Measurement and control of bitumen-containing process streams
AssigneeSuncor Energy Inc.
InventorsRamesh KADALI, Enbo FENG
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for analyzing a bitumen-containing process stream and controlling a process. The method including directing a beam of infrared light at the bitumen-containing process stream, capturing light corresponding to the infrared light after interaction with the bitumen-containing process stream, and analyzing the captured light to obtain a spectrum. A composition estimate can be generated based on the spectrum and a calibrated model. A controller is operative to adjust a setpoint of the process in response to the composition estimate.
Claims55
A method of controlling a process, comprising:
- directing a beam of infrared light toward an opaque bitumen-containing process stream as it passes between stages in the process;
- capturing light corresponding to the beam of infrared light after interaction with the bitumen-containing process stream;
- analyzing the captured light to obtain a spectrum;
- determining a composition estimate from the bitumen-containing process stream by evaluating the spectrum with reference to a calibrated model;
- and
- based on the composition estimate, automatically adjusting a control setpoint of at least one upstream process component and/or downstream process component.
An apparatus for controlling a process comprising:
- an online infrared spectrometer situated proximate a bitumen-containing process stream and configured to:
- direct a beam of infrared light toward the bitumen-containing process stream,
- capture light corresponding to the beam of infrared light after interaction with the bitumen-containing process stream,
- analyze the captured light to obtain a spectrum;
- determine a composition estimate from the bitumen-containing process stream by evaluating the spectrum with reference to a calibrated model;
- and,
- a controller operative to:
- automatically adjust a control setpoint of at least one upstream process component and/or downstream process component based on the composition estimate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.