Online Salt Analysis in Gas Oil Separation Plants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas oil separation plants (GOSPs) face challenges in efficiently monitoring and controlling salt content in crude oil, leading to difficulties in meeting international specifications for salt content in export crude oil, which can result in corrosion and fouling of equipment.

Innovation Solution

Implementing online analytical equipment to measure salt concentrations in multiple streams within the GOSP, enabling real-time calculation of salt content in export crude oil and automated adjustment of wash water flowrate to maintain specified salt levels, utilizing a control system for precise control and monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional offline salt content measurement methods are used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but salt content monitoring precision and response time deteriorate, leading to inability to meet international specifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesalt content measurement precisionVSAvoidonline analytical equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the salt content measurement process into multiple monitoring points throughout the GOSP train, with online analyzers positioned at strategic locations to measure salt concentration in different streams independently, then integrates these measurements through mass balance calculations to determine overall salt content in export crude oil

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional offline laboratory analysis methods with online analytical equipment that provides continuous real-time measurement of salt concentrations, substituting manual sampling and batch analysis with automated continuous monitoring systems that use electromagnetic or optical measurement techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual control of wash water flowrate is used, then automation level is reduced, but salt content control precision deteriorates, resulting in failure to maintain specified salt levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesalt content control precisionVSAvoidwash water flowrate automation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements closed-loop feedback control where online analyzers continuously measure salt concentrations in process streams, the control system calculates the required wash water flowrate adjustments based on mass balance equations, and automated control valves adjust the wash water flow in real-time to maintain salt content within specifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system automatically adjusts wash water flowrate based on real-time salt concentration measurements without requiring manual intervention, with the system self-regulating to maintain salt content specifications through automated calculation and control of wash water injection rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If insufficient salt removal is applied, then wash water consumption is reduced, but salt content in export crude oil increases, causing corrosion and fouling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion and fouling preventionVSAvoidwash water consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts wash water flowrate parameters based on real-time salt concentration measurements and mass balance calculations, optimizing the quantity of wash water injected to achieve minimum salt content in export crude oil while minimizing wash water consumption through precise parameter control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of information

If online analysis of multiple streams is implemented, then salt content determination accuracy is improved, but measurement and control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesalt mass balance information accuracyVSAvoidonline analysis system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The online analytical equipment and control system perform multiple functions including measuring salt concentrations in various streams, calculating mass balances, determining export crude oil salt content, and controlling wash water flowrates, consolidating these functions into an integrated system that reduces overall complexity despite the multi-stream measurement requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11845902B2Online analysis in a gas oil separation plant (GOSP)

Publication Date: 2023.12.19 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A gas oil separation plant (GOSP) and method for receiving crude oil from a wellhead and removing gas, water, and salt from the crude oil, and discharging export crude oil. The GOSP includes online analyzer instruments for performing online analysis of salt concentration in multiple streams in the GOSP. Based in part on the online analysis, the salt content in the export crude oil may be determined and the flowrate for wash water supplied to the desalter vessel may be specified.