What Are Three Things Separated in a Field Tank Battery?

January 11, 2021

The inner workings of a field tank battery or tank battery system are complex. Understanding the ins and outs of field tank batteries helps the user operate an oil well efficiently, as well as safely, and ensures tank battery installations in Carlsbad, NM last for the long term.

Three-phase units are commonly used to separate oil from water and gas as well as other contaminants. The field tank battery equipment and the process of separation both work to ensure a clean end product that can be sold and distributed widely.

Pressurized tanks feature inlets, outlets and drains

The point of the field tank battery design is to separate everything efficiently. Depending on the size of the operation, a few field tank batteries set up close to each other can support a network of oil wells.

The field tank battery apparatus features several outlets, one major inlet and a main drain to assist in this process. The main drain keeps water from sitting in the tank too long and causing undue corrosion.

Oil, gas and water all have outlets from the pressurized tanks. The liquid that enters the tank enters through what is called an emulsion inlet. The separator is usually the first tank in the series and separates water and oil in a pressurized environment.

Pressurized lines and floaters keep users safe

Turning raw material into usable commodities takes heavy-duty equipment and iron-clad processes to ensure user safety and a clean product. Pressurized lines keep flow of materials steady and able to respond in any type of weather, which is great for high-temperature climates as well as snowy and icy areas. Additionally, pressurized lines can expand and retract according to the density of the flow, especially when made of the right materials, like steel or fiberglass.

Floaters placed on the inside of the tank can sense when the tank has reached an unsafe volume. This triggers the flow of emulsion from entering the tank, stopping the process that could lead to overflow and a dangerous situation for the user.

The header improves efficiency

When your emulsion is extracted from several different wells, the use of a header can improve the efficiency with which you track production. Without it, certain wells could be producing more or less product without that knowledge getting to the operator.

Furthermore, if wells contain contaminants, well testers placed at each site can diagnose the problem. However, a header can do so without having to place several different well testers that each need to be checked. The process is much more efficient for the operator of the oil wells.

For heavy-duty equipment, prepare by consulting with experts

One piece of advice: keep your owner’s manual handy for the length of your field tank battery’s life. This will ensure you are always making adjustments and modifications according to your equipment’s particular specifications.

The best thing you can do for peace of mind is have your tanks set up by a professional. For tank battery installations in Carlsbad, NM, contact JB Electric LLC for a consultation with our experts.

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