Delivering End to End Gas Monitoring Solutions for Petrochemical and Refining Applications

NIR Process Spectroscopy for the Petrochemical Industry

• PIONA content of Reformate, octane numbers, volatility (RVP, vapor-to-liquid ratio), aromatics content, olefins, oxygen, benzene, distillation parameters, Fuel ID, Color plus Turbidity

ClearView db® is a Dual Beam Photometer for Continuous PAT Monitoring which is available with enclosure options.  Our Lab NIR-O™ Benchtop NIR Spectrometer is ideal for the QC lab and Pilot Plant Operations.

The infographic shown below outlines where different analyzers can be installed in a refinery and the various ASTM methods that they satisfy.

Other middleweight products such as kerosene, gasoline, and naphtha can be sent to a fuel blender where an infinite number of grades or blends can be produced to meet the requirement of the end customer. In order to achieve the best possible margin, various analyzers can be installed inline to inspect the fuel blending process.

If a higher-octane rating is required, light naphtha can be sent through the isomerization reactor. During a single pass-through isomerization process, normal paraffins are converted to isoparaffins. Alternatively, the isomerization unit can be used to convert linear molecules (i.e. pentane) into higher-octane branched molecules for fuel blending. Also used to convert linear n-butane into iso-butane for use in the alky unit. During the isomerization process, Near-Infrared spectroscopy can be used to optimize catalyst conditions.

Additionally, naptha and other petroleum compounds can be converted to useful chemicals as part of the crude to chemical process. This often occurs in a series of Steam or Catalyst Cracking tanks. NIR can be used to monitor the PIONA (Paraffins, Isoparaffins, Olefins, Napthenes, Aromatics) and the Distillation curve during the cracking process. The Reformate or Platformate can then be feed into the fuel blender to adjust the cetane and octane values of the finished product.

Regulations such as the American Tier III, European Euro 6 or the Indian Bharat VI set quantitative limits on the permissible amount of Sulfur Dioxide (SO_x), Nitrogen Oxide (NO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), commonly referred to as NO_x that are released during combustion. Sulfur and Nitrogen levels are both controlled under these regulations due to the health and environmental impact. To ensure that the final product created at the refinery meets these regulatory requirements, spot inspections for the Total Sulfur and Total Nitrogen can be conducted with our XT Series Laboratory Analyzer for Total Sulfur and Total Nitrogen. Refineries interested in being compliant with ASTM D5453 can utilize the real-time information provided by our patented Excimer Ultraviolet Fluorescence Systems to determine the Total Sulfur in their fuels.

Refineries interested in maximizing profits commonly want to determine the Fuel Octane Numbers (i.e. RON, MON) with online near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic analyzers such as Guided Wave’s NIR-O. Spectroscopy is a tool compliant with ASTM D6122 which enables refineries to blend expensive high-octane feedstocks with less expensive low octane naphtha while maintaining required octane levels and minimizing costs.

Unit operations producing or processing high viscosity streams (visbreaking), bottoms of atmospheric distillation, and vacuum distillation residues can be monitored by MIVI sensors or Thermoset analyzers for improved process control.

After the different grades of fuel have been appropriately blended, they can be sent by a pipeline to the terminal for shipment all around the world. At the downstream terminal, Fuel Identification by NIR spectroscopy ensures that the correct and in-specification petroleum products are loaded for shipment to the customer.

Further to the atmospheric and vacuum distillations, the heavier hydrocarbon chains present in the crude oil must undergo additional cracking and distillation and then be broken up into shorter chains through various cracking and breaking processes. During these processes, analyzers can provide real-time data for plant technicians to make informed decisions on how to achieve the best yield from these residue products. Benzene can be produced During catalysis of the heavy fuels. NIR Spectroscopy can be used to monitor Benzene levels in fuel.

PETROCHEMICAL SYNGAS and QUADRUPOLE MASS SPECTROMETERS