• Crude Stabilization

    STABILIZATION

    Crude Stabilization units process and strip crude of light hydrocarbon components and contaminants, typically hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and produced water with the addition of heat. Components are stripped via contact with upward flowing vapour to produce a stabilized crude to meet required specification.

3D DESIGN
STABILIZATION
HEAT EXCHANGER
TDE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Crude Oil Rates: 1000 BPD to 70,000 BPD

Engineering
Procurement
Fabrication
Construction and Installation
Commissioning
Operation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

TDE evaluates and makes design considerations to determine optimum efficiency and enhance component separation. TDE's Crude Stabilization Units incorporate design aspects to minimize upfront capital costs and energy requirements to meet market specifications.

TDE offers either our Standard Pre-Engineered Modular Packages or Fully Customized Designs to meet varying project and schedule requirements.

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

Crude oil feed flows to the stabilization tower and is preheated by cross exchange with hot stabilized product prior to entering the tower. A portion of the feed bypasses the crude oil exchanger and is introduced as cold reflux.

The feed descends and is contacted by upward flowing vapour, which strips H2S and light components from the crude and exits as overhead vapour for disposal or further treatment. The hot vapour is cooled by the cold reflux and water accumulates from the constant condensation and vapourization on the top trays. Water is drawn-off and feeds a two-phase separator where the crude is re-introduced to the tower and the separated water is level controlled downstream for treatment.

Crude accumulates in the bottom where stripping vapour is generated by the reboiler and returned to the tower. The stabilized reboiler liquids return to the sump and are sub-cooled via heat exchange with the feed and pumped downstream for additional cooling prior to product storage.

STABILIZATION DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Internals
• Promote vapour/liquid contact for component separation and stripping
• Evaluate configuration and orientation to avoid issues and optimize stabilization

Water Removal
• Multiple water draw-offs provide flexibility in removal
• Interface control monitors and prevents crude losses

Reflux
• Cold feed provides reflux to rectify vapours
• Ratio control of feed and reflux maintains vapour/liquid separation

Energy Recovery
• Optimize heat recovery from stabilized product
• Provides preheat to upstream feed and systems

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