Asphaltene Analysis via Precipitation Filtration and Solvent Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing asphaltenes in crude oil suffer from incomplete analysis due to irreversible adsorption on PTFE beads and residual adsorption on filters, leading to inaccurate and non-reproducible results.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves forming a precipitate of compounds in a chamber, capturing it in a filter device, and dissolving it with a solvent bypassing the chamber, using a chamber design that minimizes adsorption and a solvent composition that varies over time to enhance detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If asphaltenes are analyzed using PTFE beads in HPLC column, then the analysis can be performed, but irreversible adsorption occurs leading to incomplete analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic adsorption issue by removing asphaltenes from the mobile phase using a low volume filter with porous filter element, separating them from the HPLC column system. This extraction prevents irreversible adsorption on PTFE beads while maintaining analysis capability through the filter-based separation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The low volume filter with porous filter element serves as an intermediary between the sample introduction and the HPLC column. It captures asphaltenes in a controlled manner while allowing the mobile phase to pass through, mediating the interaction between asphaltenes and the column system to prevent direct irreversible adsorption.
2Reliability
If low volume filter is used to capture precipitated asphaltenes, then repeatability improves, but residual adsorption on filter occurs due to insufficient mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by thoroughly mixing the crude sample with precipitant solvent before filtration. This pre-mixing ensures complete precipitation of asphaltenes and prevents residual adsorption on the filter surface, as all asphaltenes are captured in the precipitate form rather than adhering to the filter material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of asphaltenes from dissolved to precipitated form by adjusting solvent composition and mixing conditions. This parameter change ensures complete capture of asphaltenes in the precipitate, eliminating residual adsorption issues while maintaining high repeatability.
3Productivity
If in-column methods are used, then analysis can be performed, but adsorption on column material leads to incomplete and non-reproducible results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the analysis system into distinct functional components: a mixing chamber for precipitation, a low volume filter for capture, and an HPLC column for analysis. This segmentation isolates the adsorption problem to the filter component while maintaining efficient analysis through the HPLC system, achieving both productivity and reproducibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable low volume filter with porous filter element that can be easily replaced. This disposable component eliminates the need for complex cleaning procedures and ensures consistent performance across multiple analyses, improving reproducibility while maintaining analysis efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, reproducible, and efficient analysis of asphaltenes with reduced sample and solvent consumption, minimizing adsorption and fouling, and providing better peak resolution.
Implementation Method 1
injecting the sample and a first solvent into a chamber so that the one or more compounds in the sample form a precipitate in the chamber
Implementation Method 2
passing a second solvent through the filter device while bypassing the chamber, so as to dissolve the one or more compounds in the precipitate captured in the filter device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a system for analyzing one or more compounds in a hydrocarbon-containing sample. The method comprises steps of: a) injecting the sample and a first solvent into a chamber so that the one or more compounds in the sample form a precipitate in the chamber; b) passing the precipitate from the chamber to a filter device, wherein the precipitate is captured in the filter device; c) passing a second solvent through the filter device while bypassing the chamber, so as to dissolve the one or more compounds in the precipitate captured in the filter device; and d) detecting the one or more compounds downstream of the filter device. The system comprises a chamber, a sample feeding line, a first solvent feeding line, a filter device, a transfer line, a second solvent feeding line, and a detector.