WO2015019170A1 - Method and device for detecting deposited material - Google Patents
Method and device for detecting deposited material Download PDFInfo
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- WO2015019170A1 WO2015019170A1 PCT/IB2014/001504 IB2014001504W WO2015019170A1 WO 2015019170 A1 WO2015019170 A1 WO 2015019170A1 IB 2014001504 W IB2014001504 W IB 2014001504W WO 2015019170 A1 WO2015019170 A1 WO 2015019170A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
- G01N23/22—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by measuring secondary emission from the material
- G01N23/221—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by measuring secondary emission from the material by activation analysis
- G01N23/222—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by measuring secondary emission from the material by activation analysis using neutron activation analysis [NAA]
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
- G01N23/20—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by using diffraction of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating crystal structure; by using scattering of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating non-crystalline materials; by using reflection of the radiation by the materials
- G01N23/203—Measuring back scattering
- G01N23/204—Measuring back scattering using neutrons
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Abstract
A method and a device for detecting deposited material (1) on an inner wall of a structure (2) at least partially filled with a medium containing hydrocarbons. The device comprises a neutron source (3) arranged to generate a stream of neutrons in a direction towards the structure, and at least one detector unit (4) arranged to measure a flux of scattered neutrons or generated gammas incoming from the structure, and - a computing unit (5) adapted to detect the deposited material based on the measured flux. The detector unit is arranged to detect a first flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by a first atom type based on the measured flux, and to detect a second flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by a second atom type based on the measured flux, and the computing unit is arranged to determine the type of the deposited material based on the detected first and second fluxes.
Description
A method and device for detecting deposited material
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a method and a device for detecting deposited material including wax, hydrate and/or scales on an inner wall of a structure, such as a pipeline, at least partially filled with a medium containing hydrocarbons, such as oil and/or natural gas.
Prior Art
Deposits of material on inner walls of oil pipelines is a severe problem in today's oil production infrastructure. When a warm mixture of oil, gas and water flows through a pipeline with cold walls, wax will precipitate, and hydrates will form and adhere to the walls. This in turn will reduce the flow cross-sectional area of the pipeline, which may lead to increased pressure loss and ultimately to a complete blockage of the pipeline. To determine when remediation techniques, e.g. pigging or heating, have to be applied, it is essential to monitor the growth of deposited material on the walls of the pipeline and to detect when the deposited material has grown thicker than an acceptable threshold value.
Deposits on inner walls of pipelines are currently not directly measured on normal operation conditions. Deposits containing wax are removed by mechanical methods, for example pigging. Deposits are typically removed with a frequency established by the operator based on field experience. Measurements of the thickness of the deposits inside a pipeline make it possible to find a more optimal pigging frequency for reducing downtime as well as for avoiding flow assurance problem. Deposits containing scale or hydrates are removed by chemical methods.
Several techniques have been proposed for measuring the thickness of a layer of deposited material on the inner wall of a pipeline.
WO2010/086238 discloses a method and a device for measuring the thickness of deposit of material, such as wax, on an inner wall of a structure based on vibrations. The method comprises causing vibrations in the structure, detecting the vibrations in the structure, determining the resonance frequency in the structure based on the detected vibrations and determining the thickness of any deposited material on the inner wall of the structure based on the determined resonance frequency. However, it could be difficult to distinguish the vibrations from noise and by that the method has a low accuracy and limited applications for subsea use.
WO2010/087724 discloses a method and a device for measuring the thickness of deposit of material on an inner wall of a structure based on measured temperatures. The method comprises heating the wall of the structure, measuring the temperature of the wall and determining the thickness of any deposit material on the inner wall based on the temperature measurements. A disadvantage with this method is that there is a large uncertainty in the heat transfer coefficient of the wall and the deposited material.
WO2009/051495 discloses a method and a device for measuring the thickness of wax deposit in a pipe by computing temperatures obtained upstream and downstream in the pipe after applying a heat pulse. As for the previous method, there is a large uncertainty in the heat transfer coefficient of the wall and the deposited material and in addition, the measurement requires a direct contact with the wall of the pipe, bypassing the insulation materials.
WO2010/059065 discloses a method and a device for measuring the thickness of deposit of material on an inner wall of a structure based on an image of infrared light projected on the inner wall of structure. The method comprises projecting infrared light onto the inner wall, registering an image of the infrared light projected on the inner wall, and determining the thickness of any deposit material on the inner wall based on the registered image. The method is limited in useful pipe diameters and much image post processing is required.
Abdul-Majid, S. et al, "Hydrocarbon scale deposits measurements by neutron moderation and captured gamma methods", Nuclear Instruments and methods in Physics Research B 119 (1996), pages 433 - 437, discloses methods for measuring hydrocarbon deposits inside pipes by neutron moderation and captured gamma methods.
