Accurate Chemical Analysis – The Basis for Dependable Laboratory Studies and Process Design

Abstract

Accurate Chemical Analysis – The Basis for Dependable Laboratory Studies and Process Design

All too often consulting engineers, research and technical departments are asked for assessments on scaling tendency, corrosion predictions, material selection or microbiological processes based upon incomplete analytical data or highly questionable analyses.

In this paper we highlight some analyses which should be undertaken actually on-site to derive dependable results, as well as the analytical parameters which may not have been appreciated to be relevant to a particular study. Actual case histories are cited where possible to demonstrate the importance of a parameter to the success of a study.

Failure to analyse relevant parameters on-site, at best, leads to an incomplete analysis and in the worst case, can lead to an erroneous assessment of potential problems, with a consequential effect on any further work based on the analysis. Modified classical chemical analyses are used, in site applications coupled with sampling techniques for post-site sophisticated laboratory analyses.

In this paper we consider chemical test programmes which are orientated to oilfield application but the rationale can be applied to any complex, interactive system such as geothermal processes, cooling waters, environmental studies, refining applications, etc.