AM-08-36 Strategies for Desalting Heavy Western Canadian Feedstocks

Description:

This paper discusses the characteristics of the feedstocks that are most problematic relative to crude unit desalter operations. For example, many feedstocks with residual bitumen content may have high asphaltene and inorganic solids contents, or difficult to remove salts, due to thermal stressing of the hydrocarbon during the production or upgrading process. These contaminants can have a negative impact on refinery desalter performance, and can lead to additional operating problems in downstream process units and waste water treatment facilities.