Patent ID: 9150793
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: C10G,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of optimizing a system parameter in a process stream of a crude unit, the method comprising: (a) introducing an opportunity crude oil into a crude unit that previously contained a different kind of crude oil, the properties of the opportunity crude differing such from the previous crude oil that it disrupts the steady state of the unit including causing a corrosion inducing spike in chloride concentration, (b) measuring and/or predicting a property associated with the system parameter at one or more points in the crude unit; (c) determining an optimum range associated with the measured and/or predicted property; (d) if the measured and/or predicted property is outside of the optimum range associated with that property, causing a change in an influx of a composition into the process stream, the composition capable of adjusting the property associated with the system parameter in a manner to bring the measured and/or predicted property within said optimum range; provided that adjustments are limited to no more than one per 30 minutes and if there are either four overall adjustments or the adjustment results in a change of at least 50% of added composition then further influx of composition suspended for 4 hours; and (e) optionally repeating steps (b) to (d) for a plurality of different system parameters, each different system parameter having a unique associated property wherein the measuring/or predicting property comprises the steps of: collecting a sample of fluid from a process stream to form a sample stream; adding a sulfide scavenger obtained by reacting morpholine with formaldehyde to the sample stream; passing the sample stream through a membrane that prevents a reaction product of the sulfide scavenger and sulfide from flowing therethrough; and allowing the sample stream that flows through the membrane to contact a chloride specific electrode of a measurement cell to measure chloride content.