The oil extraction process has undergone significant changes over the years, mainly in the following aspects:

• Change in the composition of oil: The oil that reaches the refineries has become “heavier”, with a higher content of sulfur, salt, impurities and greater viscosity.
• More aggressive process conditions: There was an increase in temperature inside the vessels, formation of conductive precipitates (such as FeS) and other changes in the desalting process.
• Instability in process parameters: During the beginning of the process, there are large variations in pressure and temperature in the vessels until the system stabilizes.

These changes have resulted in an increased frequency of mechanical and/or electrical failures in common PTFE insulators and separators that were previously used.

From the development of a new resin by DuPont, in partnership with the Tecnoflon Group as processor of this material and with the collaboration of CENPES (Petrobras Research and Development Center), PTFE Teflon NXT® (modified PTFE) emerged, with the following characteristics:

• Lower porosity and better surface finish.
• Greater resistance to permeation and chemical attack.
• Greater resistance to creep (deformation under load), maintaining rigidity at high temperatures.
• Better insulation performance at high voltage, with greater dielectric strength.

As a result of this evolution in the resin, the maintenance of desalting machines was significantly reduced, as the material began to better withstand operating conditions.

To guarantee the application of products in accordance with CENPES specifications, the following documents and tests are required during supply:

• X-ray tests along the piece, on both sides.
• Certificate of origin of the resin.
• Dielectric Strength Test Certificate, carried out on a test specimen for each batch of resin supplied.
• Resin processor certificate of conformity.
• Processing carried out by an approved company, according to the inspection visit carried out by CENPES.