Determination of aromatics in hydrocarbons by near infrared spectroscopy
AssigneeAshland Oil, Inc.
InventorsSteven M. Maggard, William T. Welch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Mid-distillate hydrocarbon fuels, preferably having initial boiling points above 350.degree. F., are separated e.g. by prep-HPLC into non-aromatic and aromatic fractions which are used to set 0% aromatics (the non-aromatics) and 100% aromatics (the aromatics) on an NIR spectrophotometer. From NIR aromatic band absorbances of unknown samples, their percent aromatics is determined using this two-point calibration and the Beer-Lambert equation. Preferred NIR bands of 1650-1700 and 2120-2256 exhibit excel lent correlation with aromatics content.
Claims16
A process for hydrotreating of a hydrocarbon feed to reduce aromatics comprising admixing said feed with hydrogen while controlling at least one parameter of hydrotreating severity selected from the group consisting of temperature, throughput, pressure and hydrogen feed rate by control means in response to analytical means measuring near infrared (NIR) absorbance of aromatics to obtain the desired reduction of aromatics in the hydrotreated effluent from said hydrotreating process.
A process for hydrotreating or blending a hydrocarbon feed in which the aromatic content of the feed is controlled by feedback controls responsive to near infrared (NIR) measurements of aromatic content in the effluent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.