiers recommended by best market practices, as well as the use of other chemical products, which are easily found on the Brazilian market.
“Fluxo believes that this partnership with Forum is very promising, as Brazil has an exceptional market for hiring new oil treaters and desalination plants.” says Sylvio Fonseca, director of the Petroleum Services division at Fluxo.
Possibilities for retrofitting existing facilities will also be present, since several facilities, mainly those located in the Campos Basin, will need to be adapted to the current conditions of the reservoirs, where there are a large number of wells producing a lot of water.