K-Patents Applications in Oil Refining and Petrochemical Industries

Oil Refining Industry
Petrochemical Industry
Oil Refining Industry Applications

Pipeline Interface Detection: Gasoline, Jet Fuel, Diesel
Real-time identification of different transportation fuel types in a continuous distribution system is done by K-Patents Intrinsically Safe Process Refractometer. An accurate and reliable interface detection ensures that the correct product is placed in the proper tank and costly product contamination can be avoided.
Ref: Application Note 4.01.01 pdf

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Hydrotreaters/Aromatic Content Measurement: Hydrocarbon
K-Patents Intrinsically Safe Process Refractometer provides an in-line real-time indication of the aromatic content of the hydrocarbon stream in the feed to hydrotreater or in the final product. The K-Patents’ output signal is used either to change the reactor temperature, the hydrogen make-up ratio or the blend to the feedstock to yield desired aromatic ratio.
Ref: Application Note 4.01.02 pdf

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Acid Gas Sweetening Process: MEA (Monoethanol amine) DEA (diethanol amine), MDEA (methyl diethanol amine)
K-Patents Process Refractometer measures the lean amine concentration in acid gas regeneration process. By maintaining an optimum amine concentration a proper acid gas removal can be achieved. K-Patents is not affected by alkalinity or any other interference in the process. It is an advantage to be sure that the amine concentration is at 18-20% in order to optimize the H2S removal. The final amine concentration can be controlled by make-up ratio.
Ref: Application Note 4.01.03 pdf

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Alkylation: Sulphuric Acid Process: Sulphuric Acid
K-Patents Process Refractometer measures the acid concentration before and after the reactor where the fresh 98 to 99% sulfuric acid is added to the reaction section at the rate required to maintain the system acid strength (88 to 91%), and spent acid is withdrawn from the process to maintain the volume. The objective is to keep the acid concentration within the limits to avoid the danger of excess polymerization and to economize the acid consumption and octane requirement.
Ref: Application Note 4.01.04 pdf

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Alkylation: Hydrofluoric Acid Process: Hydrofluoric Acid
K-Patents Process Refractometer measures the acid concentration before and after the reactor. Also the concentration of recirculated hydrofluoric acid is measured. The final acid concentration can be controlled by changing the residence time in the reactor or by acid recycle ratio. The isobutane/olefin ratio can be also measured to ensure the proper ratio and to optimize isooctane production.
Ref: Application Note 4.01.05 pdf

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Lube Oil Refining: Waxy Raffinates Refractive Index (R.I.)
K-Patents Process Refractometer real-time refractive index measurement replaces the time consuming refractive index (R.I.) analyses of waxy raffinates by a laboratory refractometer (Analyses described in ASTM D 1747-89 Standard Test Method for Refractive Index of Viscous Materials). For instance, when manufacturing different kinds of viscosity index (V.I.) oils the refractive index of waxy raffinates should be within known limits.

The Main Lube Oil Application Areas:
  • De-asphalting
  • Solvent extraction
  • Furfural extraction
  • Phenol extraction
  • NMP extraction
  • De-waxing
  • Hydrofinishing
Ref: Application Note 4.01.06 pdf

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Petrochemical Applications

Ammonia: NH3
K-Patents Process Refractometer provides an in-line real-time indication of the liquid ammonia concentration after dilution in the ammonia synthesis. Final concentration of ammonia is 16-25%.
Ref: Application Note 4.02.01 pdf

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Formaldehyde: HCHO (Methanal)
K-Patents Process Refractometer provides measurement of formaldehyde after the absorption column for controlling the formaldehyde within specified limits. Typical product varies between 37 to 45%. K-Patents exact concentration measurement offers savings in the form of uniform product quality and minimizing the need of final product treatment.
Ref: Application Note 4.02.02 pdf

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Phenol Process: Phenol (C6H5OH), Cumene Hydroperoxide (C6H5C(CH3)O2H)), Acetone (CH3COCH3)
K-Patents Intrinsically Safe Process Refractometer measures Cumene Hydroperoxide concentration after the CHP oxidation reactor in synthetic phenol production. The purpose is to secure and optimize the process. The concentrations of phenol and acetone are also measured for process control purposes.
Ref: Application Note 4.02.03 pdf

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Styrene in Ethylbenzene: Styrene C8H8
K-Patents Process Refractometer measures Styrene concentration at the feed after Styrene finishing column to the final product storage. The measured concentration range is 95-96%.
Ref: Application Note 4.02.04 pdf

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