Online Monitoring of Chlorine in Raw and Desalted Crude

On-line monitoring of chlorine levels in both the raw and desalted crude is a valuable process control tool for the refining industry. Historically refinery testing is done on a spot basis and operating history would suggest that continuous analysis would be beneficial in many plants. The ability to monitor on a continuous basis for chlorine content in desalted crude can be used to optimise desalter operation and significantly enhance crude unit overhead corrosion control programs.

With the added benefit of measuring total chlorine including chlorine in organic form, the CLORA On Line Analyser from XOS (USA) addresses one of the ongoing concerns within the industry; that on occasion, organic chlorides are present in crude and that these can hydrolyse to hydrochloric acid within the crude tower distillation unit. The use of an instrument capable of detecting organic chlorides in crude will help resolve this issue. The use of the CLORA On Line Analyser in the desalter wash and effluent water is also of relevance to refiners since the latter is usually composed of multiple water sources collected within the refinery.