Method and system for real-time measurement of the Reid vapor pressure in a fluid

Abstract

A vapor pressure monitoring system can include a plurality of sensors disposed on equipment at a processing facility during one or more stages of refining and / or processing a fluid. The plurality of sensors can be configured to monitor one or more properties of the fluid. Further, one or more transmitters can be configured to transmit the one or more properties from the plurality of sensors to a computer system. The computer system can be configured to determine a vapor pressure of the fluid based on the one or more fluid properties.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Fluids are typically produced from reservoirs within a formation by drilling a wellbore into the formation, establishing a flow path between the reservoir and the wellbore, and transporting the fluid from the reservoir to the surface through the wellbore. Fluids produced from hydrocarbon reservoirs can include natural gas, oil, and water. Once the fluid reaches the surface, it can typically be transported to a processing or production facility for refining and / or processing for distribution. Fluids can be refined and / or processed into a wide variety of products, such as gasoline or petroleum, kerosene, jet fuel, diesel, heating oil, fuel oil, lubricants, waxes, asphalt, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as hundreds of petrochemical products. Various fluid properties can typically be measured by sampling the fluid to ensure it meets government regulations (e.g., the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”)) and other requirements (e.g., customer standards).

[0002] As shown in Figure 1, one or more wells 1, 2 can produce fluids such as oil, gas, and water for delivery to a processing facility 3 or production facility via pipelines and tanks. One or more wells 1, 2 can be onshore and / or offshore. Furthermore, the processing facility 3 can also receive fluids from various other sources 4, such as fluid storage or other production facilities. The processing facility 3 can be a facility with equipment for refining and / or processing fluids to facilitate their sale and meet government regulations or customer standards (e.g., various fluid properties, such as fluid composition and permissible impurities). From the processing facility 3, the refined and / or processed fluids can be distributed to different customers (5, 6, 7, 8, 9). For example, various customers can be households 5, office buildings 6, manufacturers and gas stations 7, power plants 8, and storage tanks 9.

[0003] Understanding the vapor pressure of a fluid can play a crucial role in its production when evaluating fluids refined and / or processed at Processing Facility 3. Vapor pressure is the pressure at which the liquid and vapor of a fluid are in equilibrium at a given temperature. In other words, vapor pressure is a measure of the tendency of a fluid to change into a gaseous or vaporous state with increasing temperature. The temperature at which the vapor pressure at the liquid surface equals the pressure exerted by the surrounding environment is called the boiling point of the liquid. Typically, government regulations and user standards may specify the limits of permissible vapor pressures for fluids dispensed from Processing Facility 3. Therefore, measuring and determining the vapor pressure of a fluid at Processing Facility 3 plays a vital role in the production of the fluid used for dispensing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The summary is provided to introduce selected content, which will be further described in the following detailed description. The summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to help limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In one aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a vapor pressure monitoring system. This vapor pressure monitoring system may include multiple sensors mounted on equipment at a processing facility during one or more stages of refining and / or processing a fluid. The multiple sensors may be configured to monitor one or more properties of the fluid. Furthermore, one or more transmitters may be configured to transmit one or more properties from the multiple sensors to a computer system. The computer system may be configured to determine the vapor pressure of the fluid based on one or more fluid properties.

[0006] In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method. This method may include monitoring one or more fluid properties of a fluid using multiple sensors at one or more stages of a processing facility. The method may also include transmitting one or more fluid properties to a computer system via one or more transmitters. The method may further include determining the vapor pressure of the fluid using the computer system based on one or more fluid properties.

[0007] In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions on a memory coupled to a processor. The instructions may include functions for obtaining one or more fluid properties of a fluid at one or more stages in a processing facility. The processor may be configured to determine the vapor pressure of the fluid based on one or more fluid properties and to display the determined vapor pressure on a display coupled to the processor.

[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The following describes the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote similar elements or actions. The size and relative positions of the elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve the readability of the drawing. Furthermore, the shapes of the elements drawn are not necessarily intended to convey any information about the actual shape of the elements, and are chosen solely for ease of identification in the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of fluid production according to existing technology.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a system for monitoring fluids at a processing facility according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a vapor pressure monitoring system at a processing facility according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

[0013] Figures 4A-4CThis is a schematic diagram of a control system for a vapor pressure monitoring system according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

[0014] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a method according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a computing system according to an embodiment disclosed herein. Detailed Implementation

[0016] In the following detailed description, certain specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the various disclosed implementations and embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that implementations and embodiments can be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. For the sake of continuity and brevity, the same or similar figure characters in several figures may be used for the same or similar objects. As used herein, unless expressly referenced, the terms “coupled” or “coupled to” or “connected” or “attached” or “attached to” can indicate the establishment of a direct or indirect connection, and are not limited to these two connections. As used herein, fluid can refer to slurry, liquid, gas, and / or mixtures thereof.

[0017] In the oil and gas industry, the vapor pressure of a fluid is often referred to as a measure of its volatility, such as that of gasoline, crude oil, or other petroleum products. Vapor pressure is a fluid property based on its evaporation characteristics. For example, vapor pressure can be defined as the vapor pressure exerted by the vapor of a fluid. Vapor pressure is typically recorded in kilopascals (“kPa”) or pounds per square inch (“psi”). Typically, when vapor pressure is the Reid vapor pressure (“RVP”), it can be determined according to ISO 3007:1999 or American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) standard D323. According to ASTM standard D323, the RVP of a fluid is the absolute pressure at 100°F (37.8°C) in a container with a vapor volume ratio of four times the liquid volume. In other words, RVP is the vapor pressure of a fluid at 100°F, measured with a vapor volume four times the liquid volume.

