Abstract: A method and system treat contaminated water. In one embodiment, the method comprises treating contaminated water by introducing a methylmorpholine-N-oxide solution to a vessel. The vessel contains the contaminated water and iron oxide. The contaminated water comprises contaminants. In addition, the methylmorpholine-N-oxide solution comprises methylmorpholine-N-oxide and water. The method further comprises contacting the methylmorpholine-N-oxide solution with the contaminated water. In addition, the method comprises treating the contaminated water by allowing the methylmorpholine-N-oxide to react with the contaminants in the presence of the iron oxide.

Abstract: A lubricant for marine engine, notably for a two-stroke marine engine. More particularly, a lubricant for a marine engine including at least one lubricant base oil and at least one di-alkylaminopolyalkylamine.

Abstract: A method for purification of a styrene-containing feedstock includes steps of introducing the styrene-containing feedstock into the middle of an extractive distillation column, and a solvent for the extractive distillation into the upper part of the column; discharging a raffinate oil from the top of the column, and a rich solvent rich in styrene from the bottom of the column. The rich solvent is then introduced into the middle of the solvent recovery column for vacuum distillation to obtain a crude styrene from the top of the solvent recovery column, and a lean solvent is discharged from the bottom of the solvent recovery column and recycled to the upper part of the extractive distillation column. A portion of the rich solvent is sent to a solvent purification zone for a liquid-liquid extraction using water to obtain a mixture of a styrene polymer and styrene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fouling prevention method and a method for olefin oligomerization, wherein in the method for olefin oligomerization, a predetermined anti-fouling agent is added, thereby minimizing the production of sticking byproducts generated during the reaction and fundamentally preventing the fouling of the byproducts, generated during the reaction, on an inner wall of a reactor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for recovering hydroprocessing effluent from a hydroprocessing unit utilizing a hot stripping column and a cold stripping column. A light fractionation column fractionates naphtha from kerosene predominantly from a cold stripped stream. A heavy fractionation column fractionates diesel from unconverted oil predominantly present in a hot stripped stream. Only the hot hydroprocessing effluent is heated in a fired heater prior to entering the heavy fractionation column, resulting in substantial operating and capital savings.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide evolution from asphalt or heavy fuel oil may be reduced or eliminated using an additive to act as a scavenger. Zinc, in conjunction with an additional metal selected from Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cr, Zr, when present in the form of nano-particles of an oxide, borate or carboxylate is an effective component is preventing or mitigating the evolution of hydrogen sulfide. The nano-particles may be used neat or as a dispersion. These metals may also be complexed and used in the form of a solution. Molybdenum, when used with one or both of Fe and Zn is also a useful in any of these forms for the same purpose.

Abstract: A method for recovering base oil from waste lubricating oil by separating base oil range constituents from a waste lubricating oil mixture, thereafter separating higher quality base oil constituents and lower quality base oil constituents from the base oil recovered from the waste lubricating oil mixture and thereafter treating the lower quality base oil constituents to produce marketable base oil. The total base oil produced from a waste lubricating oil mixture by this process is greater than the quantity producible by previous processes using only base oil separation from the waste lubricating oil mixture or processes which use only treatment of the base oil recovered from the waste lubricating oil mixture to produce the product base oil.

Abstract: A method of distilling a chemical mixture, the method including receiving, in a vessel comprising a complex, the chemical mixture comprising a plurality of fluid elements, applying electromagnetic (EM) radiation to the complex, wherein the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat at a first temperature, transforming, using the heat generated by the complex, a first fluid element of the plurality of fluid elements of the chemical mixture to a first vapor element, and extracting the first vapor element from the vessel, where the complex is at least one selected from a group consisting of copper nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles, nanoshells, nanorods, carbon moieties, encapsulated nanoshells, encapsulated nanoparticles, and branched nanostructures.

