systems and methods for monitoring a flow path

专利摘要:
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING A FLOW PATH. The present invention relates to systems and methods for analyzing a fluid flow in two or more distinct locations to determine the concentration of a substance therein. A method of determining a fluid characteristic may include containing a fluid within a flow path that provides at least a first monitoring location and a second monitoring location, generating a first output signal corresponding to the fluid characteristic at the first location monitor with a first optical computing device, generate a second output signal corresponding to the fluid characteristic at the second monitoring location with a second optical computing device, receive the first and second output signals from the first and second optical computing devices , respectively, with a signal processor, and determine a difference between the first and second output signals with the signal processor.
公开号:BR112015003473B1
申请号:R112015003473-0
申请日:2013-09-10
公开日:2021-03-09
发明作者:Ola Tunheim；Laurence James Abney；Robert P. Freese；James Robert Maclennan；Thomas Idland
申请人:Halliburton Energy Services, Inc；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

BACKGROUND
[001] The present invention relates to optical analysis systems and methods for analyzing fluids and, in particular, systems and methods for analyzing a flow of a fluid in two or more distinct locations to determine a characteristic of a substance in the fluid.
[002] In the oil and gas industry, several flow assurance techniques are employed to monitor the formation of organic and inorganic deposits in flow lines and pipes. These deposits can seriously impede the productivity of wells by reducing the permeability close to the well bore and progressively restricting the diameter of the connected flow ducts, flow lines and pipelines. Problems with flow guarantees cost the oil industry billions of dollars worldwide for prevention and repair.
[003] Flow guarantee problems are generally related to paraffin waxes and asphaltenes, which are typically caused by changes in the pressure and temperature of the fluids produced in or near the well bore or in surface flow ducts. As waxes and asphaltenes precipitate out of the fluid, precipitates accumulate and tend to restrict or obstruct flow lines and pipes. The removal of precipitates can be carried out using solvent washes, although, in some cases, the disposal of certain solvents after cleaning presents growing environmental concerns. In other applications, precipitates are removed by milling, scraping or pigmenting operations performed by an in-line tool / device / robot. In extreme cases, this may require the flow line or pipeline to be closed for a period of time and, in the case of a total blockage, it may also require the removal of the entire pipeline.
[004] Calcium carbonate encrustation is generally formed by changes in the pressure and temperature of water produced in or near the well bore and within the production pipeline / flow ducts. Inlays of barium, strontium and calcium sulphate are generally formed by mixing water of different formation and also the mixture of formation water and sea water that is injected into production wells. The formation of fouling can be partially prevented by treatments with water discharge and the use of fouling inhibitors. Once formed, the scale can be removed only with some difficulty, such as when dissolving the scale, where applicable, using specially designed mineral acids and dissolvers. In extreme cases, the scale must be removed by in-line milling operations or when removing and replacing the affected flow line or total piping.
[005] Reticular compounds of methane and water hydrates are crystals that, if formed, can also obstruct or block the flow lines and pipes. Aromatics and naphthanates when combined with water can cause foaming and / or emulsions which can also cause flow restriction or pipe interruption. Reservoir erosion can also adversely affect production by adding particulates to the stream and changing the flow characteristics below the surface.
[006] The elements versed in the technique will easily recognize the importance of precisely determining the effectiveness of treatments designed to neutralize asphaltenes, wax, scale, corrosion, as well as monitoring the loss of sand / chalk, all of which can adversely affect hydrocarbon production . In some cases, the production of a well from a particular reservoir can be permanently hampered by flow problems making prevention essential for proper reservoir management. Consequently, identifying flow assurance issues before they occur will smooth out costly corrective action. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] The present invention relates to optical analysis systems and methods for analyzing fluids and, in particular, systems and methods for analyzing a flow of a fluid in two or more different locations to determine a characteristic of a substance in the fluid.
