Patent Application
20130299391
The present invention relates to the refinery processing of crude oil. Specifically, it is directed towards the problem of corrosion of refinery equipment caused by corrosive elements found in the crude oil.
Hydrocarbon feedstocks such as petroleum crudes, gas oil, etc., are subjected to various processes in order to isolate and separate different fractions of the feed stock. In refinery process, the feedstock is distilled so as to provide light hydrocarbons, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, gas oil, etc.
The lower, boiling fractions are recovered as an overhead fraction from the distillation tower. The intermediate components are recovered as side cuts from the distillation tower. The fractions are cooled, condensed, and sent to collecting equipment. No matter what type of petroleum feed stock is used as the charge, the distillation equipment is subjected to the corrosive activity of acids such as H2S, HCl, organic acids, and H2CO3.
Corrosion in the crude overhead distillation equipment is mainly due to condensation of hydrogen chlorides formed by hydrolysis of the magnesium chloride and calcium chloride in crude oil. Typical hydrolysis reactions may proceed as in Equations I or II:
MgCl2+2H2O2HCl+Mg(OH)2 (I)
CaCl2+2H2O2HCl+Ca(OH)2 (II)
Corrosive attack on the metals normally used in the low temperature sections of a refinery (i.e., where water is present below its dew point) is an electrochemical reaction generally in the form of acid attack on active metals in accordance with Equations III, IV or V:
At the anode: FeFe+++2e− (III)
At the cathode: 2H++2e−2H (IV)
At the cathode: 2HH2 (V)
The aqueous phase may be water entrained in the hydrocarbons being processed and/or water added to the process for such purposes as steam stripping. Acidity of the condensed water is due to dissolved acids in the condensate, principally HCl, organic acids, H2S, and H2CO3. HCl, the most troublesome corrosive material, is formed by hydrolysis of calcium and magnesium chlorides originally present in the brines.
One of the chief points of difficulty with respect to corrosion occurs above and in the temperature range of the initial condensation of water. The term “initial condensate” as it is used herein signifies a phase formed when the temperature of the surrounding environments reaches the dew point of water. At this point a mixture of liquid water, hydrocarbon, and vapor may be present. Such initial condensate may occur within the distillation tower itself or in subsequent condensers. The top temperature of the distillation tower is normally maintained above the dew point of water. The initial aqueous condensate formed contains a high percentage of HCl. Due to the high concentration of acids dissolved in the water, the pH of the first condensate is quite low. For this reason, the water is highly corrosive.
In the past, highly basic ammonia has been added at various points in hydrocarbon refining processes in an attempt to control the corrosiveness of condensed acidic materials. Ammonia, however, has not proven effective with respect to eliminating corrosion occurring at the initial condensate. It is believed that ammonia has been ineffective for this purpose because it does not condense completely enough to neutralize the acidic components of the first condensate.
Several amines, including morpholine and methoxypropylamine, have been used to successfully control or inhibit corrosion that ordinarily occurs at the point of initial condensation within or after the distillation tower. These amines or their blends are added in pure form or as an aqueous solution. The high alkalinity of these amines serves to raise the pH of the initial condensate rendering it less corrosive. The amines are added in amounts sufficient to raise the pH of the liquid at the point of initial condensation to above 4.0, and in some cases, to between 5.0 and 6.0.
These amines, however, form hydrochloride salts that deposit on the inner surfaces of hydrocarbon refining equipment. These deposits can cause both fouling and corrosion problems and are most problematic in units that do not use a water wash.
Some amines and their blends currently used produce less salt deposits on hydrocarbon refining equipment than the amines listed above. These amines are also aqueous amines and are introduced in the distillation tower or downstream of the distillation tower. These amines include picoline (U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,840) and blends comprising dimethylethanolamine and dimethylisopropanolamine, (U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,275) ethylenediamine, monoethanolamine and hexylmethylenediamine (U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,319). Additional amines include trimethylamine and N-methylmorpholine and their blends.
It was surprisingly discovered that some amines are more effective at neutralizing the acidic species in hydrocarbon streams than ammonia. It was also surprisingly discovered that other amines are more effective than the comparative amines, trimethylamine and N-methylmorpholine. These effective amines also are effective at reducing deposits of amine salt species on the internal surfaces of hydrocarbon processing equipment.
Accordingly, a treatment composition is disclosed for neutralizing acidic species and reducing hydrochloride and amine salts in a fluid hydrocarbon stream. The treatment composition comprises at least one amine with a salt precipitation potential index of equal to or less than about 1.0.