Abstract: Treatment compositions for neutralizing acidic species and reducing hydrochloride and amine salts in a fluid hydrocarbon stream are disclosed. The treatment compositions may comprise at least one amine with a salt precipitation potential index of equal to or less than about 1.0. Methods for neutralizing acidic species and reducing deposits of hydrochloride and amine salts in a hydrocarbon refining process are also disclosed. The methods may comprise providing a fluid hydrocarbon stream and adding a treatment composition to the fluid hydrocarbon stream. The treatment compositions used may have a salt precipitation potential index of equal to or less than about 1.0 and comprise either water-soluble or oil-soluble amines.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling instability of operation in a de-ethanizer tower (13) in the gas recovery unit in fluid catalytic cracking units and delayed coking units. The method comprises the step of intervening in the de-ethanizer tower (13) when instability occurs in it, and adjusting the material balance of water in such a way that the excess of water in the feed load stream (9) is removed only as an azeotrope. The intervention is performed by introducing into the feed load stream (9) of the de-ethanizer tower (13) a volume fraction (18) of a flow of hydrocarbon, which may be either dry hydrocarbons or hydrocarbons with a low level of water content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for joint production of low octane gasoline and high octane gasoline. In the process of oil or light oil rectification, the extraction points of the distillates therein are finely divided, and the temperature ranges for extraction of fractions are narrowed down. Each of the low and high octane components having a high content in the range from C6-C12 (which may be extended to C5-C14 where necessary) is then separately extracted. After that, low octane components are combined into compression ignition low octane gasoline products, while high octane components are combined into high octane gasoline products. The remaining fractions are respectively added as supplementing agents into the low octane gasoline products or high octane gasoline products dependent on their octane ratings. Low octane gasoline is used in compression ignition gasoline engines, while high octane gasoline is used in spark ignition gasoline engines.

Abstract: An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing methane and lighter, C2 (ethylene and/or ethane), and heavier components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing predominantly C2 and heavier hydrocarbon components including the steps of cooling and partially condensing and delivering the feed stream to a separator to provide a first residue vapor and a first liquid containing C2, directing a first part of the first liquid containing C2 into a heavy-ends fractionation column wherein the liquid is separated into a second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue and a second liquid product containing C2; further cooling the second part of the first liquid containing C2 and partially condensing the second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue; combining the cooled second part of the first liquid and partially condensed second hydrocarbon-bearing vapor residue and directing them to a second separator effecting a third residue and a third li

Abstract: A process for producing a caking additive for coke production, the process including a step of extracting a solvent deasphalted pitch that can be used as a caking additive for coke production from a residue containing at least one of an atmospheric residue obtained by atmospheric distillation of a crude oil and a vacuum residue obtained by atmospheric distillation and vacuum distillation of a crude oil, wherein the extraction is performed using, as a solvent, a light reformate obtained by catalytic reforming a naphtha fraction that is fractionated from a crude oil by atmospheric distillation of the crude oil.

Abstract: Corrosive amine salts in hydrocarbon streams such as desalted crude oil streams can be prevented or avoided by adding certain amine scavenging chemicals to the streams to remove the amines therefrom. Suitable amine scavengers include, but are not necessarily limited to, carboxylic anhydrides and copolymers of carboxylic anhydrides, aromatic anhydrides, isocyanates, polyisocyanates, and epoxides. The non-corrosive reaction products of the amines and/or ammonia with these scavengers are preferably oil-soluble, non-basic and thermally stable. The amine scavengers bind up and react with the amines and/or ammonia to keep them from reacting with materials such as acids (e.g. HCl) to form corrosive amine salts.

