AU651078B2 - Variable mode microwave water cut monitor and method - Google Patents

Description

Form Form COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR OFFICE USE 0 so 0 0000

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Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art:

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S. S S. S 5* *5 TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: TEXACO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Address of Applicant: 2000 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NEW YORK 10650, U.S.A.

Actual Inventor: John David Marrelli and David John Stavish Address for Service: GRIFFITH HACK CO 71 YORK STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: VARIABLE MODE MICROWAVE WATER CUT MONITOR AND

METHOD

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 10447-RE:PJW:RK 1371A:rk la VARIABLE MODE MICROWAVE WATER CUT MONITOR AND METHOD The present invention relates to water cut monitors in general and, more particularly, to microwave water cut monitors, i.e. to apparatus for monitoring the percentage water content by volume in a fluid such as a petroleum stream in a pipe.

According to the invention there is provided a variable mode microwave water cut monitor for monitoring the water cut of a petroleum stream in a pipe, the monitor comprising: a test cell for containing a fluid sample of the petroleum stream; fluid sample providing means for controlling the flow of a fluid sample from the pipe to the test cell, the fluid sample providing means comprising: a first inlet arranged within the pipe to permit a fluid sample to flow within the first inlet, arnd a first valve connecting the first inlet to the test cell and responsive to a first control signal to control the flow of the fluid sample from the pipe to the test *g cell; o :the first valve being a first three way valve having a first entrance port connected to the first inlet, a second entrance port, and an exist port connected to the 25 test cell and responsive to the first control signal to pass a fluid present at its first entrance port to the exit port, to pass a fluid present at its second entrance port to the exit port or not to pass any fluid present at any entrance port; oi 30 a second inlet connected to the second entrance port of the first three way valve and to the pipe for .receiving a fluid sample from the pipe; fluid sample exit means for controlling the flow of the fluid sample from the test cell, the fluid sample exit means comprising: a first outlet arranged with the pipe to allow the fluid sample to flow through the first outlet into the pipe, and S:P10447RE/703 Ib a second valve connecting the test cell to the first outlet and responsive to a second control signal to control the flow of the fluid sample from the test cell to the first outlet; control means connected to the fluid sample providing means and to the fluid sample exit means for controlling the fluid sample providing means and the fluid sample exit means to effect selective operation of the monitor in a normal petroleum stream test mode and in at least two calibration modes; a source of microwave energy; a first antenna connected to the source for transmitting microwave energy into the fluid sample in the test cell; a second antenna for receiving microwave energy that has passed through the fluid sample in the test cell; a detector connected to the second antenna for detecting the power of the received microwave energy and providing a power signal representative thereof; and an indicator connected to the second antenna, to the source and to the detector to provide an indication of the water cut of the sample fluid in accordance with the a. o. power signal and the phase difference between the transmitted microwave energy and the received microwave 25 energy.

The objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the o: detailed description which follows, taken together with •the accompanying drawing wherein one embodiment of the 30 invention is illustrated by way of examiple. It is to be Q expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for e illustration purposes and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention.

S:P10447RE/703 Figure 1 is a partial simplified block diagram and a partial schematic of a variable mode microwave water cut monitor constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a drawing of the test cell shown in Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional drawings of the test cell shown in Figure 2.

oe SThe water cut monitor shown in Figure 1 includes a R S o microwave source 3 providing electromagnetic energy, hereinafter referred to as microwave energy, at a microwave frequency. Source 3 is low powered and may use a microwave gun source. Source 3 provides microwave energy to directional coupler 4. Directional coupler 4 provides microwave energy to a conventional type voltage controlled phase shifter means and to an antenna 7 in a test cell 8. All conductance or S. carrying of microwave energy is accomplished by using conventional type waveguides and coaxial cables.

0:6*Test cell 8 has a line 10 connected to it to carry a sample fluid entering cel2 8. The sample fluid leaves test cell 8 by way of a line 11. Test cell 8 and the sample fluid will be described in more detail hereinafter. Suffice to say at this point that microwave energy from antenna 7 passes through the sample fluid and is received by an antenna 9. The microwave energy received by antenna 9 leaves test cell 8, and is provided as test microwave energy to a directional coupler 18. Directional coupler 18 provides the test microwave energy to a detector 22-and to a mixer 28. Detector 22 provides a -2signal El corresponding to the power of the microwave energy leaving test cell 8.

