Acoustic Flow Obstruction Detection via Optical Fiber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to effectively detect flow obstructions in hydrocarbon production lines in real-time, leading to production deferrals and operational risks due to reliance on manual inspections and inadequate signal processing techniques.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system utilizing an optical fiber coupled to a flow line, which generates and processes acoustic signals to detect frequency domain features indicative of flow obstructions, enabling real-time detection and characterization of obstructions through spectral analysis and machine learning models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspections are used to detect flow obstructions, then operational simplicity is maintained, but detection reliability and real-time monitoring capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspections with an automated acoustic monitoring system using optical fibers and signal processing. The system detects flow obstructions by analyzing acoustic signals generated by fluid flow, substituting human-operated mechanical methods with automated sensor-based detection that provides continuous real-time monitoring without requiring physical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary medium to detect flow obstructions. Instead of directly observing or mechanically probing the flow line, the system uses acoustic waves generated by fluid flow as a carrier of information about obstruction conditions. The optical fiber acts as another intermediary to transmit these acoustic signals for analysis.
2Measurement precision
If acoustic signals are processed using traditional signal processing techniques, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and detection accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static traditional signal processing into a dynamic adaptive system that continuously adjusts processing parameters based on flow conditions. The system dynamically selects and applies different signal processing techniques (wavelet transforms, spectral analysis, machine learning models) depending on the detected acoustic signal characteristics, enabling precise detection across varying flow rates and obstruction types while maintaining system adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the acoustic signal processing into multiple distinct stages: signal acquisition via optical fiber, preprocessing to remove noise, transformation to frequency domain using wavelet or Fourier transforms, feature extraction to identify obstruction-specific patterns, and classification using machine learning models. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving high detection precision through specialized processing at each step.
3Productivity
If real-time detection of flow obstructions is implemented, then production continuity is improved, but use of energy and computational resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of acoustic signals at optimized intervals rather than continuous high-rate acquisition. The system determines appropriate sampling frequencies based on expected obstruction development rates and flow conditions, performing signal processing only at these periodic intervals. This approach maintains detection capability for real-time obstruction identification while significantly reducing computational load and energy consumption compared to continuous processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for real-time identification and characterization of flow obstructions, reducing operational risks and production deferrals by providing accurate and timely data for remedial actions, thereby improving flow line surveillance and management.
Implementation Method 1
The receiver is configured to detect an acoustic signal from the optical fiber. The acoustic signal comprises a plurality of frequency domain features that are indicative of the acoustic signal across a frequency spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring system includes a flow line, an optical fiber coupled to the flow line, and a receiver coupled to an end of the optical fiber. The receiver is configured to detect at least one acoustic signal from the optical fiber. In addition, the monitoring system includes processor unit to detect a flow obstruction within the flow line based on the acoustic signal.