System and method for alkylation process analysis
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus is provided for concentration determination of at least one component in an acid catalyst for hydrocarbon conversion containing an unknown concentration of an acid, an acid-soluble-oil (ASO), and water. An instrument configured for measuring a property of the acid catalyst, has responsivities to concentrations of one of the acid, ASO, and water, substantially independent of the concentrations of the others of the acid catalyst, ASO, and water. A temperature detector is configured to generate temperature data for the acid catalyst. A processor is configured to capture data generated by the temperature detector and the instrument, and to use the data in combination with a model to determine a temperature compensated concentration of the one of the acid, the ASO, and the water. Optionally, one or more other instruments configured for measuring other properties of the liquid mixture may also be used.
1. An apparatus for on-line concentration determination of components in a liquid hydrocarbon mixture flowing through an alkylation process, which liquid hydrocarbon mixture includes an unknown concentration of components including hydrocarbons and water, said apparatus comprising:
(a) at least one instrument along a fluid flow path configured for measuring a property of the liquid hydrocarbon mixture while the liquid hydrocarbon mixture is flowing continuously past the instrument along the fluid flow path and configured to have responsivities to concentrations of one or more of the components of the liquid hydrocarbon mixture;
(b) a temperature detector configured to generate temperature data for the liquid hydrocarbon mixture;
(c) a separator disposed at or upstream of said at least one instrument within the fluid flow path, the separator being capably of continuously supplying the liquid hydrocarbon mixture to the at least one instrument; and
(d) a processor configured to capture data generated by the at least one instrument and the temperature detector, and configured to determine, using the data in combination with a model of responsivities to various concentrations of the components at various temperatures, a temperature compensated concentration of components in the liquid hydrocarbon mixture.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one instrument comprises a density measurement device in communication with the fluid flow path and configured to have responsivities to concentrations of one or more of the components of the liquid hydrocarbon mixture, and configured to measure a density of the liquid hydrocarbon mixture while the liquid hydrocarbon mixture is flowing continuously past the instrument along the fluid flow path.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one instrument comprises a spectrometer in communication with the fluid flow path and configured to make a spectral analysis of the fluid to identify concentrations of one or more of the components of the liquid hydrocarbon mixture, and configured to make a spectral analysis of the liquid hydrocarbon mixture while the liquid hydrocarbon mixture is flowing continuously past the instrument along the fluid flow path.
4. An apparatus for on-line concentration determination of components in a liquid hydrocarbon mixture flowing through an alkylation process, which liquid hydrocarbon mixture includes an unknown concentration of components including hydrocarbons and water, said apparatus comprising:
a temperature detector;
a conductivity measurement device;
a density measurement device;
a separator that supplies the liquid hydrocarbon mixture in a downstream direction along a fluid flow path to the temperature detector, the conductivity measurement device, and the density measurement device; and
a processor configured to capture data generated by the temperature detector, the conductivity measurement device and the density measurement device, and configured to determine, using the data in combination with a model of responsivities to various concentrations of the components at various temperatures, a temperature compensated concentration of components in the liquid hydrocarbon mixture.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the density measurement device comprises a flowmeter.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the processor is configured to receive the data generated by the temperature detector and to use the data generated by the temperature detector, the data generated by the conductivity measurement device and the data generated by the density measurement device in the model of temperature responsivities to calculate the temperature compensated concentration of components in the liquid hydrocarbon mixture.
7. An apparatus for on-line concentration determination of components in a liquid hydrocarbon mixture flowing through an alkylation process, which liquid hydrocarbon mixture includes an unknown concentration of components including hydrocarbons and water, said apparatus comprising:
(a) a spectrometer configured to analyze the liquid hydrocarbon mixture as the mixture flows continuously past the spectrometer;
(b) a separator capable of continuously supplying the liquid hydrocarbon mixture in a downstream direction along a fluid flow path to the spectrometer; and
(c) a processor configured to capture data generated by the spectrometer and to use the data to determine a concentration of at least one component in the liquid hydrocarbon mixture.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the separator is capable of separating from the liquid hydrocarbon mixture hydrocarbon present in the liquid hydrocarbon mixture in a gas or liquid phase distinct from that of the liquid hydrocarbon mixture.