Phase shifter means 5 provides microwave energy, hereinafter called the reference microwave energy, to mixer 28 which mixes the reference microwave energy and the test microwave energy to provide two electrical signals E2, E3, representative of the phases of the reference microwave energy and the test microwave energy, respectively.

A differential amplifier 30 provides an output signal EQ in accordance with the difference between signals E2 and E3.

**Signal EQ is a function of the phase. difference between the reference microwave energy and the test microwave energy and is J provided to a feedback network 34. Feedback network 34 provides a signal C to phase shifter means 5, controlling the e .e phase of the reference microwave energy, and to computer means As a consequence of feedback circuit 34, signal EQ decreases in amplitude to zero at which time there is substantially 90 phase difference between the reference OS*..e S microwave energy and the test microwave energy. At this point phase shifter means 5 signals computer means 40 by the 'enable' signal causing computer means 40 to read signal C which was proportional to the phase difference between the test microwave energy and the reference microwave energy.

oa A temperature sensor 42 senses the temperature of test cell 8, and hence the temperature of the sample fluid in it, and provides a signal T corresponding to the sensed temperature.

Signals El, T and C are provided to computer means which contains within it memory means having data related to phase and power for various percentages of water cuts that could be encountered in the production stream. Phase Shifter also provides an enable signal to computer means 40 allowing -3computer means 40 to utilize signals T, C and El to select the proper water cut value. Computer means 40 provides signals, corresponding to the selected water cut value, to readout means 44 which may be either display means or record means or a combination of the two.

The monitor of the present invention has various modes of operation. In this regard during the test mode of operation an inlet pipe 57 entered into a pipe 60 has a sample stream of a petroleum stream flowing in pipe 60 enter it. The test is to determine the water cut of the petroleum stream.

S. The sample stream is provided to a three-way valve means 64.

As the primary test mode is being discussed, the sample stream passes through three-way valve 64 into pipe 10. The sample stream flows through test cell 8, and pipe 11 and passes through another three-way valve means 68.

•o The sample stream leaves three-way valve means 68 by way of a pipe 71 and flows back into pipe 60. It should be 20 noted that pipe 60 includes a choke 75 which is indicated by

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S the dash line, which causes the petroleum stream to flow faster past outlet pipe 71, thus causing the liquid in line 60 to enter line 57 and exit line 71. Pipe 71 has a stub 77 with a valve 80 which may be used to vent any gases as needed.

In a second mode of operation, an inlet pipe 85 has a valve 87 and provides a sample of the petroleum stream to separation means 94. Valve 87 also may be used to effect an evacuation of fluids from separation means 94. Separation means 94 is connected to three-way valve means 64 by a pipe 97.

Three-way valve 68 is also connected to separation means 100 by a pipe 104. Separation means 100 is also connected to another pipe 108 having a valve 110. Pipe 108 is connected to an exit pipe 115 having a valve 116 which enters into pipe 60. A stub pipe 120 having a valve 125 is connected to pipes 108 and 115 and may be used to vent any gases occurring in those pipes.

With reference to Figure 2, there is shown test cell 8 having a microwave entrance port 140. .On the other side of test cell 8 as represented by dash lines is a microwave exit port 143. Connecting microwave entrance port and microwave exit port is a microwave channel 158.

Also shown in Figure 2 is a fluid channel 148.

Figure 3 has a cut away view of test cell 8 in the direction of the arrows 3-3. There is shown a body 155 which may be made of metal having fluid channel 148 passing through it along one axis and a microwave channel 158 for the microwave energy cut transversely through channel 148.

oo It should also be noted that fluid channel 148 has a rectangular cross-section so that the microwave energy that passes through the fluids, always has the same distance of passage.

Referring to Figure 4, there is a view of test cell 8 in the direction of 4-4, shown in Figure 2. Channel 158 is filled with a solid material 162, such as high density Teflon, that is conductive to microwave energy, except for that portion of channel 158 that forms a cross-section of fluid channel 148.

