Vertical Emulsion Treater

Heating, degassing and dehydration in one efficient system

A crude oil dehydration system may
require one or more of numerous
processes: preheating, degassing, free
water removal, and heating.

NATCO Vertical Emulsion Treaters are

designed to use any combination of these
functions. In addition, special features and
options can extend a treater’s versatility
and enhance its efficiency.

Vertical treaters are primarily applicable to

low volume flows with high water
content.

A number of features contribute to the

system’s notable operating economy, and
optimum recovery of condensable, salable
hydrocarbons. These features include:
• A reversible firetube which provides
long life and the proper heat for
controlled separation
• Heat-retention baffling
• A condensing head which minimizes
vapor loss of hydrocarbons
• Corrosion-resistant adjustable fiberglass
siphon nipples
Continuous-flow separation
The inflowing wellstream separates into
gas and liquid. Gas is drawn off the top of
the vessel, while liquids flow through a
downcomer exiting below the firetube.
Specially designed baffles direct the
freewater downward and the lighter
oil/water emulsion upward.
The emulsion rises past the firetube,
absorbing heat. Heat and the scrubbing
action of the baffle trays break the
emulsion as it passes through the vessel.
NATCO Vertical Emulsion Treaters are designed and built for any climatic or atmospheric conditions
Working pressures
Standard systems perform from
atmospheric pressure to 50 psi; special
systems to 100+ psi.
Three available options to cut
fuel costs
An external heat exchanger preheats inlet
fluid for more economical treating. It also
cools outgoing treated oil to the storage
tank, preventing vaporization and loss of
valuable hydrocarbons. The result is
reduced fuel consumption and increased
oil volume to sales.
NATCO’s combustion air controller
governs air flow into the burner system.
The result is optimum air/fuel ratio
throughout the firing range; hence,
improved thermal efficiency.

Separated water drops coalesce and settle
to the bottom while oil continues rising.
Water is removed from the bottom of the
treater through a valve-monitored siphon;
oil is removed at the top through a
control valve. The desired oil/water level
can be maintained from the outside by
adjusting the siphon nipple.
A turbulator installed in the firetube
exhaust chamber provides additional
economy by reducing heat loss out the
stack. Since heat is transferred to the fluid
more efficiently, fuel consumption is
reduced as the heater firing is optimized.
Additional benefits: reduced thermal
stresses, longer heater life with less repair.

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Standard features
• Automatically controlled gas burning
equipment with manual shutoff
• Single or multiple coalescing sections
• Oil and water control valves
• Pressure gauge
• Gauge glasses with safety gauge cocks
• Thermostat and thermometer
• Pipe bracing
• Access ladder
Vertical Emulsion Treater
Optional features
• Coalescing media (Performax® matrix • Safety fuel gas scrubber
plate or excelsior) • Pilot or lever-operated gas back
• Alternate heat sources: oil burners, hot pressure valves
oil bundles, steam bundles, electric • Top-mounted platform with safety rails
heating elements
• Cone-shaped desanding design
• Flame arrestor
• Cold weather configuration with
• Automatic ignition housed lines and valves or internal
• Flame safety shutdown piping
• External heat exchanger • Insulation

Description Shell Standard Standard Capacity (Maximum gas/oil ratio is 1000scf:1 bbl)
OD working btu/h 20’ Vessel height 27.5’ Shell height
pressure use rate Oil Water Oil Water
(psi) (bbls/day) (bbls/day) (bbls/day) (bbls/day)

Warm weather series (W-1)

20º to 42º high gravity crude oils, removable 4’ 50 283M 96-360 200-600 120-480 250-1800
heat baffle, no excelsior section, outside 4’ 50 350M 96-360 200-600 120-480 250-1800
siphon assembly, one manway 6’ 50 500M 192-480 400-1300 240-840 550-4000
8’ 40 100M 360-960 800-2200 480-1920 1000-7000
10’ 40 1350M 480-1200 1000-3500 600-2880 1500-10000
Warm weather series (W-2)
Similar to W1 but with one excelsior section 4’ 50 350M 120-360 200-600 150-648 250-1800
and two manways 6’ 50 500M 192-360 400-1300 240-960 550-4000
8’ 40 1000M 360-1680 800-2200 480-2160 1000-7000
10’ 40 1350M 480-2160 1000-3500 720-3240 1500-10000
Cold weather series (W-5)
20º to 42º high gravity crude oils, large water 4’ 50 350M 120-600 200-600 150-648 250-1800
volumes, removable heat baffle. No excelsior 6’ 50 500M 192-840 400-1300 240-960 550-4000
section, outside siphon assembly, two 8’ 40 1000M 360-1680 800-2200 480-2160 1000-7000
manways, clustered external or internal piping 10’ 40 1350M 480-2160 1000-3500 720-3240 1500-10000

For more information on the NATCO Vertical Emulsion Treater or other NATCO Group products contact:

NATCO Group Head Office NATCO Canada Axsia Group

Houston, USA Calgary, Canada Gloucester, England
Tel: +(1) 713 683 9292 Tel: +(1) 403 236 1850 Tel: +(44) 1452 833800
Email: sales@natco-us.com Email: sales@natco.ab.ca Email: asbl@axsia.com

NATCO Japan Axsia Howmar

Tokyo, Japan Camberley, England
Tel: +(81) 33288 1901 Tel: +(44) 1276 681101
Email: natco1@natcojapan.com Email: ahl@axsia.com

www.natcogroup.com

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