In another embodiment, the treatment composition may comprise at least one amine selected from the group consisting of dimethylpropylamine, 1,4-dimethylpiperazine, N-methyldibutylamine, N-methyldipropylamine, ethylhexylamine, N-methylpyrrolidine, di-ethylhydroxylamine, dimethylcyclohexylamine, pyrrolidine, di-ethylpropargylamine, dimethyl-N-propylamine, di-N-propylamine, N,N,N,N-tetramethylethylenediamine (“TMEDA”), and furfurylamine.
In another embodiment, the treatment composition may comprise an amine with a pKa equal to or greater than about 5.0. In yet another embodiment, the treatment composition may comprise an amine with a salt precipitation potential index (“Salt PPI”) of equal to or less than about 0.5. Alternatively, the amine may have a Salt PPI of equal to or less than about 0.1.
In another exemplary embodiment, a method for neutralizing acidic species and reducing hydrochloride and amine salts in a hydrocarbon refining process is disclosed. The method comprises providing a fluid hydrocarbon stream and adding a treatment composition to the fluid hydrocarbon stream. The treatment composition comprises at least one amine with a Salt PPI of equal to or less than about 1.0.
In another method, the treatment composition may comprise at least one amine selected from the group consisting of dimethylpropylamine, 1,4-dimethylpiperazine, N-methyldibutylamine, N-methyldipropylamine, ethylhexylamine, N-methylpyrrolidine, di-ethylhydroxylamine, dimethylcyclohexylamine, pyrrolidine, di-ethylpropargylamine, dimethyl-N-propylamine, di-N-propylamine, N,N,N,N-tetramethylethylenediamine, and furfurylamine.
In another method, the treatment composition may comprise an amine with a pKa equal to or greater than about 5.0. In yet another method, the treatment composition may comprise an amine with a Salt PPI of equal to or less than about 0.5. Alternatively, the amine may have a Salt PPI of equal to or less than about 0.1.
In one embodiment, a method for neutralizing acidic species and reducing deposits of hydrochloride and amine salts in a hydrocarbon refining process is disclosed, wherein the treatment composition may be added to the fluid hydrocarbon stream in an amount ranging from about 1 ppm to about 1000 ppm by volume of the fluid hydrocarbon stream. In another method, the treatment composition may be added at 300 ppm to 900 ppm by volume of the fluid hydrocarbon stream. Alternatively, the treatment composition may be added at about 300 ppm to about 700 ppm.
It was also surprisingly discovered that the effectiveness of some amines may be increased by selecting the addition point in the hydrocarbon refining process. It was also surprisingly discovered that there was a correlation between the addition point and the amine's solubility in oil or water. The effectiveness of oil-soluble amines may be increased by adding them to the fluid hydrocarbon stream as it leaves the desalter. The effectiveness of water-soluble amines may be increased by adding them to the fluid hydrocarbon stream as it leaves the distillation tower.
Accordingly, another exemplary embodiment discloses a method where the treatment composition comprises at least one water-soluble amine. In another embodiment, the treatment composition comprising a water-soluble amine is added to a fluid hydrocarbon stream after it leaves the distillation tower of a hydrocarbon refining process.
Another exemplary embodiment discloses a method where the treatment composition comprises at least one oil-soluble amine. In another embodiment, the treatment composition comprising an oil-soluble amine is contacted with a fluid hydrocarbon stream after it leaves the desalter of a hydrocarbon refining process.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method for neutralizing acidic species and reducing deposits of hydrochloride and amine salts in a hydrocarbon refining process is disclosed. The method comprises providing a fluid hydrocarbon stream; providing a first treatment composition with at least one oil-soluble amine; providing a second treatment composition with at least one water-soluble amine; and adding the first and second treatment compositions to the fluid hydrocarbon stream. Both the first and second treatment compositions comprise at least one amine with a Salt PPI of equal to or less than about 1.0.
Another exemplary embodiment discloses a method wherein at least one water-soluble amine is a member selected from the group consisting of dimethyl propylamine, 1,4-dimethylpiperazine, N-methylpyrrolidine, di-ethylhydroxylamine, pyrrolidine, dimethyl-N-propylamine, N,N,N,N-tetramethylethylenediamine, and furfurylamine. Yet another method discloses a method wherein at least one oil-soluble amine is a member selected from the group consisting of N-methyldibutylamine, N-methyldipropylamine, ethylhexylamine, dimethylcyclohexylamine, diethylpropargylamine, and di-N-propylamine.
Other embodiments disclose methods wherein at least one water-soluble or oil-soluble amine may have a pKa of equal to or greater than about 5.0. Yet other embodiments disclose methods wherein at least one water-soluble or oil-soluble amine may have a Salt PPI of equal to or less than about 0.5. Alternatively, the Salt PPI may be equal to or less than about 0.1.
