Presentation Profile
Mitigating the Adverse Impact of Inorganic Salts in Crude Oil: Assessment and Remediation Strategies
Currently Scheduled: 10/11/2023 - 12:00 PM - 12:20 PM
Main Author
Raj Shah - Koehler Instrument Company, Inc.
- Vincent Colantuoni - Koehler Instrument Company Inc.
- William Streiber - Koehler Instrument Company Inc.
- Anthony Schevon - Koehler Instrument Company Inc.
Abstract:
Crude oil, as a complex amalgamation of diverse hydrocarbons, exhibits considerable variations in visual characteristics, chemical composition, consistency, and color. Its classification relies on factors such as hydrocarbon composition, distillation properties, yield, quality, sulfur content, or API gravity. However, crude oils often harbor numerous compounds and impurities that necessitate removal during the refining process. These impurities include sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen compounds, trace metals, and inorganic salts. Notably, the presence of inorganic salts in raw crude oil can engender fouling and plugging of pipelines and heat exchangers. Moreover, severe corrosion stemming from the decomposition of chloride salts, resulting in hydrochloric acid and ammonium chloride, can inflict additional damage. The economic repercussions of such complications are substantial, manifesting as heightened capital expenditure for equipment repair or replacement. Furthermore, production downtime during maintenance intervals, alongside energy inefficiencies, can curtail yield and diminish profits. The diverse array of issues attributable to excessive salt content in crude oil underscores the importance of measuring and removing inorganic salts to adhere to industry standards. The recently developed Koehler K23060 Salt in Crude Analyzer offers a timely solution by enabling rapid and reliable determination of salt concentrations in crude oil samples, aligning with the ASTM D3230 method. By leveraging this innovative instrument, complications arising from excessive salt concentrations can be averted, ensuring smooth operations during the refining process while safeguarding equipment integrity and yield. This research poster primarily focuses on elucidating the hazardous implications of inorganic salts in petroleum refining and transportation processes, while showcasing the application of the K23060 Salt in Crude Analyzer as a crucial tool for quantifying excessive salt content during crude oil desalting operations.
