Patent US3854323A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3854323A
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Method and apparatus for monitoring the sand concentration in a flowing well
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1974-01-31
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1994-01-31
Abstract
Abstract The sand concentration in a flowing well is measured quantitatively by an apparatus and method wherein an acoustic noise detector of wide band frequency response is placed in the flow stream. The output signal of the detector is selectively amplified at two frequencies, the lower of which is relatively unaffected by sand concentration in comparison to the higher, and the resultant signals are combined electronically on an analog computer whose output is virtually a unique function of sand concentration and nearly independent of fluid velocity.
Inventors
- 👤 D Hearn
- 👤 T Perkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H3/00; G01H3/10; G01H3/12; E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; E21B47/107; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/045; G01N29/046; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/01; G01N2291/014; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/024; G01N2291/02408; G01N2291/02416; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02809; G01N2291/02836; G01N2291/26; G01N2291/269; G01N2291/2693
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
The method of determining the sand concentration in the produced fluids of a well comprising the steps of: a. deriving from the acoustic noise generated by the flow stream of said fluids a first broad band electrical signal; b. filtering said first electrical signal to obtain therefrom at least one preselected narrow band frequency component whose amplitude approximates a first known function of the flow velocity of said fluids and the sand concentration therein; c. deriving a second electrical signal responsive to the movement of said flow stream whose amplitude approximates a second known function of said flow velocity and said sand concentration; and d. computing from said at least one frequency component and said second signal an output signal responsive thereto whose amplitude represents a simultaneous solution of said first and second functions for said sand concentration independent of said flow velocity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
The method of determining the sand concentration in the produced fluids of a well comprising the steps of: a. deriving from the acoustic noise generated by the flow stream of said fluids a first broad band electrical signal; b. filtering said first electrical signal to obtain therefrom at least one preselected narrow band frequency component whose amplitude approximates a first known function of the flow velocity of said fluids and the sand concentration therein; c. deriving a second electrical signal responsive to the movement of said flow stream whose amplitude approximates a second known function of said flow velocity and said sand concentration; and d. computing from said at least one frequency component and said second signal an output signal responsive thereto whose amplitude represents a simultaneous solution of said first and second functions for said sand concentration independent of said flow velocity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining said second signal comprises further filtering said first electrical signal to obtain therefrom a second preselected narrow band frequency component lower in frequency than said first preselected frequency component, the amplitude of said second frequency component being less sensitive to sand concentration than the amplitude of said first frequency component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein the center frequencies of said first and second frequency components are selected to coincide with respective spectral peaks of said first electrical signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein the sensitivity to sand concentration of said second frequency component is at least five times that of said first frequency component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining said second signal comprises directly measuring said flow velocity by means of a flow meter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said step of deriving said first electrical signal comprises positioning sound detection means in the flow stream of said produced fluids at a predetermined location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein said sound detection means is an electro-acouStical transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said at least one frequency component and said second signal are combined in an analog computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said at least one frequency component and said second signal are combined in a digital computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1 comprising the additional step of continuously recording the output signal of said computer means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 10 comprising the further step of generating a warning signal when the value of the output of said computer means exceeds a preselected threshold value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for determining the sand concentration in the produced fluids of a well comprising: a. sound detection means adapted to provide a first wide band electrical signal responsive to the acoustic noise generated by the flow stream of said fluids; b. means for filtering said first electrical signal to obtain therefrom at least one preselected narrow band frequency component expressible as a first known function of the flow velocity of said fluids and the sand concentration therein; c. means for deriving from the flow stream of said fluids a second electrical signal expressible as a second known function of said flow velocity and said sand concentration; and d. means for computing from said at least one frequency component and said second electrical signal a simultaneous solution of said first and second known functions for said sand concentration independent of said flow velocity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for determining the sand concentration in the produced fluids of a well comprising: a. sound detection means adapted to provide a first wide band electrical signal responsive to the acoustic noise generated by the flow stream of said fluids; b. means for filtering said first electrical signal to obtain therefrom at least one preselected narrow band frequency component expressible as a first known function of the flow velocity of said fluids and the sand concentration therein; c. means for deriving from the flow stream of said fluids a second electrical signal expressible as a second known function of said flow velocity and said sand concentration; and d. means for computing from said at least one frequency component and said second electrical signal a simultaneous solution of said first and second known functions for said sand concentration independent of said flow velocity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said means for deriving a second electrical signal is a flow meter adapted to provide a direct measurement of the flow velocity of said flow stream.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said means for deriving said second electrical signal comprises means for filtering said first electrical signal to obtain a second preselected narrow band frequency component thereof lower in frequency than said first frequency component and having an amplitude less sensitive to said sand concentration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein the amplitude of said first frequency component is more sensitive to sand concentration than the amplitude of said second frequency component by a factor of at least five.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said first known function comprises the general formula V1 k1va + k2Sbvc and said second known function comprises the general formula V2 k3vd wherein V1 and V2 represent the respective amplitudes of said first and second frequency components, v represents flow velocity, S represents the volume fraction of sand in the fluids, and k1, k2, k3, a, b, c, and d represent experimentally determinable coefficients and exponential values respectively.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said computing means is an analog computer provided with a plurality of amplification stages whose gains are individually adjustable to accommodate specific values of k1k2, k3, a, b, c, and d.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 16 wherein said computing means is a digital computer.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for detecting and monitoring the sand concentration in the produced fluids in an oil well comprising: a. acoustically sensing the noise generated by the flow stream of the well; b. transducing said acoustic noise into a broad band electrical signal; c. selectively filtering said broad band signal at a first higher frequency to provide a first component signal whose amplitude is dependent upon said sand concentration and on the flow velocity of said fluids and at a second lower frequency to provide a second component signal whose amplitude is dependent on flow velocity and is substantially independent of said sand concentration; d. rectifying said first and second component signals; and e. thereafter electronically combining said first and second component signaLs in an analog computer adapted to provide therefrom an output indicative only of sand concentration and substantially independent of flow velocity.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for detecting and monitoring the sand concentration in the produced fluids in an oil well comprising: a. acoustically sensing the noise generated by the flow stream of the well; b. transducing said acoustic noise into a broad band electrical signal; c. selectively filtering said broad band signal at a first higher frequency to provide a first component signal whose amplitude is dependent upon said sand concentration and on the flow velocity of said fluids and at a second lower frequency to provide a second component signal whose amplitude is dependent on flow velocity and is substantially independent of said sand concentration; d. rectifying said first and second component signals; and e. thereafter electronically combining said first and second component signaLs in an analog computer adapted to provide therefrom an output indicative only of sand concentration and substantially independent of flow velocity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |