AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO ASTM D86 MEANS MORE OPTIONS FOR DISTILLATION OF GASOLINE AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Distillation of crude oil to separate hydrocarbon components so they can be processed into higher value products is one of the fi rst steps of the refi ning process. This process, which takes place in atmospheric crude towers, has not changed signifi cantly in nearly 70 years.
What has changed is the instrumentation technologies and software capabilities that optimise the distillation process. Crude oil is highly complex, with 1000 identifi able components with boiling temperatures that range from 20°C for butane and propane to over 550°C for heavy residuals, like lubricating oil or asphalt. This makes understanding the distillation characteristics very important in the processing of crude into mixtures of naphtha, kerosene, diesel, and other fuels.
For years, product quality was solely determined by boiling points specifi ed in ASTM D86, which specifi ed technologies that required an operator to manually extract between 100-300 mL of sample volume, insert the sample into a chamber, and commence a testing procedure that could take upwards of two hours.
To simplify the process, many refi neries use a combination of technologies to effi ciently measure and optimise the distillation process. The speed of technology enhancements is such that ASTM standards often cannot keep pace with proven innovations. A common solution for refi neries to ensure product quality while optimising their process is to use a more effi cient analyser requiring a smaller sample and delivering results in a faster cycle time that correlates with ASTM D86. An analyser that performs atmospheric distillation in compliance with ASTM D86 is then used at the end of the process to ensure compliance with the required method.
While this method works, it also adds a time-intensive step to the process and requires a refi nery laboratory to use and maintain unnecessarily redundant equipment. Earlier in 2017, ASTM D4814 Standard Specifi cation for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel, listed ASTM D7345 Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure
(Micro Distillation Method) as an approved alternative method for distillation of gasoline.
This means that micro distillation analysers are now an approved method for determining distillation characteristics for gasoline. In addition to gasoline, micro distillation has also been approved for jet fuel with ASTM D1655 Standard Specifi cation for Aviation Turbine Fuels and diesel, with ASTM D975 Standard Specifi cation for Diesel Fuel Oils.
The approval of alternative methods of distillation measurement offers a tremendous opportunity to incorporate effi ciencies into the distillation process for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel applications. In a traditionally slow-to-change industry like refi ning, operators and stakeholders need proof and quantifi ed data to be sure that new technologies like micro distillation analysers offer true physical distillation that correlates with conventional distillation analysers before they will allow the micro distillation method to be adopted into the process.
Because ASTM D7345 was recently approved as an alternative to D86 for gasoline, refi ners are asking just how good is this newly accepted alternative. Houston-based PAC conducted a series of tests that showed how well micro distillation analysers correlate with analysers that are in compliance with D86.
Comparing Three Unique Distillation Analysers
Working with a large, global customer who owns refi neries worldwide, PAC conducted a series of tests between its three unique distillation analysers:
• OptiDist – An automated atmospheric distillation analyser, OptiDist offers a 35-minute cycle time, with full compliance with all atmospheric distillation methods, including ASTM D86. It is designed to accommodate multi-methods and non-standard capabilities, and can be adapted for multiple applications. As a highly user-friendly instrument, it is possible to install the fl ask in seconds using just one hand. Testing initiation occurs at the push of a button. OptiDist is fi eld-proven to deliver up to two times better precision for all common distillation samples.
• PMD110 – A micro distillation analyser with a 10-minute cycle time, PMD110 fully complies with ASTM D7345 and correlates with ASTM D86, ASTM D1160, ISO 3405, and IP 123. Its compact, portable design makes it ideal for fi eld use. With true physical distillation in 10 minutes, it can accurately determine the boiling range characteristics of any commercially available petroleum product from a 10 mL sample. PMD110 requires no pre-testing or programming, and delivers exceptionally fast results and validation using user-defi ned criteria and automatic pass/fail notifi cation.
• MicroDist – An online micro distillation analyser, MicroDist operates in compliance with ASTM D7345, with a 10-minute cycle time and the ability to automatically pull samples from the pipeline. It also fully correlates with ASTM D86, ISO 3405, IP 123, and Cetane Index in accordance to ASTM D4737 and ASTM D976 (procedures A & B). MicroDist delivers test results with less variability, which allows tighter control and maximum upgrade from low- to high-value products. With full automation of initial heat, distillation rate, and fi nal heat regulation, MicroDist offers robust and reliable process control.
OptiDust
PMD110
MicroDust
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER •
WWW.PETRO-ONLINE.COM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