[0018] Because a portion of the fluid has been vaporized to fill the vapor space, the fluid has lost some of its lighter components. This effectively alters the fluid's composition, resulting in a vapor pressure slightly lower than the fluid's true vapor pressure in its original composition. Therefore, the fluid's RVP is slightly lower than its true vapor pressure ("TVP") at 100°F (37.8°C). TVP can be defined as the temperature-dependent equilibrium partial pressure imposed by a volatile organic liquid, as determined by the ASTM D2879 test method. RVP may differ from the fluid's TVP. More specifically, RVP is the vapor pressure measured at 37.8°C (100°F), while TVP is a function of temperature. Furthermore, RVP is defined as measured with a vapor-to-liquid ratio of 4:1, while the fluid's TVP may depend on the actual vapor-to-liquid ratio. Additionally, RVP may include pressure associated with the presence of dissolved water and air in the fluid sample, which some (but not all) definitions of TVP exclude. Moreover, the test for RVP is applied to samples that have had the opportunity to slightly evaporate before measurement. For example, the sample container may only need to be 70 to 80% filled with liquid, thus losing any substance that has evaporated into the top space of the container before analysis. The sample is then evaporated again into the top space of the D323 test chamber and then heated to 37.8 degrees Celsius.

[0019] Although RVP measurement is inaccurate, RVP is used to specify the volatility limit for gasoline, crude oil, or other petroleum products in sales contracts. Stabilization systems can be designed to meet RVP requirements because the RVP of a fluid is always less than its true vapor pressure at 100°F (37.8°C). Therefore, the separation in the stabilizer should be designed to produce a mixture at 100°F (37.8°C) with a TVP equal to the required RVP. This will produce a product with an RVP slightly lower than the desired RVP.

[0020] RVP (Responsive Potential Value) is important for the function and operation of gasoline, crude oil, or other petroleum-powered products. For example, a higher RVP may be needed in colder months to increase vaporization, while a lower RVP may be needed in warmer months to reduce vaporization. Furthermore, RVP can be specified by customers, such as crude oil buyers. In another example, if crude oil is transported by tanker or truck before reaching the processing plant, customers can specify a low RVP so they will not pay for the light components in the fluid, which are lost due to weathering. Vapor loss in crude oil can not only have measurable financial implications from a sales perspective but can also lead to increased risks from a hazard perspective, such as fire, explosion, or toxic gases. For crude oil, regulatory committees (such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) may set exposure limits for certain gaseous components vaporized from crude oil, such as H2S, benzene, etc. For gasoline and fuels, RVP is important for both performance and environmental reasons. First, because engines require fuel vaporization for combustion, gasoline must meet a minimum RVP to ensure its volatility is sufficient for vaporization under cold-start conditions. Engines also have maximum limits set for RVP (Residual Gas Volume) due to concerns that vaporization in the fuel lines could lead to vapor lock or fuel line blockage. However, the most stringent RVP limits in most markets today are driven by environmental concerns about emissions that vaporize outside the vehicle and cause pollution. This concern typically sets the critical maximum RVP specification for most grades of gasoline. Furthermore, government entities such as the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) can regulate the RVP of gasoline, crude oil, or other petroleum products sold during the summer ozone season (June 1 to September 15) to reduce gasoline vapor emissions that contribute to ground-level ozone and mitigate the impact of ozone-related health problems. Typically, RVP ranges from 7 psi to 15 psi or from 48 kPa to 103 kPa. Production facilities or refineries manipulate the RVP of fluids to maintain fluid reliability, according to government regulations and customer standards.

[0021] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for real-time monitoring and determination of the vapor pressure of fluids at processing facilities. More specifically, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to real-time monitoring of vapor pressure based on temperature and pressure established at various steps within a processing facility to refine fluids into gasoline, crude oil, or other petroleum products, such that certain amounts of volatile components have been removed or remain, which can inherently be converted into vapor pressure values. Vapor pressure may include Reid vapor pressure (RVP) or true vapor pressure (TVP). The various embodiments described herein provide methods and systems for real-time measurement of fluid vapor pressure, which play a valuable and useful role in the production of fluids at processing facilities. By using methods and systems for real-time measurement of fluid vapor pressure at processing facilities, vapor pressure can be monitored and adjusted to meet government regulations and customer standards, thereby avoiding non-productive downtime (NPT) and costly fluid handling. Furthermore, according to one or more embodiments described herein, configuring and arranging monitoring equipment at processing facilities to monitor and adjust vapor pressure is cost-effective and can replace conventional methods used at the facility for vapor pressure analysis. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can eliminate the need for specialized operators and other expensive testing equipment at facilities typically used for vapor pressure analysis. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications and are not limited to any specific details of the embodiments described herein.