[008] In some aspects of the description, a system is described. The system may include a flow path that contains a fluid and provides at least a first monitoring location and a second monitoring location, a first optical computing device arranged at the first monitoring location and which has a first integrated computing element configured for interact optically with the fluid and conduct optically interacted light to a first detector that generates a first output signal corresponding to a fluid characteristic at the first monitoring site, a second optical computing device arranged at the second monitoring site and which has a second integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and conduct optically interacted light to a second detector that generates a second output signal corresponding to the fluid characteristic at the second location, and a signal processor coupled in a way communicable to the first and second detectors and config ured to receive the first and second output signals and determine a difference between the first and second output signals.
[009] In other aspects of the description, a method for determining a fluid characteristic is described. The method may include containing a fluid within a flow path that provides at least a first monitoring location and a second monitoring location, generating a first output signal corresponding to the fluid characteristic at the first monitoring location with a first monitoring device. optical computing, the first optical computing device having a first integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and then conduct the optically interacted light to a first detector that generates the first output signal, generating a corresponding second output signal to the characteristic of the fluid at the second monitoring site with a second optical computing device, the second optical computing device having a second integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and then conduct the optically interacted light to a second detector that generates the second sin at the output, receiving the first and second output signals with a signal processor coupled in a manner communicable to the first and second detectors, and determining a difference between the first and second output signals with the signal processor.
[010] In yet other aspects of the description, another system is described. The system can include a first flow path that contains a first fluid and provides a first monitoring location, a second flow path that contains a second fluid and provides a second monitoring location, the first and second flow paths being combined downstream in a common flow path that conducts the first and second fluids with a combined fluid, a first optical computing device disposed in the first monitoring location and has a first integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the first fluid and generate a first output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the first fluid, a second optical computing device disposed in the second monitoring site and which has a second integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and generate a second output signal corresponding to the characteristic of the second fluid, and a proce signal transmitter coupled in a communicable manner to the first and second optical computing devices and configured to receive and determine a difference between the first and second output signals.
[011] Still in additional aspects of the description, another method of determining a fluid characteristic is described. The method may include containing a first fluid within a first flow path that provides a first monitoring location, containing a second fluid within a second flow path that provides a second monitoring location, the first and second flow paths of which flow are combined downstream into a common flow path that leads the first and second fluids as a combined fluid, optically interacting with a first computational element integrated with the first fluid to generate a first output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the first fluid, interacting optically a second computational element integrated with the second fluid to generate a second output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the second fluid, receive the first and second output signals with a signal processor, and determine a difference between the first and second signal output with the signal processor.
[012] The features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the description of the preferred embodiments that follow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] The following figures are intended to illustrate certain aspects of the present invention, and should not be seen as exclusive modalities. The subject in question is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations and equivalents in form and function, as will occur for the elements versed in the technique and have the benefit of this description.
[014] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary integrated computing element, according to one or more modalities.
[015] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram that shows non-mechanically how an optical computing device distinguishes electromagnetic radiation in relation to a characteristic of interest from other electromagnetic radiation, according to one or more modalities.
[016] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary system for monitoring a fluid present in a flow path, according to one or more modalities.
[017] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary housing that can be used to house an optical computing device, according to one or more modalities. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[018] The present invention relates to optical analysis systems and methods for analyzing fluids and, in particular, systems and methods for analyzing a flow of a fluid in two or more distinct locations to determine a characteristic of a substance in the fluid.
[019] The exemplary systems and methods described here employ various configurations of optical computing devices, also commonly referred to as "optical analytical devices", for real-time or near real-time monitoring of fluids. The systems and methods described can be suitable for use in the oil and gas industry as the optical computing devices described provide an economical, severe, and accurate means of monitoring hydrocarbon quality in order to facilitate efficient oil / gas production management. however, that the various systems and methods described are equally applicable to other fields of technology that include, but are not limited to, the food and pharmaceutical industry, industrial applications, mining industries, or any field where it may be advantageous to determine in real time or almost in real time the concentration or characteristic of a specific substance in a fluid f luente.
