In situ analysis of petroleum stability
US10408743B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 2016 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/2805
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of evaluating formation of fouling material in a petroleum feed involves illuminating a sample with cross-polarized light while subjecting the sample to temperature and pressure conditions relevant to an industrial process to induce chemical and/or physical changes; collecting images of the treated sample; and analyzing the images to evaluate fouling formation based on heterogeneity of the images in terms of brightness and/or color, where an increase in heterogeneity is indicative of initiation of fouling formation. The method is conducted using a cross-polarized microscopy system including a hot stage reactor assembly capable of withstanding operation within a temperature between about 20° C. to 450° C. or higher, and a pressure between about 0.1 MPa to 16 MPa or higher.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.