Object and summary of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for improving the removal of deposited material on the inner wall of a structure.
This object is achieved by a method as defined in claim 1.
The method comprises:
- generating a stream of neutrons in a direction towards the structure,
- measuring a flux of scattered neutrons or generated gammas coming from the structure,
- detecting the deposited material based on the measured flux,
- detecting a first flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by a first atom type based on the measured flux,
- detecting a second flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by a second atom type based on the measured flux, and
- determining the type of the deposited material based on the detected first and second fluxes.
The fluxes of scattered neutrons or generated gammas coming from the structure are measured for at least two energy levels characteristic of at least two different atom types in the deposited material. The method according to the invention makes it possible to detect the presence of deposited material as well as to determine the type of the deposited material. The type of the deposited material provides information about which method to be
used for removing the deposit. For example, if the deposit mainly contains wax, the deposit may be removed by pigging, and if the deposit mainly contains scale or hydrate the deposit may be removed by adding a chemical cleaning substance. Thus, the removal of the deposited material is improved. Furthermore, knowing which type of material the deposited material is composed of, e.g. waxes and selecting only the pigging cleaning process, will save costs in use of the chemicals typically used for removing scales or hydrates.
Suitably, the amount of the deposited material is determined based on the measured flux. The amount of deposited material provides information about whether or not it is time for removal of the deposit. By determining the amount of deposited material, is meant to determine at least one relevant geometric property of the deposited material to make it possible to determine whether the deposited material should be removed or not. For example, the actual thickness of the deposited material can be determined. Alternatively, it can be determined whether the thickness of the deposited material exceeds one or more limit values.
Further, it is possible to have different limit values for the thickness of the deposit depending on the type of deposited material. For example, if the deposit mainly contains wax, the deposit is removed by pigging when the thickness of the deposit is larger than a first limit value, and if the deposit mainly contains scale the deposit is removed by adding a chemical cleaning substance when the thickness of the deposit is larger than a second limit value.
The flux of neutrons or gammas is, for example, detected by measuring the number of neutrons scattered or gammas emitted per unit of time. The flux of neutrons or gammas with a certain energy level can, for example, be detected by measuring the neutron or gamma flux having that energy coming from the structure
According to an embodiment of the invention, it is determined whether the deposited material contains wax, hydrate or scale based on the first and second fluxes. Deposits containing wax, hydrate, or scale may require different methods for its removal. Thus, it is advantageous to have information about the content of the deposit in order to be able to decide which method or methods to be used for removing the deposit.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the first atom type is carbon and the second atom type is hydrogen. For example, the method comprises detecting the flux of gammas or neutrons having an energy level characteristic of carbon, detecting the flux of gammas or neutrons having an energy level characteristic of hydrogen, and determining whether the deposited material contains wax or hydrate based thereon. Wax and hydrate contain different amounts of carbon and hydrogen atoms. By comparing the detected flux having an energy level characteristic of carbon and the detected flux having an energy level characteristic of hydrogen it is possible to determine whether the deposit mainly contains wax or hydrate. Since scale typically does not contain any hydrogen and only little carbon, it
is also possible to determine whether the deposit mainly contains scale based on the detected flux having an energy level characteristic of carbon and the detected flux having an energy level characteristic of hydrogen.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises calculating a relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen of the deposited material based on said determined first and second fluxes, and determining the type of deposited material based on the calculated relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen. For example, the relation is the ratio between the content of carbon and hydrogen, or between the content of hydrogen and carbon. The relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen is calculated by calculating a relation between the detected flux having an energy level characteristic of carbon and the detected flux having an energy level characteristic of hydrogen. By calculating the relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen of the deposited material, it is possible to determine whether the deposited material contains wax, scale or hydrogen. Suitably, the relation is the ratio between the first and second fluxes.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by iron is detected, and it is determined whether the deposited material contains scale based the determined flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of iron. Scale contains iron, but wax and hydrogen do not contain any iron. Thus, this embodiment makes it is possible to determine whether the deposit contains scale.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the flux of scattered neutrons is measured, and the amount and type of the deposited material is determined based on the measured flux of scattered neutrons.
The measured flux includes neutrons scattered by the atoms in the deposited material. The deposited material may comprise wax, hydrate and possibly scales, and the medium flowing in the structure may comprise oil, water and/or natural gas. The invention is based on the realization that the deposited material has different ability to scatter neutrons than the medium flowing in the structure. For example, wax, hydrate, water and oil have different hydrogen stoichiometric concentration. The hydrogen concentration of wax and hydrate is significantly larger than the hydrogen concentration of water, natural gas and most types of oils. The neutrons sent towards the structure are mainly scattered by the hydrogen atoms. The number of measured neutrons per unit of time, i. e. the flux of scattered neutrons, from the structure depends on the macroscopic backscattering cross section,∑bs, of the medium in front of the stream of neutrons. Typically, ∑bs is a linear function of the amount of hydrogen atoms. Since the oil, water, gas and waxes have different hydrogen density, it is possible to distinguish the material close to the inner wall. The flux of neutrons scattered by the wax and hydrate is essentially larger than the flux of neutrons scattered by the oil, gas and water.
