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Safer Solution for Naphthenic Acid Corrosion Control

Presented By

James Ondyak - Dorf Ketal

Conference:

High TAN and other corrosive crude oils trade at significant discounts and offer the potential to improve refinery profit margins. Crudes containing naphthenic acids are particularly troublesome due to high temperature corrosion. Processing these crudes often entails substantial costs for corrosion control. Blending low TAN crudes with high TAN crudes is a common strategy employed by refiners to reduce the risk of naphthenic acid corrosion. It is a strategy that also reduces the refinery’s incremental profit potential.

Metallurgy and chemistry are additional options to reduce the risk of naphthenic acid corrosion. Special metallurgy can provide corrosion protection, but this option is capital intensive and yields a delayed return on investment. The ROI is also dependent on estimating future crude HAC discounts. High temperature corrosion inhibitors can yield high, immediate return on investment that is less dependent on variation in future crude slates. However; chemical solutions have been perceived to introduce risk in managing the corrosion and have significant potential for downstream phosphorous fouling.

Shale oil is generally characterized as light, low-viscosity, low sulfur and low naphthenic acid crude, thus making it desirable to process. It is a preferred source of energy because it is considered to be an abundant secure source of domestic energy with an attractive price differential. However, displacing moderate to high sulfur crude oils with low sulfur shale oil in refineries using HAC can lead to an increased risk of naphthenic acid corrosion.

TANSCIENT™ is a new option which increases the margin of safety in controlling naphthenic acid corrosion without fear of fouling, while increasing equipment life and changing old perceptions about the risk of chemical programs.

TANSCIENT™ is a breakthrough in corrosion science that allows for safe and reliable refining of high TAN opportunity crudes. Its superior phosphorous efficiency means the refiner gains more control of their corrosion protection and reduces their risk in addressing variations in naphthenic acid composition. It provides more effective passivation and increased ongoing protection with up to 80% less phosphorus than competitor HTCI products.

This presentation describes the unique chemistry, the mechanisms by which safety and corrosion protection is increased and presents supporting performance data.

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