Procedimientos de desasfaltado y/o reducción de metales en petróleo crudo con una unidad desaladora

This invention relates to devices and processes for removing asphaltenes and/or metals from crude oil to increase refinery processing of heavy materials. The desalters of this invention reduce and/or remove at least a portion of asphaltenes and/or metals form the crude oil. The separation occurs by mixing water with the crude oil to result in an aqueous phase having water and water soluble salts, an interface phase having asphaltenes and/or metals along with water, and a hydrocarbon phase haying desalted, deasphalted and/or reduced metal crude oil.