Double-infrared foam height measuring device and measuring method

Abstract

The invention provides a double-infrared foam height measuring device and method, and the device comprises an infrared measuring part and a liquid level extension part. The infrared measuring part is arranged at the top of the foam accommodating cavity, and an infrared signal can be emitted through the infrared measuring part to measure a first height representing the distance between the top of the foam accommodating cavity and a foam layer; the liquid level extension part vertically floats on the liquid layer of the foam accommodating cavity, and the height of the liquid level extension part is a second height; the infrared measuring part can also emit an infrared signal to measure a third height representing the distance between the top of the foam accommodating cavity and the end part of the liquid level extension part; the height of the foam layer is a fourth height. The liquid level of a liquid layer is indirectly improved through the liquid level extension part, so that the height measurement of a foam layer can be completed without penetrating through foam by an infrared signal, the influence of the foam is avoided, the accuracy of a measurement result is ensured, and meanwhile, the method of emitting the infrared signal can also adapt to special environments similar to gas wells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of foam measuring equipment, and specifically relates to a dual infrared foam height measuring device and measuring method. Background Technology

[0002] During the foam drainage gas production process, a large amount of foam is generated when a foaming agent is added to the gas well. To ensure the proper functioning of gas-liquid separation, an antifoaming agent needs to be added to the gas-liquid separator to eliminate the foam. The dosage of antifoaming agent depends on the foam content; therefore, the foam content needs to be measured.

[0003] Existing foam drainage gas extraction processes typically determine foam content by observing the foam height within the gas-liquid separator. However, this method requires long-term staff presence at the wellhead to periodically sample the foam from the separator, resulting in high labor costs and low efficiency. Therefore, to reduce labor costs and improve measurement efficiency, it is necessary to install a foam height measuring device to measure the foam height.

[0004] Measuring foam height is essentially a form of liquid level measurement, and current methods for liquid level measurement include impedance detection, conductivity measurement, laser ranging, and ultrasonic ranging. However, in applications like gas wells, the gas in the gas-liquid separator contains a large amount of natural gas, which is flammable and explosive. This makes methods like impedance detection and conductivity measurement, which generate high pressure and high flow, difficult to apply. Furthermore, because foam strongly scatters ultrasonic waves and lasers, it's impossible to measure foam height by directly illuminating the foam with ultrasound or laser light and receiving the reflected light. Using ultrasound or lasers to measure foam height would result in an overly complex foam height measurement device, making the final measurement results highly susceptible to the influence of other medium properties. While the most widely used radar level measurement method can measure foam height, the absorption characteristics of foam on radar waves make the measurement results prone to error, making it difficult to guarantee measurement accuracy.

[0005] Therefore, it is difficult to accurately measure the height of foam in application scenarios such as gas wells. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the above problems, this invention proposes a dual-infrared foam height measuring device and method, wherein the dual-infrared foam height measuring device includes:

[0007] A foam container for observing foam height, wherein the lower part of the foam container is a liquid layer and the middle part of the foam container is a foam layer;

[0008] An infrared measuring unit is disposed at the top of the foam receiving cavity. The infrared measuring unit can emit infrared signals to measure a first height, which is the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity and the foam layer.

[0009] A liquid level extension section is vertically floating on the liquid layer of the foam receiving cavity, and the height of the liquid level extension section is a second height.

[0010] The infrared measuring unit can also emit infrared signals to measure a third height, which is the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity and the end of the liquid level extension.

[0011] The height of the foam layer is the fourth height.

[0012] In some specific embodiments, the infrared measurement unit includes:

[0013] An infrared ranging component, wherein there are two infrared ranging components, both of which are disposed on the top of the foam receiving cavity;

[0014] One of the infrared ranging components is positioned directly opposite the end of the liquid level extension and is capable of measuring the third height via infrared signals;

[0015] Another infrared ranging component is positioned opposite the foam layer and is capable of measuring the first height via infrared signals.

[0016] In some specific embodiments, the infrared ranging component includes:

[0017] An infrared emitting module, which is capable of emitting infrared signals;

[0018] An infrared receiving module is provided, which is capable of receiving the infrared signal emitted by the infrared emitting module after reflection.

[0019] In some specific embodiments, the infrared signal emitted by the infrared emitting module of the infrared ranging component positioned directly opposite the foam layer is a near-infrared signal.

[0020] In some specific embodiments, the infrared measurement unit further includes:

[0021] The control module is connected to the two infrared ranging components respectively. The control module can measure the arrival time of the infrared signal and obtain the first altitude and the third altitude based on the arrival time of the infrared signal.

[0022] In some specific embodiments, the lower part of the liquid level extension is floating on the liquid layer of the foam receiving cavity;

[0023] The upper part of the liquid level extension is vertically arranged in the direction of approaching the infrared measuring unit.

[0024] In some specific embodiments, the liquid level extension includes:

[0025] A float, which is suspended on the liquid layer of the foam receiving cavity;

[0026] A connecting rod, one end of which is disposed on the float, and the other end extends toward the infrared measuring unit.

[0027] In some specific embodiments, the liquid level extension further includes:

[0028] The bracket has one end connected to the inner wall of the foam receiving cavity and the other end connected to the outer wall of the connecting rod. The bracket can maintain the connecting rod in a vertical state.

[0029] In some specific embodiments, the bracket and the connecting rod are rotatably connected.

[0030] A foam height measurement method based on the same concept, employing a dual infrared foam height measurement device as described in any of the above specific embodiments, includes the following steps:

[0031] The infrared measurement unit emits an infrared signal into the foam layer and then receives the infrared signal reflected by the foam layer, thereby measuring the first height representing the distance between the top of the foam cavity and the foam layer;

[0032] The infrared measuring unit emits an infrared signal to the end of the liquid level extension and receives the infrared signal reflected by the end of the liquid level extension, thereby measuring the third height, which represents the distance between the top of the foam containment cavity and the end of the liquid level extension.

[0033] Based on the first height, the third height, and the known second height representing the height of the liquid level extension, a fourth height representing the height of the foam layer is obtained.

[0034] The dual-infrared foam height measuring device of the present invention measures a first height, representing the distance between the top of the foam cavity and the foam layer, by emitting an infrared signal through an infrared measuring unit. It also measures a third height, representing the distance between the top of the foam cavity and the end of the liquid level extension, by emitting another infrared signal through the same infrared measuring unit. Based on the measured first and third heights and the known second height representing the liquid level extension, a fourth height, representing the foam layer height, can be quickly obtained. The liquid level extension indirectly increases the liquid level height, and the dual-infrared structure eliminates the need for the infrared signal to penetrate the foam to measure the foam layer height, avoiding the influence of foam characteristics. Furthermore, the overall structure is flexible and simple, reducing the probability of being affected by other media characteristics and ensuring the accuracy of the measurement results. Moreover, the infrared signal emission method avoids the influence of flammable and explosive gases such as natural gas, making the measurement method adaptable to special environments similar to gas wells.

[0035] The foam height measurement method of the present invention uses the dual infrared foam height measurement device described above, so it has the same beneficial effects as the dual infrared foam height measurement device described above, and therefore will not be described again here.

[0036] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the structures pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the principle of the dual infrared foam height measuring device in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the infrared measurement unit in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0040] In the figure, 100 is the infrared measuring unit; 110 is the infrared ranging component; 111 is the infrared transmitting module; 112 is the infrared receiving module; 120 is the control module; 120 is the microcontroller; 200 is the liquid level extension part; 210 is the float; 220 is the connecting rod; 230 is the bracket; and 300 is the foam receiving cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] Reference Figure 1This invention provides a dual infrared foam height measuring device, comprising: a foam receiving cavity 300 for observing foam height, an infrared measuring unit 100, and a liquid level extension unit 200. The lower part of the foam receiving cavity 300 is a liquid layer, the upper part is a foam layer, and a gas layer containing flammable and explosive gases such as natural gas is located between the foam layer and the top of the foam receiving cavity 300. Normally, the liquid level height of the liquid layer and the liquid level height of the foam layer need to be measured separately; the difference between the two is the height of the foam layer itself. This allows for the determination of the foam content based on the height of the foam layer, thereby determining the dosage of defoamer to be added. The infrared measuring unit 100 is positioned at the top of the foam receiving cavity 300. The infrared measuring unit 100 emits an infrared signal directly towards the upper surface of the foam layer to measure a first height, which is the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity 300 and the upper surface of the foam layer. The liquid level extension 200 is vertically floating on the liquid layer of the foam receiving cavity 300. The end of the liquid level extension 200 vertically penetrates the foam layer, and its height is a second height, which is a known preset value. Because the liquid level extension 200 is vertically floating on the liquid layer, it effectively raises the liquid level height of the liquid layer by a second height, thus facilitating measurement. The infrared measuring unit 100 can emit an infrared signal directly towards the end of the liquid level extension 200 to measure a third height. The third height is the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity 300 and the end of the liquid level extension 200. The sum of the third height and the second height is the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity 300 and the upper surface of the liquid layer. The height of the foam layer is the fourth height, which is the difference between the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity 300 and the upper surface of the liquid layer and the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity 300 and the upper surface of the foam layer. That is, the fourth height, representing the height of the foam layer itself, is obtained by subtracting the first height from the sum of the third and second heights. Measurement by emitting infrared signals avoids the influence of flammable and explosive gases such as natural gas, allowing the measurement method to adapt to special environments similar to gas wells. Simultaneously, the liquid level extension 200 indirectly increases the liquid level height. With the dual-infrared structure, the infrared signal no longer needs to penetrate the foam to measure the height of the foam layer itself, avoiding the influence of foam scattering or absorption characteristics on the measurement results, reducing the possibility of measurement errors. Furthermore, the overall structure of the dual-infrared foam height measuring device is flexible and simple, easy to operate, and reduces the probability of being affected by the characteristics of other media, ensuring the accuracy of the measurement results. This provides accurate parameters for the subsequent process of determining the foam content, making it easier to determine the dosage of defoamer to be added based on the foam content. The formula for calculating the fourth height, representing the height of the foam layer, is as follows:

[0043] Fourth altitude = Second altitude + Third altitude - First altitude.

[0044] It should be noted that the foam containment chamber 300 mentioned above, as well as the foam containment chamber 300 mentioned later, are all located inside the gas-liquid separator so that the dual infrared foam height measuring device can be applied to special environments containing flammable and explosive gases, such as gas wells.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the infrared measuring unit 100 includes an infrared ranging component 110. Two infrared ranging components 110 are provided, both disposed on the top of the foam receiving cavity 300, and at the same horizontal height to ensure the accuracy of the measurement results. One infrared ranging component 110 is disposed facing the end of the liquid level extension 200, and can measure the third height, i.e., the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity 300 and the end of the liquid level extension 200, by emitting an infrared signal to the end of the liquid level extension 200. The other infrared ranging component 110 is disposed facing the upper surface of the foam layer, and can measure the first height, i.e., the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity 300 and the upper surface of the foam layer, by emitting an infrared signal to the upper surface of the foam layer.

[0046] Reference Figure 2 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the infrared ranging component 110 includes an infrared emitting module 111 and an infrared receiving module 112. The output terminal of the infrared emitting module 111 can emit infrared signals, and the receiving terminal of the infrared receiving module 112 can receive the infrared signals emitted by the output terminal of the infrared emitting module 111 after reflection. After the infrared emitting module 111 emits an infrared signal, the emitted infrared signal will be reflected after a period of time, and then the infrared receiving module 112 will receive the reflected infrared signal to measure the arrival time of the infrared signal. Based on the measured arrival time of the infrared signal, the height of the foam layer itself can be calculated, thereby facilitating the calculation and control of the dosage of defoamer to be added.

[0047] In natural gas, the propagation speed of infrared signals is primarily affected by the refractive index of the medium. Since the refractive index of natural gas is not significantly different from that of a vacuum, the propagation speed of infrared signals in gases primarily containing natural gas is essentially equivalent to the speed of light in a vacuum. The speed of light is a constant, typically expressed as 3.0 × 10⁸ meters per second. Therefore, the formulas for calculating the first and third altitudes are as follows:

[0048] First altitude = 3.0 * 10^8 m / s * arrival time of the infrared signal used to measure the first altitude / 2;

[0049] Third altitude = 3.0 * 10^8 m / s * arrival time of the infrared signal used to measure the third altitude / 2.

[0050] Reference Figure 1 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the infrared emitting module 111 of the infrared ranging component 110, which is positioned directly opposite the upper surface of the foam layer, is configured with a near-infrared structure, so that the infrared signal emitted by the infrared emitting module 111 is a near-infrared signal. The near-infrared signal can ensure the reflection effect after contacting the upper surface of the foam layer, thereby improving the accuracy of measuring the first height.

[0051] Furthermore, the infrared emitting module 111 of the infrared ranging component 110, which is provided directly opposite the end of the liquid level extension 200, can emit infrared signals that can identify solid materials, thereby ensuring the reflection effect after contacting the end of the liquid level extension 200, and thus improving the accuracy of measuring the third height.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the infrared measurement unit 100 further includes a control module 120. The control module 120 is connected to two infrared ranging components 110 respectively. The control module 120 can measure the arrival time of the infrared signals of the two infrared ranging components 110 so as to obtain the first altitude and the third altitude based on the arrival time of the infrared signals.

