Device and method suitable for monitoring gas-liquid ratio of crude oil
The device, composed of a compact float and a Hall sensor, solves the problems of complexity and high cost of existing equipment, and realizes rapid, safe and low-cost online monitoring of crude oil gas-liquid ratio, which is suitable for wellhead and manifold scenarios.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511179542.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing crude oil gas-liquid ratio monitoring equipment suffers from problems such as equipment complexity, slow response, safety hazards, and high cost, making it impossible to achieve real-time, safe, and low-cost online monitoring.
The device employs a compact structure, utilizing a mechanical structure consisting of a float and a linear Hall sensor. It monitors the gas-liquid ratio by measuring the buoyancy displacement of the float in the crude oil fluid, and combines this with the electrical signal output by the Hall sensor for real-time measurement, thus achieving non-contact monitoring.
It achieves rapid, safe, and low-cost gas-liquid ratio monitoring. The device has a simple structure, low failure rate, is suitable for complex working environments, and does not require complex mechanical transmission or precision instruments, and has near real-time monitoring capabilities.
Smart Images
Figure CN120847377A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of petroleum equipment technology, and to a device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil. Specifically, it is a compact and fast-responding online monitoring device for the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil, suitable for real-time monitoring in scenarios such as wellheads and manifolds. Background Technology
[0002] The crude oil gas-liquid ratio is a key parameter in oilfield production, directly affecting separation efficiency and pipeline safety. Traditional monitoring relies on separation metering devices (large in size and slow in response) or X-ray / microwave instruments (high cost and difficult to maintain). Existing technologies have the following drawbacks: complex equipment (separators require flow meters and require large installation space); delayed response (the separation process is time-consuming and cannot provide real-time feedback); safety hazards (X-ray methods pose radiation risks); and high cost (precision instruments are expensive and maintenance is costly). Therefore, there is an urgent need for an online monitoring device that is simple in structure, safe, reliable, and low in cost. Summary of the Invention
[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a compact, safe, and reliable device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil. Suitable for complex working environments, it achieves rapid online measurement through innovative mechanical structure, overcoming the complexity and cost issues of existing equipment. The invention adopts the following technical solution: A device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil, comprising: a fluid inlet, a measuring chamber, a float mounting frame, a float, a float connecting rod, an induction magnet, a Hall sensor sleeve, a linear Hall sensor, a digital display instrument, a protective housing, a drain port, and a fluid outlet. The measuring chamber is connected to the fluid inlet. The float is placed inside the measuring chamber, and its density is between that of the liquid and gas phases of the crude oil. The float connecting rod is vertically fixed to the top of the float. The induction magnet is fixed to the top of the float connecting rod. The float mounting frame is installed at the center of the top of the measuring chamber and has a guide hole for the float connecting rod to pass through. The Hall sensor sleeve is located at the center of the protective housing and coaxially surrounds the float connecting rod. The linear Hall sensor is sealed and installed at the top of the Hall sensor sleeve, directly facing the trajectory of the induction magnet. The digital display instrument is located at the center of the top of the protective housing. A drain port is provided on the outer wall of the measuring chamber.
[0004] A device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil are disclosed. The working principle is as follows: Crude oil fluid enters the measuring chamber through the fluid inlet. A float inside the measuring chamber is displaced by the buoyancy of the fluid. The float floats above the liquid surface due to the influence of the liquid phase substances in the crude oil. The higher the liquid level, the higher the float rises. The position of the liquid surface is determined by the change in the float's height, thereby determining the gas-liquid ratio. The float's rising height is acquired by the displacement of the induction magnet at the top of the float's connecting rod. If the proportion of gas in the crude oil is high, the average density is low, and the float rises a greater height; if the proportion of liquid in the crude oil is high, the average density is high, and the float rises a smaller height. A linear Hall effect sensor monitors the position change of the induction magnet and outputs an electrical signal, which is converted into a gas-liquid ratio value by the signal processing unit in the digital display instrument.
[0005] Furthermore, the signal processing unit in the digital display instrument is connected to a linear Hall sensor to convert displacement signals and output the gas-liquid ratio.
[0006] Furthermore, if the crude oil in the pipeline is a mixture of oil, gas, and water, and it flows into the device when the pipe is full, the buoyancy of the float will vary depending on the density of the fluid. Therefore, for a fluid of known density, the float height reflects the liquid level, i.e., the proportion of the pipe filled. For a fluid of unknown density, the float height, when the pipe is full, reflects the fluid density.
[0007] Preferably, the digital display instrument is a device that integrates data acquisition, processing, and data transmission functions.
[0008] The beneficial effects of this invention are: simple and reliable structure, with core components consisting only of a float, float connecting rod, induction magnet, and linear Hall sensor, without complex mechanical transmission or precision throttling elements, resulting in low failure rate and easy maintenance; fast response speed, with non-contact displacement monitoring (magnetic-electric induction), enabling near real-time gas-liquid ratio monitoring; cost-effective production, as the device mainly adopts conventional mechanical structures and general-purpose electronic sensors (linear Hall sensors), significantly reducing manufacturing costs compared to separation metering, X-ray, and microwave equipment; high safety, with no radioactive source, intrinsically safe design (especially suitable for explosion-proof areas), and no high pressure differential risk; strong online adaptability, with a compact structure that can be directly connected in series or bypassed and installed in production pipelines (wellheads, manifolds, separator inlet pipelines, etc.) to achieve continuous or intermittent online monitoring; and intuitive measurement principle, based on the buoyancy principle and the magnetic-electric induction of the linear Hall sensor, with a clear concept that is easy to understand and calibrate. Attached Figure Description
[0009] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a device and method suitable for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil.
