Neutron Backscatter Dewatering for Hydrocarbon Tank Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrocarbon storage tanks face challenges in maintaining the quality of hydrocarbons due to water accumulation, which can deviate from desired specifications if not properly dewatered, and existing methods are inefficient and expose hydrocarbons to the environment during manual dewatering.
Innovation Solution
An automatic dewatering system utilizing a neutron backscatter sensor and processor to detect the elevation of fluid layers within the tank, actuating a valve to drain the water layer while preventing the interface layer from being exposed, using a neutron emitting device to continuously emit neutrons and sense backscattered neutrons to determine the fluid layer elevations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If manual dewatering methods are used, then labor costs increase and hydrocarbons are exposed to the environment, but the dewatering process can be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical dewatering operations with an automated neutron backscatter detection system coupled with a programmable controller. The system uses neutron backscatter measurements to automatically detect fluid interfaces and control the dewatering process, eliminating the need for manual intervention and environmental exposure of hydrocarbons.
Solution Approach 2:
The dewatering system is designed to operate autonomously using the neutron backscatter sensor to continuously monitor fluid levels and automatically actuate the drain valve through the programmable controller. The system serves itself by making real-time decisions based on neutron backscatter readings without requiring external manual control, thereby preventing environmental exposure.
2Reliability
If the dewatering process is automated using neutron backscatter detection, then hydrocarbon quality is maintained and environmental exposure is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a programmable controller as an intermediary between the neutron backscatter sensor and the drain valve actuator. This intermediary processes the neutron backscatter measurements and automatically controls the dewatering process, ensuring hydrocarbon quality maintenance while managing system complexity through automated decision-making logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by using the neutron backscatter sensor to monitor fluid interface positions in real-time and automatically adjusting the drain valve operation through the programmable controller. This feedback mechanism ensures that dewatering stops precisely when the hydrocarbon-water interface reaches the drain outlet, maintaining hydrocarbon quality without requiring complex manual monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If neutron backscatter sensor is positioned 1 to 3 inches above the fluid outlet, then accurate detection of fluid interface is achieved, but the sensor must be precisely positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the neutron backscatter sensor be pre-positioned at a fixed distance of 1 to 3 inches above the drain outlet during system installation. This preliminary positioning ensures that the sensor is optimally located to detect the hydrocarbon-water interface at the critical moment when it reaches the drain outlet, achieving accurate measurement without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
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 efficiently dewatering hydrocarbon storage tanks maintains hydrocarbon quality, reduces labor costs, and prevents environmental exposure of hydrocarbons by automatically controlling the drainage process based on neutron backscatter readings.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to sense neutrons backscattered from at least one of the first fluid layer and the interface layer, the neutrons emitted by a neutron emitting device
Data Source
AI summary
A method of dewatering a hydrocarbon storage tank carrying a first fluid layer that includes a first hydrogen concentration and a second fluid layer that includes a second hydrogen concentration includes receiving, from a sensor and by a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor, a value representing an amount of backscattered neutrons sensed by the sensor. The sensor is attached to a surface of a wall of the tank adjacent a fluid outlet of the storage tank. The sensor is configured to sense neutrons backscattered from the first fluid layer and an interface layer. The method includes comparing, by the processor, the value to a threshold, and actuating, by the processor, a valve fluidically coupled to the outlet of the storage tank to drain the first fluid layer from the storage tank while preventing the interface layer from leaving the storage tank.