The method makes it possible to detect deposits close to a pipe wall and can be used from the outside of the pipe. Further advantages achieved by the method are that it is based on physical properties, and not chemical properties, and that it is capable of measuring through any temperature insulation layer of the pipe. The method is suitable for measurement of pipelines used for transportation of most types of oils. However, there exist some oils, such as silica-based oils, which have a rather low content of hydrogen. In such case, it could be possible to measure neutrons scattered by silicon atoms.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the flux of generated gammas is measured, and the amount and type of the deposited material is determined based on the measured flux of generated gammas.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the flux of scattered neutrons and the flux of generated gammas are measured, and the amount and type of the deposited material are determined based on the measured flux of scattered neutrons and the flux of generated gammas. By measuring scattered neutrons as well as generated gammas, the accuracy of the measurement is improved.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises detecting gammas emitted from the structure,
- determining the flux of gammas emitted due to neutrons captured by carbon atoms based of the energy level of the measured gammas,
- determining the flux of gammas emitted due to neutrons captured by hydrogen atoms based of the energy level of the measured gammas,
- determining a relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen of the deposited material based on the determined fluxes of gammas, and
- determining whether the deposited material contains wax, scale or hydrogen based on the determined relation between the fluxes of gammas emitted from carbon and hydrogen.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises generating a second stream of neutrons in a direction towards the structure, the neutrons of the second stream having a different energy than the first stream of neutrons, measuring a flux of neutrons or gammas originating from the first stream of neutrons, measuring a flux of neutrons or gammas originating from the second stream of neutrons, and detecting the deposited material and determining the type of deposited material based on the measured neutron or gamma fluxes originating from the first and second streams of neutrons.
By generating two or more streams of neutrons with different energies it is possible to get more information about the measurement, and accordingly to improve the accuracy of the measurement.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises disposing at least one neutron source in the vicinity of or on an outer wall of the structure to generate a stream of
energized neutrons, and disposing at least one neutron detector in the vicinity of or on the outer wall and in angle with the neutron source to measure the flux of the scattered neutrons. The neutron source is, for example, an americium-beryllium (AmBe) source.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the energy of the generated neutrons is in an interval of 0.1 eV - 8 MeV, and preferably in an interval of 0.1 eV - 1 MeV. Hydrogen∑bs is a strong function of the energy of the incoming neutrons. Although it is possible to use neutrons in the fast energy spectrum, it is preferred to use neutrons in the Thermal or Epithermal energy spectrum, since they have a larger probability to scatter. Most preferably, the energy of the generated neutrons is in the Thermal neutron energy spectrum since they have the largest probability to scatter.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the stream of neutrons is generated in a first direction and the flux of scattered neutrons is measured in a second direction, and the angle between the first and second direction is less than 90 degrees, preferably between 5 and 60 degrees, and most preferably between 30 and 60 degrees. By measuring the scattered neutrons in a certain angle relative to the direction of the generated neutrons the probability to detect scattered neutrons increases. A further advantage by this arrangement is that the neutrons do not need to go all the way through the pipe cross section before they are measured.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the amount of deposited material is determined based on the measured flux and a limit value for the flux. By carrying out flux measurements in advance, on deposits of known thickness, it is possible to determine a limit value for the measured flux corresponding to a limit value for the thickness of the deposited material. When the measured neutron/gammas flux exceeds the limit value, the deposited material is removed, for example, by pigging. It is not always necessary to determine the actual thickness of the deposited material. It may be enough to determine when it is time to remove the deposit. This embodiment makes it possible to find an optimal pigging frequency and thus reduce down-time and avoiding flow assurance problems, such as increased pressure loss, pumping power, etc.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises determining the thickness of the deposited material based on the measured flux and a predetermined relation between the thickness of the deposited material and the measured flux. By carrying out flux measurements in advance on deposits of known thickness, it is possible to find a correlation stating the thickness of the deposited material as a function of the detected flux, and by that to determine a relation between the thickness of the deposited material and the measured flux. The determined relation can be used to determine the thickness of the deposited material based on the measured flux of neutrons or gammas.
The wax and hydrate include hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms. The method comprises measuring the flux of neutrons scattered by the hydrogen atoms in the deposited material.
However, it is also possible to measure the flux of neutrons scattered by carbon atoms in the deposited material. According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises measuring the flux of neutrons scattered by hydrogen, and measuring the flux of neutrons scattered by carbon atoms in the deposited material. By measuring the neutron flux scattered by hydrogen as well as from carbon atoms, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the measurements. It is possible to distinguish between the neutrons scattered by hydrogen and neutrons scattered by carbon atoms since the scattered neutrons have different energy range.
Scales may include iron, other metallic atoms, etc. It can be of interest to detect deposited material in the form of scales. According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises determining the energy of the scattered neutrons, and detecting a certain type of atom in the deposited material based on the energy of the scattered neutrons. Small atoms cause more energy transfer during collisions with the neutrons than larger atoms. Thus, it is possible to detect a certain type of atom based on the energy difference between the generated and detected neutrons. It is, for example, possible to determine whether the deposited material contains hydrogen, carbon, or iron based on the energy difference between the generated and detected neutrons. Accordingly it is possible to determine whether the deposited material contains wax, hydrate or scale.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises detecting gammas emitted from the structure, determining the amount of gammas emitted from the structure due to neutrons captured by carbon atoms, determining the amount of gammas emitted from the structure due to neutrons captured by hydrogen atoms, and based thereon determine a relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen of the deposited material. The amount of gammas emitted from the structure due to carbon and hydrogen respectively, is determined based on the energy of the detected neutrons. The knowledge of the relation between carbon and hydrogen makes it possible to identify the type of wax, or to determine the relation between oil and water in the structure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for detecting deposited material on the inner wall of a structure at least partially filled with a medium containing hydrocarbons.
The device comprises a neutron source arranged to generate a stream of neutrons in a direction towards the structure, and at least one detector unit arranged to measure a flux of scattered neutrons or generated gammas incoming from the structure and a computing unit adapted to determine the deposited material based on the measured flux. The detector unit is arranged to detect a first flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by a first atom type based on the measured flux, and to detect a second flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by a second atom type based on the measured flux, and the
computing unit is arranged to determine the type of the deposited material based on the detected first and second fluxes.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the computing unit is adapted to determine deposited material based on the measured flux and a limit value for the neutrons/gammas flux corresponding to a limit value for the thickness of the deposited material.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the computing unit is adapted to determine the thickness of the deposited material based on the measured flux and a predetermined relation between the thickness of the deposited material and the measured flux.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the neutron source and at least one neutron detector are attached to an outer wall of the structure. Thus, it is possible to attach the measurement device, for example as a clamp-on, from the outside of the pipeline and avoid disturbing the inner flow. Once the measurement is complete, the device can be removed and for example placed elsewhere along the pipeline if further measurements are needed.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the neutron source is arranged to generate said stream of neutrons in a first direction and said neutron detector is arranged to measure the neutrons flux in a second direction angled relative to the first direction, the angle between the first and second direction is less than 90 degrees, preferably between 5 and 60 degrees, and most preferably between 30 and 60 degrees. By arranging the neutron detector to detect in a certain angle relative to the direction of the generated neutrons the probability to detect scattered neutrons is increased.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the device comprises the device comprises a second neutron detector arranged to measure the flux of scattered neutrons from the structure, and the first and second neutron detector are disposed on different sides of the neutron source. This embodiment takes into account inhomogeneity of the deposit distribution and makes it possible to detect more neutrons, and accordingly provides increased measurement accuracy.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a second neutron source adapted to generate a second stream of neutrons in a direction towards the structure and having a different energy than the neutrons generated by the first neutron source, and a first detector is arranged to measure a flux of neutrons or gammas originating from the first stream of neutrons, and a second detector arranged to measure a flux of neutrons or gammas originating from the second stream of neutrons and the computing unit is adapted to determine the type of deposited material based on the measured neutron or gamma fluxes originating from the first and second stream of neutrons. Alternatively, as indicated above only one detector may be used to measure the fluxes. By having two or more neutron
sources with different energies it is possible to get more information on the measurement, and accordingly to increase the accuracy of the measurement.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a gamma detector adapted to detect gammas emitted from the structure, and the computing unit is adapted to determine the amount of gammas emitted from the structure due to neutrons captured by carbon atoms and to determine the amount of gamma radiation emitted from the structure due to neutrons captured by hydrogen, and based thereon determine a relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen of the deposited material.
Brief description of the drawings
The invention will now be explained more closely by the description of different embodiments of the invention and with reference to the appended figures.
