SPR Sensor for Real-Time Asphaltene Deposition Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring asphaltene deposition in crude oil lack real-time sensitivity and accuracy, particularly during flow assurance operations, as they require lengthy experiments and struggle to detect initial adsorbed layers and variations in deposition thickness, leading to inadequate online feedback and flowline impairment.
Innovation Solution
A novel optical sensor system utilizing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology, which includes a flow cell with a metallic film and polychromatic light source, allows for real-time measurement of asphaltene deposition by analyzing spectral data from reflected light, enabling the detection of phase transitions and asphaltene onset conditions within hydrocarbon-based analytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods (visual observation, light scattering, refractive index) are used to detect asphaltene precipitation, then measurement can be performed, but real-time sensitivity and accuracy are insufficient, particularly for detecting initial adsorbed layers and variations in deposition thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical and optical measurement systems (visual observation, light scattering, refractive index measurements) with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology. SPR provides real-time, label-free detection of asphaltene deposition by measuring changes in refractive index at the sensor surface, enabling detection of initial adsorbed layers and thin deposition layers that were undetectable by previous methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters (refractive index, mass, thickness) of the asphaltene deposit as it forms on the sensor surface. By monitoring these parameter changes in real-time through SPR, the system can detect the onset of asphaltene precipitation and track deposition progression without requiring lengthy experimental procedures.
2Reliability
If flowline deposition experiments are conducted to monitor asphaltene deposition, then deposition can be measured, but the methods lack sensitivity to observe initial adsorbed asphaltene layers and require significant runtimes of 50-100 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pre-coated sensor surface that is prepared in advance with a specific coating designed to attract and retain asphaltenes. This preliminary preparation enables immediate detection of asphaltene deposition when crude oil is introduced, eliminating the need for lengthy experiment runtimes while maintaining reliable measurement of deposition processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional flowline deposition experiment setups (requiring long tubing, multiple pressure transducers, and extensive runtime) with a compact SPR sensor system. The SPR technology provides real-time optical detection of asphaltene layers forming on the sensor surface, achieving both high reliability and rapid results within minutes rather than hours or days.
3Measurement precision
If multiple pressure transducers with overlapping dynamic ranges are used to achieve required sensitivity, then deposition can be measured, but the device complexity increases with long tube lengths and multiple sensor ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex flowline systems with multiple pressure transducers and long tubing. By using SPR technology, the entire deposition detection process is consolidated into a single sensor chip with a metallic film coating, eliminating the need for multiple transducers, long tubes, and complex configurations while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a thin metallic film (typically gold) deposited on the SPR sensor chip surface. This thin film serves as both the sensing element and the functional coating for asphaltene deposition, providing a simple yet highly sensitive detection platform that replaces complex multi-component systems.
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 SPR sensor system provides rapid and accurate detection of asphaltene deposition onset and density, enabling real-time monitoring and improved flow assurance by correlating SPR peak wavelength with refractive index and density, thus preventing flowline impairment and equipment failures.
Implementation Method 1
A light source is configured to generate polychromatic light. At least one optical element is configured to direct polychromatic light produced by the light source for supply to an interface of the metallic film under conditions of surface plasmon resonance
Implementation Method 2
At least one spectrometer is operably coupled to the at least one optical element and is configured to measure spectral data of polychromatic light reflected at the interface of the metallic film
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor includes a flow cell permitting flow of a hydrocarbon-based analyte therethrough. A metallic film is disposed adjacent or within the flow cell. At least one optical element directs polychromatic light for supply to an interface of the metallic film under conditions of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and directs polychromatic light reflected at the interface of the metallic film (which is sensitive to SPR at such interface and thus provides an SPR sensing region within the flow cell) for output to at least one spectrometer that measures spectral data of such polychromatic light. A computer processing system is configured to process the measured spectral data over time as the hydrocarbon-based analyte flows through the flow cell to determine SPR peak wavelength over time and to process the SPR peak wavelength over time to determine at least one property related to phase transition of the analyte.