Electrostatic Separator Phase Angle Feedback for Breakthrough Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic separators in oil and gas extraction face challenges in controlling the separation of oil and water due to variable and unpredictable properties of the hydrocarbon stream, leading to potential breakthroughs of water in the oil or oil in the water, necessitating improved methods for controlling the separation process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing a liquid mixture to a separator, electrically coupling a power circuit, applying a time-varying voltage, detecting the phase angle, and adjusting the characteristic of the voltage to minimize the phase angle, thereby optimizing the separation process by comparing the phase angle to a standard and adjusting the separation parameters accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous operation with fixed voltage is used, then the separator operates continuously, but water breakthroughs or oil breakthroughs occur due to variable feed stream properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed voltage to variable voltage operation. The power unit dynamically adjusts voltage characteristics (amplitude, frequency, phase) in response to real-time feedback from phase angle detection, allowing the separator to adapt to variable feed stream properties while maintaining continuous operation and preventing breakthroughs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting the phase angle between voltage and current in the power circuit and using this information to adjust the power unit's output. This closed-loop feedback system continuously monitors separation conditions and modifies operating parameters to maintain optimal separation performance despite feed stream variations
2Reliability
If phase angle is minimized by adjusting voltage characteristics, then separation control is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional detection and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the existing electrical power circuit components (voltage and current measurements) to derive phase angle information for control purposes. The system uses readily available electrical measurements rather than requiring separate complex sensing systems, thereby achieving improved control while minimizing additional device complexity
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 enhances the separation efficiency by minimizing the phase angle, resulting in improved control over the separation process, reducing the risk of breakthroughs and optimizing the separation of oil and water phases.
Implementation Method 1
Electric fields are typically employed to speed separation of oil and water. The water typically has some amount of salt that increases its conductivity and its reaction to the effect of an electric field relative to oil.
Implementation Method 2
detecting a phase angle in the power circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide a method of separating a liquid mixture, comprising providing a liquid mixture to a separator, electrically coupling a power circuit to the liquid mixture inside the separator, applying a time-varying voltage to the power circuit, detecting a phase angle in the power circuit; and controlling the phase angle by adjusting a characteristic of the time-varying voltage.