Flocculateur/titrimètre automatique

Test Method

Samples of asphalt or heavy oil, or residuum are dissolved in toluene at various concentrations and titrated with iso-octane or n-heptane at controlled temperatures to determine the point of flocculation (asphaltene precipitation) and calculate the Heithaus compatibility parameters. These results are intended primarily as a laboratory diagnostic tool for estimating the colloidal stability or compatibility of asphalt, asphalt cross blends,
aged asphalt, pyrolyzed asphalt and crudes, and heavy oil, or residuum. Compatibility influences important physical properties of these materials as well as the formation of coke which causes fouling in refining processes.

Features and Benefits

• Complete instrument and data acquisition system
• Rapid, accurate and highly reproducible
• Determines blending insolubility and solubility numbers
• Generates the data to calculate the WRI Coking Index (patent pending) to predict the proximity to coke formation during heavy oil distillation and improve distillate yield

K47100 Automated Flocculation Titrimeter

The Automated Flocculation Titrimeter (AFT) is a highly automated, computerized instrument that acquires oil stability and compatibility parameters directly. The AFT can be used to perform ASTM D6703 test method for Automated Heithaus Titrimetry. The AFT operates as a closed system with accurately controlled temperatures between 20-100°C, important for properly determining Heithaus compatibility parameters. The flocculation point is determined spectroscopically and the results are analyzed by the data acquisition system, virtually eliminating operator error in the interpretation of endpoints. The automated method is fast, accurate and very reproducible. The utility of the original Heithaus method has been expanded by developing multiple titration schemes. The software uses the data from the expanded method to predict the proximity to coke formation during heavy oil distillation. Many refiners stop distillation short of coke formation to avoid fouling in distillation equipment, tanks and transfer lines. The expanded AFT methodology allows the refiner to recover additional distillate without the fear of fouling.

Major Applications

Blending of Oils and/or Asphalts-One of the primary uses of Heithaus values is to predict the compatibility (P Index) of which oils and petroleum residua or asphalts can be mixed together for shipping, processing, or in formulations without causing phase separation. This is valuable to the refiner, researcher, or asphalt jobber who supplies petroleum asphalts for highway and roofing applications because it ensures that compatible asphalt blends are supplied. Incompatible asphalts show early failure in both applications.

Coking Index (US Patent 6,773,921)

Stability also influences coke formation in the refining process. Another major use for the AFT is to acquire the data needed to employ the Coking Index. The Coking Index is a quantitative measure of the proximity to coking (fouling) during visbreaking, distillation, transfer and storage of heavy oil. This allows the petroleum refiner to optimize heavy oil processing and to recover the maximum amount of distillate, and to stop the processing before fouling occurs.

Solubility Parameter-The solubility parameter at which asphaltenes begin to precipitate and the solubility parameter of the whole oil can be calculated from the AFT data.

Specifications

Conforms to the specifications of:
ASTM D6703
Temperature Range: 20 to 100°C

Included Accessories

Computer with Data Acquisition Software
Fiber Optic Spectrometer with Multi-Bandpass Detector
High and Low Flow Rate Metering Pumps
Magnetic Stirring Plates
Circulator
Reaction Vessels
Quartz Flow Cell
Glassware
Thermometer Probes

Shipping Information

Shipping Weight: 40 lbs (18.1kg)
Dimensions: 11 Cu. ft.

Dimensions lxwxh,in.(cm)

Base/Support Assembly: 12x24x36 (30.5x61x91.4)

Ordering Information
Cat No
K47100	Automated Flocculation Titrimeter 115V 50/60Hz
K47190	Automated Flocculation Titrimeter 220-240V 50/60Hz