Vacuum Vaporization Cell for Direct GC Analysis of Source Rocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing hydrocarbons in oil source rocks require extensive sample preparation, including solvent extraction and fractionation, leading to increased analytical time, solvent consumption, residue generation, and loss of lighter components, posing health and safety risks and limiting analytical capacity.
Innovation Solution
A modular system with a rock sample loading cell and vacuum vaporization, enabling direct chromatographic analysis without early extraction, reducing solvent use and residue generation, and enhancing detection of lighter components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If solvent extraction and fractionation are used for sample preparation, then compositional analysis can be performed, but analysis time increases and lighter components are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hydrocarbons directly from the source rock matrix through vacuum vaporization, eliminating the need for solvent extraction and fractionation steps. This direct extraction approach maintains compositional integrity while dramatically reducing analysis time by bypassing multiple preparation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary vacuum vaporization of the rock sample before chromatographic analysis, pre-concentrating the hydrocarbons in a form suitable for direct GC injection. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent solvent evaporation and sample preparation steps that would otherwise be required.
2Quantity of substance
If solvent extraction is used, then hydrocarbons can be extracted from rock, but solvent consumption increases and residue is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical solvent extraction system with a physical vacuum vaporization system. By applying vacuum and heat directly to the rock sample, hydrocarbons are vaporized and transferred to the GC system without requiring organic solvents, thereby eliminating solvent consumption and associated residue generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses vacuum (absence of atmosphere) and inert carrier gas environments throughout the extraction and analysis process, replacing toxic organic solvents with a clean, residue-free approach that maintains extraction efficiency while eliminating solvent-related waste.
3Quantity of substance
If evaporation processes are used to reduce extracted volumes, then sample concentration is achieved, but lighter components are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vacuum vaporization to directly transition hydrocarbons from the solid rock matrix to the gas phase, bypassing the liquid extraction and subsequent evaporation steps. This direct phase transition preserves lighter components by avoiding the high-temperature evaporation processes that cause their loss, while still achieving the necessary concentration for GC analysis.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sample preparation steps are performed, then analysis accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sample preparation and analytical functions into a single integrated vacuum vaporization-GC system. The rock sample introduction device with vacuum vaporization capability is directly coupled to the gas chromatograph, merging multiple discrete preparation steps (extraction, concentration, injection) into one unified process that maintains analytical accuracy while reducing system complexity.
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 system minimizes health risks, reduces analysis time and costs, and improves detection of lighter hydrocarbons (C3 to C10), enhancing the reliability of oil-rock correlation models.
Implementation Method 1
The system comprises a rock sample loading and hydrocarbon vaporization cell (1), an integrated vacuum device (PV)
Implementation Method 2
heating the rock cell (1) to a maximum of 300°C, with the full vaporization of the hydrocarbons present
Implementation Method 3
a heating blanket (2) with temperature control (10)
Implementation Method 4
a heating blanket (2) with temperature control (10)
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to embodiments of a systems and methods including a rock sample loading cell, with submission to vacuum and temperature control. A system allows the direct chromatographic analysis of the rocks, without the need for early extraction and sample preparation, which reduces the cost of analysis time and solvents, and favors less generation of residue. Additionally, by means of an integrated vacuum system, it promotes the elimination of air and the increase in the detection of light components from C3 to C10, previously eliminated by the solvent evaporation processes applied in the conventional analysis methods that use early extraction of the rock. The system can be applied to any valved gas chromatography equipment with a gas injection loop, with flame ionization detection (FID) or even a mass spectrometer.