MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL OF BITUMEN-CONTAINING PROCESS STREAMS

摘要

A method and apparatus for analyzing a bitumen-containing process stream and controlling a process. The method including directing a beam of infrared light at the bitumen-containing process stream, capturing light corresponding to the infrared light after interaction with the bitumen-containing process stream, and analyzing the captured light to obtain a spectrum. A composition estimate can be generated based on the spectrum and a calibrated model. A controller is operative to adjust a setpoint of the process in response to the composition estimate.

主权项

1. A method of controlling a process, comprising:
directing a beam of infrared light toward an opaque bitumen-containing process stream as it passes between stages in the process; capturing light corresponding to the beam of infrared light after interaction with the bitumen-containing process stream; analyzing the captured light to obtain a spectrum; determining a composition estimate from the bitumen-containing process stream by evaluating the spectrum with reference to a calibrated model; and based on the composition estimate, automatically adjusting a control setpoint of at least one upstream process component and/or downstream process component.