Hydrocarbon Circulation Cleaning for In-Service Petroleum Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning petroleum equipment require shutdown and exclusion from production cycles, leading to production losses, increased maintenance costs, and environmental impacts due to the inability to perform cleaning during normal plant operation without stopping the flow of fluids through the equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a closed or semi-closed hydrocarbon fluid circulation loop within the petroleum plant, allowing for the introduction of hydrocarbon-based treatment fluids to clean equipment during normal operation, thereby maintaining production while removing fouling deposits and increasing distillation yields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If equipment is cleaned using conventional mechanical cleaning systems, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but equipment must be decommissioned and taken out of service, leading to production loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning systems with a chemical cleaning system that uses a circulation loop to flow cleaning solution through the equipment. This substitution allows cleaning to occur while equipment remains in service, eliminating the need for decommissioning and avoiding production loss while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous cleaning during normal production operations by establishing a closed circulation loop that continuously flows cleaning solution through the equipment. This allows the cleaning action to continue without interruption while production proceeds normally, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and production continuity.
2Manufacturing precision
If equipment is taken out of service for cleaning, then cleaning quality is improved, but cleaning time and production loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously circulating cleaning solution through the equipment during normal operation, preventing fouling accumulation rather than addressing it after shutdown. This proactive approach maintains cleaning quality while eliminating the need for dedicated cleaning time and production shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation loop enables continuous cleaning action during production, eliminating the time required for separate cleaning operations and associated production losses while maintaining high cleaning quality through sustained chemical treatment.
3Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then fouling is removed, but environmental impacts and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and reuses the cleaning solution through a closed circulation loop system, preventing discharge of contaminated fluids into the environment. The solution is continuously filtered and recirculated, eliminating environmental discharge while maintaining effective fouling removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a closed, controlled environment for the cleaning solution that prevents environmental release. By containing the cleaning process within a circulation loop isolated from the external environment, the patent eliminates harmful environmental impacts while maintaining effective fouling removal.
4Productivity
If equipment is cleaned during normal operation, then production continuity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation loop system serves multiple functions: it cleans the equipment, prevents fouling accumulation, and can be integrated with existing production infrastructure. This multi-functionality justifies the added system complexity by delivering continuous production benefits without requiring separate dedicated cleaning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning solution acts as an intermediary medium that enables continuous cleaning during production. By introducing this intermediary substance through the circulation loop, the system achieves production continuity while the added complexity is offset by the mediating role of the cleaning solution that facilitates simultaneous operation and cleaning.
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
Enables continuous cleaning of petroleum equipment without stopping production, reducing production losses, maintenance costs, and environmental impacts, while increasing distillation yields and reducing coke formation on catalysts.
Implementation Method 1
introducing in the petroleum plant a first hydrocarbon-based fluid... capable of solubilizing the deposits in said equipment to be cleaned
Implementation Method 2
which are capable of being self-produced by distillation at a certain feed rate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method, an apparatus and chemical products for treating petroleum equipment wherein a fluid is flowing, preferably of the hydrocarbon type, and wherein treating is performed by establishing a closed or semi-closed flow circulation loop, during the normal production operations of the equipment. The treatment can refer to the cleaning of equipment, to yield improvement as compared to normal run conditions and/or to a reduction of coke formation and/or to coke removal on catalysts.