Fig. 1 shows a device for detecting deposited material on an inner wall of a structure according to a first embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 shows a device for detecting deposited material on an inner wall of a structure according to a second embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 3 shows a device for detecting deposited material on an inner wall of a structure according to a third embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 shows a device for detecting deposited material on an inner wall of a structure according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention
Figure 1 shows a device for detecting deposited material 1, such as wax, hydrate and scale, on an inner wall of a structure 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The structure 2 is, for example, a pipeline for transporting oil and gas. The device includes a neutron source 3 for generating a stream of neutrons in a direction towards the structure. The neutron source 3 is disposed in the vicinity of an outer wall of the structure. Preferably, the neutron source is attached to the outer wall of the structure 2 as a clamp-on, as shown in figure 1. A neutron source is a device that generates and emits neutrons. There is a wide variety of neutron sources of different mechanism and sizes. The flux of scattered neutrons from the structure depends on the backscattering cross section,∑bs, of the medium in front of the stream of neutrons. The backscattering cross section is a strong function of the energy of the incoming neutron. Preferably, the neutron source is adapted to generate neutrons with energy in an interval of 0.1 eV - 8 MeV, and more preferably in an interval of 0.1 eV - 1 MeV. A suitable type of neutron source to be used is 241Am-Be neutron sources, which includes a compressed mixture of americium powder and beryllium powder. The 241Am-Be sources generate neutrons having an energy range of 2 eV to 8 MeV.
The device further comprises a detector 4 adapted to measure a flux of scattered neutrons or generated gammas from the structure. Detector 4 can be a neutron detector detecting a neutron flux, or a gamma detector detecting a gamma flux. Examples of neutron detectors that can be used are boron-based neutron detectors, lithium based detectors, helium based detectors, and moderator based fast detectors. With measuring flux of neutrons is meant to measure the number of neurons per time unit. Examples of gamma detectors that can be used are scintillation detectors (i.e. thallium-doped sodium iodide, Nal(TI)} or semiconductors (i.e. based on germanium, cadmium, tellurium and zinc). With measuring flux of gammas is meant to measure the number of gammas per time unit.
The detector 4 is disposed in the vicinity of the outer wall of the structure. Preferably, the detector is attached to the outer wall of the structure 2 as a clamp-on, as shown in figure 1. Preferably, the detector 4 is disposed in an angle Θ with the neutron source 3. In this embodiment the angle Θ is radial. The neutron source 3 is arranged to generate a stream of neutrons in a first direction and the detector 4 is arranged to measure the neutrons/gammas flux in a second direction, differing from the first direction by the angle Θ. Preferably, the angle between the first and second direction is less than 90 degrees, more preferably between 5 and 60 degrees, and most preferably between 30 and 60 degrees. The flux of neutrons being detected is a direct function of the scattering potential of the medium in front of the source. Hydrogen is a good reflector of neutrons, but it has a large capture probability as well. Typically, some neutrons will bounce on the hydrogen atoms, be deflected, and head towards the detector. Hence, the amount of neutrons reaching the detector will be proportional to the amount of hydrogen. Oil, water, wax and gas have all different hydrogen amounts in their composition, and thus it is possible to distinguish material deposited on the inner wall of the structure.
The detector unit 4 is arranged to measure a flux of scattered neutrons or generated gammas coming from the structure for at least two energy levels characteristic of at least two different atom types in the deposited material. The flux of neutrons or gammas with a certain energy level can be detected by measuring the flux of scattered neutrons or generated gammas coming from the structure with this energy. The detector unit 4 is arranged to detect neutrons or gammas of certain energy levels as well as to count them.
Suitable atom types to measure are carbon and hydrogen. Another suitable atom type is iron. However, other atom types can also be suitable to measure. In this example, the detector unit 4 is arranged to measure the flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by carbon, and to measure the flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by hydrogen. The detector unit is arranged to measure the number of neutrons or gamma quanta per time unit with an energy level characteristic of carbon, and to measure the number of neutrons or gamma quanta per time unit with an energy level characteristic of hydrogen. In an alternative embodiment, the detector unit 4 is also arranged to measure
the flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by iron.
The energy of gamma radiation emitted from hydrogen (H) or carbon (C) atoms due to neutron-capture will not depend on the energy of the incoming neutrons. The energy level characteristic of neutron capture by carbon is 4.945 MeV and the energy level characteristic of neutron capture by hydrogen is 2.223 MeV. Thus, the detector unit is arranged to measure the number of gamma radiation per time unit with an energy level of 4.945 MeV, and the number of gamma radiation per time unit with an energy level of 2.223 MeV.
The energy of the neutrons resulting from scattering with H or C atoms will depend on the energy of the incoming neutrons. Nevertheless, the energy loss of the incoming neutrons, measured as a ratio E_incoming/E_outgoing will be constant for all energies of incoming neutrons. Preferably, the neutron energy levels to be measured are predetermined in dependence on the type of neutron source, i.e. the energy of the incoming neutrons.
