Hydraulic Simulation for Oil-in-Water Emulsion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The excessive increase in disposal pressure at Gas Oil Separation Plants (GOSPs) due to oil-in-water emulsions in disposal water affects oil processing capability, and existing methods lack effective tools for promptly identifying and addressing these emulsions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a calibrated water injection hydraulic simulation model to estimate oil-in-water content by generating curves of disposal pressures versus disposal rates at different oil-in-water concentrations, allowing for the identification of oil-in-water emulsion presence and stability, thereby improving oil-water separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hydraulic simulation model is used to evaluate water quality, then the ability to assess oil-in-water emulsion presence and stability is improved, but the complexity of the evaluation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulic simulation model acts as an intermediary between physical water samples and quality assessment. The model translates complex emulsion characteristics into interpretable disposal pressure predictions, enabling accurate water quality evaluation without direct complex measurement equipment in the field.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic simulation model creates a virtual copy of the disposal system that replicates pressure behavior under different emulsion conditions. This digital twin allows engineers to assess water quality by comparing actual pressure readings against simulated scenarios representing different oil-in-water content levels.
2Reliability
If disposal pressure increases due to oil-in-water emulsions, then the indication of separation deficiency is improved, but the oil processing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes feedback by continuously monitoring disposal pressure and comparing it against hydraulic model predictions. When pressure deviations indicate emulsion presence, the system provides feedback about separation efficiency, enabling operators to adjust separation processes and maintain optimal oil processing capability while detecting quality issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic simulation model performs preliminary assessment of disposal pressure under various emulsion scenarios before actual disposal occurs. This allows operators to predict and prevent processing disruptions by identifying emulsion formation trends early, taking corrective separation actions before pressure increases impact oil processing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include a method for oil-in-water content. A water injection hydraulic simulation model is calibrated using water disposal pressures and rates of a water disposal system of a gas oil separation plant, including generating baseline disposal pressures and disposal rates. The model is updated based on lab results estimating emulsion viscosity at different oil-in-water content levels. A sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate changes in disposal pressures relative to the baseline in response to changes in water quality based on an oil-in-water emulsion content. Curves of disposal pressures versus disposal rates at different oil-in-water concentrations are generated using the changes in the disposal pressures. Changes in disposal pressures and disposal rates of the water disposal system are recorded, and the changes are compared against the generated curves. An oil-in-water content corresponding to a change in the disposal pressure is determined using the water injection hydraulic simulation model.