Mercury Detection in Hydrocarbon Fluids via Slug Flow Optical Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of mercury in hydrocarbon reservoirs poses serious health and safety risks due to its toxic nature and potential for causing metal embrittlement, necessitating effective monitoring and detection methods in oil and natural gas production, transportation, and distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a fluidic device that forms slug flow by combining a hydrocarbon-containing fluid sample with a liquid phase reagent solution containing nanoparticles, which adsorb mercury to form amalgam nanoparticles, followed by optical analysis to determine mercury concentration using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) wavelength shifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If slug flow is used to enhance mercury detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic device is divided into distinct functional sections: a mixer section that generates slug flow patterns, and a reactor section that maintains these slugs for the optical detection process. This segmentation allows the device to achieve complex flow patterns using relatively simple structural components, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
A liquid phase reagent solution containing nanoparticles acts as an intermediary between the hydrocarbon-containing fluid sample and the optical detection system. The nanoparticles adsorb mercury to form amalgam nanoparticles, which then interact with light to produce detectable signals. This intermediary enables sensitive mercury detection while keeping the overall device structure manageable.
2Measurement precision
If nanoparticles are used to adsorb mercury, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concentration of nanoparticles in the liquid phase reagent solution is optimized to balance detection precision with material consumption. By carefully controlling nanoparticle concentration and the flow rates of both the hydrocarbon-containing fluid and reagent solution, the system achieves accurate mercury detection while minimizing nanoparticle usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a controlled excess of nanoparticles beyond the stoichiometric amount needed for complete mercury adsorption. This ensures that all mercury is captured for accurate measurement while the excess nanoparticles remain in the solution for potential reuse, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive loss of substance.
3Measurement precision
If flow rates are controlled for optimal slug flow, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic slug flow patterns where discrete slugs of hydrocarbon-containing fluid alternate with slugs of liquid phase reagent solution. This periodic action allows for precise control of interaction times while maintaining a continuous flow process, thereby achieving both high measurement precision and acceptable productivity through efficient use of flow time.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic device operates in a continuous mode where slug flow patterns are maintained throughout the reactor section, allowing continuous interaction between the hydrocarbon-containing fluid and nanoparticle reagent. This continuity eliminates idle time between samples and maintains optimal detection conditions throughout the process, balancing precision requirements with productivity demands.
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 accurate and reliable detection of mercury concentrations in hydrocarbon fluids, addressing safety concerns and potential embrittlement issues, with the system capable of operating in both downhole and surface-located facilities.
Implementation Method 1
nanoparticles with an affinity to mercury, wherein the nanoparticles are suspended as a colloid in the liquid phase reagent solution
Implementation Method 2
optical analysis that determines concentration of mercury in the sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for detecting mercury in a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stores a sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a first reservoir. A liquid phase reagent solution is stored in a second reservoir. The liquid phase reagent solution includes nanoparticles with an affinity to mercury, wherein the nanoparticles are suspended as a colloid in the liquid phase reagent solution. The sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid is delivered from the first reservoir into a first port of a fluidic device while the liquid phase reagent solution is delivered from the second reservoir into a second port of the fluidic device such that the fluidic device produces slug flow. The slug flow is subject to optical analysis that determines concentration of mercury in the sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid.