Patent ID: 8370082
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for predicting a physical property of a residue obtainable from a crude oil by a process of distillation, wherein the conditions during the process are represented by a processing parameter, comprising the steps of: a) using a spectroscopic technique to acquire a spectrum for the crude oil; and b) applying a predictive model to the spectrum and the processing parameter, wherein the predictive model is based upon a correlation between the spectrum, the physical property and the processing parameter, wherein the correlation has been determined by a process of: i) selecting a set of crude oils, ii) using the spectroscopic technique to obtain a set of spectra for the set of crude oils, iii) obtaining a set of residues from the set of crude oils by a process of distillation, wherein the process conditions are varied, and recording the set of processing parameters that represent the process conditions, iv) measuring a set of physical properties for the set of residues, and v) correlating the set of spectra with the set of physical properties and the set of processing parameters by statistical analysis; and whereby the physical property of the residue is predicted.