U.S. patent application number 15/644763 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-26 for low viscosity metal-based hydrogen sulfide scavengers.
This patent application is currently assigned to Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC. Invention is credited to Yun Bao, Philip L. Leung, Ross Poland, Corina L. Sandu, John A. Schield, Jerry J. Weers, Lei Zhang.
Application Number | 20170306246 15/644763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51350385 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170306246 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sandu; Corina L. ; et
al. |
October 26, 2017 |
LOW VISCOSITY METAL-BASED HYDROGEN SULFIDE SCAVENGERS
Abstract
A composition useful for scavenging hydrogen sulfide by admixing
metal carboxylates which have high viscosity due to polymerization
and a viscosity improver selected from the group consisting of
glycol ethers having from about 4 to about 10 carbons, alkyl
alcohols having from about 1 to about 10 carbons, and combinations
thereof.
Inventors: |
Sandu; Corina L.; (Pearland,
TX) ; Bao; Yun; (Sugar Land, TX) ; Weers;
Jerry J.; (Richmond, TX) ; Poland; Ross;
(Houston, TX) ; Leung; Philip L.; (Houston,
TX) ; Zhang; Lei; (Houston, TX) ; Schield;
John A.; (Missouri City, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Baker Hughes, a GE company,
LLC
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
51350385 |
Appl. No.: |
15/644763 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14183109 |
Feb 18, 2014 |
9719027 |
|
|
15644763 |
|
|
|
|
61766512 |
Feb 19, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C10G 21/16 20130101;
C10G 2300/207 20130101; C10G 29/22 20130101; C10G 29/06
20130101 |
International
Class: |
C10G 21/16 20060101
C10G021/16; C10G 29/06 20060101 C10G029/06; C10G 29/22 20060101
C10G029/22 |
Claims
1. A composition useful for scavenging hydrogen sulfide comprising
a zinc carboxylate and a viscosity improver selected from the group
consisting of ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol
monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene
glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether,
diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, and combinations thereof.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the zinc carboxylate is
prepared using a carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting
of ethyl hexanoic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, hexanoic acid,
nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, neo-decanoic acid, naphthoic acid,
linoleic acid, naphthenic acid, tall oil acid, oleic acid, 2-methyl
valeric acid, and combination thereof.
3. The composition of claim 1 further comprising one or more alkyl
alcohols having from about 1 to about 10 carbons.
4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the one or more alkyl
alcohols is selected from the group consisting of methanol;
butanol; ethanol; propanol; isopropanol; and combinations thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
Ser. No. 14/183,109 filed on Feb. 18, 2014, which claims priority
from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/766,512, filed
on Feb. 19, 2013, both of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to additives for scavenging
hydrogen sulfide. The present invention particularly relates to
additives for scavenging hydrogen sulfide based upon metals such as
zinc.
Background of the Art
[0003] The presence of sulfur species in hydrocarbon fluids and
aqueous streams is undesirable for various reasons. The
subterranean reservoirs currently being developed have increased
amounts of sulfur species within the produced hydrocarbon streams
(oil and gas). Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans are toxic gases that
are heavier than air and are very corrosive to well and surface
equipment.
[0004] During combustion, sulfur-rich hydrocarbon streams also
produce heavy environmental pollution. When sulfur-rich streams
contact metals, sulfur species lead to brittleness in carbon steels
and to stress corrosion cracking in more highly alloyed materials.
Moreover, hydrogen sulfide in various hydrocarbon or aqueous
streams poses a safety hazard and a corrosion hazard.
[0005] Zinc octoate is an effective hydrogen sulfide scavenger.
When this compound is prepared at a ratio of zinc to octanoic acid
of 1:2, it has a very high viscosity. It would be desirable in the
art to prepare the zinc octoate hydrogen sulfide scavengers having
comparatively low viscosity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect, the invention is a composition useful for
scavenging hydrogen sulfide comprising zinc octoate (1:2) and a
viscosity improver selected from the group consisting of glycol
ethers having from about 4 to about 15 carbons, and/or alkyl
alcohols having from about 1 to about 10 carbons, without or with
additional hydrocarbons from about 7 to about 30 carbons.
[0007] In another aspect, the invention a method for treating
fluids contaminated with hydrogen sulfide comprising introducing
into the hydrogen sulfide contaminated fluid an additive useful for
scavenging hydrogen sulfide comprising zinc octoate (1:2) and a
viscosity improver selected from the group consisting of glycol
ethers having from about 4 to about 15 carbons, and/or alkyl
alcohols having from about 1 to about 10 carbons, without or with
additional hydrocarbons from about 7 to about 30 carbons.
