Entrainment Fluid Detection and Diagnosis

Abstract

Entrainment fluid detection diagnostics. A magnetic flowmeter includes at least one coil configured to generate a magnetic field in a process fluid flow. The electrode pair is configured to detect an electromotive force generated in the flowing process fluid in response to the magnetic field. A measurement circuit is coupled to the pair of electrodes and configured to provide an indication of the detected electromotive force. A processor is coupled to the measurement circuit and configured to receive an indication of the detected electromotive force and determine a flow-related output based on the detected electromotive force. The diagnostic assembly is configured to analyze a number of continuous parameters of the magnetic flowmeter to provide an indication of detected entrained fluid.

Description

Background technique

[0001] Separators are known process units for carrying out various industrial processes. Separators operate by receiving a process stream and separating the material of the process stream into waste and material for other processing, typically. Separators can be used for a variety of process mixtures, including liquids, gases, solids, or combinations thereof, in a variety of industrial processes. In particular, they can be used in oil and natural gas extraction processes.

[0002] One problem faced by separators handling multiphase flows is entrainment of fluids in downstream processing, in particular, gas blow-by. In separators that receive both gas and liquid streams, if the liquid is completely drained from the vessel, the gas may flow freely to downstream equipment designed to handle only the liquid stream. This causes damage and can put the system at risk, often requiring the activation of relief devices to remove the entrained gas from the system....

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0011] figure 1 A simplified example procedural environment for specific use by embodiments of the invention is shown. Process fluid may be circulated in, or produced by, the example process environment 50 . The process fluid can be natural gas, oil or other fluids. Fluid originates from an example fluid source 10, such as a wellhead, and is provided to a separator 20, wherein the separator 20 is configured to separate liquid from non-productive material, for example, from fracturing fluid (fracturing fluid). cracked) or treated water to separate natural gas. In one embodiment, as the liquid passes through separator 20, the product continues to flow in process stream 40 for other downstream processing. Instead, non-product matter may be directed to waste stream 30 . Flow meter 102 is configured to measure one or more process variables or parameters related to waste stream 30 exiting separator 20 .

[0012] Early detection of entrained fluid in process streams can minimize...

Background technique

[0001] Separators are known process units for carrying out various industrial processes. Separators operate by receiving a process stream and separating the material of the process stream into waste and material for other processing, typically. Separators can be used for a variety of process mixtures, including liquids, gases, solids, or combinations thereof, in a variety of industrial processes. In particular, they can be used in oil and natural gas extraction processes.

[0002] One problem faced by separators handling multiphase flows is entrainment of fluids in downstream processing, in particular, gas blow-by. In separators that receive both gas and liquid streams, if the liquid is completely drained from the vessel, the gas may flow freely to downstream equipment designed to handle only the liquid stream. This causes damage and can put the system at risk, often requiring the activation of relief devices to remove the entrained gas from the system....

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0011] figure 1 A simplified example procedural environment for specific use by embodiments of the invention is shown. Process fluid may be circulated in, or produced by, the example process environment 50 . The process fluid can be natural gas, oil or other fluids. Fluid originates from an example fluid source 10, such as a wellhead, and is provided to a separator 20, wherein the separator 20 is configured to separate liquid from non-productive material, for example, from fracturing fluid (fracturing fluid). cracked) or treated water to separate natural gas. In one embodiment, as the liquid passes through separator 20, the product continues to flow in process stream 40 for other downstream processing. Instead, non-product matter may be directed to waste stream 30 . Flow meter 102 is configured to measure one or more process variables or parameters related to waste stream 30 exiting separator 20 .

[0012] Early detection of entrained fluid in process streams can minimize...

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