Chlorine Analysis for Corrosion Control in Refining Operations

Christian Leedle & Julian D van Berkum

Introduction

In the refining industry, managing chlorine levels is crucial for preventing corrosion, maintaining equipment integrity, and ensuring operational efficiency. Whether processing conventional crude oil or unconventional feedstocks for products such as pyrolysis oil, biofuels, or other renewable fuels, refineries face the challenge of controlling chlorine to avoid costly repairs, unplanned downtime, and potential safety hazards. XOS offers advanced chlorine analyzers that provide precise, real-time measurements, helping refineries effectively manage chlorine across various processing stages, including desalting units, feedstocks, intermediates, and final products.

XOS Technology: Precision and Reliability

XOS chlorine analyzers, such as the Clora R, Clora 2XP R, and Clora Online, leverage Monochromatic Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (MWDXRF) technology. This cutting-edge technology delivers accurate chlorine analysis down to sub-ppm (mg/kg) levels without the need for complex sample preparation, providing refineries with the data needed to make timely decisions.

Key Features:

Clora R: Suitable for low-level chlorine analysis in crude oil, refined products, and feedstocks for biofuels.
Clora 2XP R: Offers enhanced sensitivity for detecting ultra-low chlorine levels with automated sulfur correction.
Clora Online: Enables continuous, in-process chlorine monitoring, particularly beneficial for desalter units and real-time control.

Application in Refinery Environments

Crude Oil and Desalter Units: Refineries processing conventional crude oil rely on desalting units to remove salts—including chlorine compounds— which can lead to hydrochloric acid formation and severe corrosion. XOS chlorine analyzers ensure precise monitoring of chlorine content before and after desalting, helping refineries optimize the desalting process and protect downstream equipment.

Unconventional products: Nontypical products, such as pyrolysis oils, are derived from waste plastics or biofuels from renewable sources and often contain contaminants, including chlorine. Due to their high sensitivity, XOS analyzers are essential for detecting and managing chlorine in these feedstocks. These machines can ensure that refineries can process pyrolysis oil without compromising equipment and catalyst longevity.

Biofuels: The production of biofuels involves various feedstocks such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste biomass, which can introduce chlorine into the refining process. XOS chlorine analyzers provide the accuracy needed to monitor and control chlorine levels, ensuring that biofuels meet quality standards and that refinery equipment remains protected.

Benefits of XOS Chlorine Analysis Solutions

Corrosion Prevention: Accurate chlorine measurements help refineries proactively address corrosion risks, extending the life of critical equipment.
Cost Savings: Reducing corrosion-related incidents leads to significant savings in maintenance, repairs, and unplanned downtime.
Enhanced Efficiency: Continuous, real-time monitoring allows for quick corrective actions, ensuring smooth refinery operations.
Regulatory Compliance: XOS analyzers support compliance with industry standards, including those governing the processing of unconventional feedstocks and biofuels.

Conclusion

XOS chlorine analyzers are indispensable tools for refineries processing a wide range of materials, from conventional crude oil to unconventional fuels and feedstocks. By leveraging advanced MWDXRF technology, these analyzers provide the precision and reliability needed to manage chlorine levels effectively, safeguard refinery infrastructure, and optimize operational efficiency. Investing in XOS solutions ensures that refineries can meet the challenges of modern fuel processing while minimizing costs and maximizing safety.

If you’d like to learn more about chlorine analysis, talk to one of our experts.

Product Highlight: Clora 2XP

Analyze Total Chlorine with Unmatched Analytical Performance

Easier to use than ever, Clora 2XP analyzes total chlorine in liquid hydrocarbons such as aromatics, distillates, heavy fuels, and crude oils, as well as aqueous solutions, while automatically correcting for sulfur interference.

The enhanced precision and performance technology makes it the ideal choice for testing related to catalyst poisoning in reformers or for sites with fluid catalytic crackers and hydrocrackers monitoring very low chlorine levels.

Discover Clora 2XP

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