[0008] In yet another, the invention is a composition useful for
scavenging hydrogen sulfide comprising metal carboxylates which
have high viscosity due to polymerization and a viscosity improver
selected from the group consisting of glycol ethers having from
about 4 to about 15 carbons, and/or alkyl alcohols having from
about 1 to about 10 carbons, without or with additional
hydrocarbons from about 7 to about 30 carbons.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] In one embodiment, the invention is a composition useful for
scavenging hydrogen sulfide comprising zinc octoate (with a 1:2
molar ratio of zinc to octanoic acid) and a viscosity improver
selected from the group consisting of glycol ethers having from
about 4 to about 15 (20 or more) carbons, and/or alkyl alcohols
having from about 1 to about 10 carbons, without or with additional
hydrocarbons from about 7 to about 30 carbons. Zinc octoate, when
prepared using the ratio of 1:2 for zinc and octanoic acid, is
neutral and has a very high viscosity due to intrinsic
polymerization reactions. At ambient temperatures it has a
viscosity similar to that of extremely thick syrup. It is very
difficult to handle such fluids. Note, the term "zinc octoate" for
the purposes of this application is used to describe zinc organic
based complexes salts, the reaction product of zinc resources (such
as zinc powder and zinc oxide) and for example 2-ethyl hexanoic
acid. This is the common industry usage and is employed herein to
avoid confusion to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0010] It has been discovered that small amounts of certain glycol
ethers and/or alkyl alcohols can produce dramatic changes in the
viscosity of the zinc octoate. The glycol ethers useful with the
method of the disclosure include those having from about 5 to about
15 carbons. Exemplary compounds include but are not limited to:
ethylene glycol monomethyl ether; ethylene glycol monoethyl ether;
ethylene glycol monopropyl ether; ethylene glycol monoisopropyl
ether; ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; diethylene glycol
monomethyl ether; diethylene glycol monoethyl ether; diethylene
glycol mono-n-butyl ether; and combinations thereof.
[0011] The low molecular weight alkyl alcohols useful with the
method of the disclosure include those having from about 1 to about
15 carbons. Exemplary alcohols include, but are not limited to:
methanol; ethanol; propanol; isopropanol; and combinations
thereof.
[0012] In addition to zinc, the method of the disclosure may also
be employed with other metal octoates. Other metals that may be
employed include, but are not limited to iron, manganese, cobalt,
nickel, and the like. The use of mixed metal octoates is also
within the scope of the disclosure.
[0013] The metal carboxylates, including zinc octoates, may be
prepared using any method known to be useful to those of ordinary
skill in the art of making such compounds. For example, in one
embodiment, a metal oxide is combined with ethyl hexanoic acid in
the presence of acetic anhydride. Still, other methods may be
employed wherein such methods result in a highly viscous additive.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term high viscosity when
used in relation to a hydrogen sulfide scavenger, shall mean having
a viscosity of greater than 60,000 centipoises at 60.degree. F.
[0014] In addition to ethyl hexanoic acid, other carboxylic acids
may be used with the method of the disclosure. Any carboxylic acid
having from about 2 to about 18 carbons may be used to prepare
metal carboxylates; subject to the proviso that the resulting
composition is low enough in viscosity that it can be admixed with
the viscosity improvers. Such acids include but are not limited to:
acetic acid, propionic acid, hexanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic
acid, neo-decanoic acid, naphthoic acid, linoleic acid, naphthenic
acid, tall oil acid, oleic acid, 2-methyl valeric acid, and the
like. These other acids may be employed, but with the caveat that
the resulting metal carboxylate has a higher viscosity prior to
being mixed with the viscosity improver.
[0015] Also, most carboxylic acids are not available as pure
reagents. For example ethyl hexanoic acid in some grades may have
as much as 10% other acids present. Deliberately mixed carboxylic
acids may also be used and are within the scope of this
application. In one embodiment, the zinc carboxylate may be the
product of reacting oxide or hydroxide zinc and both octanoic acid
and neo-decanoic acid for example. The use of anhydrides as a
source of acid is also within the scope of the application.
[0016] The hydrogen sulfide scavengers produced herein shall have a
viscosity lower than that specified as high viscosity above. The
amount of discussed improver to be employed though, will be
determined by the end user as a function of a balance between the
economic cost of the viscosity improver and the capability of the
process in which the scavenger is going to be employed. For
example, in a refinery, one unit may require a very low viscosity,
such as one that is less than 1,000 centipoises at 60.degree. F. In
contrast, perhaps even in the unit immediately next to the first
unit, the hydrogen sulfide scavenger can be employed at a viscosity
of 10,000 centipoises at 60.degree. F. In such an application, it
may be desirable to reduce the amount of discussed improver
employed. One of ordinary skill in the art of refining hydrocarbons
will well know the capability of the units used for such refining.
