Cylindrical Capacitor Dielectric Measurement for Asphaltene Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining asphaltene stability in crude oil are complex and time-consuming, often requiring a month to complete, and are challenged by the difficulty in predicting asphaltene precipitation, which can lead to flow assurance problems and equipment damage in unconventional reservoirs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a cylindrical capacitor to measure the dielectric constant of crude oil samples, allowing for the determination of asphaltene stability through fractional analysis and calculation of the colloidal instability index, enabling rapid assessment of asphaltene stability by measuring capacitance and correcting for errors in solid samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional methods are used to determine asphaltene stability, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time worsens (taking approximately one month)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasphaltene stability determination accuracyVSAvoidtime required for stability determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical/chemical analysis systems with an electrical measurement system. A cylindrical capacitor measures the dielectric constant of crude oil samples, which directly correlates to asphaltene stability. This electrical measurement approach yields results in approximately one minute while maintaining accuracy, substituting traditional lengthy analytical methods with a rapid electrostatic field-based measurement technique.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the measurement parameter from complex compositional analysis to a single dielectric constant parameter. By measuring the dielectric constant (electrical property) of the crude oil sample using the cylindrical capacitor, the system directly determines asphaltene stability without requiring extensive chemical fractionation and analysis, thereby reducing measurement time while preserving precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If rapid assessment methods are used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of asphaltene stability determinationVSAvoidaccuracy of stability prediction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an electrical field-based measurement system using a cylindrical capacitor to rapidly determine dielectric constant, which serves as a direct indicator of asphaltene stability. This substitution of traditional slow analytical methods with an electrical measurement approach achieves both rapid assessment (one minute) and maintained precision through the direct correlation between dielectric constant and asphaltene polarity/stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The dielectric constant acts as an intermediary parameter that links the crude oil's electrical properties to asphaltene stability. By measuring this intermediate electrical property through the cylindrical capacitor, the system rapidly infers asphaltene stability without directly observing precipitation behavior, achieving both speed and accuracy through this mediating physical property.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach provides a rapid and accurate method to predict asphaltene stability, reducing the risk of precipitation and equipment damage by determining stability in approximately one minute, allowing for timely mitigation of asphaltene-related issues in crude oil production.

Implementation Method 1

The system includes a measuring device electrically coupled to the inner cylinder and to the outer cylinder. The measuring device measures a capacitance across the annulus.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

measuring, via a cylindrical capacitor, a dielectric constant of the crude oil sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric constant: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentUS10620145B2Method and system for stability determination of asphaltenes utilizing dielectric constant measurements

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A method of determining asphaltene stability within a crude oil sample that includes obtaining a crude oil sample and performing a fractional analysis of the crude oil sample. The method further includes measuring, via a cylindrical capacitor, a dielectric constant of the crude oil sample and its fractions. Responsive to the measured dielectric constant, the stability of the asphaltenes within crude oil sample is determined.