Pipeline Crude Oil Monitoring

Monitor the Quality Parameters of Crude Oil in the Pipeline

The ApexPro monitors crude oil quality coming into the Refinery, in your Pipeline, at Terminals, or loading onto or off of ships.

Whether at the well head, in the pipeline, in the refinery, or anywhere along the chain of custody, there will be quality parameters that are critical to optimizing operations.  The goal is getting the measurements you need, where you need them and when you need them.  Verum Analytics’ crude sensors for inline and laboratory use enables your measurement goals.

The following examples show only a few of the applications where the ApexPro Analyzer provides the specific quality parameters to achieve required crude quality goals.

Pipeline to the refinery

The crude oil being transported in the pipeline eventually terminates at the refinery.  The customer has historically had to deal with a wide variation in the quality and performance parameters of the crude. This variation complicates efficient management of the refining process and less than optimal operation. By measuring the crude oil at the injection sites, the quality of the crude in the pipeline is not only known in advance, but can be controlled through managing the injection feeds. Through online monitoring of API Gravity, Density, Sulfur, TAN, and Water the product variation in the pipeline is reduced. This allows for the incoming crude feed and resulting distillation to be managed much more effectively.   Crude Oil Sensors insert directly into pipelines for easy integration and low maintenance.

Pipeline to distributors

Product quality can often be critical to determine type/grade/speciation, price, and safety of crude oil for transport. Instantaneous online measurements of crude oil for a full range of properties allows for a deep understanding of the exact product that is being transported at any given moment.

Measure Crude Oil Properties such as:

DensityMCRC3 - C20
SulfurTANIBP
5% to 90%EBPWater
PourPointRVPFlash Point

In addition to monitoring physical and quality properties of the crude oil, the ApexPro analyzer will build a library of crude types for instant crude feedstock/source identification, without the need for extensive comparison of properties.  Finger print each crude for accurate and fast online identification.

Understanding the crude oil in terms of ALL its defining characteristics allows pipeline managers, end users, and stake holders throughout the distribution chain to better know what is being bought, sold, or loaded into a vessel. Enhance the management of your crude oil with real-time physical and quality information.

Pipeline Flow Management

Some crude oil pipelines require injection of additives to improve transport. Methanol injection is used to facilitate good flow properties and control freezing. The amount of methanol needs to be controlled closely. Real-time monitoring of methanol in crude oil at the injection points helps to insure good product flow characteristics. And confirming that product is within limits at the receiving end insures the product is suitable for refining or transportation and if it requires any further processing.

Other customers monitor the physical characteristics of Asphaltene Precipitation in order to reduce precipitation in the pipeline. Others to blend higher cost and lower cost crude oils at optimum blend ratios to reduce the cost of their feed stock. Together Asphaltene precipitation and methanol concentration are two ways customers manage their pipeline flow characteristics to achieve high profitability and reduce costs and operational issues.

Inline integration for any point in the process

The Verum Analytics ApexPro Crude Oil Sensors are suitable for applications in almost any process. With sensors/probes suitable for high temperatures and pressures, measurements can be performed in pipes, blenders, or wherever needed. Analyzers can be mounted in the field and in hazardous areas allowing for a wide range of integration/configuration options. A benefit of the ApexPro is that it typically can be done on the product as is, but when needed sampling systems are also available. With a solution for every need, the ApexPro can easily be integrated into your process.

Why monitor the quality of crude oil inline?

When transporting crude oil, whether by pipeline, ground, or sea, quality testing provides critical information for decision making. Extracting samples and sending them to a lab for testing takes time. Lab test results are never in real time and sampling doesn’t represent the variation in the product between sampling times. Only with online analysis can you get real-time continuous information to truly control your product and/or process.

And with NIR sensors that can be implemented into almost any process condition, measurements can be made where you want them, when you need them.

Updating Technology

Verum Analytics is now offering its newest analyzer design, the Apex NIR platform, in place of the ParaFuel.  The Apex offers many advantages without any drawbacks.  We provide trade-in offers to help our customers benefit from the latest and best analyzers.  Contact us if you are ready to upgrade.

Watch our short introductory video and see how we can help you with your measurement requirements.

Have a question about a measurement? Contact our applications department with your details.