Some say the world is run by oil, and they wouldn’t be far from the truth. What we pay at the pump and the prices of milk are both tied to production and distribution. For those in the oil and gas industry, we know especially how boom and bust these cycles can be. What is a hot field one minute can turn into a series of layoffs the next year. So it is understandable that those in the industry would want to do everything they could to preserve their profits, particularly during a downswing.
This is where monitoring your processes can become so important. For example, sampling the crude-oil sediment and water content at the field site is one of the most essential parts of the process. Getting an inaccurate sample can seriously cost. Because purchasers only pay for the amount of crude oil received, minimizing the sediment and water is vital. Various markets accept varying amounts of sediment and water, so monitoring at the production site is the best approach. The field centrifuge method is considered the most accurate.
Having the proper equipment makes the difference. For example, the Komax Custody Transfer Mixer (CT mixer) assures that the bottom sediment and water is thoroughly dispersed throughout the oil stream. Even distribution is possible in a wide range of pipe sizes and flow ranges. Because the process is automated, the sampling process is easily repeatable and assuredly accurate.
In fact, our CT mixer was designed with the concept of solving the typical transfer sampling and mixing problems. Key design features, such as horizontal or vertical installation, mixing elements set to force the bottom water up to the crude and designs that minimize spikes in sediment or water mean highly accurate sampling without overmixing or emulsifying the product. Using our CT mixer can help ensure you get the most accurate samples and that errors don’t eat into your profitability!