US4689989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for testing the outflow from hydrocarbon wells on site
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
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Filing: 1985-06-24
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Granted: 1987-09-01
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Expires: 2005-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A portable instrument for testing at the wellhead continuously, or a stationary instrument for use at a production battery, the outflow of crude hydrocarbons from the well or wells. The invention utilizes a simple relationship of density and thermal coefficients of expansion of the oil and the water, together with improved instrumentation to measure mass flow rate of the crude mixture, to produce accurate continuous readings of oil and water contents in the crude. The invention depends upon state of the art technology both as to the crude handling and the electronics portions of its apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Kerby S. Aslesen
- 👤 John R. Bocek
- 👤 Dennis R. Canfield
- 👤 Ke-Tien Liu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2823; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/76; G01F1/86; G01N9/00; G01N9/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of determining the amounts of a first and of a second component in a flowing mixture comprising said first and second components, said first and second components being liquids and having different densities, comprising the steps of (i) measuring the mass flow of said mixture, (ii) determining the density of said mixture with a mass density meter operating on the Coriolis principle, said mass density meter using a common element to measure mass flow and density, (iii) obtaining values for the densities of said first and second components; (iv) calculating the amounts of said first and second components in said mixture based on said measured mixture mass flow rate, measured mixture density, and said first and second component obtained values for their said densities; and (v) displaying the calculated amounts of said first and second components in said mixture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of determining the amounts of a first and of a second component in a flowing mixture comprising said first and second components, said first and second components being liquids and having different densities, comprising the steps of (i) measuring the mass flow of said mixture, (ii) determining the density of said mixture with a mass density meter operating on the Coriolis principle, said mass density meter using a common element to measure mass flow and density, (iii) obtaining values for the densities of said first and second components; (iv) calculating the amounts of said first and second components in said mixture based on said measured mixture mass flow rate, measured mixture density, and said first and second component obtained values for their said densities; and (v) displaying the calculated amounts of said first and second components in said mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 1, and the steps of measuring the temperature of said mixture, obtaining values for the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and of said second components, and performing said calculating amounts step to include said measured mixture temperature and said thermal coefficients values to correct the amounts displayed in said displaying amounts step for the difference in temperature between the measured temperature of said mixture and a predetermined reference temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the method determines the volume amounts of said first and second components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said mixture is produced fluid from a well, said first component is liquid hydrocarbons, and said second component is water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4, and the step of performing the method using a portable apparatus at the wellhead of a hydrocarbon well.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4, and the step of performing the method using a stationary apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4, and the step of removing gas present in said produced well fluid prior to said first step of measuring mass flow rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4, and performing the method at a production tank battery serving a plurality of said wells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 which includes the step of first removing gas from said produced well fluid prior to said step of measuring mass flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
175 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said calculating step includes the substeps of first calculating the density of said first and second components at said measured temperature and utilizing said measured temperature and said values for the densities and the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and second components, then the substep of calculating the percent of one of said first and second components in said mixture utilizing the measured mixture density and the previously calculated values for the densities of said first and second components, calculating the volume flow rate of the mixture utilizing said measured value of mixture mass flow and mixture density, the substeps of calculating flow rates of said first and of said second components utilizing the output of said last mentioned substeps of calculating the percent content of one of said components in said mixture, and the substep of calculating the mixture volume flow rate, and then the substep of temperature correcting the outputs of said last mention two substeps of calculating the first and second component flow rates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said mixture is produced fluid from a well, said first component is liquid hydrocarbons, said second component is water, and the step of time averaging the measured value of the density of said mixture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, and operating alerting means in the event the measured mixture density falls below the smallest value of said obtained values for the densities of said first and second components.