Water/Oil Emulsion Sensor With Overlapping Inductive-Capacitive Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing production logging tools face challenges in accurately measuring water and oil content in multiphase fluid mixtures flowing in hydrocarbon wells due to harsh downhole conditions, complex flow regimes, and the formation of emulsions, which are not effectively measured by conventional sensors, and tools are often bulky, costly, and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A compact water/oil emulsion sensor with a conductive tip, isolating body, and capacitive and inductive modules that measure water and oil content through overlapping investigation zones using inductive and capacitive methods, suitable for harsh downhole environments, allowing simultaneous and accurate measurement of emulsions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used to measure multiphase fluid mixtures, then the measurement can be performed with simple device structure, but the measurement precision is insufficient for emulsions with dispersed phases below millimeter scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines inductive and capacitive measurement modules into a single sensor assembly with overlapping investigation zones. The inductive module detects conductive phases (water) while the capacitive module detects dielectric phases (oil), allowing simultaneous measurement of both phases in emulsions without requiring separate sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor employs a nested structure where the inductive module and capacitive module are integrated within a common housing, with their investigation zones overlapping in space. The conductive tip and isolating body form a nested configuration that enables both measurement modes to operate simultaneously from the same physical location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If production logging tools are deployed in harsh downhole environments, then the measurement capability is achieved, but the reliability of the tool is reduced due to high pressure, temperature, and corrosive conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is designed to operate across a wide range of downhole conditions including high pressure (up to 2000 bars), high temperature (up to 200°C), and corrosive fluid environments. The electronic unit and measurement modules are configured to maintain functionality despite variations in these physical parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor employs a conductive tip made of corrosion-resistant material and an isolating body that provides both mechanical strength and chemical resistance. The combination of different materials with complementary properties enables the sensor to withstand harsh downhole conditions while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Loss of information
If accurate mapping of fluid types and velocities is required over the whole section of the hole or pipe, then the measurement completeness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is designed as a multi-functional device that can measure water content, oil content, and flow characteristics in various well orientations (vertical, deviated, horizontal). The same sensor assembly performs multiple measurement functions without requiring additional specialized components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides comprehensive fluid characterization by measuring properties in three-dimensional space through overlapping investigation zones. The inductive and capacitive modules collectively map the spatial distribution of different phases throughout the pipe section, enabling complete fluid typing without requiring multiple separate measurement points.
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
The sensor provides high accuracy and reliability in measuring water and oil content in emulsions, even in challenging downhole conditions, with a simple and cost-effective design that can be deployed in various well orientations, overcoming the limitations of conventional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive module housed in the hollow isolating body and comprising an emission coil and a detection coil, the inductive power supply and measurement module being connected to the inductive module, the inductive power supply and measurement module being arranged to inject an excitation inductive current into the emission coil such that if the multiphase fluid mixture is conductive, a first induced inductive current is generated into a first investigation zone surrounding the inductive module and a second induced inductive current proportional to the first induced inductive current is measured in the detection coil
Implementation Method 2
a capacitive module housed in the hollow isolating body and comprising a conductive cylindrical surface, the capacitive power supply and measurement module being connected to the capacitive module, the capacitive power supply and measurement module being arranged to apply an excitation capacitive voltage to the conductive cylindrical surface and to measure a capacitance of the multiphase fluid mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A water/oil emulsion sensor is sensitive to a water content and an oil content of a multiphase fluid mixture flowing as an emulsion in a hydrocarbon well. The sensor includes a conductive tip at a front part, a hollow isolating body at a middle part and a hollow conductive body at a back part, said front part having a conical shape, said middle and back parts having a substantially cylindrical shape, said parts of said sensor being coaxial, extending along a longitudinal axis and being assembled in a sealed manner, an inductive module housed in the hollow isolating body and comprising an emission coil and a detection coil, a capacitive module housed in the hollow isolating body and comprising a conductive cylindrical surface, and an electronic unit comprising a processing module coupled to an inductive power supply and measurement module connected to the inductive module, and to a capacitive power supply and measurement module connected to the capacitive module.