by Bill Ball
Innovation in the oil and gas industry has been slow, but KBK Industries is changing that with their cutting-edge HWSB® technology. This state-of-the-art system, designed for separating oil from water, has quickly gained popularity due to its incredible efficiency and innovative design. Since its inception in the 1980s, the HWSB® has undergone multiple improvements, and today, over 5,000 units are in operation worldwide. The result? Millions of barrels of crude oil recovered annually, creating substantial revenue streams for operators.
The HWSB® Breakthrough
The HWSB® was first introduced in a retrofit project in Alberta, Canada, where it exceeded all expectations. By rethinking traditional separation tank designs, KBK’s engineers crafted a system that ensures uniform fluid distribution, allowing for extended retention times. This critical improvement gives the oil and water the necessary time to fully separate, maximizing oil recovery and reducing oil in water discharge to almost 0%.
Efficiency at Its Core
One of the major issues with previous separation tanks was retention time—many designs provided only a few minutes or even seconds of fluid separation, leading to significant oil loss. The HWSB® tackles this by promoting a helical flow pattern, which distributes fluids evenly throughout the tank. This innovative system captures up to 99.9% of oil, leaving the water almost entirely oil-free.
Further innovations like redesigned water legs, solids removal systems, and even a gas flotation system have propelled the HWSB® to the forefront of oil-water separation technology. Operators now enjoy greater control over the oil-water interface, minimized downtime, and enhanced oil recovery, all thanks to KBK’s continued commitment to excellence.
Why It Matters
The HWSB® technology has transformed the industry by not only improving operational efficiency but also by boosting profitability. Many SWD (Saltwater Disposal) plants have reported revenue increases exceeding $1 million in just the first year of using the HWSB®. It’s a game-changer for operators who need to maximize oil recovery while minimizing environmental impact.
Conclusion
The HWSB® is more than just an oil-water separator; it’s a complete solution that has redefined industry standards. With over a million barrels of oil recovered annually from its installations, KBK’s technology stands as a testament to what innovative thinking can achieve. For those looking to increase efficiency and profit, KBK’s HWSB® is a must-have.
Read the technical paper, KBK’s MARVELOUS HWSB ® TECHNOLOGY: The Best 21st Century Crude Oil-Water Separation Tank
Bill Ball is a senior staff consultant to KBK Industries with over 50 years of oilfield engineering experience and holder of twenty-three oil and gas industry related US patents. His credentials represent the culmination of a lifetime of breakthroughs and innovations. Bill’s twenty-three US process equipment patents speak to this. His first patent has become an industry “game changer.” It is the industry’s first true oil-water separation “skim tank”, the “HWSB”. Today there are over 3,500 HWSB® skim tanks separating and capturing oil that used to be injected and lost forever. Bill resides in Bixby, a suburb of Tulsa, Oklahoma.