Solvent Blend for Sulfur Removal with Reduced Odor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of elemental sulfur and additional solids from oilfield assemblies is challenging due to the excessive odor of disulfide solvents and their limited effectiveness in dissolving other types of solids.
Innovation Solution
A solvent blend comprising a disulfide solvent, an amine solvent, a ketone solvent, and an ester solvent is used to promote the dissolution of solids, including elemental sulfur, by adjusting the composition to afford selectivity for specific solids and reducing odor intensity through odor-balanced ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disulfide solvents are used to dissolve elemental sulfur, then dissolution effectiveness is improved, but odor intensity increases making operational use impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines disulfide solvent with co-solvents having different odor profiles to create a composite solvent system. The co-solvents mask or counterbalance the offensive odor of disulfide while maintaining or enhancing its sulfur-dissolving capability, making the mixture operationally acceptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the odor characteristics of the disulfide solvent system by changing compositional parameters - specifically by adding co-solvents in optimized ratios. This alters the overall odor profile of the mixture without significantly compromising the primary dissolution function.
2Reliability
If disulfide solvents are used to dissolve elemental sulfur, then dissolution effectiveness is improved, but ability to dissolve other types of solids deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional solvent system where co-solvents are selected to dissolve different types of solids (asphaltenes, paraffins, metal sulfides) while the disulfide component handles elemental sulfur. This universal solvent blend can address multiple deposit types simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining solvents with complementary dissolution properties, the patent creates a composite solvent system where each component targets specific solid types, achieving broad-spectrum effectiveness across diverse oilfield deposits.
3Reliability
If sequential washes with different solvents are used to remove elemental sulfur and other solids, then removal effectiveness is improved, but process complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple solvent functions into a single blended solvent system. Instead of sequentially applying different solvents for different solids, the unified blend simultaneously dissolves elemental sulfur, asphaltenes, paraffins, and metal sulfides in one treatment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The solvent blend is designed to perform multiple dissolution functions simultaneously, replacing the need for sequential multi-solvent washes and simplifying the overall solids removal process while maintaining effectiveness.
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
The solvent blend effectively dissolves elemental sulfur and additional solids, such as polyaromatic compounds, while maintaining a reduced odor profile, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional disulfide solvents.
Implementation Method 1
disulfide solvents alone may be rather ineffective for dissolving other types of solids that may be present in combination with elemental sulfur deposits
Implementation Method 2
exposing the solvent blend to conditions such that at least a portion of the at least one ester solvent hydrolyzes to at least one carboxylic acid
Data Source
AI summary
Solids dissolution may be promoted using a solvent blend comprising a disulfide solvent, particularly additional solids present in combination with elemental sulfur deposits. The solvent blends may comprise at least one disulfide solvent, at least one amine solvent, at least one ketone solvent, at least one ester solvent, and optionally water. Solids dissolution methods may comprise: identifying one or more solids in addition to elemental sulfur to be contacted by the solvent blend; adjusting a composition of the solvent blend to afford selectivity for dissolution of at least a portion of the one or more solids; and contacting the solvent blend with elemental sulfur and the one or more solids to promote at least partial dissolution thereof.