[0022] According to one or more embodiments, a vapor pressure monitoring system includes positioning multiple sensors on equipment at a processing facility during various stages of refining and / or processing fluids (such as gasoline, crude oil, or other petroleum products). The multiple sensors can monitor various fluid properties of the fluid. In one or more embodiments, one or more transmitters can transmit data from the multiple sensors to a control system. The control system may be a computer system with memory coupled to a processor. In some embodiments, the control system may be replaced by a computer or data system without control functions. The control system can then use the data received from the one or more transmitters to determine the vapor pressure of the fluid. Furthermore, the control system may display the vapor pressure of the fluid on a display for user access. Additionally, the control system may send alerts to the user and / or automatically adjust equipment at the processing facility to change various fluid properties, thereby ensuring that the vapor pressure of the fluid meets government regulations and customer standards.

[0023] Conventional methods in the oil and gas industry typically require manually operated vapor pressure analyzers to determine vapor pressure from fluid samples. Traditionally, operators need to travel to a facility location, take a sample, run the vapor pressure analyzer, and then clean it up. For fluids such as gasoline, crude oil, or other petroleum products, cleaning is essential and must be performed at least after every 5 to 10 samples. In some conventional methods, automated vapor pressure analyzers automatically extract fluid samples from the pipeline before selling the fluid. Automated vapor pressure analyzers are an intermittent process, requiring approximately 5 to 15 minutes to analyze a fluid sample. However, a major drawback of automated vapor pressure analyzers is that, even for crude oil in processing facilities, they also require cleaning and maintenance after every 5 to 10 samples. Therefore, for unmanned facilities, often located in remote areas, the actual number of samples that can be analyzed per day is very limited. Due to the limitations of manual or automated vapor pressure analyzers, the equipment is bulky and expensive, and is limited to certain phases of the facility. Furthermore, processing may require many hours or even days if the fluid may not meet the vapor pressure requirements. When oil is transported by truck or temporarily stored in tanks, this can cause problems, increasing NPT (Net Producer Price) and costs. Furthermore, customers of the fluid can check whether the fluid meets vapor pressure requirements, and some contracts allow customers to refuse to accept more fluid or impose penalties if the vapor pressure requirements are not met. Additionally, customers may unnecessarily increase the energy input of the fluid or extend the storage time to ensure vapor pressure requirements are met, which unnecessarily increases operating costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and reduces oil production efficiency or yield.

[0024] Advantageously, the vapor pressure monitoring system disclosed herein can provide real-time vapor pressure measurement of fluids at any stage of the processing facility without the expensive testing equipment and operators required in typical vapor pressure analysis methods. Furthermore, because the vapor pressure of the fluid is measured at any stage of the processing facility, the processing equipment can be adjusted in real time to maintain and ensure that the vapor pressure requirements of the fluid are met without costly NPT (Non-Physical Testing). In summary, the vapor pressure monitoring system of this invention minimizes risks associated with product engineering and operators at the processing facility, and can provide reduced assembly time and NPT, lower hardware costs, and reduced weight and enclosure. Therefore, the fluid vapor pressure monitoring using the vapor pressure monitoring system disclosed herein improves field safety and reduces the costs associated with conventional vapor pressure analysis operations.

[0025] refer to Figure 2The illustration shows a vapor pressure monitoring system 100 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The vapor pressure monitoring system 100 may include one or more sensor networks 101 that communicate wirelessly or wiredly with a server network 102. More specifically, the one or more sensor networks 101 may include one or more transmitters 103 and multiple sensors 104a to 104c. In one or more embodiments, the multiple sensors 104a to 104c are located near or attached to devices 105a to 105c at the processing facility to be monitored. For example, devices 105a to 105c may be any equipment having fluid in the processing facility, such as tanks, pipes, compressors, separators, heating processors, heat exchangers, condensers, reboilers, reactors, and other fluid handling equipment and / or their associated flow lines. Therefore, the multiple sensors 104a to 104c can be of several different types, each sensor (104a to 104c) being suited for a specific purpose relative to the fluid, such as temperature sensing, pressure sensing, mass or volumetric flow rate measurement, proximity sensing, density sensing, viscosity sensing, environmental sensing, photographic or video capture, acceleration sensing, or any other type of sensor applicable in this field. It should be noted that although three sensors (104a to 104c) and three devices (105a to 105c) are shown in Figure 1, this is merely for illustrative purposes, and any number of sensors and any device can be used. Each sensor (104a to 104c) can communicate wirelessly or wiredly with one or more transmitters 103. The one or more transmitters 103 can be located at a central site in the processing facility. It is also conceivable that one or more transmitters 103 can be incorporated into each sensor (104a to 104c). Furthermore, according to one or more embodiments, the multiple sensors 104a to 104c can communicate wirelessly or wiredly with each other.

[0026] Furthermore, for one or more transmitters 103 within the range of any of the sensors (104a to 104c), the one or more transmitters 103 can relay data from the multiple sensors 104a to 104c to the server network 102 via one or more base stations 106 (such as cell towers) connected to a wide area network (not shown). Each sensor (104a to 104c) may not need to communicate wirelessly with the one or more transmitters 103, but in some cases, it may communicate via a wired connection. Additionally, the multiple sensors 104a to 104c and / or one or more transmitters 103 may be equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) module including a GPS receiver and chipset, configured to geolocate the devices 105a to 105c.