SCut into body 155 is microwave entrance port 140. Further there is another chamber 170 which connects microwave entrance port 190 and enters into material 162 in channel 158. This is for the insertion of microwave antenna 7, which may be of the commercial type made by Omni Spectra, Part No. 2057-5134 Similarly, microwave exit port 143, for antenna 9, is shown with an additional chamber 175 which enters into material 162.

Basically it is the same type of antenna as is entered with entrance port 140.

The microwave energy when applied to the antenna 7 enters material 162 and is directed to cross channel 148 until it reaches the antenna 9 inserted in exit port 143.

Referring also to Figure 1, lines 10 and 11 are connected in a conventional manner to channel 148 so that the sample fluid in line 10 will flow through test cell 8 if so desired.

As can be seen in Figure 2, temperature sensor 42, which may be a thermocouple, is inserted into a chamber cut into body 155 and thus reads the temperature of body 155 as the :temperature of the reference and as of the production stream tample.

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The second mode of operation, is a calibration mode where the fluid sample in test cell 8 is tested under two static conditions rather than a flowing condition. The first static condition is achieved by permitting the sample fluid to 20 flow through test cell 8 as previously described for the normal S mode of testing and then operating three-way valves 64 and 68 S C.

simultaneously so that there is no longer any flow, thereby entrapping the fluid sample in test cell 8. After a predetermined time delay the fluid sample is tested as has been indicated by the normal operation. It should be noted that all valves, whether they are three-way valve means 64 and 68 or other valve shown are controlled by operation of computer means although they can be controlled from an operator's console.

A single dashed line, "valve control signals", indicates that each valve 80, 87, 110, 116 and 125 and each three way valve means 64 and 68 receives a separate control signal from computer means 40 and is controlled by that signal.

SI I Use of one of two additional static modes of operation, namely a third mode and a fourth mode, generally completes calibration. In the third mode of operation, best suited for high oil content fluids, calibration parameters needed for the water phase may be determined after permitting the fluid sample to flow through lines 57 three-way valve means .64, lines 10 and 11, test cell 8, through three-way valve means 68 into separation means 100. At this point three-way valve means 64 is operated to prevent the fluid from returning back to the petrole.m stream in pipe 60. Valve 110 is then operated so it will 'rlock further flow of the fluid. After a predetermined time delay the fluid sample is tested as has been indicated by the normal operation this measurement provides a calibration signal related to water properties.

In the fourth mode of operation, best suited for high a* s water content fluids, oil measurements are made. Valve 87 is open to permit the fluid sample, to flow into separation means 94 and thence through line 97 to three-way valve means 64. Three-way valve means 64 is controlled to permit the fluid to continue into lines 10 and 11 in test cell 8. After a short of duration of flow from line 11 to line 71 or line 11 to line 104, three-way valve means 68 is operated so as not to permit passage of fluid into either line 104 or line 71. After lines and 11 in test cell 8 are completely filled and hence separation means 94, valve 87 is operated to close it so that it cannot leak back into the petroleum stream. Again after a predetermined time period, measurement is taken using the normal testing techniques mentioned. This measurement provides a calibration signal related to oil properties.

The fifth mode of operation is a flushing mode of operation, but it also fills both separation means. In this respect valves 87, 110 and 116 are activated to the open position so that fluid flows through line 85 into separation means 94 into line 97. Three-way valve means passes the fluid -7from line 97 to lines .10 into test cell 8 which in, turn provides it to line 11. Three-way valve means 68 allows the fluid from line 11 to enter line 104 and into separation means 100. Separation Means 100 then provides the sample fluid through valve 110 into line 108 in turn into line. 115 and through valve 116 and finally back into pipe The fifth mode of operation piL-vides an alternative means of filling separation means 100 and 94. During this operation closing either valve 64 momentarily reveals water data or closing valve 68 momentarily reveals oil data to the computer seans. This alternative can be used in circumstances in which stopping oil flow completely -is to be avoided due to corrosion or fouling problems.

S• In each case above computer means 40 collects phase and amplitude data and uses it to refer to the proper calibration constants in computer means 40 memory. These calibration constants are used to predict the correct water/oil ratio in the fluid normally passing through line 57 to line to line 11 and to line 71.

