Multiphase Fluid Characterization Using Time Series Extrema

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for accurately determining the water content in crude petroleum oil are plagued by uncertainties due to variations in hydrocarbon composition, salinity, and phase behavior, leading to inaccuracies in on-line measurements and increased risks during transportation and processing.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a combination of density and electromagnetic characterization measurements, with auto-calibration and correction techniques to improve the accuracy of water-cut determination in multiphase fluid streams, reducing errors and providing real-time data for decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If on-line electromagnetic characterization measurements are used to determine water content, then real-time data is available for decision-making, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variations in hydrocarbon composition, salinity, and phase behavior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime for water content determinationVSAvoidaccuracy of water-cut measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors multiple parameters (density, electromagnetic properties, temperature, pressure) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust calibration factors and compensate for variations in hydrocarbon composition, salinity, and phase behavior, maintaining measurement precision while providing real-time data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes multiple parameters simultaneously - using combined density and electromagnetic measurements, applying temperature and pressure corrections, and dynamically adjusting calibration factors based on observed variations in hydrocarbon composition and salinity, thereby maintaining accuracy in real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple calibration parameters are used to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of water-cut measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of calibration system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a multi-functional approach where a single measurement device simultaneously measures multiple parameters (density, electromagnetic properties, temperature, pressure), and a unified calibration model processes all these parameters together to determine water content, reducing the need for separate specialized devices while maintaining high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If physical separation methods are used to remove water from oil, then water content is reduced, but productivity decreases due to incomplete separation and equipment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater content in crude oilVSAvoidoil production efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces mechanical physical separation methods with electromagnetic characterization and density-based measurement and calculation methods, allowing water content determination without requiring complex separation equipment, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving accurate water content assessment and removal optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enhances the accuracy of water-cut measurements, reduces uncertainties caused by variable salinity and phase behavior, and enables near-real-time decision-making by providing more precise physical and electrical property measurements, thereby improving the efficiency and safety of petroleum processing and transportation.

Implementation Method 1

a component which measures the density of a multiphase fluid flow stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity measurement:

Implementation Method 2

a component which measures the one or more electrical properties of said fluid flow stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic characterization: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentUS7457714B2Autocalibrated multiphase fluid characterization using extrema of time series

Publication Date: 2008.11.25 PHASE DYNAMICS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for determining the fraction of a first phase of a multiphase fluid flow stream, such as the amount of water in crude petroleum oil flowing from a production well or container. An electrical property, such as permittivity, and a physical property, such as density, are used as the basis of the improved characterization. The method is particularly well-suited to reduce salinity-dependent uncertainties for wells experiencing high water cuts. A time series of measurements is collected, and the extrema of the observed values are used to generate a hindsight auto-calibration and correction to the other values using knowledge of the degree of uncertainty in the measurements caused by variable salinity and variable phase state of the multiphase fluid. The hindsight auto-calibration and corrections thus permit more accurate measurements of the instantaneous and the cumulative amounts of each phase in the multiphase fluid flow stream.