Pipeline Interchange With In-Line Analysis for Transmix Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipeline systems face challenges in managing and separating different types of petroleum products due to their unique physical and chemical characteristics, requiring frequent sampling and analysis to maintain product specifications, which is inefficient and costly, especially when stopping the pipeline flow or sampling from a flowing pipeline.
Innovation Solution
An automated analyzer is connected to the upstream pipeline to analyze physical and chemical properties without extracting a sample, generating data that an automatic splitter uses to direct the refined petroleum product into multiple downstream pipelines, enabling near-instantaneous analytical results and efficient separation or combination of products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If samples are taken from a flowing pipeline using traditional methods, then product analysis can be performed, but large quantities of refined product flow through the pipeline before analytical results are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sampling methods (hydrometers, manual sampling) with automated analytical instruments that can analyze products in-line without removing samples. This substitution enables near-instantaneous analysis while maintaining measurement accuracy, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and time delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated splitter system operates continuously without interrupting pipeline flow, performing analysis and product diversion in real-time. This continuous operation eliminates the time delays associated with traditional batch sampling and analysis methods, while maintaining product specification compliance.
2Measurement precision
If the pipeline flow is stopped to take samples, then accurate product analysis can be performed, but pipeline operations are interrupted and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous pipeline flow while performing analysis and product separation operations. The automated splitter diverts products based on real-time analysis without requiring pipeline shutdowns, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and operational productivity simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated splitter acts as an intermediary device that enables product analysis and separation without interrupting the main pipeline flow. It selectively diverts small portions of product for analysis while the bulk flow continues uninterrupted, resolving the contradiction between accurate measurement and operational efficiency.
3Productivity
If multiple different types of crude oil are managed in the same pipeline, then transportation efficiency is improved, but the complexity of managing different physical and chemical characteristics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback through automated analysis of crude oil properties in the pipeline. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of splitter operations to handle different crude types appropriately, managing complexity while maintaining transportation efficiency. The continuous monitoring and response system allows the refinery to adapt to varying crude characteristics without increasing operational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated analysis and splitting system performs self-service by automatically identifying and separating different crude oil types based on their physical and chemical characteristics. This automation reduces the manual management complexity that would otherwise be required to handle multiple crude types in the same pipeline.
4Reliability
If traditional sampling methods are used to meet product specifications, then product quality control is maintained, but operational costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sampling and laboratory analysis methods with automated in-line analytical instruments. This substitution maintains product specification compliance through continuous monitoring while reducing analysis time from hours to near-instantaneous results, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a pipeline interchange flows a product through an upstream pipeline. An automated analyzer is connected to the upstream pipeline to analyze different physical and/or chemically properties in the product and generate data from the product without extracting a sample from the upstream pipeline. An automatic splitter is placed downstream of the automated analyzer, capable of receiving and interpreting the data from the automated analyzer and directing the refined petroleum product into at least three different downstream pipelines, wherein at least one of the downstream pipelines is a transmix pipeline.