Removal of carbonaceous microbeads

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10480781-B2
Application number	US-201815862965-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 5, 2018
Priority date	Jan 11, 2017
Publication date	Nov 19, 2019
Grant date	Nov 19, 2019

Abstract

A method for mitigating fouling in a once-through steam generator train is described. The method involves obtaining foulant samples from the once-through steam generator train. Obtaining water samples from one or more locations along the once-through steam generator train. Recovering filtered solids from the water samples from the one or more locations. Characterizing at least one physical property of the foulant samples and the filtered solids. Determining locations along the once-through steam generator train that include foulant precursor based on a matching of the at least one physical property between the foulant samples and the filtered solids. Installing an absorbent at locations that include the foulant precursor.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for mitigating fouling in a once-through steam generator train comprising:
obtaining foulant samples from the once-through steam generator train;
obtaining water samples from one or more locations along the once-through steam generator train;
recovering filtered solids from the water samples from the one or more locations;
characterizing at least one physical property of the foulant samples and the filtered solids;
determining locations along the once-through steam generator train that include foulant precursor based on a matching of the at least one physical property between the foulant samples and the filtered solids; and
installing an absorbent at locations that include the foulant precursor.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adsorbent is activated carbon or molecular carbon sieve.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent is installed in the once-through steam generator, medium pressure flash, produced water cooler, induced gas flotation, or organic removal filter.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the foulant precursor is made of carbon and silica.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the foulant precursor is submicron in all dimensions.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the foulant sample contains organic material.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the characterizing includes determining chemistry of the foulant samples and filtered solids.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adsorbent is installed in economizer, evaporator, or superheater section of a once-through steam generator within the once-through steam generator train.

9. A method for mitigating fouling in a once-through steam generator train comprising:
obtaining solid foulant samples from the once-through steam generator train;
obtaining water samples from one or more locations along the once-through steam generator train;
recovering filtered solids from the water samples from the one or more locations;
characterizing the solid foulant samples and the filtered solids;
determining locations along the once-through steam generator train that include foulant precursor based on a matching of the at least one physical property between the foulant samples and the filtered solids; and
installing an absorbent at locations that include the foulant precursor.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the adsorbent is activated carbon or molecular carbon sieve.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the absorbent is installed in the once-through steam generator, medium pressure flash, produced water cooler, induced gas flotation, or organic removal filter.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the foulant precursor is made of carbon and silica.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the foulant precursor is submicron in all dimensions.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the foulant sample contains organic material.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the characterizing includes determining chemistry of the foulant samples and filtered solids.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the adsorbent is installed in economizer, evaporator, or superheater section of a once-through steam generator within the once-through steam generator train.

Assignees

• Conocophillips Co

Inventors

• Baugh Thomas D
• Latimer Edward G
• Appleyard Stephen

Classifications

• F22B29/06

  of once-through type, i.e. built-up from tubes receiving water at one end and delivering superheated steam at the other end of the tubes (combined low- and high-pressure boilers of forced-flow type F22B33/16) · CPC title

• F22B37/486 Primary

  Devices for removing water, minerals or sludge from boilers (F22B37/483, F22B37/50, F22B37/52 and F22B37/54 take precedence) · CPC title

• F22B35/10

  of once-through type · CPC title