Membrane-Coated Sensor Tip for Multiphase Fluid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring crude oil and produced water from hydrocarbon-bearing formations are labor-intensive and prone to errors, requiring laboratory analysis and calibration of multiphase flow meters, which are time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An automated system for continuous analysis of multiphase fluids, involving a separation vessel, demulsifier, fresh water source, and water analysis unit with membrane-coated sensors, allows for real-time measurement and calibration of multiphase flow meters by separating and diluting aqueous liquid phases, enabling precise data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laboratory analysis methods are used to measure crude oil and produced water, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual laboratory analysis procedures with an automated flow meter system that uses electronic sensors and processing units to continuously measure fluid properties. The system automatically separates phases, detects fluid properties, and calculates flow rates without requiring manual laboratory intervention, thereby reducing measurement time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter system operates continuously to monitor fluid flow from the well, eliminating the intermittent nature of laboratory sampling and analysis. The system continuously separates multiphase fluids, measures properties, and updates flow rate calculations in real-time, providing continuous measurement data rather than periodic laboratory results.
2Reliability
If manual laboratory sampling and analysis is performed, then measurement reliability is improved, but operational complexity and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter system performs self-service by automatically completing the entire measurement process including phase separation, property detection, and flow rate calculation. The system uses its own integrated components to process fluids and generate measurements without requiring external laboratory facilities or manual intervention, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter system integrates multiple functions into a single device: it separates multiphase fluids, detects various fluid properties using different sensors, calculates flow rates, and communicates data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate laboratory equipment and manual procedures, reducing operational complexity while maintaining measurement reliability.
3Measurement precision
If conventional sampling and laboratory analysis methods are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but productivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling and laboratory analysis processes with an automated electronic measurement system. The flow meter uses electronic sensors, processing units, and communication systems to rapidly measure fluid properties and calculate flow rates, dramatically increasing measurement efficiency while maintaining accuracy through calibrated sensors and algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters from slow, manual laboratory analysis to rapid, continuous electronic detection. By using multiple sensors to detect different fluid properties simultaneously and processing data in real-time, the system achieves both high accuracy and high productivity, measuring multiple parameters concurrently rather than sequentially.
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 provides near-instantaneous and accurate measurements, reducing labor costs and potential errors, allowing for continuous operation and effective calibration of multiphase flow meters, thereby optimizing well management and resource conservation.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one probe can include an ion-selective electrode
Implementation Method 2
a demulsifier source in fluid communication with the separation vessel and configured to introduce a demulsifier to the first inner chamber of the separation vessel
Implementation Method 3
the crude oil is allowed to separate from produced water in the sample
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for obtaining approximate property data from the aqueous liquid phase of a multiphase fluid produced from a well. The device includes a separation vessel; a demulsifier source; a fresh water source configured to dilute an aqueous liquid phase sample; a water analysis unit configured to receive and analyze the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample, the water analysis unit comprising an analytical cell and at least one probe, the at least one probe having a membrane-coated sensor tip wherein the membrane-coated sensor tip having a membrane coating that comprises a polar material, the at least one probe being configured to measure a property of the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample to obtain diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data; a processing unit configured to calculate approximate aqueous liquid phase data accounting for the measured amount of fresh water used to dilute the measured sample of the aqueous liquid phase.