Method, solvent formulation and apparatus for the measurement of the salt content in petroleum fluids

摘要

A method and apparatus for determining the salt concentration of crude oil using a single solvent that allows for improved safety and accuracy. The apparatus can include a pair of electrodes, a solvent storage container, a power source, a temperature sensor, a computer, and a display device. The method includes introducing a volume of the crude oil and a solvent to a mixing zone and mixing them together to form a homogenized mixture. The temperature and conductivity of the homogenized mixture are measured in order to determine the salt concentration of the homogenized mixture, and subsequently, the salt concentration of the crude oil.

主权项

1. A method for determining a salt concentration of a crude oil, the method comprising the steps of:
introducing a volume of the crude oil to a mixing zone, the crude oil having salt and water; introducing a volume of a solvent to the mixing zone, wherein the solvent has a normal boiling point higher than ambient air temperature and comprises a single solvent that solubilizes both water and the crude oil into a single phase; mixing the crude oil and the solvent to form a homogenized mixture; taking a temperature measurement of the homogenized mixture using a temperature sensor; taking a conductivity measurement of the homogenized mixture using a pair of electrodes; determining the salt concentration of the homogenized mixture based on the temperature measurement and the conductivity measurement of the homogenized mixture; and determining the salt concentration of the crude oil based on the salt concentration of the homogenized mixture, the volume of the crude oil, and the volume of the solvent, wherein the single solvent is selected from the group consisting of NMP, ethyl alpha-hydroxy propionate, benzonitrile, and dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether.