Automated Asphaltene Precipitation for Hydroprocessing Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing and processing hydrocarbonaceous solutions, such as oil, are slow and inefficient, particularly in measuring asphaltenes and determining coking indexes, which are crucial for preventing coke formation during distillation.
Innovation Solution
An automated in-vessel precipitation and dissolution system using a column with a stationary phase, where a solution of interest is treated with solvents of increasing polarity to precipitate and re-dissolve asphaltenes, allowing for rapid measurement and analysis of asphaltenes and coking indexes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional manual methods are used for asphaltene precipitation and dissolution, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but analysis time is excessively long (days)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (manual precipitation, filtration, dissolution steps) with an automated chromatographic system that uses programmed solvent delivery and automated column operations to perform the same analytical function, reducing analysis time from days to minutes while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The chromatographic system is designed to automatically perform the complete asphaltene analysis sequence without manual intervention - the system self-regulates solvent delivery, precipitation timing, column washing, and data collection, eliminating the need for operator presence during the analysis process
2Measurement precision
If traditional analysis methods are used, then equipment complexity is low, but measurement precision and detail of asphaltene distribution information are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the asphaltene mixture into distinct fractions based on solubility by using a sequence of solvents with increasing polarity (n-heptane, cyclohexane, toluene, methanol), allowing detailed characterization of different asphaltene components rather than treating them as a single group
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a stationary phase (silica gel or alumina) as an intermediary medium in the chromatographic column that facilitates selective interaction with different asphaltene fractions, enabling enhanced separation and detailed measurement of asphaltene distribution that cannot be achieved with simple filtration methods
3Productivity
If rapid analysis is implemented, then productivity increases, but reliability of coking index determination may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary separation of asphaltene fractions through automated chromatographic precipitation before final measurement, ensuring that each fraction is properly isolated and characterized according to established protocols, which maintains the reliability of coking index calculations while enabling rapid sequential analysis of multiple samples
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated detection and data collection that provides real-time feedback on fraction elution and composition, allowing the instrument to adjust solvent delivery rates and collection timing to ensure complete separation and accurate measurement of each asphaltene fraction, thereby maintaining measurement reliability at high throughput
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
This method significantly reduces analysis time from days to minutes, providing more detailed information on asphaltene distribution and coking indexes, enabling better process control and preventing coke formation during oil refining.
Implementation Method 1
a column with a stationary phase, where a solution of interest is treated with solvents of increasing polarity to precipitate and re-dissolve asphaltenes
Implementation Method 2
treated with solvents of increasing polarity to precipitate and re-dissolve asphaltenes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (d) correlating a measurement of feedstock reactivity for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes. Determined parameters and processabilities for a plurality of feedstocks can be used to generate a mathematical relationship between parameter and processability; this relationship can be used to estimate the processability for hydroprocessing for a feedstock of unknown processability.