Abstract: A method is provided for predicting conjunct polymer concentration in spent ionic liquid during a continuous hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting conjunct polymer concentration in spent ionic liquid during a continuous hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons concentrations are determined in drilling cuttings samples by generating a model for predicting hydrocarbons concentrations. Methods include dividing multiple samples removed from drilling fluid into two one set analyzed using a retort, and another set analyzed using a handheld NIR spectrometer to obtain NIR diffuse reflectance data. PLS analysis is used to correlate the retort data with the diffuse reflectance data to generate a calibration model. The model is validated with samples having unknown hydrocarbons concentration. The model is used to predict the hydrocarbons concentration for samples removed from drilling fluid taken from the rig site using the spectrometer to obtain diffuse reflectance data. During measurements, each sample contains 0.1 to 10 wt % moisture and each sample is in a clear container pressed against the spectrometer window such that the IR source from the handheld device can pass to the drilled solids sample within the clear container without opening the clear container.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons concentrations are determined in drilling cuttings samples by generating a model for predicting hydrocarbons concentrations. Methods include dividing multiple samples removed from drilling fluid into two one set analyzed using a retort, and another set analyzed using a handheld NIR spectrometer to obtain NIR diffuse reflectance data. PLS analysis is used to correlate the retort data with the diffuse reflectance data to generate a calibration model. The model is validated with samples having unknown hydrocarbons concentration. The model is used to predict the hydrocarbons concentration for samples removed from drilling fluid taken from the rig site using the spectrometer to obtain diffuse reflectance data. During measurements, each sample contains 0.1 to 10 wt % moisture and each sample is in a clear container pressed against the spectrometer window such that the IR source from the handheld device can pass to the drilled solids sample within the clear container without opening the clear container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatically detecting the failure configuration of a pneumatic actuator. A control module is operatively coupled to the actuator, and the actuator is operatively coupled to a valve having a flow control member. When a number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a double-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined based on the number of pilot valves. When the number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a single-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined by comparing a first measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a first direction to a first position and a second measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a second direction opposite the first direction to a second position.

Abstract: An integrated system for monitoring a chemical concentration in an ionic liquid, comprising: a. an online FTIR instrument with an ATR window; b. a sample conditioning station that removes light hydrocarbons and produces a degassed ionic liquid that is analyzed by FTIR; and c. a solvent flushing system that flows solvent across the ATR window. Also, a process for monitoring the chemical concentration, comprising: a. degassing the ionic liquid in the sample conditioning station; b. passing the degassed ionic liquid over an ATR window; c. periodically redirecting a flow of the degassed ionic liquid via a bypass line or an on-off valve that isolates the ATR window from the process unit that elutes the ionic liquid; and d. flowing a solvent and a purging gas over the ATR window during the periodically redirecting step c); and e. resuming the passing of the degassed ionic liquid over the ATR window.

Abstract: An integrated system for monitoring a chemical concentration in an ionic liquid, comprising: a. an online FTIR instrument with an ATR window; b. a sample conditioning station that removes light hydrocarbons and produces a degassed ionic liquid that is analyzed by FTIR; and c. a solvent flushing system that flows solvent across the ATR window. Also, a process for monitoring the chemical concentration, comprising: a. degassing the ionic liquid in the sample conditioning station; b. passing the degassed ionic liquid over an ATR window; c. periodically redirecting a flow of the degassed ionic liquid via a bypass line or an on-off valve that isolates the ATR window from the process unit that elutes the ionic liquid; and d. flowing a solvent and a purging gas over the ATR window during the periodically redirecting step c); and e. resuming the passing of the degassed ionic liquid over the ATR window.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating a site specific model for predicting TPH concentration in soil. The method includes dividing a plurality of soil samples taken from a field site into two sets of samples. One set is analyzed using GC-FID, and the other set is analyzed using a handheld FTIR spectrometer with an ATR window to obtain FTIR-ATR absorbance data. Partial least squares regression analysis is used to correlate the GC-FID TPH concentration data with the absorbance data to generate a calibration model. The model is validated with soil samples having unknown TPH concentration. The model is used to predict the TPH concentration of soil samples taken from the field site analyzed using the handheld Fourier transform-infrared spectrometer to obtain FTIR-ATR absorbance data for the soil samples.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatically detecting the failure configuration of a pneumatic actuator. A control module is operatively coupled to the actuator, and the actuator is operatively coupled to a valve having a flow control member. When a number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a double-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined based on the number of pilot valves. When the number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a single-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined by comparing a first measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a first direction to a first position and a second measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a second direction opposite the first direction to a second position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating a site specific model for predicting TPH concentration in soil. The method includes dividing a plurality of soil samples taken from a field site into two sets of samples. One set is analyzed using GC-FID, and the other set is analyzed using a handheld FTIR spectrometer with an ATR window to obtain FTIR-ATR absorbance data. Partial least squares regression analysis is used to correlate the GC-FID TPH concentration data with the absorbance data to generate a calibration model. The model is validated with soil samples having unknown TPH concentration. The model is used to predict the TPH concentration of soil samples taken from the field site analyzed using the handheld Fourier transform-infrared spectrometer to obtain FTIR-ATR absorbance data for the soil samples.

Abstract: A method of estimating the relative concentration of at least two components contained in a mixture of the components is disclosed. At least two mixtures are produced by combining the at least two components, each of the at least two mixtures having different concentrations of the at least two components. NIR mixture spectra are acquired from each of the at least two mixtures. The NIR component spectra and the NIR mixture spectra are input into a computer utilizing chemometrics software and the spectra are analyzed to produce a calibration model for each component and each of the mixture NIR spectra. NIR monitored spectra for a monitored mixture of the components having an unknown concentration of the components is acquired. The calibration models are applied to the NIR monitored spectra to thereby estimate the concentration of at least one of the components in the monitored mixture.

Abstract: A method of estimating the relative concentration of at least two components contained in a mixture of the components is disclosed. At least two mixtures are produced by combining the at least two components, each of the at least two mixtures having different concentrations of the at least two components. NIR mixture spectra are acquired from each of the at least two mixtures. The NIR component spectra and the NIR mixture spectra are input into a computer utilizing chemometrics software and the spectra are analyzed to produce a calibration model for each component and each of the mixture NIR spectra. NIR monitored spectra for a monitored mixture of the components having an unknown concentration of the components is acquired. The calibration models are applied to the NIR monitored spectra to thereby estimate the concentration of at least one of the components in the monitored mixture.

Abstract: A method for determining corrosiveness of naphthenic acid in a crude oil feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a crude oil feedstock containing naphthenic acid; contacting the crude oil feedstock with iron for a period of time at a sufficient temperature for the iron to react with the naphthenic acid, forming iron salts. Under sufficiently high temperatures, at least a portion of the iron salts decompose to form ketone, which can be quantified. Measurements of the ketone can be used to correlate with the amount of iron lost from corrosion given a certain level of naphthenic acid present, giving a measure of the corrosivity of crude oil feedstock.

Abstract: A method for determining corrosiveness of naphthenic acid in a crude oil feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a crude oil feedstock containing naphthenic acid; contacting the crude oil feedstock with iron for a period of time at a sufficient temperature for the iron to react with the naphthenic acid, forming iron salts. Under sufficiently high temperatures, at least a portion of the iron salts decompose to form ketone, which can be quantified. Measurements of the ketone can be used to correlate with the amount of iron lost from corrosion given a certain level of naphthenic acid present, giving a measure of the corrosivity of crude oil feedstock.