Process and ChemicalDesalting, Dehydration and Emulsion Operations
Water and salt arriving with crude cause corrosion, fouling and catalyst damage far downstream of where they enter, which is why the desalter is one of the highest leverage units on a plant. This course covers operating it. Delegates work through emulsion formation and stability, the mechanisms available to break one including chemical, thermal and electrostatic, and desalter design and operation. Demulsifier selection and dosage optimisation are covered practically. Troubleshooting takes substantial time: carry over, carry under, grid shorting and the interface problems that account for most poor performance. The course closes on the downstream consequences of a desalter running badly.
Course objectives
- Explain emulsion formation and what stabilises one
- Apply chemical, thermal and electrostatic separation mechanisms
- Operate a desalter within its performance envelope
- Select and optimise demulsifier chemistry and dosage
- Diagnose carry over, carry under and interface problems
- Recognise grid shorting and its causes
- Trace downstream corrosion and fouling back to desalter performance
Who should attend
- Refinery and production process engineers
- Panel operators and field operators
- Chemical treatment specialists
- Corrosion and integrity engineers
- Technical services staff
Course outline
- 01Why water and salt matter far downstream
- 02Emulsion formation and stability
- 03Chemical, thermal and electrostatic separation
- 04Desalter design and operation
- 05Demulsifier selection and dosage
- 06Carry over, carry under and interface control
- 07Grid shorting and electrical problems
- 08Downstream consequences of poor performance
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 to 16 October 2026 | Accra, Ghana | Classroom | USD 1,325 per delegate | Register Now |
| 7 to 11 December 2026 | Online | Online | R8,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 22 to 26 February 2027 | Cape Town, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |