Chemical Degassing Composition for Processing Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing residual hydrocarbon liquids and hazardous vapors from petroleum refining and chemical processing equipment are inefficient, requiring lengthy exposure to the atmosphere and multiple chemical processes, which prolong the turn-around time and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A chemical composition comprising 1-10% oxyalkylated dodecyl thiol and 1-20% alkyl di-substituted 9-decenamide, applied in a carrier medium, enhances the degassing and degreasing process, allowing for rapid removal of hazardous gases and liquids without exposing the vessel to the atmosphere, reducing the need for multiple chemicals and steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If high-pressure steam is used for cleaning, then the process is simple and inexpensive, but the cleaning performance is very poor and hydrocarbon gas removal is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines steam with a chemical composition containing oxyalkylated thiol and substituted decenamide to create a composite cleaning system. The chemical composition acts as an additive to steam, enhancing its cleaning and degreasing capabilities while maintaining the simplicity of the steam injection process. This composite approach allows the steam to provide thermal energy while the chemical agents provide targeted hydrocarbon removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the steam by introducing specific chemical compounds (ox yalkylated thiol and substituted decenamide) into the steam stream. These chemical additions transform the pure physical steam into a chemically enhanced cleaning medium that can effectively dissolve and remove hydrocarbon residues while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If caustic solution cleaning is used, then hydrocarbon removal is effective, but additional processing is required to neutralize effluent before wastewater treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical composition used in the invention creates a controlled cleaning environment that does not generate highly reactive or problematic effluents. The oxyalkylated thiol and substituted decenamide formulations are designed to break down hydrocarbons into manageable byproducts that can be directly treated in conventional wastewater systems without requiring additional neutralization steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a disposable chemical composition that is consumed during the cleaning process and then easily disposed of through standard wastewater treatment. This eliminates the need for complex effluent neutralization systems required by caustic cleaning, as the chemical agents are designed to be environmentally manageable after use.
3Reliability
If organic solvent wash is used, then oil removal is satisfactory, but the process requires 24-48 hours and water rinsing is time-consuming and difficult to verify completeness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes phase transitions by injecting the chemical composition as a liquid that rapidly vaporizes when introduced into the hot vessel environment. This phase change from liquid to vapor allows the cleaning agents to quickly penetrate and contact all surfaces, dramatically reducing cleaning time compared to slow liquid-phase solvent circulation while maintaining effective oil removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical circulation system required for solvent wash with a vapor-phase injection system. Instead of pumping solvents through the vessel over 24-48 hours, the chemical composition is injected and distributed as vapor, eliminating the need for complex circulation machinery and reducing the process to a matter of hours rather than days.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If vessel is opened to atmosphere for airing out, then hydrocarbon gas volatilization occurs, but the process takes as long as two days
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by chemically treating and removing residual hydrocarbon liquids before the degassing process. By eliminating the liquid hydrocarbon sources that would otherwise volatilize slowly during airing out, the vessel is pre-conditioned to release gases much more rapidly, reducing the two-day airing out period to a fraction of that time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful residual hydrocarbon liquids into a benefit by using them as targets for the chemical composition's action. The oxyalkylated thiol and substituted decenamide specifically target and break down these hydrocarbons, transforming the problem of hydrocarbon presence into an opportunity for controlled chemical removal that accelerates the overall degassing process.
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
The composition significantly reduces degassing time, streamlines the turn-around process, and enables safe vessel entry by effectively removing both gases and liquids, with treated effluent suitable for direct wastewater treatment without additional processing.
Implementation Method 1
The prevalent process used for decontamination is through steam injection, also called vapor-phase cleaning. In vapor-phase cleaning, a chemical is injected into a steam stream that is sparged through the equipment over a period of time.
Implementation Method 2
a chemical is injected into a steam stream that is sparged through the equipment
Implementation Method 3
the residual oils that are the source of gas generation within equipment, are removed thereby allowing for more rapid gas elimination via steam pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A chemical composition for use in degassing of vessels is taught, said chemical composition including 1-10% by weight of an oxyalkylated dodecyl thiol; and 1-20% by weight of an alkyl di-substituted 9-decenamide. A method is further provided for degassing a vessel. The method includes charging said vessel with chemical composition and a carrier medium, wherein said chemical composition comprises 1-10% by weight of an oxyalkylated dodecyl thiol and 1-20% by weight of an alkyl di-substituted 9-decenamide.