[0027] In some embodiments, server network 102 may be configured to acquire and / or store data from multiple sensors 104a to 104c in a memory located within vapor pressure monitoring system 100. Once the multiple sensors 104a to 104c have recorded data, the data is transmitted to server network 102 via one or more transmitters 103 and / or base stations 106. The one or more transmitters 103 and base stations 106 may encode and transmit the data in a suitable form and under a suitable set of protocols for transmission over a cellular network or local wired network. For example, any known wireless communication method may be used via a wireless gateway, such as GSM, CDMA, OFDMA, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that cellular networks and local wired networks are well known in the art, and therefore, for clarity and brevity, the details of numerous known communication schemes will not be discussed in detail here. However, those skilled in the art will understand that a wireless gateway may communicate over a cellular network under protocols defined within various telecommunications standards, including but not limited to 3G, WiMAX, 4G-LTE, 5G, or other telecommunications standards.

[0028] Those skilled in the art will also understand that access to the cellular network infrastructure integrates each sensor (104a-104c) with a larger Internet 107 (such as the cloud). Therefore, each sensor (104a-104c) can communicate via the cellular-Internet infrastructure to exchange data with the server network 102. In one or more embodiments, the server network 102 may include one or more remote data storage facilities 108, a remote data server 109 (which may itself include local data storage facilities), a computer 110, and a mobile computing device 111, such as a cellular phone, smartphone, tablet PC, or handheld device. As used herein, data storage facilities include cloud-based remote data centers or any other system including network-accessible storage locations. Therefore, data acquired by multiple sensors 104a-104c can be readily accessed with any available Internet access or cellular service. Those skilled in the art will understand that the system can also be deployed in a smaller local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) without departing from the scope of this disclosure. It is also contemplated that any component of the server network 102 can act as a control system for the vapor pressure monitoring system 100.

[0029] refer to Figure 3 According to the embodiments disclosed herein, a processing facility 112 is illustrated. Figure 2A vapor pressure monitoring system 100. Processing facility 112 may include various devices such as one or more initial separators 105a, one or more heaters 105b, one or more tanks 105c, and one or more final separators 105d to refine and / or process fluids from a well. For example, processing facility 112 may receive fluid, such that the fluid enters one or more initial separators 105a as a first stage. The fluid may flow from one or more initial separators 105a to one or more heaters 105b as a second stage. The fluid may flow from one or more heaters 105b to one or more tanks 105c as a third stage. The fluid may flow from one or more tanks 105c to one or more final separators 105d as a fourth stage. It should be noted that, although in Figure 3 Only four stages are shown, but processing facility 112 can include any number of stages to refine and / or process the fluid. Each stage can process or transform the fluid, extract a portion of the fluid, such as vapor products, and deliver the liquid to the next stage. Furthermore, all four stages at processing facility 112 can operate at different temperatures and pressures. The refined and / or processed fluid can be distributed from one or more final separators 105d to end-user facilities 113, such as manufacturers, gas stations, power plants, or other facilities that purchase the fluid.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, multiple sensors 104a to 104d (such as...) can be used. Figure 2 The various devices (105a to 105d) described herein are disposed on or inside the various devices (105a to 105d) within the processing facility 112. Furthermore, one or more transmitters 103 may be disposed at locations within the processing facility 112. The locations of one or more transmitters 103 may be centralized to communicate with a plurality of sensors 104a to 104d. The plurality of sensors 104a to 104d may be used to collect data on various fluid properties of the fluid at various stages (first to fourth stages) within the processing facility 112. For example, the collected data may include temperature readings, pressure readings, density readings, mass or volumetric flow rate readings, viscosity readings, or any other type of fluid property. In some embodiments, the various devices (105a to 105d) may each have a plurality of sensors (104a to 104d) such that each of the plurality of sensors (104a to 104d) can specify a fluid property of the fluid. In a non-limiting example, each of the plurality of sensors 104a to 104d may have an antenna (not shown) for communicating with one or more transmitters 103. Alternatively, where both the network and the sensors are located in a public facility, the sensors may transmit data to the network via a wired connection.

[0031] Using one or more transmitters 103, data collected from multiple sensors 104a to 104d can be transmitted to a server network 102 (e.g., at a location remote from the processing facility 112 or at the processing facility 112) using one or more transmitters 103. Figure 2 (As described). By acquiring the collected data, the control system of server network 102 can then convert the collected data into various fluid performance values ​​to determine the vapor pressure of the fluid. In a non-limiting example, the control system can plot and cross-reference the collected data onto a three-dimensional lookup table. The three-dimensional lookup table can include predetermined values ​​of vapor pressure based on different fluid performance values. The three-dimensional lookup table can be populated in various ways, such as by simulation software that can predict the vapor pressure of a fluid based on a certain composition. In other cases, fluid samples can be collected and analyzed in a laboratory to feed into a simulation model, and then the three-dimensional lookup table can be populated or updated. For example, due to the different composition of crude oil, analysis of crude oil feedstock can be provided to enhance the calculation of vapor pressure generated during crude oil processing. Furthermore, the collected data can be automatically populated into the three-dimensional lookup table based on direct measurements of fluid vapor pressure. In other non-limiting examples, the control system can include algorithms or equations, such as volume mixing equations, to automatically calculate the vapor pressure of the fluid based on data collected using the algorithms or equations.

