Synthetic naphtha recovery from water streams: Vapour‐liquid–liquid equilibrium (VLLE) studies in a dynamic VL‐cell unit with high intensity mixing

Abstract

This work describes vapour pressure measurements of a water/synthetic naphtha mixture using a dynamic CREC-VL-Cell, designed to obtain reliable vapour measurements (P v sat,i ). The CREC-VL-Cell is used to measure vapour pressures for immiscible or partially miscible liquids, given its high multiphase mixing capability. Runs in the CREC-VL-Cell involve a dynamic method, operating with a set heating ramp, with continuous tracking of both saturation vapour pressure and temperature within the cell. This system allows for the establishment equilibrium vapour pressures, in a recommended 50-120 C range, emulating the conditions of the naphtha recovery in oil sand processes.Results obtained in the CREC-VL-Cell at 1080 rpm are validated using data from Aspen-Hysys with a Peng-Robinson fluid package for pure octane and water. On the other hand, using a 2.5 wt.% and 4 wt.% synthetic naphtha in 97.5 wt.% water blend, experimental data shows partial agreement with the Aspen-Hysys Peng-Robinson fluid package predictions, demonstrating the value of the experimental vapour-liquid-liquid (VLL) data obtained in the CREC-VL-Cell.

Thermodynamics and Machine Learning Based Approaches for Vapor–Liquid–Liquid Phase Equilibria in n-Octane/Water, as a Naphtha–Water Surrogate in Water Blends

“…As shown in Table 1, n-Octane has properties similar to those of naphtha, which is one of the primary solvents used in bitumen processing. in previous works [10,11]. Furthermore, and regarding n-octane-water blends, there is already a significant body of data in the technical literature, as shown in Table 2.…”

“…The Chemical Reactor Engineering Center (CREC) recently developed a CREC VL Cell which allows the measurements of VLL equilibrium (Figure 1) using a "dynamic method", with the temperature of the cell increasing progressively, using thermal ramp of 1.22 • C/min. As a result, every run provides a large amount of vapor-liquid equilibrium data (10 Hz), with the vapor pressure data being recorded at various temperatures, every 0.01 s. Additional explanations about the cell operation are reported in [10,11]. Data obtained from this dynamic method has been validated with static measurements [10,11].…”

“…From an experimental point of view, phase thermodynamic equilibrium is usually measured in experimental setups that provide a limited number of data points in manageable times. Phase equilibrium measurements for dilute hydrocarbon/water systems were made in a specially designed CREC-VL Cell were reported [10,11]. Unlike earlier experimental techniques, the implemented CREC VL Cell is operated in the dynamic mode with a temperature ramp [10,11], recording up to 10 points per second of P mix values.…”

“…Phase equilibrium measurements for dilute hydrocarbon/water systems were made in a specially designed CREC-VL Cell were reported [10,11]. Unlike earlier experimental techniques, the implemented CREC VL Cell is operated in the dynamic mode with a temperature ramp [10,11], recording up to 10 points per second of P mix values. This can be considered as "big data" in the context of these experiments.…”

“…Given the above, the objectives of this work are as follows: (i) to establish the problems faced with estimating the number of phases in highly diluted octane/water mixtures when using HYSYS V9 and Aspen Plus V9, and (ii) to develop a methodology to predict the correct number of phases, using experimental data obtained in a new CREC VL Cell [10,11].…”