The overhead distillation tower temperature usually ranges from 200 to 350° F. While in the tower, the crude is distilled into multiple fractions, also called “sidecuts.” The sidecuts comprise heavy gas oil (21), light gas oil (23), diesel (25), and kerosene (27). The bottoms (37) exit the distillation tower for processing elsewhere (not shown). Naphtha vapor (29) exits the top of the distillation tower and enters a series of heat exchangers (31). The naphtha vapor then enters at least one condenser (33). A portion of the condensed naphtha stream is fed back into the top of the tower as reflux (35).
Some refining processes may not utilize a flash drum and instead feed crude directly to a direct-fired furnace Likewise some operations have been omitted from
It was surprisingly discovered that some amines are more effective at neutralizing the acidic species in hydrocarbon streams than ammonia. It was also surprisingly discovered that other amines are more effective than the comparative amines, trimethylamine and N-methylmorpholine. These effective amines are also effective at reducing deposits of amine salt species on the internal surfaces of hydrocarbon processing equipment.
Without limiting this specification to any particular theory of operation, the overall efficiency of a given amine may be predicted upon assessment of several factors. One such factor is the amine-HCl salt precipitation potential index (“Salt PPI”). The Salt PPI may also be known by those in the art as the salt volatility index. These indices are merely a comparison of the precipitation potential of the amine salt to the salt of a typical neutralizing compound used in hydrocarbon refining, ammonia.
Salt PPI may be calculated from the equation:
where p is the vapor pressure at either 225 or 300° F. The average Salt PPI over the 225 to 300° F. range is selected because these amines usually have the requisite volatility characteristics at typical crude overhead operating temperatures. Namely, such amines are thermally stable at temperatures typical to the refining process, yet volatile enough to condense with the initial condensate. As can be seen from the equation, the salt of the typical neutralizing compound, ammonia, is used as a benchmark. If one were to substitute the vapor pressure of ammonia for the vapor pressure of the amine in the equation, the Salt PPI would be 1.0. Effective amines are those that are as good, if not better than the typical additive, ammonia. Thus, effective amines would have a Salt PPI of equal to or less than 1.0. Other neutralizers commonly used in hydrocarbon refining are trimethylamine and N-methylmorpholine. The Salt PPI of these comparative amines is equal to, or greater than 0.1. Thus, the most effective amines would have a Salt PPI of equal to, or less than 0.1.
Accordingly, a treatment composition is disclosed for neutralizing acidic species and reducing hydrochloride and amine salts in a fluid hydrocarbon stream. The treatment composition comprises at least one amine with a salt precipitation potential index of equal to or less than about 1.0.
A fluid hydrocarbon stream encompasses both gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon streams. Examples of fluid hydrocarbons include, but are not limited to, crude oil, natural gas, condensate, heavy oil, processed residual oil, bitumen, coker oils, coker gas oils, fluid catalytic cracker feeds and slurries, gas oil, naphtha, diesel fuel, fuel oil, jet fuel, gasoline, kerosene, crude styrene distillation tower feed, crude ethylbenzene column feed, pyrolsis gasoline, chlorinated hydrocarbons feed, or vacuum residual.
In one exemplary embodiment, at least one amine may have the structure:
where R1, R2, and R3 may the same or different and are H, or alkyls of 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The alkyls may be straight alkyls, branched alkyls, cycloalkyl rings, hydroxyl-substituted alkyls, or alkoxy-substituted alkyls.
In another embodiment, the treatment composition may comprise at least one amine selected from the group consisting of dimethylpropylamine, 1,4-dimethylpiperazine, N-methyldibutylamine, N-methyldipropylamine, ethylhexylamine, N-methylpyrrolidine, di-ethylhydroxylamine, dimethylcyclohexylamine, pyrrolidine, di-ethyl propargylamine, dimethyl-N-propylamine, di-N-propylamine, N,N,N,N-tetramethylethylenediamine (“TMEDA”), and furfurylamine.
Another factor indicative of the overall efficiency of a given amine is the logarithm of the acid dissociation constant, pKa. Generally, amines with higher pKa values are more efficient neutralizers. Accordingly, in another embodiment, the treatment composition may comprise an amine with a pKa equal to or greater than about 5.0.
In yet another embodiment, the treatment composition may comprise an amine with a salt precipitation potential index of equal to or less than about 0.5. Alternatively, amines may have a salt precipitation potential index of equal to or less than about 0.1.
In another exemplary embodiment, a method for neutralizing acidic species and reducing deposits of hydrochloride and amine salts in a hydrocarbon refining process is disclosed. The method comprises providing a fluid hydrocarbon stream and contacting the fluid hydrocarbon stream with a treatment composition. The treatment composition comprises at least one amine with a salt precipitation potential index of equal to or less than about 1.0.