[0032] In some embodiments, multiple sensors 104a to 104d may be flow meters, such as Coriolis flow meters, at the vapor and liquid outlets of one or more final separators 105d (where the fluid is stabilized), or at the vapor and liquid outlets of two or more or all separation stages (e.g., one or more initial separators 105a and one or more final separators 105d). Using Coriolis flow meters, data on the oil shrinkage rate (liquid inflow minus liquid outflow) of the fluid can be collected. For example, the fluid may have a certain mass flow rate when it enters the stabilization section of the processing facility 112. For example only, the flow rate may be 100,000 psi. The mass flow rate may include volatile components that need to be removed to meet vapor pressure requirements. When volatile components (e.g., light components) are removed, the stabilized fluid may have a smaller mass flow rate, such as 93,000 psi. In this example, the amount of volatile component removed per mass balance is 7,000 psi, which exits through one or more vapor outlets. The 7,000 lb / h of departing fluid represents the lighter components removed during processing, resulting in a liquid product of 93,000 lb / h with a lower vapor pressure than the feed. In a non-limiting example, if the fluid meets a vapor pressure requirement of 7% contraction based on mass flow rate, but the sensing system in this paper observes a contraction reduction of only 5%, insufficient volatile components can be removed to meet the vapor pressure requirement, and an alarm can be sent to the user. This reduction in the mass and volumetric flow rate of a fluid due to stability is commonly referred to as contraction and is a metric that can be used to directly calculate vapor pressure or to supplement / enhance the accuracy of vapor pressure estimations using other fluid properties such as temperature and pressure.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the control system communicating with server network 102 can display vapor pressure to a user. In a non-limiting example, the display of computer 110 or mobile computing device 111 can be used to display collected data and the determined vapor pressure by feeding it to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Based on the determined vapor pressure, the control system can send an alarm to the user indicating that the vapor pressure may not meet government regulations and customer standards. Furthermore, the control system can display and have commands on how to adjust operations to correct the vapor pressure. In a non-limiting example, if a reduction in vapor pressure is required, the control system can send commands to increase the operating temperature of the fluid or decrease the operating pressure of the fluid, or a combination thereof. At higher temperatures and / or lower pressures, the volatile components of the fluid may no longer be able to remain dissolved in the fluid, and the volatile components may emerge from the fluid as vapor and be separated. Once these volatile components are separated, the vapor pressure of the remaining fluid decreases until a certain value is reached. The control system can then repeat the process of determining the vapor pressure and send an alarm when a certain value is met throughout the overall process or at individual stages within processing facility 112. It is also conceivable that the vapor pressure monitoring system 100 can be applied to only one stage (first to fourth) at a time, or simultaneously to all stages (first to fourth) of the processing facility 112.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, Figures 4A to 4C Various examples of control systems used in the vapor pressure monitoring system 100 are illustrated. Figure 4A and 4B In this system, control system 400 may include controller 401 in a feedback control loop. Controller 401 may be a steady-state or dynamic controller. A user can input a vapor pressure setpoint in control system 400, and controller 401 can manipulate operation 403 to maintain the set vapor pressure. In a non-limiting example, operation 403 may be fuel gas flowing to a heater, such that controller 401 can control the fuel gas flow rate based on adjusting the heating medium temperature. In other words, the user sets the vapor pressure, and controller 401 can calculate and adjust process variables (fuel gas flow rate, heating medium temperature, heating medium bypass) of operation 403 to control the vapor pressure.

[0035] refer to Figure 4CIn one or more embodiments, control system 400 can optimize operation 403. Following operation 403, data coordination 404 can occur, enabling data collection. Based on data coordination 404, parameter estimation model 405 can be run by controller 401. Parameter estimation model 405 can be a simulation model based on parameters adjusted taking into account data coordination 404. Once parameter estimation model 405 is run, controller 401 can be prepared for optimization 406, adjusting process variables 407 of operation 403 to control vapor pressure. Optimization 406 can minimize operating costs (e.g., utility consumption) by determining key operating variables (e.g., pressure and temperature throughout the operation) that will provide a product fluid that meets vapor requirements, while minimizing operating costs. In a non-limiting example, controller 401 can minimize gas consumption for heating (e.g., minimum separator pressure) while still ensuring the vapor pressure of the fluid meets government regulations and customer standards. It can also be envisioned that when vapor pressure requirements are difficult to achieve and economic value is allocated to the import and export logistics of operation 403, optimization 406 by controller 401 can maximize the net economic outcome (revenue minus costs) of the operation by optimizing the oil yield from the fluids, thereby increasing the economics of the operation. More specifically, given the market prices of these petroleum products, optimization 406 of controller 401 can determine the most economical mixture (e.g., oil / gas) of fluid and gaseous products from the system.

[0036] Figure 5 To demonstrate the use Figures 2 to 4C A flowchart of a method for monitoring the vapor pressure of a fluid at a processing facility using a vapor pressure monitoring system 100. Figure 5 One or more boxes in the can be made by Figures 2 to 4C One or more components described herein (e.g., a control system 400 coupled to a controller 401 communicating with server network 102) perform the execution. For example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store instructions on a memory coupled to a processor, such that the instructions include functions for operating the vapor pressure monitoring system 100. Although presented and described sequentially... Figure 5 The boxes in the document are as follows, but those skilled in the art will understand that some or all of the boxes may be executed in different orders, may be combined or omitted, and some or all of the boxes may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, these boxes may be executed actively or passively.

