From XOS (USA), manufacturer of the sulphur analyser—the Sindie 7039, comes an innovative ICP alternative to measuring metals in crude and heavy oils– the HD Maxine. Driven by tightening elemental specifications, this critical new application is one of many for the multi-element HD Maxine analyser. Using High Definition X-ray Fluorescence technology (HDXRF
Introducing HD Maxine for Multi-Element Analysis — Crude & Heavy Oils Application
) developed by XOS, measurements are complete in ten minutes or less with minimal sample preparation, providing incredible flexibility and exceptional levels of detection (LODs). ®
For this application, the precise measurement of metals in crude oil is critical as these elements can cause adverse effects at the refinery level. In fact, a technical paper presented at the Crude Oil Quality Group (COQG) describes the production of off-specification coke and deactivation of cracking catalysts as possible adverse effects of excess metals in crude oil. Vanadium is one of the common elements causing these issues and laboratories test for it regularly. Although vanadium naturally occurs in crude oil at low levels, contamination from the blending of residual products into the crude oil may result in the elevation of vanadium concentrations. (COQC, 2004, “Crude Oil Contaminants and Adverse Chemical Components and Their Effects On Refinery Operations”)
Additionally, excess iron may cause off-specification coke as well as pump and exchanger fouling, creating potentially severe problems in transportation and processing units. Although trace amounts of iron may naturally occur in crudes, it is predominantly introduced in the field or pipeline as iron oxide and iron sulphide. (COQC, 2004, “Crude Oil Contaminants and Adverse Chemical Components and Their Effects On Refinery Operations”)
In light of these issues, the Crude Oil Quality Association (COQA) has recommended additional specifications for Domestic Sweet crude oil that is delivered to the Cushing, Oklahoma terminals (NYMEX: Light Sweet Crude Oil Futures), including nickel at 8 parts per million (ppm) maximum and vanadium at 15 ppm maximum. However, currently available analysis, as determined by ASTM Standard D5708, Test Method B, requires a combination ICP-AES procedures (after acid digestion), which can be both expensive and labour intensive.
The HD Maxine offers an inexpensive, easy-to-use alternative to ICP-AES, suitable for use in laboratory and production applications. Sample preparation is minimal and non- destructive; simply pipette or pour 1ml of sample into the test cup and then measure. With the press of a button, the HD Maxine provides precise, multi-element results in ten minutes or less, completely eliminating the need for a lengthy and expensive ICP-AES procedure.
The exceptionally low LODs delivered by the HD Maxine are the result of state-of-the-art HDXRF technology, a technique based on monochromatic energy dispersive XRF for sample measurement. HDXRF differs from traditional EDXRF in that Doubly Curved Crystal (DCC) optics enhance measurement intensities by capturing x-rays from a divergent source and redirecting them into an intense focused beam to the sample surface. The use of multiple DCC optics enables multiple select-energy excitation beams that efficiently excite a broad range of target elements in the sample. This technique eliminates x-ray scattering background under the fluorescence peaks, greatly enhancing detection limits and precision.
HD Maxine Levels of Detection
• Contaminants, additives, wear metals
• Crudes and downstream hydrocarbons
HD Maxine Applications • Refineries, lubricant plants
Technology
HDXRF can be used to detect several elements in addition to those listed here. For more information on additional elements, please contact XOS at 518.880.1501 or visit our Website at
www.xos.com/energy.
The changing economics of the crude market has caused a spike in crude blending in an attempt to meet current NYMEX contracts just below the specification limits, thereby maximising margins. New elemental specifications will be useful in identifying some low-cost “dumbbell” crudes, which are blended to marginally fall within the current NYMEX Light Sweet Crude Oil Futures specifications but may present other problems during refining.
Market Snapshot
In “dumbbell” blends, the crude has a high content of heavy components on one end and a high content of lighter components on the other, but little in the middle. In these cases, the increased level of heavier components will typically increase the concentration of problem elements. The presence of these elements at elevated levels is therefore a leading indicator of excessive crude blending. In an attempt to mitigate this issue, the COQA has been pushing for tightening of NYMEX specifications for the problem elements due to the increasing presence of these “dumbbell” blends. These specifications would help to guarantee that the crudes being sold to refineries will be able to produce the level of middle distillates expected.
The HD Maxine, powered by HDXRF technology, ensures crude quality by providing laboratories with fast, superior, multi-elemental analysis that requires minimal sample preparation and delivers exceptional LODs.
www.xos.com/energy
info@xos.com
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