In another method, the amine may have the structure:
where R1, R2, and R3 may the same or different and are H, or alkyls of 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The alkyls may be straight alkyls, branched alkyls, cycloalkyl rings, hydroxyl-substituted alkyls, or alkoxy-substituted alkyls.
In another method, the treatment composition may comprise at least one amine selected from the group consisting of dimethylpropylamine, 1,4-dimethyl piperazine, N-methyldibutylamine, N-methyldipropylamine, ethylhexylamine, N-methylpyrrolidine, di-ethylhydroxylamine, dimethylcyclohexylamine, pyrrolidine, di-ethylpropargylamine, dimethyl-N-propylamine, di-N-propylamine, N,N,N,N-tetramethylethylenediamine, and furfurylamine. In another method, the treatment composition may comprise an amine with a pKa equal to or greater than about 5.0.
In yet another method, the treatment composition may comprise an amine with a salt precipitation potential index of equal to or less than about 0.5. Alternatively, the amine may have a salt precipitation potential index of equal to or less than about 0.1.
In one embodiment, a method for neutralizing acidic species and reducing deposits of hydrochloride and amine salts in a hydrocarbon refining process is disclosed, wherein the treatment composition may be added to the fluid hydrocarbon stream in an amount ranging from about 1 ppm to about 1000 ppm by volume of the fluid hydrocarbon stream. In another method, the treatment composition may be added at 300 ppm to 900 ppm by volume of the fluid hydrocarbon stream. Alternatively, the treatment composition may be added at about 300 ppm to about 700 ppm.
It was also surprisingly discovered that the efficiency of some amines maybe increased through selection of the addition point. It was also surprisingly discovered that there was a correlation between addition point and the amine's solubility in oil or water. The efficiencies of water-soluble amines may be increased by adding them to the fluid hydrocarbon stream as it leaves the distillation tower. The efficiencies of oil-soluble amines may be increased by adding them to the fluid hydrocarbon stream as it leaves the desalter.
Accordingly, another exemplary embodiment discloses a method where the treatment composition comprises at least one water soluble amine. In another embodiment, the treatment composition is added to a fluid hydrocarbon stream after it leaves the distillation tower of a hydrocarbon refining process (
Another exemplary embodiment discloses a method where the treatment composition comprises at least one oil soluble amine. In another embodiment, the treatment composition is added to a fluid hydrocarbon stream after it leaves the desalter of a hydrocarbon refining process (
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method for neutralizing acidic species and reducing deposits of hydrochloride and amine salts in a hydrocarbon refining process is disclosed. The method comprises providing a fluid hydrocarbon stream, providing a first treatment composition with at least one oil-soluble amine, providing a second treatment composition with at least one water-soluble amine, and adding the first and second treatment compositions to the fluid hydrocarbon stream. Both the first and second treatment compositions comprise at least one amine with a Salt PPI of equal to or less than about 1.0.
Another exemplary embodiment discloses a method wherein at least one water-soluble amine is a member selected from the group consisting of dimethylpropylamine, 1,4-dimethylpiperazine, N-methylpyrrolidine, di-ethylhydroxylamine, pyrrolidine, dimethyl-N-propylamine, N,N,N,N-tetramethylethylenediamine, and furfurylamine. Yet another method discloses a method wherein at least one oil-soluble amine is a member selected from the group consisting of N-methyldibutylamine, N-methyldipropylamine, ethylhexylamine, dimethylcyclohexylamine, di-ethylpropargylamine, and di-N-propylamine.
Other embodiments disclose methods wherein at least one water-soluble or oil-soluble amine may have a pKa of equal to or greater than about 5.0. Yet other embodiments disclose methods wherein at least one water-soluble or oil-soluble amine may have a Salt PPI of equal to or less than about 0.5. Alternatively, the Salt PPI may be equal to or less than about 0.1.
Several amines were tested to determine their efficiencies in neutralizing acidic species and reducing deposits of hydrochloride and amine salts. The neutralization efficiency of these amines was tested using two-phase titration. For each amine tested, a titrand (100 ml) was placed in a flask. The titrand was designed to simulate an initial condensate and comprised 90 vol % naphtha and 10 vol % water. The titrand was heated to 100° C. and maintained at that temperature while amine titrant was added to the flask. The resulting pH at different amine titrant concentrations are summarized in Table 1.
As shown in Table 1, all of the amines have a pKa greater than 5.0. Also shown in Table 1, all of the effective amines have a lower Salt PPI than the ammonia benchmark of 1.0. Other effective amines have Salt PPI equal to, or lower than at least one of the comparative amines.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
