Capillary Viscometer Screening for Live Crude Oil Emulsions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating hydrocarbon liquid-water emulsions in oil production face challenges such as equipment tripping, off-spec crude oil, and corrosion due to untreated or improperly treated emulsions, necessitating effective demulsifiers to break these emulsions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a capillary viscometer and imaging system to evaluate demulsifier effectiveness by measuring viscosity changes and capturing images of emulsion breakdown, allowing for classification of emulsion strength and demulsifier effectiveness under dynamic conditions simulating subsurface reservoir conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If static testing methods are used to evaluate demulsifier performance, then the testing process is simple, but the results contain artifacts and do not accurately reflect real subsurface reservoir conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static testing to dynamic testing by flowing emulsion and demulsifier through a capillary viscometer at controlled flow rates. This dynamic approach simulates real subsurface reservoir conditions where fluids are in constant motion, eliminating artifacts associated with static testing while maintaining manageable device complexity through the use of standard flow measurement equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the testing parameters by conducting evaluations at elevated temperatures and pressures that match actual reservoir conditions, rather than at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. This parameter adjustment ensures measurement accuracy reflects real-world performance while using readily available temperature and pressure control equipment
2Reliability
If room temperature and pressure conditions are used for testing, then the testing environment is simple, but the results do not reflect actual subsurface reservoir conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature and pressure parameter changes to match actual reservoir conditions. By heating the emulsion and demulsifier to reservoir temperatures and maintaining elevated pressures during flow through the capillary viscometer, the test reliability is improved to accurately reflect subsurface performance while using standard environmental control equipment
3Productivity
If demulsifier concentration is increased to improve emulsion breakdown, then emulsion separation effectiveness increases, but the optimal concentration determination becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring viscosity changes during the flow process. As demulsifier concentration varies, the resulting viscosity changes provide real-time feedback on emulsion breakdown effectiveness, allowing determination of optimal concentration without complex trial-and-error procedures. The viscosity measurement serves as a direct indicator of demulsifier performance at different concentrations
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
Provides objective and accurate assessment of demulsifier performance, avoiding artifacts from static testing and room temperature/pressure conditions, leading to more effective emulsion breakdown and improved hydrocarbon processing.
Implementation Method 1
A live emulsion of a live hydrocarbon sample and a water sample is flowed through a capillary viscometer. While flowing the live emulsion through the capillary viscometer, a demulsifier sample is flowed through the capillary viscometer. Using the capillary viscometer, change in a viscosity of the live emulsion over time resulting from the breakdown of the live emulsion due to the demulsifier sample is measured.
Implementation Method 2
Multiple images of the breakdown of the live emulsion over time are captured.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain implementations of the subject matter can be implemented as a method of screening demulsifiers for live crude oil-water emulsions. A live emulsion of a hydrocarbon sample and a water sample is flowed through a capillary viscometer. The live emulsion includes dissolved gases retrieved from a hydrocarbon-carrying reservoir. While flowing the live emulsion through the capillary viscometer, a demulsifier sample is flowed through the capillary viscometer. The demulsifier sample causes breakdown of the live emulsion. Using the capillary viscometer, change in a viscosity of the live emulsion over time resulting from the breakdown of the live emulsion due to the demulsifier sample is measured. Multiple images of the breakdown of the live emulsion over time are captured. A strength of the live emulsion is classified based, in part, on the change in the viscosity of the live emulsion over time and on the plurality of images.