A Rigaku Seminar at Gulf Coast Conference

This presentation explores the advantages of using Rigaku EDXRF, a technology that offers the petroleum and petrochemical industries flexibility and reliability to monitor sulfur, chlorine, metals, and other critical elements. Rigaku EDXRF benchtop and process analyzers are available at various budget levels, and their capabilities range from ultra-low and trace element concentrations up to percent levels. They serve upstream, midstream, and downstream for many screening and monitoring needs, offer multi-application versatility for ASTM, EPA, and international regulations, and allow you to adapt to new petroleum applications quickly. We will discuss the benefits of using these multi-purpose systems and cover on-line process control solutions for total sulfur measurement of crude, bunker fuel, fuel oils, and other highly viscous hydrocarbons.

Sample preparation is a critical step in analytical methods, significantly influencing the reliability of the results. Effective sample preparation/pretreatment not only minimizes errors but also enhances precision and lowers the detection limits. X-ray fluorescence analytical techniques are advantageous for their relatively low sample preparation requirements and broad applicability to various materials. However, for certain materials such as petrochemicals, the sample preparation process can be more labor-intensive than the analysis itself. Petrochemical samples include a diverse range of materials such as liquid fuels, solid polymers, catalyst powders, and contaminants, require precise elemental analysis from C to U down to ppm levels. In such cases, sample preparation is critical and must be optimized based on the type of element being analyzed—light elements require modifications to accommodate shallow escape depths, while heavy elements necessitate adjustments for deeper escape depths. These modifications depend on factors such as the tube anode type, XRF power levels, atmospheric conditions, and resolution settings.

X-ray Diffraction (XRD) is crucial in the petroleum industry for several key applications. It is essential in clay and mineral analysis for evaluating reservoir rocks, identifying clay minerals that affect reservoir quality and optimizing drilling mud additives for stability and performance. XRD also plays a critical role in refining operations by characterizing catalyst materials, enhancing product yields, and analyzing asphaltene and wax structures to manage flow assurance and refining processes. Furthermore, XRD aids in understanding residual oil and tar sands, optimizing extraction methods, and assesses environmental impact by studying mineral composition in various petroleum-related samples. Overall, XRD's versatility is indispensable in exploration, production, refining, and environmental management within the petroleum industry.

Pre-made XRD templates mitigate challenges in clay analysis by providing databases of diffraction patterns and reference data for known clay minerals and related substances. They enhance identification accuracy by allowing quick comparisons of unknown sample patterns. Templates also improve efficiency by eliminating the need for manual data collection and interpretation, ensuring consistent and reliable analysis results. Their broad coverage ensures accurate identification of various clay minerals, even less common ones. Templates serve educational purposes, aiding in training and understanding XRD analysis principles. They may include tools for interpreting complex patterns, thereby enhancing quantitative analysis accuracy. Overall, these templates may improve reliability, efficiency, and accuracy in clay mineralogy analysis across the petroleum industry and beyond.

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a powerful tool for analyzing geological and drill core samples. It offers a rapid and non-destructive method for accurately measuring pore structures and their connectivity, which is essential for assessing the porosity, permeability, and storage capacity of reservoir rocks. X-ray CT also enables phase quantification of rocks and drill cores, helping to refine drilling techniques and anticipate potential challenges. When combined with other laboratory techniques, X-ray CT can be used to understand fluid flow through rock cores and the impact of hydraulic fracture. This presentation will cover the basic principles of X-ray CT data collection and the data analysis methods required to extract valuable information from X-ray CT data.