[0037] In block 500, according to one or more embodiments, one or more measurements of the fluid's performance are obtained. For example, the controller may obtain fluid performance data in real time from a data packet taken from a sensor of a device coupled to the processing facility. Specifically, one or more transmitters communicating with the sensors may transmit the data packet to the controller. Similarly, the fluid performance data may correspond to various parameter fluid values, such as temperature, pressure, and fluid contraction readings. Furthermore, one or more transmitters and sensors may form a network connection with the controller, such as an Ethernet connection, for transmitting the fluid performance data via a server network. In one embodiment, the fluid performance data may correspond to the temperature and pressure of the fluid in a separator. For example, the temperature and pressure of the fluid may be obtained from readings of sensors on or within the separator.

[0038] In block 510, according to one or more embodiments, the vapor pressure of a fluid is determined by using one or more obtained fluid performance measurements. For example, a controller uses one or more obtained fluid performance measurements to calculate and determine the vapor pressure of the fluid. Using the one or more obtained fluid performance measurements, the controller learns about the state of the fluid, and the controller can cross-correlate and run a simulation model about the fluid performance measurements to determine the vapor pressure.

[0039] In block 520, according to one or more embodiments, the determined vapor pressure can be displayed to a user. For example, the controller communicates with a device such as a computer or mobile computer to display the determined vapor pressure and one or more fluid performance measurements obtained.

[0040] In block 530, according to one or more embodiments, it is determined whether the determined vapor pressure meets the required specifications. For example, the controller may obtain data identifying and determining the vapor pressure via a server network (see blocks 500-520). If the answer to whether the determined vapor pressure meets the required specifications is no (e.g., the vapor pressure is too high or too low), the controller may proceed to block 540. In block 540, an alarm and / or command is sent to the user to request adjustments to the operation. For example, if the determined vapor pressure is higher than the required specifications, the controller may send an alarm to the user to increase the fluid temperature or decrease the fluid pressure, or a combination of both, to decrease the vapor pressure. Furthermore, the controller may automatically send commands to the device to make necessary adjustments to the operation so that the determined vapor pressure can be changed to meet the required specifications. After sending the alarm and command, the controller returns to block 500 to repeat the previously mentioned blocks (500-540) or until the vapor pressure is determined to meet the required specifications. However, if the answer to whether the determined vapor pressure meets the required specifications is yes, the controller proceeds to blocks 550 and / or 560.

[0041] In block 550, the vapor pressure of the fluid is monitored continuously in real time. For example, the controller continuously repeats blocks 500 to 540 such that the vapor pressure of the fluid can be continuously determined during continuous operation at the processing facility. In block 560, according to one or more embodiments, the fluid is allowed to proceed to another stage. For example, the controller sends a command to the equipment to move the fluid to the next stage for intermittent operation. Based on the stage where the vapor pressure is determined, the controller can send an alert to the user regarding how to continue. In one or more embodiments, Figure 5 The flowchart allows the controller to continuously or intermittently monitor and determine the vapor pressure of a fluid in real time at the processing facility. Those skilled in the art will understand how the controller can be used to enable the processing facility to produce fluids with vapor pressures that meet desired specifications.

[0042] As another example, see Figure 6 The system according to embodiments of this document can be used to calculate the vapor pressure of a product, such as Reid vapor pressure or true vapor pressure, based on variables measured during fluid processing. In box 500, initial fluid properties of the fluid can be input. For example, for a production facility receiving produced fluid from a well, the facility may perform initial separation of crude oil from natural gas in the produced fluid. "Representative" initial compositions can be input into the system, such as a typical oilfield composition based on production, a measured composition of the produced fluid, or an estimated composition based on the temperature and pressure of the formation of the produced fluid and / or the type of ongoing production (such as primary or secondary recovery operations).

[0043] In box 610, the vapor pressure of the resulting product fluid can be estimated. In some embodiments, as described above regarding Figure 2 As described in sections 4, the vapor pressure of the final product can be estimated or calculated using a three-dimensional lookup table based, for example, the operation of stabilizers (104d, 105). For example, the pressure and / or temperature and / or flow rate of the stabilizer operation can be used to calculate or estimate changes in composition in the fluid (from the initial feed to the product output in the first stage to the final stage), thereby determining the vapor pressure of the product. For example, from the initial composition, oil shrinkage (change in flow rate from feed to product) and / or the pressure and / or temperature of the stabilizer operation can be used to estimate the proportion of lighter components removed from the composition and determine the vapor pressure based on the resulting composition.

[0044] To enhance computation during block 510, data can be obtained from each processing stage in block 520. For example, separator 105a ( Figure 3 The temperature and / or pressure can be used to calculate the forwarding to the heating processor 105b ( Figure 3The composition of the fluid is determined. Furthermore, sensors associated with the operation of the heating processor 105b can be used to calculate the composition of the fluid forwarded to the storage tank 105c. Similarly, sensors associated with the storage tank 105c can be used to estimate the composition of the fluid forwarded to the stabilizer 105d. Then, sensors associated with the operation of the stabilizer 105d can be used to estimate the composition of the fluid recovered as product. Based on these data, changes in composition can be estimated, and the vapor pressure of the product fluid can be calculated.

