US4190768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Determining the water cut and water salinity in an oil-water flow stream by measuring the sulfur content of the produced oil
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1978-06-29
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Granted: 1980-02-26
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Expires: 1998-06-29
Abstract
Abstract Fluid in a pipeline or container at a refinery or at any of various petroleum producing operations is bombarded with neutrons and high energy gamma rays resulting from capture of thermal neutrons are detected. The spectra of the detected gamma rays are then analyzed to determine the relative presence of the elements sulfur, hydrogen and chlorine. From the sulfur measurement, the oil cut of the fluid is determined, enabling the water cut to be determined. From the determined water cut, water salinity can also be determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan M. Arnold
- 👤 Harry D. Smith, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/22; G01N23/221; G01N23/222; G01N2223/00; G01N2223/07; G01N2223/074; G01N2223/0745; G01N2223/60; G01N2223/637
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for analysis of a liquid flowstream, containing oil and water and flowing in a conduit, to determine the water cut of the liquid, comprising the steps of: (a) bombarding the liquid with fast neutrons which are slowed down and thereafter engage in thermal neutron capture reactions with materials in the liquid: (b) obtaining gamma ray energy spectra of the materials in response to the capture of thermal neutrons by the materials in the liquid; (c) obtaining a measure of the concentration of chlorine, hydrogen and sulfur in the liquid from the gamma ray energy spectra; and (d) obtaining from the measure of the concentration of chlorine, hydrogen and sulfur, a measure of the water and oil cuts of the liquid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for analysis of a liquid flowstream, containing oil and water and flowing in a conduit, to determine the water cut of the liquid, comprising the steps of: (a) bombarding the liquid with fast neutrons which are slowed down and thereafter engage in thermal neutron capture reactions with materials in the liquid: (b) obtaining gamma ray energy spectra of the materials in response to the capture of thermal neutrons by the materials in the liquid; (c) obtaining a measure of the concentration of chlorine, hydrogen and sulfur in the liquid from the gamma ray energy spectra; and (d) obtaining from the measure of the concentration of chlorine, hydrogen and sulfur, a measure of the water and oil cuts of the liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is feed stock in a petroleum refining conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is observed in a well head conduit at an oil well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is observed at a loading dock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is waste liquid which is to be disposed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of: obtaining from the water cut and the measure of the concentration of chlorine in the liquid a measure of the salinity of the liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining gamma ray energy spectra includes: obtaining gamma rays from chlorine in the range of from 5.75 MeV to 8.0 MeV.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining gamma ray energy spectra includes: obtaining gamma rays from sulfur in the range of from 5.0 MeV to 5.75 MeV.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining gamma ray energy spectra includes: obtaining gamma rays from hydrogen in the range of from 2.0 MeV to 2.50 MeV.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first neutrons are emitted from a neutron source and further including the step of: attaching said neutron source to the conduit prior to said step of bombarding.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said fast neutrons are emitted from a neutron source and further including the step of: inserting said neutron source into the conduit prior to said step of bombarding.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said gamma ray spectra are obtained in a detector and further including the step of: inserting said detector into the conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said gamma ray spectra are obtained in a detector and further including the step of: attaching said detector to the conduit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for analysis of a liquid flowstream, containing oil and water and flowing in a conduit, to determine the water cut of the liquid, comprising: (a) means for bombarding the liquid with fast neutrons which are slowed down and thereafter engage in thermal neutron capture reactions with materials in the liquid; (b) means for obtaining gamma ray energy spectra of the materials in response to the capture of thermal neutrons by the materials in the liquid; (c) means for obtaining a measure of the concentration of chlorine, hydrogen and sulfur in the liquid from the gamma ray energy spectra; and (d) means for obtaining from the measure of the concentration of chlorine, hydrogen and sulfur, a measure of the water and oil cuts of the liquid.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for analysis of a liquid flowstream, containing oil and water and flowing in a conduit, to determine the water cut of the liquid, comprising: (a) means for bombarding the liquid with fast neutrons which are slowed down and thereafter engage in thermal neutron capture reactions with materials in the liquid; (b) means for obtaining gamma ray energy spectra of the materials in response to the capture of thermal neutrons by the materials in the liquid; (c) means for obtaining a measure of the concentration of chlorine, hydrogen and sulfur in the liquid from the gamma ray energy spectra; and (d) means for obtaining from the measure of the concentration of chlorine, hydrogen and sulfur, a measure of the water and oil cuts of the liquid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for bombarding is mounted adjacent a petroleum refining conduit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for bombarding is mounted adjacent a well head conduit at an oil well.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for bombarding is mounted adjacent a conduit at a loading dock.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for bombarding is mounted adjacent a conduit to bombard with neutrons waste liquid to be disposed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for obtaining a measure of the water cut further includes: means for obtaining gamma rays from chlorine in the range of from 5.75 MeV to 8.0 MeV.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for obtaining gamma ray energy spectra includes: means for obtaining gamma rays from sulfur in the range of from 5.0 MeV to 5.75 MeV.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for obtaining gamma ray energy spectra includes: means for obtaining gamma rays from hydrogen in the range of from 2.0 MeV to 2.50 MeV.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for obtaining gamma ray energy spectra comprises: means for attaching said neutron source to the conduit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for bombarding is attached to the exterior of said conduit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for bombarding is inserted into said conduit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for obtaining gamma ray spectra is attached to the exterior of said conduit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for obtaining gamma ray spectra is inserted into the exterior of said conduit.
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) | 1983-02-25 | 1983-08-27 | 1984-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-25 | 1987-08-27 | 1988-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-25 | 1991-08-27 | 1992-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |