Fluid Volume Fraction Probe Using Multi-Frequency Electrical Pulse Analysis
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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, and the presence of lower density hydrocarbons and salt, leading to measurement inaccuracies and difficulties in distinguishing between liquid and gaseous phases.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using a probe with a known length that emits electrical pulses and measures reflections to determine time periods, correlating these with pre-calculated dielectric constants and resonance points stored in a database to identify and measure volume fractions, while maintaining fluid pressure to prevent boiling and using a second probe downstream to calculate velocity and volume of constituents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dielectric constant measurement is used to determine volume fractions, then continuous measurement capability is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to varying temperature and pressure conditions affecting dielectric constants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures multiple electrical parameters (capacitance, inductance, resistance, conductance) at different frequencies rather than relying on a single dielectric constant measurement. By capturing changes in these parameters across varying conditions, the system can distinguish between actual composition changes and those caused by temperature/pressure variations, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while enabling continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple measurements at different frequencies and uses a subset of these measurements for final calculation. By taking excessive measurements (at multiple frequencies) and selecting only the necessary ones for volume fraction determination, the system achieves both continuous monitoring capability and high measurement precision by filtering out condition-related variations
2Measurement precision
If density measurement is combined with dielectric constant measurement to determine volume fractions, then measurement accuracy improves under stable conditions, but reliability deteriorates when hydrocarbon components change phase between liquid and gaseous states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts measurement frequencies and selects measurement results based on real-time fluid conditions. When phase changes are detected or anticipated, the system switches to measurement frequencies and calculation methods that are less sensitive to density variations, thereby maintaining reliable volume fraction measurements throughout phase transitions without requiring stable conditions
3Measurement precision
If salt content and lubricants are present in the fluid mixture, then dielectric constant measurements become unreliable, but the apparatus can still identify volume fractions by measuring at multiple frequencies and correlating with database values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores electrical parameter values (capacitance, inductance, resistance, conductance) at multiple frequencies for various fluid compositions in a database before actual measurements. During operation, measured values are correlated with this pre-established database, allowing the system to identify volume fractions accurately even in the presence of salt and lubricants, as the multi-frequency approach creates unique spectral signatures that distinguish different fluid compositions despite contaminants
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-parameter (dielectric constant) measurement to multi-dimensional measurement by capturing electrical parameters across multiple frequencies. This creates a frequency spectrum signature for each fluid composition, adding dimensional information that allows differentiation between actual composition variations and those caused by salt or lubricant interference, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite harmful factors
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 allows for continuous, accurate identification and measurement of volume fractions, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by providing real-time, reliable data on the composition of fluids, including petroleum, water, natural gas, and drilling fluids, even under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical pulse emitter which electronically generates a 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 2
the computer determines a time period between the electrical pulse emission into the probe and the receipt of the sensed electrical pulse reflection, and wherein the resonance points of the volume fraction constituent is calculated by the computer from the time period which is determined, and wherein the computer further correlates the determined time period to the previously calculated, and known dielectric constant
Implementation Method 3
maintaining fluid pressure to prevent boiling
Implementation Method 4
a second probe downstream to calculate velocity and volume of constituents
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus 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.