Live Crude Phase Separator and Gas Chromatograph Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analyzing pressurized fluids containing both liquid and vapor phases, such as live crude oil, is challenging due to the difficulty in maintaining equipment for both phases at production sites, leading to disadvantages like contamination and increased costs from transporting samples to centralized testing facilities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that separates the fluid into vapor and liquid phases using a phase separator and gas chromatograph, allowing for on-site analysis of both phases, including the use of a sample vessel with a piston to manage pressure and temperature, and a gas chromatograph to analyze the vapor and liquid phases, with the option to perform headspace analysis for the liquid phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If equipment for analyzing both liquid and vapor phases is maintained at the production site, then on-site analysis capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the analysis equipment into separate modules: a vapor phase analysis module and a liquid phase analysis module. Each module is independently configured and can be selectively deployed based on the specific analysis needs, reducing the complexity of maintaining complete dual-phase equipment at all locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas chromatograph is designed to perform multiple functions by analyzing both vapor phase samples directly and liquid phase samples through headspace analysis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for completely separate analysis systems for different phases, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining on-site analysis capability.
2Device complexity
If samples are transported to centralized testing facilities, then analysis equipment complexity is reduced, but loss of time and increased transportation costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary analysis actions to be performed on-site at the production facility. By configuring appropriate analysis equipment at the location, samples can be analyzed immediately upon collection, eliminating the time delay associated with transportation to centralized facilities while maintaining reasonable equipment complexity through selective module deployment.
3Ease of manufacture
If samples are transported to centralized testing facilities, then equipment maintenance burden is reduced, but contamination risks and transportation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis system is segmented into modular components that can be independently maintained and calibrated. This segmentation allows for easier local maintenance of individual modules at the production site, reducing the need for frequent sample transportation to centralized facilities and thereby minimizing contamination risks during transit.
4Measurement precision
If frequent testing and retesting are performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous analysis operations by maintaining the gas chromatograph and associated equipment at the production site. This continuous presence allows for immediate retesting and frequent analysis without interruption for sample transportation, thereby improving measurement precision through multiple measurements while minimizing time loss.
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, on-site compositional analysis of both vapor and liquid phases, reducing contamination risks, transportation costs, and time delays, while allowing for frequent testing and quick retesting, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of fluid composition determination.
Implementation Method 1
a phase separator adapted to separate the composition into a vapor and a liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
A gas chromatograph is adapted to receive at least a portion of the vapor phase and perform a compositional analysis on the vapor phase
Implementation Method 3
An inlet coupled to the gas chromatograph is adapted to withdraw at least a portion of the headspace vapor from the container and into the gas chromatograph
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analyzing a composition including live crude includes separating the composition into a vapor phase and a liquid phase. A composition of the vapor phase is determined with a gas chromatograph. At least a portion of the liquid phase is deposited in a vessel, and a headspace vapor phase is collected from the vessel. A composition of the headspace vapor is determined with the gas chromatograph.