Texaco Inc.

Other

Texaco Ijn Inc

Michael G Durrett

Gregory J Hatton

David A Helms

John D Marrelli

Earl L Dowty

Joseph D Stafford

Wayne F Warren

Clifford L Redus

Lisa L Pepin

Paul Ellis Brickhouse

Gary E Collier

David J Stavish

Steven M Stockman

Raymond C Hedges

The watercut of fluid in a mulitphase flow is measured. Microwave energy in the 10 Ghz range is transmitted through a test call having flow passing therein through a known geometry. Attenuation and phase shift of the microwave energy is measured and used to derive the wave number of the microwaves in the unknown fluid. The water fraction of the unknown fluid is then determined from the wave number and the known geometry of the test all using Hannai's equation.

Determination of the watercut of a multiphase flow directly from

The gas fraction and the slip velocity are proportional to the difference in dielectric readings taken in a vertically upward flowing stream of oil/water/gas and in a vertically downwardly flowing stream of the same mixture. Actual water cuts are obtained by appropriately adjusting the dielectric water cut readings.

Method of standard dielectric water cut measurement with small gas

The means and method of the present invention includes a source of microwave energy and associated elements which provide microwave energy to a petroleum stream. Other circuitry include elements which receive microwave energy from the petroleum stream. Electronic apparatus provides at least one outputs utilizing the provided microwave energy, the received microwave energy and known values for 100 percent oil, 100 percent gas and 100 percent water, corresponding to a ratio of gas to liquid. From the readings of attenuation and phase shift, an estimate of the proportions in the mix is extracted by interpolation.

Means and method for analyzing a petroleum stream

A system determines the relative amounts of phases in multiphase flow, typically the liquid (or gas) fraction of a stream in two-phase flow. More particularly, the system quickly and reliably determines the liquid (or gas) fraction of a flowing two-phase stream, such as a process stream commonly found in chemical processing or in petroleum production operations. The system yields accurate results regardless of the exact flow regime under which the two-phase stream is flowing.

Volume meter system

A multiphase petroleum stream pipeline analyzer including a defoaming device connected to an upstream section of the pipeline which reduces foam in the petroleum stream. Apparatus stratifies the petroleum stream after defoaming by causing the stream to flow down a decline at a predetermined angle to the horizontal. A device traps gas released during stratification and provides the gas to an accumulator. Liquid exits from the trap device and is allowed to re-enter the downstream section of the pipeline. The accumulator also accumulates gas from the defoaming operation and the stratification. The gas is allowed to exit from the accumulator to the downstream section of the pipeline so as to recombine the petroleum stream. A plurality of sensors monitor liquid and gas in the trap, and exit from the trap and the accumulator for various conditions of the liquid and the gas and provides corresponding signals. A water cut monitor provides a signal corresponding to the water cut of the liquid. A computer having data relating to characteristics of the gas, the liquid, and produced water, entered therein, provides at least one output relating to at least one of the flow rates of gas, oil and water, in accordance with the signals from the sensors and from the water cut monitor.

Petroleum stream analyzing means and method

A method and apparatus for improving mixing of fluids has at least two static mixing stages connected in series with a bypass valve connected in parallel across each but the last of the mixing units. The capacity of each downstream mixing unit should be such that its minimum flow requirements overlap the opening point for the check valve of the preceding mixing unit. Pressure drops exceeding predetermined limits cause the bypass valves to open allowing fluid flow therethrough thereby preventing further pressure drop through the mixing unit.

Static mixing system with high turndown ratios to minimize pressure drops

A system and method for obtaining a rapid determination of the volumetric flow rate of a multi-phase fluid stream comprised of crude oil, water and gas. The gaseous component of the stream is first segregated to allow a measurement of the volumetric relationship between the respective liquid phases. Thereafter, the density of the remaining liquids is made. Translation of the values obtained by such measurements permits the system to function at a remote source of the multi-phase fluid.

Fluid flow volumetric determination apparatus and method

A dual frequency microwave water cut monitor includes a microwave source which provides microwave energies at two different frequencies to a circulator which in turn provides the microwave energies to an antenna. The antenna provides the microwave energies to a petroleum stream and also receives reflected microwave energy back from the stream. The reflected microwave energy is provided by the antenna to the circulator which in turn provides the reflected microwave energies as test microwave energies. A detector assembly connected to the circulator detects the intensities of the test microwave energies and provides a corresponding intensity signal. Indicator apparatus connected to the circulator to the microwave source and to the detector assembly provides an indication of the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the intensity signal and the phase difference between one of the source provided microwave energies and its corresponding test microwave energy.

Dual frequency microwave water cut monitoring means and method

A petroleum stream microwave water cut monitor includes test cell means which contains a reference petroleum multiphase fluid sample and which has a sample stream of a petroleum stream passing through it. The test cell is maintained at a predetermined temperature. A source provides microwave energy to one of a first pair of antennae which provides the petroleum stream flowing in the test cell or the reference sample in the test cell with microwave energy. One of a second pair of antennae receives the microwave energy that has passed through either the petroleum stream or the reference sample. A detector detects the received microwave energy and provides a signal corresponding thereto. An indicator provides an indication of the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the received signal power and a phase difference between the source provided microwave energy and the received microwave energy.

Microwave water cut monitor with temperature controlled test cell

A co-variance microwave water cut monitor includes a test cell having a petroleum stress flowing through it while permitting the microwave energy to enter the test cell. A microwave source provides microwave energy to a circulator which in turn provides the microwave energy to an antenna. The antenna provides the petroleum stream in the test cell with the microwave energy and receives reflected microwave energy back from the stream. The reflected microwave energy is provided by the antenna to the circulator which in turn provides the reflected microwave energy as test microwave energy. A detector assembly connected to the circulator detects the intensity of the test microwave energy and provides a corresponding intensity signal. Indicator apparatus connected to the circulator to the microwave source and to the detector assembly provides an indication of the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the intensity signal and the phase difference between the source provided microwave energy and the test microwave energy.

Co-variance microwave water cut monitoring means and method

A petroleum stream microwave water cut monitor includes test cell means which contains a reference petroleum multiphase fluid sample and which has a sample stream of a petroleum stream passing through it. A source transmits microwave energy to one of a first pair of antennae which irradiates the petroleum stream flowing in the test cell or the reference sample in the test cell with microwave energy. One of a second pair of antennae receives the microwave energy that has passed through either the petroleum stream or the reference sample. A detector detects the received microwave energy and provides a signal corresponding thereto. An indicator provides an indication of the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the received signal power and a phase difference between the transmitted microwave energy and the received microwave energy.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Michael G Durrett