Multiphase Fluid Composition Measurement Using Multi-Energy Photon Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the composition of multiphase fluids, such as those in the petroleum industry, do not effectively account for changes in the linear absorption coefficient due to varying salinity and ion composition of produced and injected water, gas, and oil-solvent mixtures, leading to inaccuracies in fluid composition analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that radiate a photon beam through the multiphase fluid at multiple energy levels, using a matrix equation scheme to calculate the composition by accounting for the linear attenuation coefficients of different components, including injected fluids, to accurately determine phase fractions of oil, gas, and water, and their volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional radiation absorption methods are used to measure multiphase fluid composition, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to unaccounted variations in linear absorption coefficient caused by salinity and ion composition changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by measuring radiation absorption at multiple energy levels ( wavelengths) rather than a single level. This allows the system to detect and compensate for variations in linear absorption coefficients caused by salinity and ion composition changes in the multiphase fluid, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring physical modification of the measurement device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-energy-level measurement to multi-energy-level measurement, adding an energy dimension to the measurement process. This dimensional expansion enables the system to differentiate between various fluid components and their compositional variations, improving accuracy while maintaining the same basic measurement apparatus
2Measurement precision
If additional radiation systems are used to account for sand particles and sulfur content, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the multi-energy-level radiation measurement system universal by demonstrating its ability to simultaneously account for multiple factors affecting absorption coefficients - including salinity variations, ion composition, sand particles, and sulfur content - all through the same measurement apparatus without requiring additional specialized systems for each component
3Reliability
If the linear absorption coefficient variations due to salinity and ion composition are not accounted for, then the measurement system remains simple, but the reliability of composition determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the multi-energy-level absorption measurements to continuously update and refine the determination of phase fractions. The system uses the measured absorption data at multiple energy levels to calculate and compensate for the effects of salinity and ion composition variations, creating a self-correcting measurement process that improves reliability through iterative calculation rather than physical modification
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
Enhances the accuracy of multiphase fluid composition measurement by considering the effects of varying salinity and ion composition, improving monitoring and optimization of crude oil production by providing precise phase fraction data.
Implementation Method 1
the absorption of photon beam radiation in a material (including fluids) can be expressed by the following formula: I=Io e−μx where Io is the intensity of the generated radiation, I is the intensity of the transmitted radiation, μ is the linear attenuation coefficient of the material
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product for measuring a composition of a multiphase fluid, including radiating a photon beam through the multiphase fluid and measuring radiation absorption by the multiphase fluid for at least three energy levels to obtain measured radiation absorption data, and providing the measured radiation absorption data to processing unit configured to calculate the composition of the multiphase fluid using the measured radiation absorption data, whereby an effect of an injected fluid on the absorption of the photon beam is taken into account during calculation of the composition of the multiphase fluid.