Question 3 (5 marks)
The crude oil usually contains salt in the form of dissolved salt in the tiny droplet of water,
which forms a water-in-oil emulsion. This water cannot be separated by gravity or through
mechanical means and is separated through electrostatic water separation.
i) Describe briefly the importance of desalting crude oils.
ii) What is the major role of demulsifiers in this process.
iii) Sketch a simplified process flow diagram for a two-stage electrostatic desalting system.