Blind Leg Sampling Conduit for Multiphase Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sampling multiphase fluids in hydrocarbon exploration and production fail to maintain isobaric and isothermic conditions during transport, leading to compromised sample quality and representativeness, especially when high gas volume fraction fluids are involved, as phase transitions and mass transfer occur, altering the gas/liquid ratio.
Innovation Solution
A conduit system with a blind leg and multiple sampling ports, including a recirculation mechanism using sampling conduits and valves, maintains isobaric and isothermic conditions by allowing fluid recirculation between sampling ports, ensuring that samples are representative of the fluid composition at the extraction location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a self-propelled underwater vehicle is used to collect and transport multiphase fluid samples, then the sample can be recovered at a remote location for measurement, but the pressure and temperature are not maintained during transport, compromising sample quality and representativeness
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sampling function into two parts: in-situ sampling at the wellhead and remote analysis at a separate location. The sampling device collects samples at the wellhead, then transports them to a remote location for measurement, separating the sampling function from the analysis function while maintaining sample integrity through controlled transport conditions
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled transport system acts as an intermediary between the sampling point and the measurement location. This intermediary system maintains isobaric and isothermic conditions during sample transport, preventing phase transitions and mass transfer that would otherwise compromise sample representativeness
2Measurement precision
If samples are taken from a multiphase flow-meter location, then measurements can be made of liquid and gas ratios, but phase transitions and mass transfer occur during transport, altering the gas/liquid ratio and compromising compositional accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing controlled transport conditions that prevent phase transitions and mass transfer before the sample reaches the measurement device. By maintaining isobaric and isothermic conditions during transport, the system counteracts the natural tendency of multiphase fluids to separate and change composition, ensuring that measurements reflect the in-situ fluid composition
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transport parameters (pressure and temperature) to match the in-situ conditions where the sample was collected. By maintaining constant pressure and temperature during transport, the system prevents parameter changes that would otherwise cause phase transitions and alter the gas/liquid ratio, thereby preserving compositional accuracy for precise measurements
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for use in sampling multiphase fluid in a fluid transport pipeline, the apparatus comprising: a process fluid conduit comprising a blind leg connected to an upstream section and a downstream section; and wherein a fluid sampling port is provided in the blind leg.