Abstract: A process for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid comprising: heating the feedstock, mixing the heated feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase which collect as bottoms and removing the liquid phase, separating and cracking the vapor phase, and cooling the product effluent, wherein the bottoms are maintained under conditions to effect at least partial visbreaking. The visbroken bottoms may be steam stripped to recover the visbroken molecules while avoiding entrainment of the bottoms liquid. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for improving the operational parameters in primary fractionators which are experiencing diminished operation efficiencies due to deposits of polymerized hydrocarbon species. The invention comprises the step of adding a foam reducing amount of a foam reducing composition at the primary fractionator. A reduction in foaming is achieved whereby the operational efficiency of the process is improved based upon operation parameters including, but not limited to, liquid-gas contact ratio, product top temperature, pressure differentials, gasoline end point or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of processing hydrocarbons which causes corrosion in the metal surfaces of processing units. The invention addresses the technical problem of high temperature naphthenic acid corrosion and sulphur corrosion and provides a solution to inhibit these types of corrosion. The three combination compositions are formed by three mixtures separately, with one mixture obtained by mixing compound A, which is obtained by reacting high reactive polyisobutylene (HRPIB) with phosphorous pentasulphide in presence of catalytic amount of sulphur with compound B such as trialkyl phosphate and second mixture obtained by mixing compound A with compound C such as phosphite like di-isodecyl phenyl phosphite, and third mixture obtained by mixing compound A with compound D such as a phosphonate, wherein each of these three mixtures independently provide high corrosion inhibition efficiency in case of high temperature naphthenic acid corrosion inhibition and sulphur corrosion inhibition.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid is cracked by a process comprising: (a) heating the hydrocarbon feedstock; (b) mixing the heated hydrocarbon feedstock with steam and optionally water to form a mixture stream; (c) introducing the mixture stream to a flash/separation apparatus to form i) a vapor phase at its dew point which partially cracks and loses/or heat causing a temperature decrease and partial condensation of the vapor phase in the absence of added heat to provide coke precursors existing as uncoalesced condensate, and ii) a liquid phase; (d) removing the vapor phase as overhead and the liquid phase as bottoms from the flash/separation apparatus; (e) treating the overhead by contacting with a hydrocarbon-containing nucleating liquid substantially free of resid and comprising components boiling at a temperature of at least about 260° C. (500° F.

Abstract: A specific nonionic surfactant is added to a component mainly comprising hydrocarbons before passing through a heat exchanger in a petrochemical plant or a polyolefin production plant, whereby fouling of the heat exchanger can be efficiently prevented, that is, the performance of the heat exchanger can be prevented from being deteriorated, and long-term operation is feasible without sacrificing the speed of production. The nonionic surfactant is preferably a polyoxyalkylene compound represented by the general formula [I] below, more preferably a compound represented by the general formula [II] below. R1—O—[CH2—CH(R3)—O]k—R2[I] wherein R1, R2 and R3 are selected from a hydrogen atom, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C6 to C20 aryl group and a C1 to C20 acyl group, and may be the same or different from each other. HO—(CH2CH2O)m—[CH2CH(CH3)O]n—(CH2CH2O)pH[II] wherein m, n and p each represent the average number of repeating units, and m is in the range of 1 to 20, n is 2 to 50 and p is 1 to 20.

Abstract: The present invention aims to isolate the azeotropes formed in a distillation column (B1) by methanol, propane and butane. The azeotropes are then liquefied in heat exchanger (E2) and mixed in contactor (M1) with water in order to dissolve the methanol in water. The mixture is then fed into a decantation tank (D2) to separate the aqueous phase from the liquid hydrocarbon phase. Finally, an aqueous phase containing methanol is discharged and the methanol-depleted hydrocarbon phase is recycled to distillation column (B1) as reflux.

Abstract: The process disclosed separates light olefins from heavy oligomers in a distillation column with an intermediary having a boiling point between the light olefin and the heavy oligomer in the column feed. The invention contemplates separating C4 hydrocarbons from C8 hydrocarbons in an effluent from an oligomerization reactor. The effluent includes or is supplemented with an intermediary that can include C5 hydrocarbon, C6 hydrocarbon or mixtures of both. Consequently, the bottoms reboiler temperature can be lower.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating gasoline vapor by bringing gasoline vapor within a fuel tank into contact with a fluid gasoline and making the fluid gasoline absorb the gasoline vapor, in order to improve absorptivity of the gasoline vapor and to reduce the amount of the gasoline vapor introduced into a canister, thereby attaining a canister downsizing. The method and apparatus comprise a separation device of introducing the liquid gasoline within the fuel tank and separating it into a low boiling point component and a high boiling point component, and a gas-liquid contact device of bringing the gasoline vapor within the fuel tank into contact with an extractive gasoline composed of the high boiling point component separated by the separation device, whereby when contacting the gasoline vapor with the extractive gasoline, a part of the gasoline vapor is absorbed to the extractive gasoline, and a residual of the gasoline vapor not absorbed to the extractive gasoline is introduced into a canister.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting the polymerization of vinyl monomers are disclosed. Combinations of nitroxyl compounds and aliphatic amines are effective at inhibiting the polymerization of vinyl monomers under both processing and storage conditions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting the polymerization of vinyl monomers are disclosed. Combinations of nitroxyl compounds and aliphatic amines are effective at inhibiting the polymerization of vinyl monomers under both processing and storage conditions.

