H2S Scavenger Polymerization Testing for Equipment Fouling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chemical mitigators for hydrogen sulfide in hydrocarbon streams, such as triazines, form polymers that foul equipment under certain conditions, leading to costly and time-consuming cleaning processes.

Innovation Solution

A high-throughput screening method using spectroscopic techniques to analyze test mixtures of chemical mitigators and additives under varying conditions, determining if polymerization will occur, allowing for pre-emptive measures to prevent fouling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical mitigators (triazines) are used to remove hydrogen sulfide, then hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency is improved, but polymer formation increases causing equipment fouling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen sulfide removal efficiencyVSAvoidpolymer formation and equipment fouling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by screening test mixtures before actual mitigation treatment to predict polymerization risks. The method evaluates potential polymer formation under various conditions (temperature, pH, concentration) before implementing the full treatment process, allowing pre-emptive adjustments to prevent fouling while maintaining H2S removal efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by systematically varying conditions such as temperature, pH level, and chemical concentration in the test mixtures to identify optimal parameters that minimize polymer formation. The screening process determines which parameter combinations allow effective H2S removal without excessive polymerization, enabling adjustment of operational parameters to balance removal efficiency and fouling prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If chemical mitigators are used to scavenge hydrogen sulfide, then hydrogen sulfide concentration is reduced, but polymerization products foul equipment requiring costly cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen sulfide concentrationVSAvoidequipment maintenance cost and time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by conducting screening tests before full-scale mitigation to predict and prevent polymerization issues. By evaluating test mixtures under various conditions beforehand, the method identifies optimal parameters that reduce polymer formation, thereby avoiding expensive equipment cleaning and maintenance while achieving effective H2S scavenging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies feedback by using spectroscopic analysis to detect polymer formation in test mixtures and adjusting parameters accordingly. The screening process provides feedback on which chemical conditions lead to excessive polymerization, allowing iterative optimization of the mitigation process to maintain low H2S concentrations while minimizing polymer byproducts that would require costly maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If high-throughput screening method is implemented, then polymerization conditions can be identified quickly, but testing infrastructure and resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreening speed and throughputVSAvoidtesting infrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical and time-consuming analytical methods with spectroscopic techniques that provide rapid, non-invasive detection of polymer formation. This substitution enables high-throughput screening by using optical properties (absorbance, fluorescence) that can be measured quickly and automatically, reducing the need for complex instrumentation while maintaining screening accuracy and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Quickly identifies conditions and additives to minimize polymer formation, reducing equipment fouling and maintenance costs by optimizing hydrogen sulfide mitigation treatments.

Implementation Method 1

A high-throughput screening method using spectroscopic techniques to analyze test mixtures of chemical mitigators and additives under varying conditions, determining if polymerization will occur

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

chemical mitigators for hydrogen sulfide in hydrocarbon streams, such as triazines, form polymers that foul equipment under certain conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12411091B2Testing H<sub>2</sub>S scavengers polymerization factors

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 CONOCOPHILLIPS CO

AI summary

Scavenging chemicals used in mitigation treatments of hydrogen sulfide in hydrocarbon streams often continue to react and form polymers that foul the processing system. Disclosed herein are methods for determining if a scavenging chemical mitigator, or its reaction or degradation product, will polymerized during or after mitigation treatments. This information allows for the optimization of mitigation treatments that pre-emptively control or prevent polymer formation. Such pre-emption measures reduce the cost and time related to remedial actions to treat polymer-fouled equipment.