Kirby Mohr, P.E.
President
Mohr Separations Research Inc.
Lewisville, Texas, USA

In most facilities where hydrocarbons are produced or processed it is necessary to separate water (fresh or salt) from the hydrocarbons. The resulting water must then be treated to remove residual hydrocarbons so that it can be reused or reinjected.

The separation of the residual hydrocarbons from the water may be accomplished in various ways from simple gravity separators to much more elaborate systems, depending on the particular site requirements.

Various separation systems are discussed along with effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages of each and a method for determining which system would be most suitable for different situations.