[020] The optical computing devices described here, which are described in more detail below, can advantageously provide real-time or near real-time monitoring of fluid flow that cannot currently be performed with on-site analysis at a work or through more detailed analyzes that take place in a laboratory. A significant and distinct advantage of these devices is that they can be configured to detect and / or specifically measure a particular component or characteristic of interest in a fluid, thus allowing qualitative and / or quantitative analysis of the fluid to take place without having to undergo a sample processing procedure. With real-time or near real-time analysis available, the exemplary systems and methods described here may be able to provide some proactive or responsive control measurement over fluid flow, allow the collection and retrieval of fluid information in conjunction with operational information to optimize subsequent operations and / or increase the ability to perform remote work.
[021] Optical computing devices suitable for use in the present modalities can be implanted in two or more fluidly communicable points within a flow path to monitor the fluid and the various changes that can occur in that between the two or more points. In some cases, for example, optical computing devices can be used to monitor changes in a fluid that can occur over time or at a predetermined distance in the flow path. In some cases, optical computing devices can be used to monitor changes in the fluid as a result of adding a treatment substance to it, removing a treatment substance from it, or exposing the fluid to a condition that potentially alters a fluid characteristic. somehow. In some cases, quality control information for treatment substances can be obtained, for example, before and after introduction into the flow path. Thus, the systems and methods described here can be configured to monitor a fluid flow and, more particularly, to monitor any changes in that as a result of adding one or more treatment substances to the fluid at different points in a flow path to determine the flow path. concentration or effectiveness of one or more treatment substances. In at least one aspect, this may prove to be advantageous for verifying a correct dosage of the one or more treatment substances as intended.
[022] In some cases, quality control information regarding the mixture of fluids produced from different wells, different fields, or different operators can be monitored to determine if the mixture is producing a resulting fluid with a higher instance of deposit formation in the flow path through which the mixed fluids are flowing. In some cases, quality control information regarding the quality of produced fluids can be monitored, so if one field or operator's production has a higher hydrocarbon quality than the other, accurate financial models can be constructed in relation to sharing, lease and / or license payment for use of shared transportation and production facilities.
[023] As used here, the term "fluid" refers to any substance that is capable of flowing, including particulate solids, liquids, gases, slurries, emulsions, powders, sludges, glasses, combinations thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, the fluid may be an aqueous fluid, including water or the like. In some embodiments, the fluid may be a non-aqueous fluid, including organic compounds, more specifically, hydrocarbons, petroleum, a refined component of petroleum, petrochemical products, and the like. In some embodiments, the fluid may be a treatment fluid or a forming fluid. Fluids can include various flowable mixtures of solids, liquids and / or gases. Illustrative gases that can be considered fluid according to the present embodiments include, for example, air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, helium, methane, ethane, butane, and other hydrocarbon gases, combinations of these and / or the like.
[024] As used here, the term "characteristic" refers to a chemical, mechanical or physical property of a substance. A characteristic of a substance can include a quantitative value of one or more chemical components in that substance. These chemical components can be referred to here as "analytes." The illustrative characteristics of a substance that can be monitored with the optical computing devices described here may include, for example, chemical composition (for example, identity and concentration in the total or components individual), impurity content, pH, viscosity, density, ionic strength, total dissolved solids, salt content, porosity, opacity, bacteria content, phase state (ie solid, liquid, gas, plasma), combinations of these , and the like In addition, the phrase "feature of interest in / in a fluid" can be used here to refer to the characteristic of a substance contained or otherwise flowing with the fluid.
[025] As used here, the term "flow path" refers to a route through which a fluid is capable of being transported between two points. In some cases, the flow path does not have to be continuous or otherwise contiguous between the two points. Exemplary flow paths include, but are not limited to, a flow line, a pipe, a hose, a process installation, a storage container, a transport container, a duct, a chain, a drainpipe, a underground formation, a flow channel, a borehole, etc., combinations of these, or similar. In cases where the flow path is a pipe, or similar, the pipe can be a pre-commissioned pipe or an operational pipe. It should be noted that the term flow path does not necessarily imply that a fluid is flowing there, but that a fluid is capable of being transported or otherwise flowable through it.