[0045] As described above, the compositional change of a fluid from the initial processing step to the final processing step can be determined based on conditions of one stage (such as the final stabilization step) or conditions of multiple stages (such as the last two processing steps, the last three processing steps, all four processing steps, the first and last processing steps, or other combinations of two or more processing steps), and thus the vapor pressure of the processed fluid recovered from the last processing stage can be determined.

[0046] In this way, the vapor pressure of the processed fluid can be calculated in box 630. The calculated vapor pressure may be more accurate when data from multiple stages or each stage is included, as variations in fluid composition are more accurately reflected in the calculation. In box 640, the calculated vapor pressure can then be compared to a specified target vapor pressure. If the vapor pressure is within the target value or within the specified tolerance range of the target value, the operation can continue as it is currently operating in box 650 without adjusting the operating parameters. If the vapor pressure is outside the target range, the operation can be adjusted in box 660 to bring the processed fluid back to the target vapor pressure. Furthermore, based on the adjustments made to the operation in box 660, the previously mentioned boxes (500 to 540) can then be repeated.

[0047] As described above, the computer system / control system can also be configured to operate the system using feedback or feedforward control. For example, the input or measured feed composition can be used as the initial control parameters for the feedforward initial separator. The vapor pressure calculation of the final processed fluid can be used for feedback control, such as for the operation of the initial separator, heating processor, or stabilizer. During typical operation, a single unit is usually adjusted where the vapor pressure of the final product is adjusted only by reducing the pressure in the stabilizer, for example, by removing additional light components from the liquid fed to the stabilizer from the upstream operation. However, using the system described herein, when adjusting conditions to achieve a vapor pressure target, the operation of the overall system can be considered—small changes in conditions in the initial separator can have a meaningful impact on the vapor pressure of the fluid recovered from the stabilizer, which may be more economical than attempting to remove lighter components from the stabilizer. The control system described herein can be interpreted based on calculations associated with each stage of operation.

[0048] As those skilled in the art will recognize, fluid processing inherently involves fluctuations near the setpoint, whether in temperature, pressure, flow rate, or other process variables. Similarly, the vapor pressure of the final processed product liquid recovered from the system may vary. However, this product is typically accumulated in tanks for temporary storage before being transported to downstream processing systems or end users. While operating parameters can be used to estimate the vapor pressure of the flowing stream, such as the vapor pressure of the liquid from the stabilizer, it is also conceivable that the system described herein can calculate the vapor pressure of the ultimately accumulated processed liquid. In this way, fluctuations causing partially accumulated liquid to have high or above-target vapor pressures can be addressed by adjusting conditions (boxes 540 and 660) to produce fluid with below-target vapor pressures, such that a large volume of accumulated processed fluid can have a vapor pressure at or near the target vapor pressure, suitable for meeting regulatory or customer requirements.

[0049] The embodiments described herein for operating the vapor pressure monitoring system 100 can be implemented on a computing system coupled to a controller that communicates with various components of the vapor pressure monitoring system 100. Any combination of mobile, desktop, server, router, switch, embedded device, or other types of hardware can be used with the vapor pressure monitoring system 100. For example, as Figure 7 As shown, the computing system 700 may include one or more computer processors 702, non-persistent memory 704 (e.g., volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM), cache memory), persistent memory 706 (e.g., hard disk, optical disc drive such as an optical disc (CD) drive or digital versatile disc (DVD) drive, flash memory, etc.), communication interface 712 (e.g., Bluetooth interface, infrared interface, network interface, optical interface, etc.), and many other elements and functions. It is also contemplated that software instructions, which execute embodiments of this disclosure in the form of computer-readable program code, may be stored, in whole or in part, temporarily or permanently, on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as CDs, DVDs, storage devices, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, flash memory, physical memory, or any other computer-readable storage medium. For example, the software instructions may correspond to computer-readable program code that, when executed by one or more processors, is configured to perform one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0050] The computing system 700 may also include one or more input devices 710, such as a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, microphone, touchpad, electronic pen, or any other type of input device. Furthermore, the computing system 700 may include one or more output devices 708, such as a screen (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display, touchscreen, cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, projector, or other display device), printer, external storage, or any other output device. The one or more output devices may be the same as or different from the one or more input devices. The one or more input and output devices may be locally or remotely connected to one or more computer processors 702, non-persistent memory 704, and persistent memory 706. Many different types of computing systems exist, and the one or more input and output devices may take other forms.

[0051] Figure 7 The computing system 700 may include functionality for presenting raw and / or processed data, such as the results of comparisons and other processing. For example, data presentation can be accomplished through various presentation methods. Specifically, data can be presented through a user interface provided by the computing device. The user interface may include a GUI that displays information on a display device such as a touchscreen on a computer monitor or handheld computer device. The GUI may include various GUI widgets that organize which data is displayed and how it is presented to the user. Furthermore, the GUI may present data directly to the user, for example, by presenting data as actual data values ​​via text, or by rendering a visual representation of the data by the computing device, such as through a visual data model. For example, the GUI may first receive a notification from a software application requesting the presentation of a specific data object within the GUI. Next, the GUI may determine the data object type associated with the data object, for example, by identifying the data object type from data attributes within the data object. Then, the GUI may determine any rules specified for displaying that data object type, for example, rules specified by the software framework for the data object type, or rules specified according to any local parameters defined by the GUI for presenting that data object type. Finally, the GUI can obtain data values ​​from data objects and render a visual representation of the data values ​​within the display device according to the rules specified for that data object type.

