Fluid Probe Using Time Delay and Resonance for Volume Fraction Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accurately measuring volume fractions of oil, water, and natural gas in the oil and gas industry face challenges due to varying conditions, such as temperature and pressure, which affect dielectric constants, making it difficult to distinguish between hydrocarbon components and water content, especially with the presence of salt and proprietary drilling fluids.
Innovation Solution
A probe system that uses electrical pulses to determine the time delay and resonance points of fluid constituents, correlating these with pre-calculated dielectric constants and resonance points stored in a database to identify and measure the volume fractions of petroleum, water, natural gas, and drilling fluids, while maintaining fluid pressure to prevent boiling and using Fast Fourier Transform for frequency analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dielectric constant measurement is used to identify fluid components, then identification capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates under varying temperature and pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration at multiple known temperature and pressure conditions to establish a database of dielectric constants and resonance frequencies for each fluid component. This pre-established database enables accurate identification and measurement under varying conditions without requiring real-time recalibration, thus maintaining measurement precision while adapting to different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention measures multiple parameters (dielectric constant and resonance frequency) simultaneously and uses their combined variation patterns to identify fluid components. By monitoring how both parameters change together under varying temperature and pressure conditions, the system can distinguish between different fluid components even when individual parameter values shift, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy across different operating conditions.
2Measurement precision
If separators are used to separate and measure produced components, then individual component measurement is achieved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical separator system with an electromagnetic measurement system. Instead of physically separating components using gravity and mechanical forces, the system uses dielectric constant and resonance frequency measurements to identify and quantify fluid components in situ. This substitution eliminates the need for large separator equipment while maintaining the ability to measure individual component volumes accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe acts as an intermediary measurement device that can be inserted into the production flowline to perform measurements directly in the mixed fluid stream. This intermediary approach allows component identification without requiring physical separation, as the probe measures the electromagnetic properties of the mixture and uses algorithmic processing to determine individual component volumes, thereby avoiding large separator equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If water content is measured using capacitance meters, then water content identification is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates with changing temperature and density conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by measuring the dielectric constant and resonance frequency of water and oil at multiple known temperature and density conditions. This establishes a reference database that accounts for how these parameters vary with environmental conditions. During actual measurement, the system compares readings against this pre-established database to accurately determine water content regardless of temperature and density variations, thereby maintaining measurement precision while adapting to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention measures both dielectric constant and resonance frequency simultaneously to track water content. By monitoring the combined changes in both parameters and comparing them against pre-established relationships, the system can accurately determine water content even when temperature and density conditions cause individual parameter values to shift. This dual-parameter approach provides adaptability to varying conditions while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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
Enables continuous, accurate identification and measurement of volume fractions in real-time, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by distinguishing between different fluid components and maintaining measurement accuracy across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Known composition meters use measurement of dielectric constant, in combination with a density measurement, to determine the volume fractions
Implementation Method 2
an electrical pulse emitter which electronically generates an electrical pulse which is delivered to the probe, and which travels the known length of the probe and which generates an electrical pulse reflection
Implementation Method 3
the resonance points of the volume fraction constituent is calculated by the computer from the time period which is determined
Data Source
AI summary
A probe for identifying and measuring volume fraction constituents of a fluid using time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis to identify individual volume fraction constituents within a pipe on a real time basis and to measure the volume of the individual volume fraction constituents flowing through the pipe on a real time basis.