Optimizing Flow Assurance and Separations in the Petroleum Industry Using In-Process Particle and Droplet Processing
Flow assurance and multi-phase separations are critical unit operations in oil and gas production and transport. In-process particle size, shape, and count data are used to understand and predict problems associated with particle precipitation, growth, or agglomeration leading to pipeline fouling or blockage.
Water-in-oil separations and particulates-in-oil separations can also pose costly problems in petroleum production and transport. De-emulsification is optimized when in-process droplet size and count data is used to control the flow rates and types/concentrations of surfactant additives. Downstream particulate filtration can be predicted and optimized when inline particle size and count data is used to track particles during precipitation, growth, or attrition.
METTLER TOLEDO FBRM® and PVM® technologies are in-process probe based instruments which track real-time changes to particle and droplet dimension, shape, and count as the particles and droplets naturally exist in-process. FBRM® and PVM® technologies are used to optimize flow assurance and separations with the following applications:
- Methane gas hydrates
- Asphaltenes precipitates
- Crude oil emulsion separations
- Oil sand tailings
- Wax crystallization
- Catalyst attrition and filtration