The detector unit may also be arranged to measure the total number of gamma radiation per time unit independent of the energy level in order to determine the amount of deposited material.
The device further includes a computing unit 5 that may be adapted to determine the amount of the deposited material and the type of the deposited material based on the measured neutron/gamma flux. The computing unit is arranged in communication with the detecting unit 4 and is adapted to receive information about the measured fluxes for certain energy levels.
The computing unit 5 includes hardware, for example, a computer or a PLC, and software modules for data processing of measured neutron flux, and optionally for controlling the operation of the neutron source. The computing unit 5 includes input means for receiving measured data from the detector 4, output means for presenting information about the detected deposit of material, such as the presence, the amount, the type and/or the thickness of the deposited material. The computing unit 5 further includes a processing unit, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or similar hardware, and memory means, such as ROM and RAM. Preferably, the computing unit 5 includes a user interface for enabling communication with an operator.
The type of the deposited material is determined based on the detected fluxes for different energy levels characteristic of different atom types. The type of deposited material can be determined in different ways representing different embodiments of the invention. In the following one way of determining the type of deposited material is described. In a first step, a ratio between C and H is determined by calculating the ration between the detected flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of carbon and the detected flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of hydrogen.
Flux(C): The number of neutrons/gammas detected per time unit with an energy level characteristic of carbon.
Flux(H): The number of neutrons/gammas detected per time unit with an energy level characteristic of hydrogen.
C/H = Flux(C) / Flux (H)
For wax, n is typically about 30 and larger. Thus, for wax C/H is about 0.5. C/H » 1, since scale does not contain any hydrogen. C/H « 1 for hydrates.
Thus, by calculating the ratio between the determined fluxes from carbon and hydrogen, it is possible to determine whether the deposited material contains wax, scale or hydrates. Alternatively, the ratio H/C can be calculated.
In an alternative embodiment, the type of the deposited material can be determined by means of a Monte Carlo simulation.
When the type of the deposited material has been determined, a suitable method for cleaning the pipeline can be identified and proposed.
The measurement and following determination of the amount and/or type of deposit is preferably done periodically, for example, once every day or once every month depending on the type of fluids being transported in the pipeline.
The computing unit is also adapted to determining the amount of deposited material based on the measured neutrons/gammas flux in order to determine when it is time to remove the deposited material.
In one embodiment of the invention, the computing unit is adapted to generate an indication signal for removal of the deposited material. For example, the indication signal can be directly connected to equipment for removing the deposited material, such a pigging unit, to trigger the deposit removal equipment. In a subsea application, the computing unit can either be located under water close to the pipeline or topside. Optionally, the computing unit can be divided into two parts in communication with each other: a hardware part based on electronics arranged subsea in connection with the neutron detector(s), and a software part placed and running topside on a computer at the operator's end.
In one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the wax deposited on the inner wall is monitored based on the measured flux and a limit value for the neutron/gamma flux corresponding to a certain deposit thickness. Suitably, the measured flux includes the amount of scattered neutrons or generated gammas per time unit independent of their energy levels. However, it is also possible that the measured flux only includes the amount of scattered neutrons or generated gammas per time unit of certain energy levels.
The computing unit is adapted to determine the deposited material based on the measured flux and a limit value for the neutron/gammas flux corresponding to a determined limit value for the thickness of the deposited material. The limit value for the flux is determined beforehand based on measurements on deposits of different thickness. The memory means is adapted to store the limit value. The measured flux is compared to the limit value and when the neutron/gammas flux exceeds the limit value an indication signal for removal of the deposited material is generated. Preferably, data processing is carried out on the measured flux before the comparison to remove noise and disturbances on the measurements.
In another embodiment of the invention, the computing unit is adapted to determine the thickness of the deposited material based on the measured flux and a predetermined relation between the thickness of the deposited material and the measured neutron/gammas flux. The determined thickness can be displayed to an operator. Optionally, the determined thickness is compared to a determined limit value for the thickness, and an indication signal for removal of the deposited material is generated when the thickness exceeds the limit value. A correlation stating the content/thickness of the deposited material, such as wax, as a function of the neutron/gammas flux in the detector is determined beforehand. The device will require calibration that can be done in a laboratory.