[0053] Furthermore, the control module 120 is connected to the infrared emitting module 111 and the infrared receiving module 112 of each infrared ranging component 110. When the infrared emitting module 111 emits an infrared signal, the control module 120 can record the emission time of the infrared signal. When the infrared receiving module 112 receives the reflected infrared signal, the control module 120 can record the reception time of the infrared signal, thereby obtaining the arrival time of the corresponding infrared signal. At the same time, the control module 120 can also control the connection between the infrared emitting module 111 and the infrared receiving module 112 to turn off or on, thereby facilitating the control of the measurement process.

[0054] Furthermore, the control module 120 is equipped with a timing mechanism. When the infrared transmitting module 111 emits an infrared signal, the timing mechanism starts timing. When the infrared receiving module 112 receives the reflected infrared signal, the timing mechanism stops timing, thereby obtaining the arrival time of the corresponding infrared signal.

[0055] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the control module 120 is further provided with a microcontroller 120 and a display mechanism. The infrared receiving module 112 is connected to the display mechanism through the microcontroller 120, so that the measured and calculated first height and third height can be directly displayed through the display mechanism, which is convenient for staff to observe and improves measurement efficiency.

[0056] Reference Figure 1 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the lower part of the liquid level extension 200 floats on the liquid layer of the foam receiving cavity 300. When the liquid level of the liquid layer rises, the liquid level extension 200 as a whole rises; when the liquid level of the liquid layer falls, the liquid level extension 200 as a whole falls, facilitating measurement. Simultaneously, by ensuring that only the lower part of the liquid level extension 200 floats on the liquid layer, fluctuations in the value of the second height representing the height of the liquid level extension 200 caused by floating are reduced, resulting in more accurate measurement results. Furthermore, the upper part of the liquid level extension 200 is vertically positioned towards the infrared measuring unit 100, further reducing fluctuations in the value of the second height representing the height of the liquid level extension 200 caused by overall tilting, resulting in more accurate measurement results.

[0057] Reference Figure 1 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the liquid level extension 200 includes a float 210 and a connecting rod 220. The float 210 has buoyancy, allowing it to float on the liquid layer of the foam receiving cavity 300. One end of the connecting rod 220 is fixedly disposed on the float 210, and the other end extends towards the infrared measuring unit 100, allowing the connecting rod 220 to be vertically disposed. Generally, the length of the connecting rod 220 is a second height representing the height of the liquid level extension 200; therefore, the second height is a known preset value.

[0058] Reference Figure 1 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the liquid level extension 200 further includes a bracket 230. One end of the bracket 230 is connected to the inner wall of the foam receiving cavity 300, and the other end is connected to the outer wall of the connecting rod 220. The bracket 230 can maintain the connecting rod 220 in a vertical state, thereby preventing the connecting rod 220 from shaking and avoiding large fluctuations in the value of the second height representing the height of the liquid level extension 200 due to the shaking of the connecting rod 220. At the same time, the bracket 230 can also limit the setting position of the connecting rod 220, preventing the connecting rod 220 from drifting away with the float 210.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the support 230 and the connecting rod 220 are rotatably connected. One end of the support 230 is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the foam receiving cavity 300 through a rotating seat, and the other end of the support 230 is rotatably connected to the connecting rod 220 through another rotating seat. This can limit the setting position of the connecting rod 220 while ensuring that the connecting rod 220 can rise and fall together with the liquid level of the liquid layer under the action of the float 210.

[0060] Reference Figure 1In some specific embodiments of the present invention, one end of the support 230 is slidably connected to the inner wall of the foam receiving cavity 300 via a slide rail, so that the support 230 can move vertically via the slide rail. The other end of the support 230 is rotatably connected to the connecting rod 220 via a rotating seat. This can limit the setting position of the connecting rod 220 while ensuring that the connecting rod 220 can rise and fall together with the liquid level of the liquid layer under the action of the float 210. Furthermore, it can further reduce the shaking of the connecting rod 220 itself.

[0061] The present invention also provides a method for measuring foam height, employing a dual infrared foam height measuring device as described in any of the above specific embodiments, comprising the following steps:

[0062] The infrared measuring unit 100 emits an infrared signal toward the foam layer and receives the infrared signal reflected by the foam layer, thereby measuring a first height representing the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity 300 and the foam layer. The infrared measuring unit 100 emits an infrared signal toward the end of the liquid level extension 200 and receives the infrared signal reflected by the end of the liquid level extension 200, thereby measuring a third height representing the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity 300 and the end of the liquid level extension 200. Based on the first height, the third height, and the known second height of the liquid level extension 200, a fourth height of the foam layer is obtained.

