Robert Cody Macomber

US Patent:

20180010994, Jan 11, 2018

Filed:

Jul 11, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/206557

Inventors:

Robert L. Macomber - Maple WI, US

International Classification:

G01N 9/36
G01N 11/00

Abstract:

A device for continuous measurement of average molecular weight and polarity of a hydrocarbon stream.Information from the apparatus will be used to characterize the quality of charge stocks and hydrocarbon components of process or utility units. This instrument is based on the concept that each hydrocarbon molecule has a distinct viscosity at a given temperature. While some different weight molecules may have nearly the same viscosity at one temperature, the rate of change of the viscosity is different for each molecule as temperature changes. By observing the viscosity of a hydrocarbon mixture in a closed loop sampling system at two different temperatures, along with specific gravity of the mixture, the average molecular weight of the mixture can be determined. Likewise, different molecular structure (ringed aromatic hydrocarbon molecules versus straight chain hydrocarbon molecules) will have a unique polarity due to differences in electron density for the different structures. The presence of contaminants such as sulfur and nitrogen atoms in hydrocarbon molecules also causes an increase in polarity of the sample. By continuous analysis of the permittivity of hydrocarbon mixtures the relative polarity of the molecules in the hydrocarbon mixture can be observed. Together this will determine the relative Molecular weight, structure and contaminant level of the feedstock. Data can be used for immediate interpretation of the feed quality allowing immediate evaluation, adjustment and control of process units.