In-Line Petroleum Equipment Cleaning With Closed-Loop Hydrocarbon Flow
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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 operation without stopping the flow of fluids through the equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a closed or semi-closed circulation loop that introduces hydrocarbon fluids into the equipment during normal operation, allowing for cleaning, degassing, and decontamination without stopping production, and includes a monitoring system to verify cleaning status.
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 taken out of service and production is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous in-line cleaning where hydrocarbon-based treatment fluids are circulated through the equipment during normal production operations. The closed or semi-closed flow circulation loop allows cleaning to occur continuously without interrupting the production flow, eliminating the need to take equipment out of service while maintaining both cleaning effectiveness and production continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydrocarbon-based treatment fluids as intermediaries to perform cleaning functions. These treatment fluids are introduced into the equipment through the production flow and carry cleaning agents that remove deposits and fouling. The intermediary fluid enables cleaning action without requiring mechanical intervention or equipment shutdown, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and production continuity
2Reliability
If equipment is shut down for cleaning, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but production loss and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously introducing treatment fluids into the equipment before significant fouling occurs. The closed circulation loop maintains a constant supply of cleaning agents that prevent heavy compound deposition and remove fouling progressively, rather than allowing deposits to accumulate and then requiring extensive cleaning operations that would shut down production
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous circulation of treatment fluids through the closed or semi-closed loop ensures cleaning action is maintained throughout the equipment's operational life. This continuous cleaning process achieves thorough cleaning quality without interrupting production, eliminating the need for shutdown-based cleaning operations and associated time losses
3Ease of operation
If production flow is stopped for cleaning, then equipment can be accessed and cleaned, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning systems that require equipment disassembly and shutdown with a chemical-fluid-based cleaning system. Hydrocarbon-based treatment fluids are circulated through the equipment via pumps and injection systems, performing cleaning functions without mechanical intervention. This substitution allows cleaning to occur while the equipment remains in production mode, maintaining both accessibility and operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous flow circulation loop maintains constant movement of treatment fluids through the equipment during normal production. This continuous action enables cleaning to proceed without interrupting the production flow, eliminating the need to stop operations for equipment access and cleaning, thereby preserving operational efficiency while achieving thorough cleaning
4Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then deposits are removed, but environmental impact increases due to waste disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements recovery and reuse of the treatment fluids and dissolved deposits. The closed circulation loop allows treatment fluids to be continuously circulated and regenerated. Heavy compounds and fouling materials dissolved by the treatment fluids are captured and recovered through the circulation system rather than being discharged as waste, eliminating environmental impact while maintaining effective deposit removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of heavy compound deposits into a beneficial process. Treatment fluids that dissolve and remove fouling are then recirculated and regenerated within the closed loop system. The deposited materials are transformed from environmental pollutants into recoverable byproducts that can be processed and reused, turning the cleaning process into an environmentally beneficial operation that maintains deposit removal effectiveness without harmful waste discharge
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 reduces production losses, minimizes equipment downtime, and enhances distillation yields while reducing coke formation on catalysts, enabling simultaneous cleaning of multiple equipment pieces and reuse of fouling products, thus improving operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
introducing in the petroleum plant a first hydrocarbon-based treatment fluid... solubilization or the modification of a not pumpable product (which is fouling the equipment and is originating from a heavy compound) into a pumpable product
Implementation Method 2
passing the removed heavy deposit with the cleaning hydrocarbon-based fluid to an outlet of the plant... circulating in the closed or semi-closed loop one or both of a first hydrocarbon-based fluid and a second hydrocarbon-based fluid
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.