The detector 4 is adapted to measure the energy of the scattered neutrons to detect a certain type of atoms in the deposited material. It is, for example, possible to determine whether the deposited material contains hydrogen, carbon, or iron based on the energy difference between the generated and detected neutrons. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether the deposited material contains wax, hydrate or scale. The detector includes a sensor for detecting the neutrons/gammas flux at different energy levels. In this embodiment, the computing unit receives the energy measurements from the detector. The computing unit uses the energy measurements for determining a certain type of atoms in the deposited material based on the energy of the scattered neutrons. Small, light weighted atoms cause more energy transfer during collisions with the neutrons than larger atoms. Thus, it is possible to detect a certain type of atom based on the energy difference between the generated and detected neutrons. Since the energy of the generated neutrons is known, it is possible to determine the amount of energy transferred due to the scattering. Neutrons scattered by hydrogen transfer typically 50 % of their energy, and accordingly the energy of the scattered neutrons is about half the energy of the generated neutrons. Neutron scattering by large atoms, such as iron atoms, transfer a large fraction of its energy, and
accordingly the energy of the scattered neutrons is about the same as the energy of the generated neutrons. For example, scale may include iron and other metallic atoms, whereas wax and hydrate do not include metallic atoms. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether the deposit includes metals or not. If the deposit includes metals such as iron or sodium, the conclusion is that the deposit includes scales.
Preferably, the neutron source is configured to generate neutrons of different energies. Alternatively, the device may include a plurality of neutron sources generating neutron fluxes with different energies. Since the flux of scattered neutrons depends on the∑bs of the atoms in the medium in front of the stream of neutrons and the∑bs is a function of the energy of the incoming neutron, the energy of the generated neutrons should preferably be adapted to the atoms to be detected. For example, if hydrogen atoms are to be detected, the energy of the generated neutrons preferably is larger than if carbon or iron atoms are to be detected.
Figure 2 shows a device for detecting deposited material on an inner wall of a structure according to a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the device includes a neutron detector 4 measuring the flux of scattered neutrons and a gamma detector 7 measuring the flux of generated gammas. The computing unit 5 is adapted to determine the amount and type of the deposited material based on the measured flux of scattered neutrons and the flux of generated gammas. The neutron detector 4 and the gamma detector 7 are disposed on opposite sides of the neutron source 3. Preferably, the detectors 4, 7 are disposed with their measuring direction angled by an angle θ2 relative to the direction of the stream of neutrons from the neutron source. In this embodiment the angle θ2 is longitudinal, i.e. in the direction of the pipeline. Preferably, the angle θ2 is less than 90 degrees, more preferably between 5 and 60 degrees, and most preferably between 30 and 60 degrees.
In an alternative embodiment, the detectors 4, 7 are both neutron detectors, or the detectors 4, 7 are both gamma detectors. This embodiment takes into account inhomogeneity distribution of the deposited material and makes it possible to detect larger flux, and accordingly provides increased accuracy.
Figure 3 shows a device for detecting deposited material on an inner wall of a structure according to a third embodiment of the invention. This embodiment differs from the first and second embodiment in that the device includes four neutron detectors 4, 7-9 disposed on different sides of the neutron source 3. This embodiment further improves the accuracy of the measurement.
Figure 4 shows a device for detecting deposited material on an inner wall of a structure according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. This embodiment differs from the previously disclosed embodiments in that the device includes two neutron sources 3, 10
arranged at a distance from each other. The first neutron source 3 is adapted to generate a first stream 14 of neutrons towards the structure. The second neutron source 10 is adapted to generate a second stream 16 of neutrons having a different energy than the first stream of neutrons, towards the structure. The device further includes two detectors 4, 7 arranged to measure the flux of scattered neutrons or emitted gammas originating from the first stream 14 of neutrons, and two detectors 11, 12 arranged to measure the flux of scattered neutrons or emitted gammas originating from the second stream 16 of neutrons. In this embodiment, the computing unit is adapted to determine the deposited material based on the measured neutron/gamma fluxes originating from the first and second stream 16 of neutrons. Alternatively, the device may include four detectors one for each neutron source 3, 10 corresponding to the arrangement as shown in figure 3.
Alternatively, it is possible to use one neutron detector arranged to detect scattered neutrons originating from the first as well as the second neutron source. It is possible to identify different neutron/gamma fluxes in the detector and to deconvolute the signal to determine the depth of the boundary between deposited material and oil, gas and/or water.
When a neutron is captured by atoms, such as hydrogen, carbon, iron, etc. there will be a gamma ray emitted with a characteristic energy. Composition analysis based on identifying the gamma is called PGNAA (prompt gamma neutron activation analysis). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the device further comprises a gamma detector adapted to detect gammas emitted from the structure. For example, one or more of the neutron detectors of the device disclosed in figure 4 can be replaced with gamma detectors. The gamma detector detects gammas instead of neutrons. To distinguish the energy of detected gammas is prior art, see for example an article written by Luciano E. Patruno et al published November 2004, "Resolution de un problema abierto de la Ingenieria, Determination de la concentration de boro en sustancias hidrogenadas mediante el analisis de gamma prompt por activation neutronica (PGNAA)", Institute Balseiro, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Av. E. Bustillo 9.500, (8400) San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro, Rep. Argentina.
