Petroleum stream monitoring means and method

Claim 2

Apparatus for monitoring a petroleum stream comprising: means for stratifying the petroleum stream into substantially liquid and gas streams, first means for sensing the parameters of the stratified petroleum stream and providing signals representative of the sensed parameters, means for sampling the liquid stream of the stratified petroleum stream to provide a sample stream, second means for sensing parameters of the sample stream and providing signals in accordance with the sensed parameters, and monitor means for providing signals representative of the water fraction, the gas fraction and the oil fraction of the petroleum stream in accordance with the signals from all the parameter sensing means.

Claim 3

Apparatus as described in claim 1 in which the first sensing means includes: means for determining the density of the petroleum stream and providing a corresponding signal, means for sensing the gas velocity of the gas stream of the stratified petroleum stream and providing a signal representative thereof, means for sensing the liquid velocity of the liquid stream of the stratified petroleum stream and providing a signal in accordance with the sensed liquid velocity, and means for sensing the pressure of the stratified petroleum stream and providing a signal corresponding to the sensed pressure.

Claim 4

Apparatus as described in claim 2 in which the sample means includes separator means for removing gas from the sample stream, means for returning the removed gas to the stratified petroleum stream, and means for returning the sample stream from the seperator means to the stratified petroleum stream.

Claim 5

Apparatus as described in claim 3 in which the second sensing means includes microwave means for monitoring the sample stream after it has left the separator means to provide a signal related to the water in the sample stream, and a sensor which senses the temperature of the sample stream after it leaves the separating means which provides a corresponding temperature signal.

Claim 6

Apparatus as described in claim 4 in which the monitor means includes liquid flow rate means connected to the density determining means, to the liquid velocity sensing means, to the pressure sensing means, to the microwave means and to the temperature sensor for providing a signal corresponding to the liquid flow rate in accordance with the signals from the density determining means, the liquid velocity sensing means, the pressure sensing means, the microwave means and the temperature sensor, memory means connected to the microwave means for providing a signal corresponding to the water content of the petroleum stream in accordance with the signal from the microwave means; gas flow rate means connected to the density sensing means and to the gas velocity sensing means for providing a signal corresponding to the gas flow rate of the petroleum stream in accordance with the signals from the density sensing means and the gas velocity sensing means; and oil/water flow means connected to the liquid flow rate means and to the memory means for providing signals corresponding to the water flow rate and to the oil flow rate in accordance with the signals from the liquid flow rate means and the memory means.

Claim 7

Apparatus as described in claim 5 in which the monitor means further includes signal processing means connected to the oil/water flow rate means, to the gas flow rate means, to the temperature sensing means, and to the pressure sensing means for providing temperature and pressure corrected signals corresponding to the flow rate of the gas, to the flow rate of the oil, and to the flow rate of the water.

Claim 8

Apparatus as described in claim 6 in which the stratifying means is means which cause the petroleum stream to flow at a predetermined angle to the horizontal so as to cause the liquid and gas to separate.

Claim 9

Apparatus as described in claim 1 in which the stratifying means is means which cause the petroleum stream to flow at a predetermined angle to the horizontal so as to cause the liquid and gas to separate.

Claim 10

Apparatus as described in claim 8 in which a preferred angle for petroleum stream flow lies within a range of angles between 10° and 60°.

Claim 13

A method as described in claim 10 in which the first mentioned sensing step includes: determining the density of the petroleum stream and providing a corresponding density signal, sensing the gas velocity of the gas stream of the stratified petroleum stream and providing a gas velocity signal representative thereof, sensing the liquid velocity of the liquid stream of the stratified petroleum stream and providing a liquid velocity signal in accordance with the senced liquid velocity, and sensing the pressure of the stratified petroleum stream and providing a corresponding pressure signal.

Claim 14

A method as described in claim 11 in which the sampling step includes: removing gas from the sample stream, returning the removed gas to the stratified petroleum stream, and returning the sample stream after the separator step to the stratified petroleum stream.

Claim 15

A method as described in claim 12 in which the sample stream sensing step includes: monitoring the sample stream after it has left the separator means using microwave devices to provide a water signal related to the water in the sample stream, and sensing the temperature of the sample stream after it leaves the separating means and providing a corresponding temperature signal.

Claim 16

A method as described in claim 13 in which the output signals step includes: providing a liquid flow signal corresponding to the liquid flow rate in accordance with the density signal, the liquid velocity signal, the pressure signal, the water signal and the temperature signal, providing a water content signal corresponding to the water content of the petroleum stream in accordance with the water signal, providing a gas flow rate signal corresponding to the gas flow rate of the petroleum stream in accordance with the density signal and the gas velocity signal, and providing a water flow rate signal and an oil flow rate signal corresponding to the water flow rate and to the oil flow rate, respectively, in accordance with the liquid flow rate signal and the water content signal.

Claim 17

A method as described in claim 14 in which the output signals step further includes providing temperature and pressure corrected signals corresponding to the flow rate of the gas, to the flow rate of the oil, and to the flow rate of the water in accordance with the oil flow rate signal, the water flow rate signal, the gas flow rate signal, the temperature signal and the pressure signal.

Claim 18

A method as described in claim 15 in which the stratifying step is accomplished by causing the petroleum stream to flow at a predetermined angle to the horizontal so as to cause the liquid and gas to separate.

Claim 19

A method as described in claim 10 in which the stratifying step is accomplished by causing the petroleum stream to flow at a predetermined angle to the horizontal so as to cause the liquid and gas to separate.

Claim 20

A method as described in claim 17 in which a preferred angle for stratifying the petroleum stream flow lies within a range of angles between 10° and 60°.