NMR Spectroscopic Refinery Control for Real-Time Feedstock Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refining processes face challenges with delayed and inaccurate information acquisition, leading to inefficiencies in monitoring and controlling hydrocarbon refining processes, resulting in suboptimal production of intermediate and final products.
Innovation Solution
Implementing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analyzers for real-time analysis of hydrocarbon feedstocks and processing unit materials, combined with a refinery process controller to prescriptively control the refining process, ensuring properties of intermediate and downstream materials align with target ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional laboratory analysis is used to monitor hydrocarbon feeds and processing materials, then the analysis can be performed with standard equipment and procedures, but the response time is delayed (hours, days, or weeks) and the information is insufficiently responsive for effective real-time control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/chemical laboratory analysis methods with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis. This substitution enables real-time or near real-time monitoring of hydrocarbon feedstocks and processing materials, reducing analysis response time from hours, days, or weeks to minutes or seconds while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy through non-destructive spectroscopic detection of molecular structures and compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental measurement parameter from conventional chemical analysis to nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis. By utilizing NMR spectroscopy, the system captures detailed molecular information including hydrocarbon composition, saturation levels, and structural characteristics, providing both rapid response and high precision simultaneously through detection of nuclear spin transitions in magnetic fields.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional analysis methods are used, then the equipment and procedures are simple and widely available, but the information accuracy is insufficient leading to inaccurate analytical model outputs and suboptimal process control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional analysis equipment with NMR spectroscopic analyzers that provide superior measurement precision. These instruments utilize nuclear magnetic resonance physics to detect molecular characteristics, delivering accurate real-time data on hydrocarbon composition and properties that enables precise analytical model outputs and optimal process control decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback system where NMR spectroscopic analysis results are continuously fed to analytical models and process controllers. This closed-loop feedback enables real-time adjustment of refining processes based on accurate material composition data, improving both measurement precision and ease of operation through automated control algorithms that respond to spectral analysis results.
3Productivity
If real-time spectroscopic analysis is implemented, then the responsiveness and accuracy of process monitoring is enhanced, but the device complexity and cost of analytical equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functional NMR spectroscopic analyzer systems that can analyze multiple parameters simultaneously (hydrocarbon composition, saturation, molecular structure, processing efficiency). This universality consolidates multiple analysis functions into a single instrument, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity through simultaneous multi-parameter monitoring and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces analytical models as intermediaries that translate complex NMR spectral data into actionable process control parameters. These models serve as mediators between the sophisticated spectroscopic analysis system and the refining process control, simplifying the interface and enabling practical application of the enhanced monitoring capabilities without requiring direct complex spectral interpretation.
4Ease of operation
If conventional analysis methods are used, then the operational simplicity is maintained, but the prescriptive control capability is limited resulting in extended periods of suboptimal refining process efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback control systems that receive real-time NMR spectral analysis data and automatically adjust refining process parameters. This feedback mechanism maintains ease of operation through automated control algorithms while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating delays associated with manual analysis and interpretation, enabling continuous optimization of refining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses analytical models to predict optimal process outcomes and prescriptive control strategies before actual processing occurs. By analyzing real-time NMR data and forecasting process behavior, the system can pre-adjust parameters to maintain optimal efficiency, preventing suboptimal conditions rather than merely responding to them after detection.
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
Enhances the accuracy and responsiveness of refining processes, allowing for the production of materials with desired properties efficiently and economically.
Implementation Method 1
Implementing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analyzers for real-time analysis of hydrocarbon feedstocks and processing unit materials
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies and methods to enhance a refining process associated with a refining operation may include supplying a material to first processing units associated with the refining operation. The assemblies and methods also may include conditioning unit material samples, and analyzing the samples via one or more spectroscopic analyzers. The assemblies and methods further may include prescriptively controlling, via one or more refinery process controllers, based at least in part on the unit material properties, the refinery processing assembly, so that the prescriptively controlling results in causing the refining process to produce intermediate materials, the unit materials, and/or the downstream materials having properties within selected ranges of target properties, thereby to cause the refining process to achieve material outputs that more accurately and responsively converge on one or more of the target properties.