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for determining the amounts of a first and of a second component in a flowing mixture comprising said first and second components, said first and second components being normally liquids and having different densities; means to flow said mixture through said apparatus, means to measure the mass flow, the density, with a mass density meter operating on the coriolis principle, said mass density meter using a common element to measure mass flow and density and the temperature of said mixture; means to obtain values for the densities of said first and of said second components, means to calculate the amounts of said first and second components in said mixture based on said measured mixture mass flow, said measured mixture density, and said first and second component values for their densities, and means to display said calculated amounts of said first and second components in said mixture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for determining the amounts of a first and of a second component in a flowing mixture comprising said first and second components, said first and second components being normally liquids and having different densities; means to flow said mixture through said apparatus, means to measure the mass flow, the density, with a mass density meter operating on the coriolis principle, said mass density meter using a common element to measure mass flow and density and the temperature of said mixture; means to obtain values for the densities of said first and of said second components, means to calculate the amounts of said first and second components in said mixture based on said measured mixture mass flow, said measured mixture density, and said first and second component values for their densities, and means to display said calculated amounts of said first and second components in said mixture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 13, said display means comprising means to continuously display values corresponding to the volume contents of said first and of said second components in said mixture, and means to output signals from said display means usable externally of said apparatus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 13, said calculating means comprising a micro-processor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said mixture is crude oil, said first component is liquid petroleum, and said second component is water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said apparatus is built into a portable device suitable for use at the wellhead of a hydrocarbon well.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13, and means to adapt said apparatus for use at a production battery serving a plurality of hydrocarbon wells.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 13, means for measuring the temperature of said mixture, and means to obtain values for the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and second components.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
155 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said calculating means includes means for first calculating the density of said first and second components at said measured temperature utilizing said measured temperature and said values for the densities and the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and second components, means for calculating the percent of one of said first and second components in said mixture utilizing the measured mixture density and the previously calculated values for the densities of said first and second components, means for calculating the volume flow rate of the mixture utilizing said measured value of mixture mass flow and mixture density, means for calculating flow rates of said first and said second components utilizing the output of said last means of calculating the percent content of one of said components in said mixture and the mixture volume flow rate, and means for temperature correcting the first and second component calculated flow rates.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said thermal coefficients of expansion values are obtained at a reference temperature different from the temperature at which said mixture is measured, and means for correcting the percent volume contents of said first and second components to said reference temperature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said mixture is crude oil, and means for time averaging the measured value of the density of said mixture.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 13, and alerting means, and means to connect said alerting means and said calculating means together so as to actuate said alerting means if the measured mixture density falls below some predetermined value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said mixture is produced fluid from a hydrocarbon well, and separator means to separate any gas which may be present in said produced well fluid, said separator means being placed prior to the point where said mixture is flowed through said apparatus.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said separator means is a vertical three-phase separator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said separator means comprises a vertical two-phase separator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said separator means comprises a horizontal three-phase separator.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said separator means comprises a horizontal two-phase separator.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
330 words
A method of determining the amounts of a first and of a second component in a flowing mixture comprising said first and second components, said first and second components being liquids and having different densities, comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the mass flow of said mixture; (b) determining the density of said mixture; (c) obtaining values for the densities of said first and second components; (d) calculating the amounts of said first and second components in said mixture based on said measured mixture mass flow rate, measured mixture density, and said first and second component obtained values for their said densities, said step of calculating amounts including the substeps of (i) calculating the density of said first and second components at said measured temperature, utilizing said measured temperature and said values for the densities and the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and second components, (ii) calculating the percent of one of said first and second components in said mixture utilizing the measured mixture density and the previously calculated values for the densities of said first and second components, (iii) calculating the volume flow rate of the mixture utilizing said measured value of mixture mass flow and mixture density, the substeps of calculating amounts of said first and of said second components utilizing the output of said last mentioned substeps of calculating the percent of one of said components in said mixture, and the substep of calculating the mixture volume flow rate, and then the substep of temperature correcting the outputs of said last-mentioned two substeps of calculating the first and second component flow rates; (e) measuring the temperature of said mixture, (f) obtaining values for the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and of said second components, (g) performing said calculating amounts step to include said measured mixture temperature and said thermal coefficients values to correct said calculated amounts for the difference in temperature between the measured temperature of said mixture and a predetermined reference temperature.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
