Open reference

Knowledge and insights

This section explains how crude oil treatment and hydrogen purification equipment works, in plain engineering language. It holds comparison explainers, a glossary of terms with short definitions, and technical papers written by engineers. Everything is open to read, with no registration. Values quoted are typical published ranges unless a page says otherwise.

Side-by-side comparisons of the choices engineers ask about most: 3 explainers
Short definitions, with a longer explanation where one helps: 25 glossary terms
Everything is open to read; values are typical published ranges unless stated: No registration

Go to the symptom index Browse the glossary

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Comparison explainers, the glossary and technical papers

Comparison explainer
Crude oil desalter vs dehydrator
One vessel, three names: what changes between the two duties and what it means when you specify.
Comparison explainer
Single-stage vs two-stage desalting
How much salt each removes, how the wash water is reused, and how to decide.
Comparison explainer
PSA vs TSA for hydrogen purification
Two adsorption processes that are not interchangeable: which feed needs which.
Definitions
Glossary
Short definitions of the terms used across the site, from adsorbent to wash water.
Technical papers
Insights
Technical papers and market commentary, published in full on the page.
Operating problems
Troubleshooting symptom index
Ten symptoms, each with probable causes and the data that separates them.

Comparison explainers

PSA vs TSA for hydrogen purification: which adsorption process fits which duty, and why they are not interchangeable.
Crude oil desalter vs dehydrator: one vessel type, two duties, and what changes between them.
Single-stage vs two-stage desalting: how staging changes salt removal and wash water use.

Glossary

The glossary defines the terms used across this site, from basic sediment and water (BS&W) to tail gas. Each term has a short definition you can quote and a longer explanation with context.

Technical papers and market insights

Longer pieces are published as full web pages, with a PDF copy as a convenience. See technical papers, market insights and news.

Have a specific operating problem?

The troubleshooting index lists common symptoms on desalters, dehydrators and hydrogen adsorption units, with probable causes and the data an engineer would ask for.