Fluorometer-Based Hydrocarbon Detection for Water Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The detection and prevention of hydrocarbon condensate accumulation in fracking operations pose significant safety hazards and operational inefficiencies, as it can lead to explosions and costly contamination, particularly in the transfer and reuse of production water.
Innovation Solution
A hydrocarbon detection and control system utilizing a fluorometer, turbidity sensor, and color sensor to measure hydrocarbon content in aqueous mixtures, coupled with a controller to modify flow and provide alarms or divert the mixture to safe containers, ensuring safe handling and separation of hydrocarbons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If production water is reused for completion operations without detection, then operational efficiency is improved, but safety hazards increase due to undetected hydrocarbon condensate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of hydrocarbon condensate in production water before reuse operations. Sensors and detection systems are installed to identify the presence of hydrocarbons in advance, allowing operators to take corrective actions before contaminated water is reused, thus preventing safety hazards while maintaining operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous monitoring and feedback on hydrocarbon levels in production water. When hydrocarbons are detected, the system generates alerts and notifications to operators, enabling real-time decision-making to prevent contaminated water from being reused, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational efficiency and safety
2Device complexity
If hydrocarbon condensate is not detected, then operational procedures are simpler, but catastrophic accidents occur due to undetected condensate accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system operates autonomously to monitor production water for hydrocarbon condensate. The self-service capability of the system performs detection, analysis, and alerting without requiring constant human intervention, thus adding minimal complexity to operational procedures while significantly improving reliability and accident prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual inspection and mechanical detection methods with automated sensor-based detection systems. This substitution uses electronic and optical sensors to detect hydrocarbon presence, reducing the complexity of operational procedures while enhancing reliability through continuous, accurate monitoring
3Ease of operation
If production water containing condensate is transferred to storage tanks, then water management is simplified, but explosion risks increase due to contamination of non-flammable liquid storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of hydrocarbon condensate in production water before transfer operations. By identifying contaminated water in advance, the system prevents its transfer to storage tanks, thus maintaining ease of operation for clean water while eliminating explosion risks associated with contaminated water transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system acts as an intermediary between production water and storage tanks. It monitors water quality and controls transfer operations based on hydrocarbon presence, serving as a protective barrier that simplifies water management for clean water while preventing explosion risks from contaminated water
4Device complexity
If hydrocarbon condensate is mixed with production water, then separation and collection become more difficult, but safety hazards are reduced through dilution
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback on hydrocarbon concentration levels in production water. By monitoring the degree of mixing and contamination, the system enables operators to make informed decisions about separation requirements and safety measures, balancing the increased separation difficulty against reduced safety hazards from dilution
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 system effectively detects and prevents the transfer of hazardous hydrocarbon condensate, enhancing safety and enabling the separate collection and reuse of valuable hydrocarbons, thereby reducing the risk of explosions and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
A hydrocarbon detection and control system utilizing a fluorometer, turbidity sensor, and color sensor to measure hydrocarbon content in aqueous mixtures
Implementation Method 2
A hydrocarbon detection and control system utilizing a fluorometer, turbidity sensor, and color sensor to measure hydrocarbon content in aqueous mixtures
Data Source
AI summary
Hydrocarbon condensate detection and control. The hydrocarbon condensate detection and control system includes detecting hydrocarbon in an aqueous mixture and controlling the flow of the aqueous mixture based on the hydrocarbon content of the aqueous mixture.