Abstract: An extractive distillation tower 4 supplied with a feedstock containing butadiene and a solvent and for distilling the feedstock to separate and purify the butadiene.

Abstract: Compounds that inhibit polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds need to operate at temperatures of about 90° C. to about 150° C. A process for increasing the thermal stability of inhibitors such as N,N′-di-2-butyl-N,N′-dinitroso-1,4-diaminobenzene is disclosed. The process comprises adding to the inhibitor a stabilizer such as N,N′-di-2-butyl-1,4-diaminobenzene. The mixture of inhibitor and stabilizer is also used to inhibit polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for inhibiting the polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds, such as styrene, during its distillation. The process involves adding a mixture of at least two inhibitors to the vinyl aromatic compound. One such combination is N,N′-di-2-butyl-N,N′,4-dinitroso-1,4-diaminobenzene and dinitrocresol. A stabilizer such as N,N′-di-2-butyl-1,4-diaminobenzene can also be added.

Abstract: Construction and operational costs of recovering the extract or raffinate product of a simulated moving bed adsorptive separation process units are reduced by employing a dividing wall column to perform the separation. The raffinate or extract stream is passed into the column at an intermediate point on the first side of the dividing wall, with the column delivering the adsorptive separation product as a sidedraw from the opposite side of the dividing wall. A stream of co-adsorbed impurity is removed as an overhead stream and desorbent is recovered as a net bottoms stream.

Abstract: An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing methane and lighter, C2 (ethylene and/or ethane), and heavier components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing predominantly C2 and heavier hydrocarbon components including the steps of cooling and partially condensing and delivering the feed stream to a separator to provide a first residue vapor and a first liquid containing C2, directing a first part of the first liquid containing C2 into a heavy-ends fractionation column wherein the liquid is separated into a second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue and a second liquid product containing C2; further cooling the second part of the first liquid containing C2 and partially condensing the second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue; combining the cooled second part of the first liquid and partially condensed second hydrocarbon-bearing vapor residue and directing them to a second separator effecting a third residue and a third li

Abstract: The present invention is a process for decreasing the acidity of a starting acidic crude oil by contacting an acidic crude with an effective excess of ammonia dissolved in said crude to form an ammonia-continuous oil discontinuous phase at a temperature and conditions sufficient to form the corresponding amide of the naphthenic acids. The process is useful in the processing of acidic crudes.

Abstract: A method for producing a heavy crude oil from a subterranean formation through a wellbore, transporting the heavy crude oil to a market location and converting the heavy crude oil into a product distillate hydrocarbon stream and by-products such as heat, steam, electricity and synthesis gas by separating distillable components of the heavy crude oil by distillation and solvent deasphalting and converting the asphaltic residual portion of the heavy crude oil in a fluidized bed to at least one of heat, steam, electricity or synthesis gas. The method also produces diluent hydrocarbons useful as a separate product, a distillable hydrocarbon stream or a diluent for use in the production and transportation of the heavy crude oil.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for decreasing the acidity of a starting calcium containing, non-acid treated acidic crude oil by adding such an acidic crude oil to an effective amount of an aqueous base solution at conditions of pH and temperature sufficient to form an unstable emulsion of the acidic crude oil in the aqueous base solution; and breaking the emulsion to form a phase containing treated crude oil having a decreased acidity and aqueous phase residual containing base and neutralized acids. The invention has utility in crude oil processing.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons, gas mixtures of hydrocarbons, and the like containing hydrogen sulfide are brought into intimate contact with a hydrogen sulfide scavenger prepared by reacting an alkylenepolyamine with formaldehyde, whereby the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the hydrocarbon is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method of removing hazardous sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans and sulfur oxides, from a fluid stream comprising contacting the fluid stream with an aqueous composition comprised of a tertiary amine oxide. The amine oxide reacts with the hazardous sulfur compounds to eliminate the compounds from the fluid stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the concentration of amines in hydrocarbon fluids and process streams by generating therein a nitrosating agent. The nitrosating agent will react with the amines to form innocuous by-products under refinery process conditions.

