GC Simulated Distillation with Vacuum Ultraviolet Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GC Simulated Distillation methods in the petroleum industry lack chemical information about petroleum streams, relying on non-polar columns and general-purpose detectors that only provide mass-based signals, making it difficult to characterize boiling behavior effectively.
Innovation Solution
Enhancing GC Simulated Distillation with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) detection to provide additional chemical information by separating petroleum streams based on boiling points and integrating VUV signals over multiple wavelength ranges, optionally combined with other detectors like FID, to derive relative concentrations of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional flame ionization detection (FID) is used in GC simulated distillation, then mass-based signals are obtained, but chemical information about petroleum stream components is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines FID detector with VUV detector in a dual-detection system. The FID provides mass-based signals for quantification while the VUV detector provides chemical information through absorption spectroscopy. By merging these two detection methods, the system recovers chemical information that would otherwise be lost while maintaining the quantitative capabilities of FID.
Solution Approach 2:
The VUV detector acts as an intermediary that captures chemical information from the effluent stream. By positioning the VUV detector to receive a portion of the effluent (either through a splitter or directly), it mediates the detection process to provide spectral information about components without interfering with the primary FID detection function.
2Measurement precision
If vacuum ultraviolet detection is added to provide chemical information, then characterization capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into separate functional components: FID for mass quantification and VUV for chemical identification. By segmenting the detection functions, each detector can be optimized for its specific purpose while working together to provide comprehensive analysis. This segmentation allows the system to gain enhanced characterization capability without requiring a complete redesign of the entire GC system.
Solution Approach 2:
The VUV detector provides multi-functional capability by detecting multiple components (aromatics, olefins, saturates) simultaneously through their distinct absorption spectra. A single VUV detector can identify and quantify multiple chemical classes in one run, making the added device complexity worthwhile by providing universal detection capability across different petroleum stream components.
3Measurement precision
If multiple wavelength ranges are integrated to derive component concentrations, then chemical component analysis is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes changes in absorption parameters (absorbance at different wavelengths) to identify and quantify different chemical components. By monitoring parameter changes across multiple wavelength ranges and applying integration algorithms, the system derives accurate component concentrations. This approach improves component analysis by exploiting the spectral parameter variations of different hydrocarbon classes.
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 approach allows for improved characterization of petroleum streams, enabling determination of reactivity, oxidation stability, solubility, and compatibility, thereby enhancing refinery efficiency and profitability without requiring additional time or resources beyond the initial capital for VUV detectors.
Implementation Method 1
separating the petroleum stream with a gas chromatograph as a function of boiling point
Implementation Method 2
passing the separated petroleum stream through a vacuum ultraviolet detector to yield data comprising a vacuum ultraviolet signal as a function of boiling point; integrating the vacuum ultraviolet signal as a function of boiling point over two or more wavelength ranges
Implementation Method 3
passing a second portion of the separated petroleum stream through a flame ionization detector (FID) to yield data comprising a FID response as a function of boiling point
Data Source
AI summary
A method to simulate distillation of a petroleum stream by gas chromatography can include separating the petroleum stream with a gas chromatograph as a function of boiling point; passing the separated petroleum stream through a vacuum ultraviolet detector to yield data comprising a vacuum ultraviolet signal as a function of boiling point; integrating the vacuum ultraviolet signal as a function of boiling point over two or more wavelength ranges to derive relative concentrations of two or more components of the separated petroleum stream that correspond to the two or more wavelength ranges.