Virtual Crude Oil Assay via Fluorescence Spectroscopy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional crude oil assays are time-consuming and costly, requiring extensive distillation and analysis of individual fractions, which hinders efficient evaluation and processing of crude oil properties.

Innovation Solution

A virtual assay system using fluorescence spectroscopy to characterize oil samples without fractionation, providing a comprehensive analysis of naphtha, gas oil, vacuum gas oil, and vacuum residue fractions based on density and fluorescence data, allowing for the calculation of indicative properties and elemental compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional crude oil assay methods using TBP distillation and fractionation are used, then accurate compositional and property information is obtained, but the process is both costly and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompositional and property information accuracyVSAvoidassay processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical separation process of TBP distillation with fluorescence spectroscopy measurement. The system uses fluorescence spectroscopy to directly measure whole crude oil samples, obtaining compositional information (aromatics, asphaltenes, resins, paraffins) and indicative properties without mechanical fractionation, thereby eliminating time-consuming distillation while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model of crude oil composition and properties through fluorescence spectroscopy data correlation. By establishing mathematical relationships between fluorescence spectral characteristics and actual compositional parameters, the system generates accurate virtual assay data that replicates conventional assay results without requiring physical fractionation and individual analysis of each fraction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If conventional crude oil assay methods involving multiple distillation cuts and individual analyses are used, then comprehensive compositional data is obtained, but the work-up is costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompositional data completenessVSAvoidassay cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal measurement approach where fluorescence spectroscopy simultaneously provides multiple compositional parameters (aromatics, asphaltenes, resins, paraffins), indicative properties (aniline point, pour point, cloud point, cetane number, octane number), and elemental composition data from a single whole crude oil sample analysis, eliminating the need for separate analyses of multiple distillation fractions and reducing overall assay cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple separate analytical procedures into a single integrated fluorescence spectroscopy measurement. Instead of performing TBP distillation followed by individual analysis of each fraction for different properties, the system combines all measurements into one rapid analysis of the whole crude oil sample, achieving comprehensive compositional data at reduced cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables rapid and cost-effective evaluation of crude oil quality, reducing the need for traditional assays and providing accurate data for refining processes in a fraction of the time and cost, while maintaining the accuracy of conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

Fluorescence spectroscopy data indicative of fluorescence arbitrary units over a range of wavelengths for a solution of the oil sample without distillation in a fluorescence spectroscopy solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS11781988B2Method to prepare virtual assay using fluorescence spectroscopy

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Systems and methods for providing virtual assays of an oil sample such as crude oil based on fluorescence spectroscopy carried out on the oil sample, and the density of the oil sample. The virtual assay provides a full range of information about fractions of the oil sample including naphtha, gas oil, vacuum gas oil, vacuum residue, and other information about the properties of the oil sample. Using the system and method herein, the virtual assay data pertaining to these several fractions of the oil sample and the oil sample itself are obtained without fractionation of the oil sample into the several components.