--- title: Interface Measurement In Desalters description: Interface Measurement In Desalters image: https://blog.techstar.com/hubfs/image-png-Nov-08-2021-09-39-04-41-PM.png --- [![Teckstar](https://blog.techstar.com/hubfs/header-logo-1.png)](http://techstar.com/) [SPEAK TO AN EXPERT](https://techstar.com/asktechstar/?__hstc=233546881.94308a3d6ad9d040c1c30bf75699981b.1700673178130.1709582481954.1709637461889.239&__hssc=233546881.1.1709637461889&__hsfp=541284016) [ONLINE STORE](https://store.techstar.com/?__hstc=233546881.94308a3d6ad9d040c1c30bf75699981b.1700673178130.1709582481954.1709637461889.239&__hssc=233546881.1.1709637461889&__hsfp=541284016) - OUR COMPANY - [Sales Coverage](https://techstar.com/locations) - [Office Locations](https://techstar.com/locations#offices) - [Ask An Expert](https://techstar.com/asktechstar/) - [Who We Are](https://techstar.com/who-we-are) - [Industries](https://techstar.com/industries) - [Tale of the Goat](https://techstar.com/about-us/the-tale-of-the-pale-goat/) - 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As refineries try to maximize their margins, so-called opportunity crudes are often used. These crude oils generally contain increased levels of sulphur, oil sands, bitumen, heavy oils and oils with high TAN. This can lead to problems with the proper operation of the desalter. In addition, refineries are increasingly confronted with stricter environmental regulations. The efficient level control of water/emulsions/oil layers in the desalter ensures that salts and minerals are effectively removed and that environmental requirements are met. Therefore, more and more operators are turning to radiometry as a highly reliable and accurate measurement solution for this application. If a clearly defined interface is formed, different technologies can be used for interface measurement. If a larger emulsion layer is formed, for example, when using “opportunity crudes”, with a significant density gradient change from oil to water, the measurement with alternative technologies can lead to errors. These cannot determine the height of the emulsion layer and always assume only one separation layer (or interface). This can lead to misinterpretations and the level is either too high or too low. If the level is too low, hydrocarbons can be entrained with the water/brine effluent and be sent to the waster water treatment plant, where it can cause environmental issues and potential penalties. If the level is too high, it can cause the electrostatic grids to short, therefore potentially allowing water, salts and minerals to be carried over with the crude oil, where water can damage to the distillation columns, salts can cause corrosion issues and fouling of heat exchangers/furnace tubes and minerals such as iron (Fe) can deactivate downstream catalyst. ![](https://blog.techstar.com/hubfs/image-png-Nov-08-2021-09-39-04-41-PM.png) In addition to controlling water and brine levels, the EmulsionSENS interface measuring system from Berthold Technologies allows you to continuously monitor the gradient change in density to ensure that the water content in the area of the electrostatic grids stays within defined limits, preventing short circuits. In addition, the emulsion layer can be kept continuously at the desired level with the help of an EmulsionSENS, which leads to a significant reduction of the “emulsion breaker chemicals”. Thus, we reduce the probability of upsets for our customers and maximize throughput in the desalter. This process optimization saves money in the long term. According to customers and experts, these are savings of $100,000 to $300,000. We help you to optimize your processes. We offer you tailored measurement solutions that meet the requirements of the refinery with the highest degree of accuracy and stability. #### ![](https://blog.techstar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Nov-08-2021-09-38-13-49-PM.png?width=225&name=image-png-Nov-08-2021-09-38-13-49-PM.png)ADVANTAGES - Maximum throughput and availability - Ideal control of drained water quality - Ideal control of the brine outlet, helps to reduce the carryover of water/salts/minerals - Reduced operational costs of the desalter - Effective addition of emulsion breaking chemicals - Increased safety for subsequent distillation processes #### FEATURES - Number of sources/detectors dependent upon application - Highly repeatable and very stable measurements - Detectors are mounted outside of the vessel for ease of maintenance and ensuring no cooling is required - Very precise density at each corresponding height, density accuracy <0.002g/cm3 (aligned) - Or continuous level measurement of the interface layers, level accuracy +/- 20mm (Staggered) - Optional mud level measurement - Increased reliability, operates on all API crudes (light/heavy/extra heavy crudes) Topics: [Level Solutions](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/level-solutions), [Berthold](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/berthold), [Density](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/density) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [MSA (29)](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/msa) - [Yokogawa (21)](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/yokogawa) - [Moore Industries (19)](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/moore-industries) - [Fox Thermal (17)](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/fox-thermal) - [Thermal Gas Mass Flow Meters (17)](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/thermal-gas-mass-flow-meters) - [Gas Detection Solutions (16)](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/gas-detection-solutions) - [Safety (16)](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/safety) - [Analytical Solutions (13)](https://blog.techstar.com/news/topic/analytical-solutions) - 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