330 words
A method of determining the amounts of a first and of a second component in a flowing mixture comprising said first and second components, said first and second components being liquids and having different densities, comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the mass flow of said mixture; (b) determining the density of said mixture; (c) obtaining values for the densities of said first and second components; (d) calculating the amounts of said first and second components in said mixture based on said measured mixture mass flow rate, measured mixture density, and said first and second component obtained values for their said densities, said step of calculating amounts including the substeps of (i) calculating the density of said first and second components at said measured temperature, utilizing said measured temperature and said values for the densities and the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and second components, (ii) calculating the percent of one of said first and second components in said mixture utilizing the measured mixture density and the previously calculated values for the densities of said first and second components, (iii) calculating the volume flow rate of the mixture utilizing said measured value of mixture mass flow and mixture density, the substeps of calculating amounts of said first and of said second components utilizing the output of said last mentioned substeps of calculating the percent of one of said components in said mixture, and the substep of calculating the mixture volume flow rate, and then the substep of temperature correcting the outputs of said last-mentioned two substeps of calculating the first and second component flow rates; (e) measuring the temperature of said mixture, (f) obtaining values for the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and of said second components, (g) performing said calculating amounts step to include said measured mixture temperature and said thermal coefficients values to correct said calculated amounts for the difference in temperature between the measured temperature of said mixture and a predetermined reference temperature.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said mixture is produced fluid from a well, said first component is liquid hydrocarbons, said second component is water, and further comprising the step of time averaging the measured value of the density of said mixture.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
303 words
Apparatus for determining the amounts of a first and of a second component in a flowing mixture, said first and second components being normally liquids and having different densities comprising: (a) means to flow said mixture through said apparatus; (b) means to measure the mass flow, the density, and the temperature of said mixture; (c) means to obtain values for the densities of said first and of said second components; (d) means to calculate the amounts of said first and second components in said mixture based on said measured mixture mass flow, said measured mixture density, and said first and second component values for their densities, said calculating means further comprising: (i) means for first calculating the density of said first and second components at said measured temperature utilizing said measured temperature and said values for the densities and the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and second components, (ii) means for calculating the percent of one of said first and second components on said mixture utilizing the measured mixture density and the previously calculated values for the densities of said first and second components, (iii) means for calculating the volume flow rate of the mixture utilizing said measured value of mixture mass flow and mixture density, (iv) means for calculating flow rates of said first and said second components utilizing the output of said last means of calculating the percent content of one of said components in said mixture and the mixture volume flow rate, and (v) means for temperature correcting the first and second component calculated flow rates, (e) means to display said calculated amounts of said first and second components in said mixture; (f) means for measuring the temperature of said mixture; (g) means to obtain values for the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and second components.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
303 words
Apparatus for determining the amounts of a first and of a second component in a flowing mixture, said first and second components being normally liquids and having different densities comprising: (a) means to flow said mixture through said apparatus; (b) means to measure the mass flow, the density, and the temperature of said mixture; (c) means to obtain values for the densities of said first and of said second components; (d) means to calculate the amounts of said first and second components in said mixture based on said measured mixture mass flow, said measured mixture density, and said first and second component values for their densities, said calculating means further comprising: (i) means for first calculating the density of said first and second components at said measured temperature utilizing said measured temperature and said values for the densities and the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and second components, (ii) means for calculating the percent of one of said first and second components on said mixture utilizing the measured mixture density and the previously calculated values for the densities of said first and second components, (iii) means for calculating the volume flow rate of the mixture utilizing said measured value of mixture mass flow and mixture density, (iv) means for calculating flow rates of said first and said second components utilizing the output of said last means of calculating the percent content of one of said components in said mixture and the mixture volume flow rate, and (v) means for temperature correcting the first and second component calculated flow rates, (e) means to display said calculated amounts of said first and second components in said mixture; (f) means for measuring the temperature of said mixture; (g) means to obtain values for the thermal coefficients of expansion of said first and second components.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said thermal coefficients of expansion values are obtained at a reference temperature different from the temperature at which said mixture is measured, and further comprising means for correcting the percent volume contents of said first and second components to said reference temperature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-31 | 1991-03-02 | 1991-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-31 | 1995-03-02 | 1995-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-31 | 1999-03-02 | 1999-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |