Automated Pipeline Interchange with Real-Time Transmix Segregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pipeline systems face challenges in managing and analyzing the blending of different petroleum products, such as crude oils, due to their unique physical and chemical characteristics, which requires frequent sampling and stopping of pipelines, leading to inefficiencies and product loss.

Innovation Solution

An automated pipeline interchange system that includes an automated analyzer connected to the upstream pipeline to analyze samples and generate data, allowing an automatic splitter to direct the product into multiple downstream pipelines, including a transmix pipeline, enabling near-instantaneous analysis and efficient separation or combination of petroleum products without stopping the pipeline flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pipeline flow is stopped for sampling and analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct analysis accuracyVSAvoidpipeline throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by continuously analyzing product samples as they flow through the pipeline, rather than stopping to analyze. The automated analyzer continuously monitors product characteristics, and the splitter is pre-programmed with specification limits to make real-time decisions about batch segregation, eliminating the need to stop production for analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the pipeline flowing continuously while performing analysis and decision-making operations. The automated analyzer and splitter work in real-time during normal pipeline operation, ensuring that the beneficial action of product transport and analysis continues without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Measurement precision

If pipeline flow is stopped for sampling, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct analysis accuracyVSAvoidtime for analysis and batch separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If manual sampling methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct analysis accuracyVSAvoidsampling and analysis system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automating the sampling, analysis, and decision-making processes. The automated analyzer continuously takes and analyzes product samples without human intervention, and the programmable splitter automatically makes segregation decisions based on real-time analysis data, eliminating the need for manual sampling operations and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical sampling operations with automated analytical instruments. The automated analyzer uses scientific measurement techniques to continuously monitor product characteristics, replacing the need for manual hydrometer measurements and laboratory analysis, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pipelines are used for different products, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct handling flexibilityVSAvoidpipeline interchange system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamics by making the pipeline configuration adaptable and changeable. The programmable splitter can dynamically redirect product flow to different pipelines based on real-time product characteristics and destination requirements. This dynamic capability allows a single pipeline interchange system to handle multiple different products and routing scenarios, providing adaptability without requiring completely separate fixed infrastructure for each product type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11320095B2Pipeline interchange/transmix

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 PHILLIPS 66 CO

AI summary

In one embodiment, a pipeline interchange flows a product through an upstream pipeline. An automated analyzer is connected to the upstream pipeline, wherein the automated analyzer analyzes a sample of the product, and wherein the analyzer is capable of analyzing different physical and/or chemical characteristics of the product and generating a data sample. An automatic splitter is then placed downstream of the automated slipstream analyzer. In this embodiment, the automatic splitter is capable of receiving and interpreting the data sample from the automated analyzer and directing the product into at least three different downstream pipelines, wherein at least one of the downstream pipelines is a transmix pipeline and wherein at least one of the downstream pipelines returns the product upstream of the automated analyzer.