IMPROVED HYDROGEN DETERMINATION IN PETROLEUM STREAMS USING A BENCH-TOP PULSED NMR ANALYZER

An improved methodology using an inexpensive bench top pulsed NMR inst rument has been developed for measuring hydrogen contents of a broad r ange of hydrocarbon process streams. This new methodology expands the range of samples which can be routinely analyzed for hydrogen to inclu de all materials that are liquids at less than or equal to 60 degrees C. Both weight-normalized and density-normalized approaches are descri bed and have precisions on the order of 0.05 wt %. The density-normali zed technique enables precision measurement of hydrogen contents in to tal liquid product samples from pilot units that have Light ends and c ontain waxy solids at room temperature. This is a significant advantag e in accurately determining hydrogen consumption for a large number of refinery processes. The density-normalized technique has an advantage in sample handling but requires a density measurement at the temperat ure of the NMR measurements.