Inline Optical Fluid Analyzer Solvent Cleaning System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inline optical devices used for monitoring fluids in pipelines face fouling issues with residue buildup on optical windows, leading to reduced accuracy and the need for time-consuming disassembly and cleaning, which is particularly problematic in aggressive environments.

Innovation Solution

An inline optical fluid analyzer system that includes a solvent dispenser to inject a solvent into the flow path, allowing for in-situ cleaning of optical sampling windows, maintaining real-time monitoring capabilities and reducing the need for physical disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If disassembly and physical cleaning of optical windows is performed, then residue removal is achieved, but time consumption and operational downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical window cleanlinessVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning operations with an automated in-line cleaning system that uses a solvent delivery mechanism to remove residues from optical windows continuously during operation, eliminating the need for disassembly and manual wiping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical analyzer performs self-cleaning through an integrated solvent delivery system that automatically removes residues from optical windows during normal operation, without requiring external intervention or system shutdown

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If in-line optical monitoring is implemented, then real-time fluid analysis is achieved, but optical window fouling reduces measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time monitoring capabilityVSAvoidoptical measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cleaning actions by continuously delivering solvent to optical windows before significant fouling occurs, preventing residue buildup that would interfere with optical measurements and maintaining measurement precision throughout operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning system operates continuously during fluid analysis, maintaining optical window cleanliness without interrupting the real-time monitoring function, ensuring both productivity and measurement precision are sustained simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If frequent disassembly for cleaning is performed, then optical window residue is removed, but device complexity and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical window cleanlinessVSAvoidcleaning operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual disassembly and reassembly operations with a simple automated solvent delivery system that requires no mechanical intervention, significantly simplifying the cleaning operation while maintaining effective residue removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-cleaning through an automated solvent delivery mechanism that eliminates the need for operator intervention in the cleaning process, reducing operational complexity while ensuring consistent optical window cleanliness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 efficient and real-time cleaning of optical windows, maintaining accurate fluid analysis and reducing downtime, while allowing for proactive management of fluid flow and contamination in the oil and gas industry and other applications.

Implementation Method 1

providing a solvent to the flow path from a solvent dispenser fluidly coupled to the inlet, and at least partially removing a residue built up on the one or more sampling windows with the solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS8760644B2Systems and methods for cleaning an inline optical fluid analyzer

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Disclosed are systems and methods for cleaning optical windows used in an inline optical fluid analyzer. One system includes a sampling module having an inlet and an outlet and a flow path extending therebetween, the flow path being fluidly coupled to a pipeline containing a fluid, at least one optical computing device arranged within the sampling module in optical communication with the flow path and configured to monitor a sample flow of the fluid for one or more characteristics of the fluid, the at least one optical computing device having one or more optical sampling windows in contact with the sample flow of the fluid, and a solvent dispenser fluidly coupled to the flow path and configured to provide a solvent to the flow path to remove a residue built up on the one or more sampling windows.