Controlling cone of depression in a well by microprocessor control of modulating valve

Claim 1

A method for removing floating and substantially immiscible liquid from a well containing both said floating immiscible liquids and water, wherein said floating immiscible liquid and water meet at a water interface, by controlling a cone of depression having an apex within the well using a removal system for removing said floating immiscible liquids, the removal system including a mircoprocessor, a discharge water line and an upper sensor, at least a portion of the discharge water line being located within the well, the upper sensor being located within the well at a sensor location, and wherein the upper sensor supplies signals to the microprocessor indicating the presence of the water interface, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting a modulating control valve into the discharge water line, the modulating control valve being connected to be controlled by the microprocessor; b. adapting the microprocessor in response to the signal from the upper sensor, to control opening of the modulating control valve when the water interface rises up to the sensor location; c. adapting the microprocessor in response to the signal from the upper sensor to control closing of the modulating control valve when the water interface falls below the sensor location; and d. adapting the microprocessor, in response to the signal from the upper sensor to control the opening and closing of the modulating control valve at optimal speeds which keeps the apex of the cone of depression at a substantially static level.

Claim 2

A method for removing floating and substantially immiscible liquid from a well containing both said floating immiscible liquids and water, wherein said floating immiscible liquid and water meet at a water interface, by controlling a cone of depression having an apex within the well using a removal system for removing said floating immiscible liquids, the removal system including a mircoprocessor, a discharge water line and an upper sensor, at least a portion of the discharge water line being located within the well, the upper sensor being located within the well at a sensor location, and wherein the upper sensor supplies signals to the microprocessor indicating the presence of the water interface, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting a modulating control valve into the discharge water line, the modulating control valve being connected to be controlled by the microprocessor; b. adapting the microprocessor in response to the signal from the upper sensor, to control opening of the modulating control valve when the water interface rises up to the sensor location; c. adapting the microprocessor in response to the signal from the upper sensor to control closing of the modulating control valve when the water interface falls below the sensor location; and d. adapting the microprocessor, in response to the signal from the upper sensor to control the opening and closing of the modulating control valve at optimal speeds which keeps the apex of the cone of depression at a substantially static level.

Claim 5

A method for removing floating and substantially immiscible liquids from a well containing both said floating immiscible liquids and water, wherein said floating immiscible liquids and water meet at a water interface, by controlling a cone of depression within the well using a removal system for removing said floating immiscible liquids, the removal system including a microprocessor, a discharge water line and an upper water interface sensor, at least a portion of the discharge water line being located within the well, the upper water interface sensor being located within the well at a sensor location, and wherein the upper water interface sensor supplies signals to the microprocessor indicating the presence of the water interface, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting a modulating control valve into the discharge water line, the modulating control valve being connected to be controlled by the microprocessor; b. adapting the microprocessor to cause water discharged to initially bypass the modulating control valve by actuate opening of a solenoid valve in the discharge line immediately after a pumping power source is turned on valve until the water interface initially falls below the sensor location; c. adapting the microprocessor to then deactivate the solenoid valve; subsequently controlling discharge through the discharge water line by the steps of: d. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control opening of the modulating control valve when the water interface rises up to the sensor location; subsequently controlling discharge through the discharge water line by the steps of: e. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control closing of the modulating control valve when the water interface falls below the sensor location; subsequently controlling discharge through the discharge water line by the steps of: and f. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control the opening and closing of the modulating control valve at optimal speeds which keep the water interface at a substantially static level.

Claim 6

A method for removing floating and substantially immiscible liquids from a well containing both said floating immiscible liquids and water, wherein said floating immiscible liquids and water meet at a water interface, by controlling a cone of depression within the well using a removal system for removing said floating immiscible liquids, the removal system including a microprocessor, a discharge water line and an upper water interface sensor, at least a portion of the discharge water line being located within the well, the upper water interface sensor being located within the well at a sensor location, and wherein the upper water interface sensor supplies signals to the microprocessor indicating the presence of the water interface, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting a modulating control valve into the discharge water line, the modulating control valve being connected to be controlled by the microprocessor; b. adapting the microprocessor to cause water discharged to initially bypass the modulating control valve by actuate opening of a solenoid valve in the discharge line immediately after a pumping power source is turned on valve until the water interface initially falls below the sensor location; c. adapting the microprocessor to then deactivate the solenoid valve; subsequently controlling discharge through the discharge water line by the steps of: d. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control opening of the modulating control valve when the water interface rises up to the sensor location; subsequently controlling discharge through the discharge water line by the steps of: e. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control closing of the modulating control valve when the water interface falls below the sensor location; subsequently controlling discharge through the discharge water line by the steps of: and f. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control the opening and closing of the modulating control valve at optimal speeds which keep the water interface at a substantially static level.

Claim 9

A method for removing floating and substantially immiscible liquid from a well containing both said floating immiscible liquids and water, wherein said floating immiscible liquids and water meet at a water interface, by controlling a cone of depression within the well using a removal system for removing said floating immiscible liquids, the removal system including a microprocessor, a discharge water line and an upper water interface sensor, at least a portion of the discharge water line being located within the well, the upper water interface sensor being located within the well at a sensor location, and wherein the upper water interface sensor supplies signals to the microprocessor indicating presence of the water interface, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting a modulating control valve into the discharge water line, the modulating control valve being connected to be controlled by the microprocessor; b. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control opening of the modulating control valve when the water interface rises up to the sensor location; c. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control closing of the modulating control valve when the water interface falls below the sensor location; and d. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control the opening and closing of the modulating control valve at optimal speeds which keep the water interface at a substantially static level.

Claim 10

A method for removing floating and substantially immiscible liquid from a well containing both said floating immiscible liquids and water, wherein said floating immiscible liquids and water meet at a water interface, by controlling a cone of depression within the well using a removal system for removing said floating immiscible liquids, the removal system including a microprocessor, a discharge water line and an upper water interface sensor, at least a portion of the discharge water line being located within the well, the upper water interface sensor being located within the well at a sensor location, and wherein the upper water interface sensor supplies signals to the microprocessor indicating presence of the water interface, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting a modulating control valve into the discharge water line, the modulating control valve being connected to be controlled by the microprocessor; b. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control opening of the modulating control valve when the water interface rises up to the sensor location; c. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control closing of the modulating control valve when the water interface falls below the sensor location; and d. adapting the microprocessor, in response to signals from the upper water interface sensor, to control the opening and closing of the modulating control valve at optimal speeds which keep the water interface at a substantially static level.