System for continuous analysis and modification of characteristics of a liquid hydrocarbon stream

• US 5,889,202 A
• Filed: 07/01/1997
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bryan H. Sonnier, Houman M. Shammai, Rama Rao Alapati
• Original Assignee: Bryan H. Sonnier, Houman M. Shammai, Rama Rao Alapati
• Inventors: Shammai, Houman M., Alapati, Rama Rao, Sonnier, Bryan H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Politzer, Jay L.
• Application Number:
  US08/886,174
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 73/19.01, 73/19.1, 73/19.12, 73/23.41, 73/61.41, 73/61.43, 73/61.59, 73/64.45, 203/2
• US Class Current: 73/64.45
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2823 raw oil, drilling fluid or polyphasic mixtures hydrocarbon content of earth materials G01N33/241; prospecting G01V; drilling per se E21B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2829 mixtures of fuels, e.g. determining the RON-number
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 7/00 Analysing materials by measuring the pressure or volume of a gas or vapour

Abstract

Apparatus and method for continuous analysis and/or modification of the vapor pressure characteristics of a hydrocarbon stream includes: liquid/gas separation chamber; constant flow liquid influent means; liquid level sensing means; temperature control means; constant pressure gaseous effluent means; liquid effluent means having a flow rate responsive to liquid level sensing means; and influent and effluent flow metering means. Means for sensing composition of gaseous effluent, and manifold means responsive to said composition for variable blending of differing liquid hydrocarbon streams, may also be provided. Influent may be heated or cooled prior to entering the separation chamber.

In the preferred embodiment, liquid influent rate is substantially constant. Temperature and pressure, which pressure may be made sub-atmospheric by vacuum means, are selected and maintained. In the separation chamber, components of the liquid influent having vapor pressures above the selected temperature and pressure of the separation chamber are volatized. Diffusion and mixing means in the chamber enhance rapid volatilization. Separated gas is flowed from the chamber and its composition analyzed by chromatography means. Effluent liquid is flowed from the chamber at a rate which maintains a constant liquid level in the chamber. By measurement and/or control of blending of influent streams, pressure, and/or temperature of the separation chamber responsive to vapor characteristics of liquid effluent, a stream of liquid hydrocarbons may be continuously analyzed and a liquid effluent having desired vapor pressure characteristics continuously produced and/or verified.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the continuous determination of the vapor pressure of a flow of liquid hydrocarbons at a selected temperature within a range of temperatures, comprising:

a) a single chamber having a fixed volume and adapted to hold a level of liquid hydrocarbons in a lower portion thereof and hydrocarbon vapors in an upper portion thereof;

b) means for maintaining the temperature of said single chamber at a selected substantially constant temperature within a range of desired temperatures, wherein said means for maintaining said temperature comprises a temperature sensor for sensing said temperature within said chamber, and a heating element responsive to said temperature sensor, said heating element disposed in thermal communication with said single chamber, thereby controlling a temperature of said liquid hydrocarbons and said hydrocarbon vapors within said chamber;

c) a liquid hydrocarbon influent line connected to said single chamber above liquid level in said single chamber;

d) a liquid hydrocarbon effluent line connected to said single chamber below a liquid level in said single chamber;

e) means for maintaining a substantially constant flow of liquid hydrocarbons through said single chamber while continuously maintaining the liquid level in said single chamber at a selected substantially constant value; and

f) means for continuously measuring the pressure within said single chamber without permitting outflow of said hydrocarbon vapors, thereby continuously determining vapor pressure of said liquid hydrocarbon.