Abstract: In an atmospheric pipestill stripping process where steam is utilized as the stripping gas to strip bottoms and side stream products, the improvement comprising utilizing ammonia or a ammonia and steam mixture as said stripping gas wherein when an ammonia and steam mixture is utilized the ratio of ammonia to steam is about 0.1:1 to about 100:1. In a refinery atmospheric pipestill stripping process utilizing a stripping gas, said process comprising utilizing a gas selected from the group consisting of ammonia and a mixture of ammonia and steam as said stripping gas wherein when an ammonia and steam mixture is utilized the ratio of ammonia to steam is about 0.1:1 to about 100:1.

Abstract: A method for producing a heavy crude oil from a subterranean formation via a wellbore, transporting the heavy crude oil to a market and producing a distillable hydrocarbonaceous stream from the crude oil, the method includes: producing the heavy crude oil from a subterranean formation via a wellbore, mixing the heavy crude oil with a diluent to form a mixture, transporting the mixture to a selected location and converting the heavy crude oil into a product distillate hydrocarbon stream and at least one of heat, steam, electricity and synthesis gas by separating distillable components of the heavy crude oil by distillation and converting the residual portion of the heavy crude oil in a fluidized bed to at least one of heat, steam, electricity or synthesis gas. The diluent is typically a hydrocarbonaceous distillate material which may be recovered as a separate product.

Abstract: A method for producing a heavy crude oil from a subterranean formation through a wellbore and converting the heavy crude oil into a product distillate hydrocarbon stream and at least one of heat, steam, electricity and synthesis gas by separating distillable components of the heavy crude oil by distillation and converting the residual portion of the heavy crude oil in a fluidized bed to at least one of heat, steam, electricity or synthesis gas. The method also produces diluent hydrocarbons useful in the production and transportation of the heavy crude oil.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating petroleum fractions early in the refining process by employing catalyst prepared as components of distillation structures or as contained beds of catalyst in atmospheric distillation columns and or side draw columns. For example, a crude petroleum is hydrotreated by taking side streams from an atmospheric distillation column and the vacuum gas oil from a vacuum distillation column which are individually fed to separate desulfurizations, preferably in distillation column reactors containing a hydrodesulfurization catalyst. The overheads from each of the distillation column reactors is returned to the atmospheric column and the bottoms from each distillation column reactor is withdrawn as hydrotreated product. The process may also be used for upgrading the effluent from a fluid catalytic cracking unit, preferably operated as a catalytic distillation reactor.

Abstract: A method of removing hazardous sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, from sour crude oil and sour natural gas. An aqueous composition of an amine oxide surfactant, and preferably a mixture of an amine oxide surfactant and enzymes, is mixed with the sour crude oil or sour natural gas. The surfactant reacts with the hazardous sulfur compounds to eliminate the evolution of the compounds from the crude oil or gas and the enzymes act to catalyze the reaction.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting foam in crude oil or its fractions undergoing processing are disclosed. Low molecular weight polyisobutylene, preferably of about 320 daltons, is added to the crude oil or fraction experiencing foaming.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating naphthenic acid-containing whole crudes or fractions thereof to reduce or eliminate their acidity by contacting the acidic whole crude at a temperature of from about 60.degree. C. to 170.degree. C. with a neutralizing amount of alkali metal trialkylsilanolates. The process has the additional benefits of reducing materials handling problems associated with treating crudes using liquid solvents and in reducing emulsion formation.

