Welcome to the World of Process Analytics PAT - Technology and Process Control

 
 

 




Special Reports

Special Reports Rubric : liquid analytics

Rubrics: liquid analytics - physical parameter
The leading provider of systems for the analysis and optimization of process in liquids
- innovative systems is to measure ultrasonic velocity and density in continuous processes - inline measurement of concentration in liquids - monitoring phase interface detection, polymerization and crystallization

 

Robust and cost-efficient inline process monitoring in hydrofluoric acid alkylation units

LiquiSonic® inline analyzer continuously measures the hydrofluoric acid strength, water content and
concentration of acid soluble oils

January 4th, 2016


In petroleum refining,
hydrofluoric acid alkylation units play an important role in order to produce high-octane gasoline. The alkylation involves the conversion of byproducts into iso-octanes, while hydrofluoric acid (HF) is used as a catalyst.

For safety and efficiency reasons,
processes in hydrofluoric acid alkylation units require
a continuous monitoring.
Using process analyzers, the detection of contaminants
such as water or acid soluble oils in the feedstocks,
the production of optimum product quality with
minimum hydrofluoric acid consumption, and the risk mitigation of acid runaways, corrosion and leaks are possible.

SensoTech, the German manufacturer of process analytical technology, and the experts of the U.S. company HF Alkylation Consultants jointly developed an innovative solution for process monitoring: The LiquiSonic® 40 HF inline analyzer.
The measuring system
consists of two sensors and one controller, and sets new standards in terms of reliability, robustness, cost-efficiency and user-friendliness.
The sensors are installed directly into the existing main pipe of the alkylation unit and simultaneously measure in the process stream the hydrofluoric acid strength, the water content and the concentration of acid soluble oils. The measurement accuracy is ± 0.05 wt% and the installation does not require a bypass.
For the inline concentration measurement, a sonic velocity sensor and a density sensor are used, that are Ex-certified and made of corrosion resistant material (Hastelloy C276). The rugged design has neither moving parts nor windows to the process, so the sensors operate maintenance-free. The analyzer provides stable measurement results. Drift-free. And updated every second.

The real-time information
will be provided online to the process control system. The LiquiSonic® controller visualizes and stores the data completely.
Installing and operating
the controller can take place in a safe area. Remote access options allow the operation from the laboratory or the PC at the workplace, for example. Via 4-20 mA, digital outputs, serial interfaces, fieldbus or Ethernet, the controller can be integrated into the network and process control system.

With the inline concentration measurement
directly in the process, engineers as well as  the control system are able to recognize deviations from reference values immediately, and so countermeasures can be taken in time. This reduces risks and improves the unit’s operation stability.
Compared to alternative analytical techniques
such as laboratory analysis or atline analyzers, the inline analysis provides better response times and higher safety standards. Furthermore, the LiquiSonic® inline process analyzer involves lower investment costs and no risk of leakages in contrast to atline systems. The LiquiSonic® technology presents an asset in refining operations, because it demonstrates how simple and cost-efficient the monitoring of hydrofluoric acid alkylation processes can be with maximum safety and long-term stability.



 The LiquiSonic® 40 HF inline analyzer
of SensoTech precisely detects in the main pipe of alkylation units the hydrofluoric acid strength, water content and
concentration of acid soluble oils

 



Press release SensoTech 4.1.2016


top

©

Analytic Journal Contact The Analytics Letter - Subscription Company Subscription The Analytic Journal Imprint Sitemap