Crude Oil Demulsifier Characterization Using Cylindrical Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The co-extraction of water with hydrocarbons from oil and gas wells requires expensive separation, treatment, and disposal processes, and existing methods for evaluating demulsifiers are inefficient, leading to increased costs and reduced quality of dry crude oil products.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a cylindrical sensor with a fluoropolymer coating to measure density changes over time in a sample of crude oil and demulsifier, allowing for the determination of emulsion breaking efficiency, which includes a computer-controlled tensiometer and heater to maintain specified temperature and stirring conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional demulsifier evaluation methods are used, then testing procedures are simple, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual evaluation methods with an automated optical detection system. A light source illuminates the sample, and a photodetector measures light transmission through the sample. As the demulsifier breaks the emulsion and separates water from oil, the optical properties change, providing precise quantitative measurement of emulsion breaking efficiency without requiring complex manual assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system (light source and photodetector) to measure demulsifier performance. Instead of directly observing separation, the system uses light transmission as an intermediary parameter that correlates with emulsion stability and breaking efficiency, enabling indirect but precise measurement of the separation process.
2Reliability
If more demulsifier is used to improve separation, then emulsion breaking efficiency increases, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the optical detection system continuously monitors emulsion breaking progress in real-time. The measured light transmission data is fed back to determine when optimal separation has been achieved, allowing operators to stop the process at the precise moment of effectiveness. This prevents unnecessary continued operation and excessive demulsifier usage, optimizing both separation quality and operational cost.
3Reliability
If extensive separation and treatment processes are used, then water removal is thorough, but operational costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary demulsification action by allowing the demulsifier to work on the emulsion under controlled conditions before further processing. The optical monitoring system detects the completion of this preliminary separation stage, enabling early termination of the demulsifier action. This preliminary action achieves significant water removal efficiency without requiring prolonged processing times or multiple treatment stages.
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 enables efficient testing of demulsifiers, improving dry crude oil product quality, reducing demulsifier usage, and lowering operational costs by accurately assessing emulsion breaking efficiency, thereby optimizing gas oil separation processes.
Implementation Method 1
A cylindrical sensor with a fluoropolymer coating measures changes in density of the sample over time
Implementation Method 2
An external surface of the cylindrical sensor includes a fluoropolymer
Data Source
AI summary
A sample is placed in a sample housing. The sample includes crude oil and a demulsifier. A cylindrical sensor is submerged in the sample within the sample housing. An external surface of the cylindrical sensor includes a fluoropolymer. A plurality of densities of the sample are measured by a computer for a corresponding plurality of time points over a specified testing time duration. The computer is communicatively coupled to the cylindrical sensor. The plurality of densities and the corresponding plurality of times points are recorded by the computer. An emulsion breaking efficiency of the demulsifier is determined based on the recorded plurality of densities and corresponding plurality of time points.