Methods and systems to remove polar molecules from refinery streams

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and systems for removing polar molecule contaminants from a refinery stream in connection with the processing of hydrocarbon fluids, chemicals, whole crude oils, blends and fractions in refineries and chemical plants that include adding high surface energy and/or high surface area nanoparticle compounds to a refinery stream to remove the polar molecule contaminants.

1 . A system for removing polar contaminates from a refinery stream comprising:
 (a) a refinery stream containing a polar molecule contaminant;   (b) a supply of a magnetic nanoparticle compound to be introduced to the refinery stream, wherein the polar molecule contaminant is capable of being adsorbed onto the nanoparticle compound to form a nanoparticle compound-polar molecule complex; and   (c) a separator in fluid communication with the refinery stream for separating the nanoparticle compound-polar molecule complex from the refinery stream.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the refinery stream is a hydrocarbon fluid, and the nanoparticle compound is introduced to be freely dispersed within the hydrocarbon fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the polar molecule contaminant is selected from the group consisting of sulfur-containing compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, porphyrin, asphaltene, naphthenic acid, mercury and carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle compound is a compound comprising a surface energy of at least about 70 mJ/m 2 . 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle compound has a surface area of from about 5 to 500 m 2 /g as measured by nitrogen BET. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the nanoparticle compound has a surface area of from about 10 to 300 m 2 /g as measured by nitrogen BET. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle compound includes a material that is attracted to a magnetic field. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the material is selected from iron, nickel, cobalt and magnetite. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle compound is introduced to the refinery stream to achieve a concentration of between about 0.1 weight % and 15 weight %. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the separator comprises a magnetic field. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the refinery stream is a liquid hydrocarbon stream in a hydrocarbon refining process.