Generally though, the viscosity improver will be employed at a
concentration of from about 1% to about 10%. In some embodiments,
the viscosity improver will be employed at a concentration of from
about 1 to about 30%. In still other embodiments, the viscosity
improver will be employed at a concentration of from about 0.5 to
about 60%.
[0017] The hydrogen sulfide scavengers claimed herein are useful in
treating hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons may be crude, partially
refined, or fully refined and pending commercial consumption. When
the hydrocarbons to be treated are crude hydrocarbons, in one
embodiment they may be very "crude" and be, for example, crude oil
or heavy fuels oils or even asphalt. In another embodiment, the
crude hydrocarbon may only be "crude" in regard to a subsequent
refining step. For example, in one embodiment, the method of the
disclosure may be a refining step to produce light hydrocarbon
fuels such as gasoline or aviation fuel. In refineries, the feed
streams for such units have already undergone at least one step to
remove components that are not desirable for producing such fuels.
Thus, in this embodiment, the feed stream to this unit is a crude
hydrocarbon even though it has had at least one refining process
step already performed upon it.
[0018] Crude oil, when first produced is most often a multiphase
fluid. It will have a hydrocarbon phase, aqueous phase, and may
include both gases and solids. In some applications of the method
of the disclosure, the hydrogen sulfide scavengers maybe employed
in process water such as that produced during crude oil refining
and even in wastewater that may be similarly contaminated.
[0019] In addition to being useful for mitigating the presence of
hydrogen sulfide, the compositions of the application may be
further used as odor control agents during the handling, transport,
and storage of hydrocarbons. A further benefit of the use of the
invention is a reduction of SOx emissions. A scavenged hydrogen
sulfide, or at least the vast majority of it, comes from recovery
systems in modern refineries. The ultimate disposal point for such
materials is generally a thermal oxidizer. The resultant SOx
emissions can be reduced if the hydrogen sulfide never reaches the
thermal oxidizer.
EXAMPLES
[0020] The following examples are provided to illustrate the
present invention. The examples are not intended to limit the scope
of the present invention and they should not be so interpreted.
Amounts are in weight parts or weight percentages unless otherwise
indicated.
Examples 1-5 & Comparative Examples A & B
[0021] No control of just a Zinc carboxylate is shown as it is too
viscous to test. Sample 1 is prepared by first admixing acetic
anhydride, butoxy ethanol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. To this mixture
zinc oxide is then added. The resulting material is then heated and
refluxed to compete the reaction and then distilled to remove
water.
[0022] Samples 2-3 are prepared similarly except that the alcohol
is added after the formation of the zinc carboxylate. Note: the
viscosity improvers may be added before, during or after the
reaction.
[0023] Each mixture is then tested for viscosity and the results
are shown below in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Sample => Compositions WT % 1 2 3 4 5 A B
ZnO 20.75 19.27 21.18 21.18 21.19 21.35 17.82 2-ethylhexanoic acid
73.52 68.26 74.94 74.94 74.97 75.48 63.12 Acetic Anhydride 0.5 0.5
0.50 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Aromatic 150 8.97 2.67 18.56
2-(2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol 5.23 2-butoxyethanol 3.00 Isopropanol
3.37 Butanol 3.37 Methanol 3.34 Viscosity Cp @ 60.degree. F. 6.6K
16.7K 468K 68K Viscosity Cp @ 68.degree. F. 12.2K 397K 52K
Viscosity Cp @ 90.degree. F. 18.9K 1.8K 3.8K 173K 40.6K Viscosity
Cp @ 100.degree. F. 14.8K 1.2K 1.8K 142K 32.4K Viscosity Cp @
120.degree. F. 10.0K 600 1.2K 95K 21.1K
Example 6
[0024] A crude oil stream was infused with about 2000 ppm hydrogen
sulfide and then treated with the composition corresponding to
Example 2 above. The test results are shown below in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Doseage of Time after Example 2 % H.sub.2S
Test treatment (ppm) H.sub.2S ppm Removed 1 4 hrs 0 2000 N/A 2 4
hrs 700 350 82.5 3 4 hrs 350 675 66 4 24 hrs 700 N/D 100 5 24 hrs
350 70 96
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