Abstract: 2-amino-1-methoxypropane is used as a neutralizing amine in crude oil distillation units. The amine of the invention gives superior neutralization at the first initial condensate compared to other commonly used neutralizing amines.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for inhibiting corrosion in crude oil distillation towers, an improvement in crude oil fractionation, a method for dispersing iron sulfide in a hydrocarbon stream and a hydrocarbon dispersion using the reaction product of hydrocarbyl succinic anhydride and an amine. The reaction product has a molecular weight of from 500-800, the hydrocarbyl substituent has 6-20 carbon atoms, and the amine is selected from EDA, DETA, TETA, TEPA, PEHA, AEP, piperazine, 1,2-PDA, 1,3-PDA, IBPA, MDA or HMDA. The imide product is a filming inhibitor used to treat metal surfaces subject to mineral acid corrosion and disperse iron sulfide particles by adding 3 to 24 ppm to sweet or sour crude contacting the metal surfaces.

Abstract: A simplified solution to the problem of salt precipitation on the trays of a the FCC main column removes salt or salt forming compounds from an naphtha slip stream. The invention removes solubilized salt from the a cooled naphtha fraction of the main column by water washing to absorb dissociated ions of the salts and separation of the aqueous phase for removal of the salts from the separation loop.

Abstract: A method and composition for foam control in non-aqueous systems utilizing polyisobutylene compounds. The method is especially well adapted for use in oil distillation units and coking of crude oil residues.

Abstract: A salt of polyacrylic acid having a molecular weight of between 1,000 and 50,000, preferably 1,000 to 5,000, is used to inhibit inorganic fouling in crude oil.

Abstract: A process for the dehydration and/or desalination and simultaneous fractionation of a petroleum deposit effluent containing oil, associated gas and water which can be saline, which process comprises:(a) at least one step for separating the liquid and gaseous phases at the pressure P1 for removal of the gas, producing a gaseous fraction G1, on the one hand, which is removed and a liquid fraction L1, on the other hand, which is sent to step(b) at least one step for separating, at least partly, the two liquid phases mixed in the liquid fraction L1, the aqueous phase being partly removed and the oil phase containing a quantity of residual aqueous phase being sent to step (c);(c) at least one distillation step carried out at a pressure P2 which is less than, or at the most equal to, the pressure P1 in step (a), in a distillation zone C1, said distillation being carried out in the presence of the oil phase coming from step (b), said zone C1 comprising an internal heat exchange zone and a boiling zone, and enabling

Abstract: A fluorosilicone antifoam having excellent and persistent anti foam activity against foaming in aqueous or organic solvent solutions in which a silicone surfactant or fluorosurfactant is dissolved. The fluorosilcione antifoam includes(A)(a) a fluorosilicone oil with the general formulaF(CF.sub.2).sub.a C.sub.2 H.sub.4 SiMe.sub.2 O(Me.sub.2 SiO).sub.n SiMe.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.4 (CF.sub.2).sub.a Fin which a is an integer with a value of at least 4, n is an integer with a value of 0 to 300, and Me is methyl, or(b) a fluorosilicone oil with the general formulaXR.sub.2 SiO[F(CF.sub.2).sub.a C.sub.2 H.sub.4 SiMeO].sub.n SiR.sub.2 Xin which R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, X is the F(CF.sub.2).sub.a C.sub.2 H.sub.4 group or a monovalent hydrocarbon group with the proviso that at least 1 of X is the F(CF.sub.2).sub.a C.sub.2 H.sub.4 group, n is an integer with a value of 1 to 300, and a is an integer with a value of at least 4;(B) microparticulate silica with a specific surface of at least 50 m.sup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically measuring the acidity of overhead water in an oil refinery, and dispensing a neutralizing agent into the refinery system at a rate responsive to that measurement. A sample of overhead water is collected and passed through a filter and cation exchange resin. The acid concentration of the sample is then automatically measured and a signal generated based on the concentration. The signal goes to a controller which controls the dispensation rate of neutralizing agent into the refinery system, thus reducing the acidity of the overhead water and limiting the corrosive effects of such acidity.