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Claims (6)

1. A variable mode microwave water cut monitor for monitoring the water cut of a petroleum stream in a pipe, comprising: a test cell for containing a fluid sample oL the petroleum stream; fluid sample providing means for controlling the flow of a fluid sample from the pipe to the test cell, the fluid sample providing means comprising: a first inlet arranged within the pipe to permit a fluid sample to flow within the first inlet, and a first valve connecting the first inlet to the test cell and responsive to a first control signal to control the flow of the fluid sample from the pipe to the test cell; the first valve being a first three way valve having a first entrance port connected to the first inlet, a second entrance port, and an exist port connected to the test cell and responsive to the first control signal to pass a fluid present at its first entrance port to Lhe exit port, to pass a fluid present at its second entrance port to the exit port or not to pass any fluid present at any entrance port; a second inlet connected to the second entrance port of the first three way valve and to the pipe for I receiving a fluid sample from the pipe; fluid sample exit means for controlling the flow of the fluid sample from the test cell, the fluid sample exit means comprising: 30 a first outlet arranged with the pipe to allow the oe fluid sample to flow through the first outlet into the pipe, and a second valve connecting the test cell to the first Soutlet and responsive to a second control signal to control the flow of the fluid sample from the test cell to the first outlet; control means connected to the fluid sample providing means and to the fluid sample exit means for S:P10447RE/703 10 controlling the fluid sample providing means and the fluid sample exit means to effect iective operation of the monitor in a normal petroleum stream test mode and in at least two calibration modes; a source of microwave energy; a first antenna connected to the source for transmitting microwave energy into the fluid sample in the test cell; a second antenna for receiving microwave energy that has passed through the fluid sample in the test cell; a detector connected to the second antenna for detecting the power of the received microwave energy and providing a power signal representative thereof; and an indicator connected to the second antenna, to the source and to the detector to provide an indication of the water cut of the sample fluid in accordance with the power signal and the phase difference between the transmitted microwave energy and the received microwave energy.

2. A monitor according to claim 1 including: means for sensing the temperature of the sample fluid in the test cell. and providing a temperature signal representative thereof; and wherein the indicator provides the indication of the water cut in accordance with the power signal, the temperature signal and the phase difference.

3. A monitor according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the test cell includes a body having a channel therein for the fluid sample and a channel therein for 30 microwave energy passage; wherein the fluid channel and o: e the microwave channel intersect each other substantially at right angles. 0. 4. A monitor according to claim 3 wherein the microwave channel contains a material, except for that portion of the microwave channel that crosses the fluid channel, that is impervious to fluids buts permits passage of the microwave energy. S:P10447RE/703 11 A monitor according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the first antenna is spatially arranged to transmit microwave energy into the microwave channel; and the second antenna is spatially arranged to receive microwave energy from the microwave channel.

6. A monitor according to any one of claims 1 to wherein the second inlet includes: a first pipe arranged with the pipe to permit the fluid sample to flow within the first pipe; a first separator containing the fluid sample for allowing a substantial separation of oil and water to occur, and a third valve connecting the first pipe to the first separator for controlling the flow of a fluid sample into the first separator in response to a third control signal from the control means.

7. A monitor according to claim 6 wherein the second valve is a second three way valve having an entrance port connected to the test cell, a first exit port connected to the first outlet and a second exit port a* and responsive to the second control signal to pass a fluid present at the entrance port to the first exit a port, to pass a fluid present at the entrance port to the second exit port or not to pass a fluid present at the 25 entrance port; and including a second outlet connected to G the second exit port of the second three way valve and to the pipe carrying to petroleum stream for receiving the

9.9 fluid sample from the second three way valve and for 9 affecting the fluid sample. 30 8. A monitor according to claim 7 wherein the second outlet includes: see* a second pipe arranged with the pipe to permit a fluid sample to flow within the second pipe; 9 9 a second separator connected to the second pipe for containing the fluid sample to allow separation of oil and water to occur; and a fourth valve connecting the second separator to T Ithe second pipe to control the flow of a fluid sample S:P10447RE/703 12 f rom the second separator into the pipe in accordance with a fourth control signal. 9. A variable mode microwave water cut monitor substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 4th day of May 1994 TEXACO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION By its Patent Attorney GRIFFITH HACK &CO 0 .0 0 *00S 0000 S S:P1 0447RE/703