In situ monitoring of coke morphology in a delayed coker using AC impedance

A system for monitoring coke morphology in situ in a delayed coking unit containing coke, comprising:

• a delayed coking unit containing coke;
• a transmitting electrode;
• a receiving electrode;
• an AC current supply, which provides an AC current at a frequency from the transmitting electrode to the receiving electrode;
• an impedance analyzer, wherein the impedance analyzer measures at least one impedance between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode across the coke at the AC current frequency to form a measured impedance;
• and
• a computer, wherein the computer is configured to compare the measured impedance between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode across the coke at the AC current frequency and an impedance curve;
• wherein the AC current traverses the coke within the delayed coking unit;
• wherein the at least one impedance value is used to determine the coke morphology;
• and
• wherein the computer is configured to make a determination about the coke morphology in the delayed coking unit based on the comparison of the measured impedance and the impedance curve.