Method and system for controlling the amount of anti-fouling additive for particulate-induced fouling mitigation in refining operations

A method of controlling fouling in a hydrocarbon refining process comprising

• (a) measuring a level of a particulate in a process stream of the hydrocarbon refining process in communication with a hydrocarbon refinery component;
• (b) identifying an effective amount of additive capable of reducing particulate-induced fouling based at least in part on the measured level of a particulate in the process stream and further based at least in part on the relative fouling potential of a crude oil present in the process stream;
• and
• (c) introducing the effective amount of additive to the hydrocarbon refining process;
• wherein the predetermined propensity for the process stream to foul is determined by:
• (d) obtaining a first measurement of a characteristic indicative of an amount of fouling caused by the crude oil in the absence of any measurable particulate;
• (e) obtaining a second measurement of the characteristic indicative of an amount of fouling caused by the crude oil in the presence of a predetermined amount of particulate;
• (f) comparing the first measurement and the second measurement to identify the relative fouling potential of the crude oil.

An additive control system for controlling fouling in a hydrocarbon refining system comprising:

• (a) a source of additive capable of reducing particulate-induced fouling in a hydrocarbon refining system;
• (b) a valve to introduce to a process stream of the hydrocarbon refining system the additive capable of reducing particulate-induced fouling;
• (c) a measuring device to measure a level of particulate in the process stream of the hydrocarbon refining system;
• (d) a controller to control an amount of additive introduced into the process stream via the valve based upon the level of particulate measured in the process stream.