FTIR Crude Oil Analysis Without Distillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional crude oil assays are time-consuming and costly due to the need for distillation and fractionation to determine indicative properties like cetane number, pour point, and aromaticity, which hinders efficient refining and valuation processes.

Innovation Solution

Employing Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to directly assess the indicative properties of crude oil fractions without fractionation, using a system that calculates these properties based on density and FTIR measurements, enabling rapid evaluation of crude oil quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional crude oil assays using distillation and fractionation are employed to determine indicative properties, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindicative properties determinationVSAvoidassay time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical distillation and fractionation system with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), an optical analytical technique. FTIR directly measures the infrared absorption spectrum of crude oil to determine indicative properties such as aromaticity, cetane number, and pour point, eliminating the need for time-consuming mechanical separation processes while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement approach from physical separation based on boiling points to spectral analysis based on molecular vibrations. By measuring infrared absorption at specific wavelengths corresponding to functional groups in the crude oil, the method directly determines compositional parameters without undergoing phase changes or separation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If conventional crude oil assays using distillation and fractionation are employed to determine indicative properties, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindicative properties determinationVSAvoidassay process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical distillation apparatus, fractionation columns, and multiple analysis instruments with a single FTIR spectrometer. This optical instrument integrates sample introduction, spectral measurement, and data processing into one device, dramatically simplifying the overall assay process while maintaining the ability to determine multiple indicative properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The FTIR spectrometer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures aromaticity, cetane number, pour point, and other indicative properties in a single analysis. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate distillation and analysis equipment for each property, reducing device complexity and operational cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If FTIR analysis is used to directly assess crude oil fractions without fractionation, then loss of time is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassay timeVSAvoidindicative properties determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback through calibration curves and standard reference materials to ensure measurement precision. Known crude oil samples with certified indicative properties are measured alongside unknown samples, and the FTIR spectra are compared against calibration data to accurately determine the properties of the test samples, maintaining precision despite the rapid analysis time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a spectral fingerprint copy of the crude oil's molecular structure through FTIR measurement. This spectral signature serves as a unique identifier that can be compared against reference spectra and calibration data to determine indicative properties, providing a rapid yet accurate assessment without physical fractionation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 the time and cost associated with crude oil assays, allowing for quick benchmarking and valuation of oil quality, saving producers and refiners substantial effort and resources.

Implementation Method 1

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10942160B2Characterization of crude oil and its fractions by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis

Publication Date: 2021.03.09 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A system and a method are provided for calculating the cetane number, pour point, cloud point, aniline point, aromaticity, and/or octane number of a gas oil or naphtha fraction of a crude oil from the density and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of a sample of the crude oil, without first distilling the crude oil into the gas oil or naphtha fraction.