The computing unit 5 is adapted to determine the amount of gammas emitted from the structure due to neutrons captured by carbon atoms and to determine the amount of gammas emitted from the structure due to neutrons captured by hydrogen atoms, and based thereon determine a relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen of the deposited material in the structure. For example, if the number of detected gammas is plotted as a function of the energy of the detected gammas, there is a first distinct peak for an energy level (keV) corresponding to carbon and a second distinct peak for an energy level (keV) corresponding to hydrogen. By dividing the number of detected gammas for the peak corresponding to carbon with the number of detected gammas for the peak corresponding to hydrogen, it is possible to determine the relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen of the deposited material in the structure. This relation can, for example, be used to determine the type of wax deposited on the structure by utilizing the fact that different types of wax have different relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen.
In view of the above, it should thus be realized that according to the present invention it is possible to determine the presence, the amount, the type and/or the thickness of the deposited material.
Further, it should be realized that according to the present invention it is also possible to determine the relation between oil and water in the structure due to the fact that water does not contain any carbon.
The present invention is not in any way limited to the embodiments disclosed above, but may be varied and modified within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the number and positions of the neutron detectors and neutron sources may vary.
Claims
1. A method for detecting deposited material (1) on an inner wall of a structure (2) at least partially filled with a medium containing hydrocarbons, wherein the method comprises:
- generating a stream of neutrons in a direction towards the structure,
- measuring a flux of scattered neutrons or generated gammas coming from the structure, and
- detecting the deposited material based on the measured flux, characterized in that the method comprises:
- detecting a first flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by a first atom type based on the measured flux,
- detecting a second flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by a second atom type based on the measured flux, and
- determining the type of the deposited material based on the detected first and second fluxes.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises determining whether the deposited material contains wax, hydrate or scale based on the determined first and second fluxes.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first atom type is carbon and the second atom type is hydrogen.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method comprises calculating a relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen of the deposited material based on said determined first and second fluxes, and determining the type of deposited material based on the calculated relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen.
5. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein a flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by iron is determined, and the method determining whether the deposited material contains scale based on the determined flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of iron.
6. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flux of scattered neutrons and the flux of generated gammas are measured, and the amount and type of the deposited material are determined based on the measured flux of scattered neutrons and the flux of generated gammas.
7. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the method comprises detecting gammas emitted from the structure,
- determining the flux of gammas emitted due to neutrons captured by carbon atoms based of the energy level of the measured gammas,
- determining the flux of gammas emitted due to neutrons captured by hydrogen atoms based of the energy level of the measured gammas,
- determining a relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen of the deposited material based on the determined fluxes of gammas, and
- determining whether the deposited material contains wax, scale or hydrate based on the determined relation between the fluxes of gammas emitted from carbon and hydrogen.
8. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the method comprises determining the thickness of the deposited material based on the measured flux.
9. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the method comprises generating a second stream of neutrons in a direction towards the structure, the neutrons of the second stream having a different energy than the first stream of neutrons, measuring a flux of neutrons or gammas originating from the first stream of neutrons, measuring a flux of neutrons or gammas originating from the second stream of neutrons, and detecting the deposited material and determining the type of deposited material based on the measured neutron or gamma fluxes originating from the first and second streams of neutrons.
10. A device for detecting deposited material (1) on an inner wall of a structure (2) at least partially filled with a medium containing hydrocarbons, wherein the device comprises:
- a neutron source (3; 10) arranged to generate a stream of neutrons in a direction towards the structure, and
- at least one detector unit (4, 7; 8; 11, 12) arranged to measure a flux of scattered neutrons or generated gammas incoming from the structure, and
- a computing unit (5) adapted to determine the deposited material based on the measured flux, characterized in that the detector unit is arranged to detect a first flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by a first atom type based on the measured flux, and to detect a second flux of neutrons or gammas with an energy level characteristic of neutron capture or neutron scattering by a second atom type based on the measured flux, and the computing unit is arranged to determine the type of the deposited material based on the detected first and second fluxes.
11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the deposited material (1) includes wax, hydrate or scale, and the computing unit (5) is adapted to determine whether the deposited material contains wax, hydrate or scale based on the determined first and second fluxes.
12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first atom type is carbon and the second atom type is hydrogen.
13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the computing unit (5) is adapted to calculate a relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen of the deposited material based on
said determined first and second fluxes, and to determine the type of deposited material based on the calculated relation between the content of carbon and hydrogen.
14. The device according to any of the claims 10 - 13, wherein said detector unit comprises a neutron detector (4) measuring the flux of scattered neutrons and a gamma detector (7) measuring the flux of generated gammas, and the computing unit (5) is adapted to determine the type of the deposited material based on the measured flux of scattered neutrons and the flux of generated gammas.
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