Back to results
US 8,273,581 B2Granted
Processing and analysis techniques involving in-vessel material generation
AssigneeThe University of Wyoming Research Corporation
InventorsJohn F. Schabron, Joseph F. Rovani, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In at least one embodiment, the inventive technology relates to in-vessel generation of a material from a solution of interest as part of a processing and/or analysis operation. Preferred embodiments of the in-vessel material generation (e.g., in-vessel solid material generation) include precipitation; in certain embodiments, analysis and/or processing of the solution of interest may include dissolution of the material, perhaps as part of a successive dissolution protocol using solvents of increasing ability to dissolve. Applications include, but are by no means limited to estimation of a coking onset and solution (e.g., oil) fractionating.
Claims75
A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a vessel having a substantially chemically inert stationary phase established therein and having at least one vessel inlet, said substantially chemically inert stationary phase forming a fixed bed in said vessel;
- inputting a precipitant solvent into said vessel through at least one vessel inlet;
- inputting a hydrocarbonaceous material into said vessel through at least one vessel inlet;
- intentionally precipitating asphaltenes within said vessel and in the presence of said substantially chemically inert stationary phase, wherein said substantially chemically inert stationary phase is substantially chemically inert relative to said asphaltenes such that substantially all said precipitated asphaltenes do not adsorb onto said substantially chemically inert stationary phase;
- generating a remnant liquid upon performing said step of intentionally precipitating said asphaltenes;
- inputting a material dissolving solvent into said vessel through at least one vessel inlet;
- and
- dissolving at least a portion of said asphaltenes with said material dissolving solvent to generate a dissolved material solution.
5 more elements
A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a vessel having a substantially chemically inert stationary phase established therein and having at least one vessel inlet, said substantially chemically inert stationary phase forming a fixed bed in said vessel;
- inputting a precipitant solvent into said vessel through at least one vessel inlet;
- inputting a hydrocarbonaceous material into said vessel through at least one vessel inlet;
- intentionally precipitating asphaltenes within said vessel and in the presence of said substantially chemically inert stationary phase, wherein said substantially chemically inert stationary phase is substantially chemically inert relative to said asphaltenes such that substantially all said precipitated asphaltenes do not adsorb onto said substantially chemically inert stationary phase;
- generating a remnant liquid upon performing said step of intentionally precipitating said asphaltenes;
- inputting a material dissolving solvent into said vessel through at least one vessel inlet;
- dissolving at least a portion of said asphaltenes with said material dissolving solvent to generate a dissolved material solution;
- determining at least one characteristic of said hydrocarbonaceous material;
- and
- reducing pipeline fouling in a refinery by a hydrocarbon being processed, in part through the use of said at least one characteristic, wherein said step of reducing fouling comprises the steps of controlling a process to minimize the fouling tendency of product hydrocarbons and monitoring the formation of pre-coke material in said product hydrocarbons downstream of a distillation unit.
7 more elements
A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a vessel having a substantially chemically inert stationary phase established therein and having at least one vessel inlet, said substantially chemically inert stationary phase forming a fixed bed in said vessel;
- inputting a precipitant solvent into said vessel through at least one vessel inlet;
- inputting a hydrocarbonaceous material into said vessel through at least one vessel inlet;
- intentionally precipitating asphaltenes within said vessel and in the presence of said substantially chemically inert stationary phase, wherein said substantially chemically inert stationary phase is substantially chemically inert relative to said asphaltenes such that substantially all said precipitated asphaltenes do not adsorb onto said substantially chemically inert stationary phase;
- generating a remnant liquid upon performing said step of intentionally precipitating said asphaltenes;
- inputting a material dissolving solvent into said vessel through at least one vessel inlet;
- dissolving at least a portion of said asphaltenes with said material dissolving solvent to generate a dissolved material solution;
- determining at least one characteristic of said hydrocarbonaceous material;
- and
- reducing pipeline fouling in a refinery by a hydrocarbon being processed, in part through the use of said at least one characteristic,
- wherein said step of reducing fouling comprises the steps of controlling a process to minimize the fouling tendency of product hydrocarbons,
- said method further comprising the step of heating, in a distillation unit, a hydrocarbon being processed therein based on observed formation of pre-coke material.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.