[0063] Specifically, the control module 120 controls the infrared emitting module 111 of one of the infrared ranging components 110 to emit a near-infrared signal to the upper surface of the foam layer. At the same time, the timing mechanism of the control module 120 starts timing. After the emitted near-infrared signal comes into contact with the upper surface of the foam layer, it is reflected. The reflected near-infrared signal is received by the infrared receiving module 112 of the infrared ranging component 110. At the same time, the timing mechanism of the control module 120 stops timing to obtain the arrival time of the near-infrared signal. Based on the arrival time of the near-infrared signal, the control module 120 calculates a first height representing the distance between the top of the foam cavity 300 and the upper surface of the foam layer.

[0064] The control module 120 also controls the infrared emitting module 111 of another infrared ranging component 110 to emit an infrared signal that can identify solid materials to the end of the connecting rod 220. At the same time, the timing mechanism of the control module 120 starts timing. After the emitted infrared signal comes into contact with the end of the connecting rod 220, it is reflected. The reflected infrared signal is received by the infrared receiving module 112 of the infrared ranging component 110. At the same time, the timing mechanism of the control module 120 stops timing to obtain the arrival time of the infrared signal. Based on the arrival time of the infrared signal, the control module 120 calculates a third height representing the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity 300 and the end of the connecting rod 220.

[0065] Based on the calculated first height, third height, and known second height representing the height of the connecting rod 220, the control module 120 obtains the fourth height of the foam layer.

[0066] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual infrared foam height measuring device, characterized in that, include: A foam container for observing foam height, wherein the lower part of the foam container is a liquid layer and the middle part of the foam container is a foam layer; An infrared measuring unit is disposed at the top of the foam receiving cavity. The infrared measuring unit can emit infrared signals to measure a first height, which is the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity and the foam layer. A liquid level extension section is vertically floating on the liquid layer of the foam receiving cavity, and the height of the liquid level extension section is a second height. The infrared measuring unit can also emit infrared signals to measure a third height, which is the distance between the top of the foam receiving cavity and the end of the liquid level extension. The height of the foam layer is the fourth height.

2. The dual infrared foam height measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The infrared measurement unit includes: An infrared ranging component, wherein there are two infrared ranging components, both of which are disposed on the top of the foam receiving cavity; One of the infrared ranging components is positioned directly opposite the end of the liquid level extension and is capable of measuring the third height via infrared signals; Another infrared ranging component is positioned opposite the foam layer and is capable of measuring the first height via infrared signals.

3. The dual infrared foam height measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The infrared ranging component includes: An infrared emitting module, which is capable of emitting infrared signals; An infrared receiving module is provided, which is capable of receiving the infrared signal emitted by the infrared emitting module after reflection.

4. The dual infrared foam height measuring device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The infrared signal emitted by the infrared emitting module of the infrared ranging component positioned directly opposite the foam layer is a near-infrared signal.

5. The dual infrared foam height measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The infrared measurement unit also includes: The control module is connected to the two infrared ranging components respectively. The control module can measure the arrival time of the infrared signal and obtain the first altitude and the third altitude based on the arrival time of the infrared signal.

6. The dual infrared foam height measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower part of the liquid level extension is floating on the liquid layer of the foam receiving cavity; The upper part of the liquid level extension is vertically arranged in the direction of approaching the infrared measuring unit.

7. The dual infrared foam height measuring device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The liquid level extension section includes: A float, which is suspended on the liquid layer of the foam receiving cavity; A connecting rod, one end of which is disposed on the float, and the other end extends toward the infrared measuring unit.

8. The dual infrared foam height measuring device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The liquid level extension section further includes: The bracket has one end connected to the inner wall of the foam receiving cavity and the other end connected to the outer wall of the connecting rod. The bracket can maintain the connecting rod in a vertical state.

9. The dual infrared foam height measuring device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The bracket and the connecting rod are rotatably connected.

10. A method for measuring foam height, employing the dual infrared foam height measuring device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The infrared measurement unit emits an infrared signal into the foam layer and then receives the infrared signal reflected by the foam layer, thereby measuring the first height representing the distance between the top of the foam cavity and the foam layer; The infrared measuring unit emits an infrared signal to the end of the liquid level extension and receives the infrared signal reflected by the end of the liquid level extension, thereby measuring the third height, which represents the distance between the top of the foam containment cavity and the end of the liquid level extension. Based on the first height, the third height, and the known second height representing the height of the liquid level extension, a fourth height representing the height of the foam layer is obtained.

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