[0052] Data can also be presented through various audio methods. Data can be rendered into an audio format and presented as sound through one or more speakers operatively connected to the computing device. Data can also be presented to the user through haptic methods. For example, haptic methods can include vibrations or other physical signals generated by the computing system. For instance, data can be presented to the user using vibrations generated by a handheld computer device with a predetermined duration and intensity of vibration.

[0053] In addition to the benefits described above, the vapor pressure monitoring system 100 can also advantageously provide continuous measurements of the vapor pressure of the fluid. By providing continuous vapor pressure measurements, the vapor pressure monitoring system 100 can detect real-time changes in the fluid that will affect the final product. Furthermore, the vapor pressure monitoring system 100 allows for real-time adjustments when changes are detected, avoiding costly NPT (non-point testing) and mitigating the risk of final product rejection. Moreover, continuous monitoring of vapor pressure allows for optimization, enabling the fluid to undergo sufficient treatment (e.g., heating) to meet vapor pressure requirements without unnecessary intervention. Furthermore, the vapor pressure monitoring system 100 requires no maintenance other than the maintenance of multiple sensors, reducing on-site costs and personnel.

[0054] While this disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art who benefit from it will understand that other embodiments can be designed without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vapor pressure monitoring system, comprising: A processing facility comprising a plurality of devices, each of which is configured to perform one or more of a plurality of processing stages on a fluid flowing through the processing facility; Multiple sensors, wherein each of the multiple sensors is disposed on a corresponding device of the multiple devices, wherein each of the multiple sensors is configured to monitor values ​​of fluid performance in the device in which it is disposed; Computer systems; and A transmitter configured to transmit values ​​of the fluid properties from the plurality of sensors to the computer system. The computer system described therein is configured as follows: The vapor pressure of the fluid within the plurality of devices is determined based on a combination of values ​​of the fluid properties measured by the plurality of sensors; as well as Based on the vapor pressure of the fluid within the plurality of devices, updated operating parameters are determined, and The computer system is also configured to transmit the updated operating parameters to the processing facility to adjust the operating conditions within the plurality of devices.

2. The vapor pressure monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to display the determined vapor pressure for user access.

3. The vapor pressure monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the computer system is configured to send an alarm to the user.

4. The vapor pressure monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the determined vapor pressure is the Reid vapor pressure or the actual vapor pressure.

5. The vapor pressure monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sensors independently monitors the fluid properties of the fluid, namely, the temperature, pressure, density, flow rate, or viscosity.

6. The vapor pressure monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the device is a separator, a heating processor, or a storage tank.

7. The vapor pressure monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is gasoline, crude oil or other petroleum products.

8. A vapor pressure monitoring method, comprising: Fluid is flowed through a processing facility, wherein the processing facility includes a plurality of devices, each of which is configured to perform one or more stages of fluid processing controlled by one or more operating parameters; Using multiple sensors to monitor one or more fluid properties, wherein each of the multiple sensors is disposed on one of the multiple devices, and each of the multiple sensors is configured to monitor a value of the fluid property in the device in which it is disposed; The values ​​of the fluid properties are transmitted to a computer system via one or more transmitters; The computer system is used to determine the vapor pressure of a fluid based on a combination of values ​​of fluid properties measured by sensors located on the plurality of devices, and to determine one or more updated operating parameters based on the vapor pressure of the fluid. and The one or more updated operating parameters are transmitted to the plurality of devices using the one or more transmitters.

9. The vapor pressure monitoring method according to claim 8, further comprising using a controller to adjust the operation of the one or more stages to change the determined vapor pressure.

10. The vapor pressure monitoring method of claim 8 further includes displaying the determined vapor pressure on a display coupled to the computer system.

11. The vapor pressure monitoring method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring the fluid properties includes measuring the temperature, pressure, density, flow rate, or viscosity of the fluid.

12. The vapor pressure monitoring method of claim 8, wherein determining the vapor pressure of the fluid includes cross-referencing the fluid properties in a three-dimensional lookup table.

13. The vapor pressure monitoring method according to claim 12, wherein the three-dimensional lookup table includes predetermined or measured values ​​of vapor pressure based on different fluid performance values.

14. The vapor pressure monitoring method according to claim 8 further includes continuously monitoring the fluid properties of the fluid.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions on a memory coupled to a processor, the instructions comprising functions for: Update one or more operating parameters in the processing facility; The processor is configured as follows: The system receives values ​​of various fluid properties, each measured by one of a plurality of sensors, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is disposed on one of a plurality of devices within the processing facility. The vapor pressure of the fluid is determined based on a combination of values ​​of the various fluid properties measured by sensors located on the plurality of devices; One or more updated operating parameters are determined based on the vapor pressure of the fluid; and The one or more updated operating parameters are transmitted to the plurality of devices using one or more transmitters.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions further include functions for: The processor redetermines the vapor pressure of the fluid based on one or more fluid properties that have been maintained or adjusted.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions further include functions for: The processor continuously determines the vapor pressure of the fluid in real time.

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