[0010] Figure 2This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a device and method suitable for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil.
[0011] In the diagram: 101-Fluid inlet, 102-Measuring chamber, 103-Float fixing frame, 104-Float, 105-Float connecting rod, 106-Induction magnet, 107-Hall sensor sleeve, 108-Linear Hall sensor, 109-Fluid outlet, 201-Digital display instrument, 202-Protective housing, 203-Drain outlet. Detailed Implementation
[0012] This invention provides an apparatus and method suitable for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, a device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil are disclosed. The device comprises: a fluid inlet 101, a measuring chamber 102, a float mounting bracket 103, a float 104, a float connecting rod 105, an induction magnet 106, a Hall sensor sleeve 107, a linear Hall sensor 108, a digital display instrument 201, a protective housing 202, a drain port 203, and a fluid outlet 109. The measuring chamber 102 is connected to the fluid inlet 101. The float 104 is placed inside the measuring chamber 102, and its density is between that of the liquid phase and the gas phase of the crude oil. The float connecting rod 105 is vertically fixed to the top of the float 104. The induction magnet 106 is fixed to the top of the float connecting rod 105. The float mounting bracket 103 is installed at the center of the top of the measuring chamber 102 and has a guide hole for the float connecting rod 105 to pass through. A Hall sensor sleeve 107 is located at the center of the protective housing 202 and coaxially surrounds the float connecting rod 105. A linear Hall sensor 108 is sealed and installed on the top of the Hall sensor sleeve 107 and faces the movement trajectory of the induction magnet 106. A digital display instrument 201 is located at the center of the top of the protective housing 202. A drain port 203 is provided on the outer wall of the measuring chamber 102. A device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil are provided. The working state is as follows: crude oil fluid enters the measuring chamber 102 through the fluid inlet 101. The float 104 in the measuring chamber 102 is displaced by the buoyancy of the fluid. The float 104 floats on the liquid surface due to the influence of the liquid phase substances of crude oil. The higher the liquid level, the higher the float 104 rises. The position of the liquid surface is determined by the change in the height of the float 104, thereby determining the gas-liquid ratio. The data on the rising height of the float 104 is obtained by the displacement generated by the induction magnet 106 at the top of the float connecting rod 105. If the proportion of gas phase in the crude oil is high, the average density is low, and the rising height of the float 104 is large; if the proportion of liquid phase in the crude oil is high, the average density is high, and the rising height of the float 104 is small. The linear Hall sensor 108 monitors the position change of the induction magnet 106 and outputs an electrical signal, which is converted into a gas-liquid ratio value by the signal processing unit in the digital display instrument.
[0013] The above description is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil, characterized in that, Its structure includes a fluid inlet, a measuring chamber, a float mounting bracket, a float, a float connecting rod, an induction magnet, a Hall sensor sleeve, a linear Hall sensor, a digital display instrument, a protective housing, a drain port, and a fluid outlet. The measuring chamber is connected to the fluid inlet, the float is placed inside the measuring chamber, and the density of the float is between that of the liquid phase and the gas phase of crude oil. The float connecting rod is vertically fixed to the top of the float, the induction magnet is fixed to the top of the float connecting rod, the float mounting bracket is installed at the center of the top of the measuring chamber, and a guide hole is provided for the float connecting rod to pass through. The Hall sensor sleeve is located at the center of the protective housing and coaxially surrounds the float connecting rod. The linear Hall sensor is sealed and installed at the top of the Hall sensor sleeve and faces the movement trajectory of the induction magnet. The digital display instrument is located at the center of the top of the protective housing, and a drain port is provided on the outer wall of the measuring chamber.
2. The device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil according to claim 1, characterized in that, Its working principle is as follows: crude oil fluid enters the measuring chamber through the fluid inlet. The float in the measuring chamber is displaced by the buoyancy of the fluid. The float floats on the surface of the liquid due to the influence of the liquid phase of the crude oil. The higher the liquid level, the higher the float rises. The position of the liquid level is determined by the change in the height of the float, thereby determining the gas-liquid ratio. The data on the rise of the float is obtained by the displacement generated by the induction magnet at the top of the float connecting rod. If the proportion of gas phase in the crude oil is high, the average density is low, and the float rises a large height; if the proportion of liquid phase in the crude oil is high, the average density is high, and the float rises a small height. The linear Hall sensor monitors the position change of the induction magnet and outputs an electrical signal, which is converted into a gas-liquid ratio by the signal processing unit in the digital display instrument.
3. The device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal processing unit in the digital display instrument is connected to a linear Hall sensor, which is used to convert displacement signals and output gas-liquid ratio values.
4. The device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the crude oil in the pipeline is a mixture of oil, gas, and water, and it flows into the unit when the pipeline is full, the buoyancy of the float will vary depending on the density of the fluid. Therefore, for a fluid of known density, the float height reflects the liquid level, i.e., the proportion of the pipeline filled. For a fluid of unknown density, the float height, when the pipeline is full, reflects the fluid density.
5. The device and method for monitoring the gas-liquid ratio of crude oil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The digital display instrument is a device that integrates data acquisition, processing, and data transmission functions.