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Summary Crude Oil Quality Association Additives
Subcommittee New
Orleans, LA Update
on BakerPetrolite’s LDHI - Lynn Frostman and Mike Zetlmeisl of
Baker Petrolite updated the group on their company's proposed additive, a
low Dosage Hydrate Inhibitor (LDHI).
Hydrates, which have been known to completely plug a pipeline, can
be an issue in production, especially during start up times.
Methanol is currently used during these times to treat a hydrate
problem. Methanol, especially in large slugs, can be detrimental to
the operations of a refinery wastewater treatment.
Baker Petrolite has developed an LDHI as an alternative to
methanol. This particular
LDHI is an "anti-agglomerant" which disperses the hydrate
particles in the oil phase. One
of the reasons it is attractive to upstream operations is its low dosage,
which means less storage, smaller pumps, and the ability to treat higher
water production, a real plus on a production platform.
Baker Petrolite has already demonstrated that the LDHI offers
significant advantages, both logistical and economic, over methanol in
many production systems upstream.
Mr. Mike Zetlmeisl of
Baker Petrolite updated us on the studies conducted to date on LDHI and
its possible impact on refining. During
laboratory simulations, it was concluded that, at the low dosage levels it
is predicted a refinery will actually see, there were no adverse effects
on key desalting parameters or the wastewater treatment plant.
A slight upgrade in overhead chlorides may be experienced, but
traditional neutralizer programs should handle that.
Also, the chemical was detectable in jet and diesel products, but
normal refining operations should handle any possible effects the chemical
might have. Baker's next step will be
to work with a refinery handling LDHI-treated crude to verify the
laboratory results with data from actual units. A paper on the LDHI refining evaluation is available; please
contact the COQA Facilitator for a copy. Survey -
The latest version of the Chemical Component survey was examined and a few
comments were made. The
facilitator will incorporate all comments and distribute the final summary
in the near future. Some discussion ensued as
to what the next step for the Additive Subcommittee will be, i.e. what
should we do with the survey results after distribution to members.
Using the survey as an introduction to a dialog with producers was
mentioned. It was also
suggested that all COQA members be encouraged to disseminate the
information throughout their own company and business contacts. Other - In Canada, a project is underway to publish a methodology on tracking additive in crude oil. That methodology will be forthcoming soon. The ultimate fate of an additive is very important to all aspects of the oil business and some method of screening for the chemicals is necessary. Information sharing about how much chemical a production company uses and how much of the chemical a refinery found, and in which of its operations, would be very useful. BakerPetrolite’s efforts in this area are to be commended. Harry Giles | |