Pipeline Interchange Blending With Real-Time Product Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipeline systems face challenges in managing and analyzing the blending of different petroleum products with unique physical and chemical characteristics, requiring near-instantaneous analytical results to optimize product separation or combination, while existing methods are inefficient and costly, often involving pipeline stoppages or significant product loss.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline interchange system with automated analyzers that continuously analyze products from multiple pipelines, allowing for real-time data generation and communication to adjust product flow to achieve desired characteristics in blended products, using automated splitters and data analyzers to direct products into appropriate downstream pipelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional analytical methods are used to analyze petroleum products in pipelines, then product specifications can be verified, but pipeline stoppages are required which reduce productivity and increase loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sampling methods (hydrometers, manual sampling) with automated analytical instruments that can analyze products directly in the pipeline flow. This substitution eliminates the need to stop the pipeline for sampling and analysis, maintaining continuous operation while achieving precise product specification verification through automated detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces automated analytical instruments as intermediaries between the flowing petroleum product and the analysis process. These instruments can extract samples continuously from the flowing pipeline or analyze the product in-line, serving as a mediator that enables verification without interrupting the pipeline flow, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and productivity.
2Productivity
If samples are taken from flowing pipelines for analysis, then pipeline operation can continue, but large quantities of refined product flow through before analytical results are generated causing loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing automated analysis continuously on products as they flow through the pipeline, rather than waiting to collect samples for later analysis. The automated instruments are positioned to analyze products in real-time or near real-time, generating results before the product reaches its destination or before batch switching is needed, thus eliminating the time delay between sampling and result generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual sampling and laboratory analysis processes with automated analytical instruments that provide rapid results. This substitution dramatically reduces the time required to generate analytical results while maintaining pipeline continuity, as the automated systems can process samples much faster than traditional methods and provide immediate feedback for operational decisions.
3Productivity
If multiple different types of crude oil are managed in the same pipeline system, then transportation efficiency is improved, but complexity of managing and analyzing different physical and chemical characteristics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single automated analytical instrument system that can analyze multiple different types of petroleum products for multiple different physical and chemical characteristics. The system is designed to handle various crude oils and refined products uniformly, providing comprehensive analysis without requiring separate specialized equipment for each product type, thus managing complexity while maintaining transportation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where automated analytical instruments continuously monitor the physical and chemical characteristics of different crude oils in the pipeline system. The results are fed back to the control system, which automatically adjusts pipeline operations, blending ratios, and routing decisions to optimize transportation efficiency while managing the complexity of multiple product types. This closed-loop feedback system handles the complexity automatically rather than requiring manual management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If pipeline operators send different products in batches through a central pipeline, then transportation flexibility is improved, but the complexity of tracking and analyzing each batch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses automated analytical instruments positioned at strategic points in the pipeline to provide continuous feedback on product characteristics. This feedback enables the system to automatically track batches, identify product transitions, and analyze each batch's properties without manual intervention. The automated feedback loop handles the complexity of batch tracking by continuously monitoring and recording data, allowing flexible batch transportation while managing analysis complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces automated analytical instruments as intermediaries that facilitate batch tracking and analysis. These instruments serve as mediators between the flowing products and the tracking system, automatically identifying product types, measuring characteristics, and providing data for batch management. This intermediary automation reduces the complexity of tracking multiple batches by handling the analysis and identification processes automatically rather than requiring complex manual tracking systems.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a pipeline interchange is described where a first product flows through a first pipeline and a second product flows through a second pipeline. In this embodiment, a first product automated analyzer is situated near the first pipeline to physical and/or chemically analyze the first product and generate first product data. Additionally, in this embodiment, a second product automated analyzer is situated near the second pipeline to physical and/or chemically analyze the second product and generate second product data. A pipeline interchange is connected downstream to both the first pipeline and the second pipeline, wherein the pipeline interchange blends the first product flowing through the first pipeline with the second product flowing through the second pipeline. A third pipeline is connected downstream to the pipeline interchange, wherein the third pipeline flows a blended product created from the blending of the first product and the second product in the pipeline interchange. A data analyzer is also positioned to interpret the first product data and the second product data and communicate adjustments to the flow of both the first product and the second product to achieve desired physical and/or chemical characteristics in the blended product.