[026] As used here, the term "substance," or variations thereof, refers to at least a portion of a matter or material of interest that will be evaluated using the optical computing devices described here. In some embodiments, the substance is the characteristic of interest, as defined above, and can include any integral component of the fluid that flows within the flow path. For example, the substance may include compounds that contain elements such as barium, calcium, manganese, sulfur, iron, strontium, chlorine, etc., and any other chemical that may result in precipitation within a flow path. The substance can also refer to paraffins, waxes, asphaltenes, aromatic, saturated foams, salts, particulates, sand or other solid particles, combinations of these, and the like. In still other modalities, in terms of quantification of ionic resistance, the substance can include several ions, such as, but without limiting character, Ba2 +, Sr2 +, Fe +, Fe2 + (or total Fe), + 2- 2- + + + + - Mn2, SO4, CO3, Ca2, Mg2, Na, K, CI.
[027] In other respects, the substance can include any substance added to the flow path to address the flow path for reasons of flow assurance. Exemplary treatment substances may include, but are not limited to, acids, acid-generating compounds, bases, base-generating compounds, biocides, surfactants, scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, gelling agents, crosslinking agents, anti-oxidants - bridging, foaming agents, antifoaming agents, emulsifying agents, demulsifying agents, iron control agents, propellants or other particulates, gravel, particulate diverters, salts, fluid loss control additives, gases, catalysts, control agents clay, chelating agents, corrosion inhibitors, dispersants, flocculants, scavengers (eg H2S scavengers, CO2 scavengers or O2 scavengers), lubricants, breakers, delayed release breakers, friction reducers, bonding agents, viscosifiers, weighting agents, solubilizers, rheology control agents, viscosity modifiers, the pH control agents (e.g., buffers), hydrate inhibitors, relative permeability modifiers, bypass agents, consolidating agents, fibrous materials, bactericides, tracers, probes, nanoparticles, and the like. The combinations of these substances can be referred to as a substance as well.
[028] As used here, the term "electromagnetic radiation" refers to radio waves, microwave radiation, infrared and near infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet light, x-ray radiation and gamma ray radiation.
[029] As used here, the term "optical computing device" refers to an optical device that is configured to receive an electromagnetic radiation input from a substance or sample of the substance, and produce an electromagnetic radiation output from an element of processing arranged within the optical computing device. The processing element can be, for example, an integrated computational element (ICE) used in the optical computing device. As discussed in more detail below, the electromagnetic radiation that optically interacts with the processing element is altered to be readable by a detector, so that an output from the detector can be correlated to at least one characteristic of the substance being measured or monitored. The output of electromagnetic radiation from the processing element may be reflected electromagnetic radiation, transmitted electromagnetic radiation, and / or scattered electromagnetic radiation. The possibility of the reflected or transmitted electromagnetic radiation being analyzed by the detector can be dictated by the structural parameters of the optical computing device as well as other considerations known to the elements skilled in the art. In addition, the emission and / or dispersion of the substance, for example, through fluorescence, luminescence, Raman scattering, and / or Raleigh scattering, can also be monitored by optical computing devices.
[030] As used herein, the term "optically interacts" or variations thereof refer to the reflection, transmission, dispersion, diffraction, or absorption of electromagnetic radiation in, through, or from one or more processing elements (ie, integrated computational elements). Consequently, optically interacted light refers to electromagnetic radiation that has been reflected, transmitted, scattered, diffracted, or absorbed, emitted, or radiated, for example, using the integrated computational elements, but it can also be applied for interaction with a fluid or an substance in the fluid.
[031] The exemplary systems and methods described here will include at least two optical computing devices, strategically arranged along a flow path to monitor a fluid flowing through it and calculate differences in concentration between the measurement or monitoring sites. Each optical computing device can include a source of electromagnetic radiation, at least one processing element (e.g., integrated computational elements), and at least one detector arranged to receive optically interacted light from at least one processing element. As described below, however, in at least one embodiment, the source of electromagnetic radiation can be omitted and instead of the electromagnetic radiation being derived from the fluid or the substance itself. In some embodiments, exemplary optical computing devices can be specifically configured to detect, analyze, and quantitatively measure a particular characteristic or analyte of interest to the fluid in the flow path. In other embodiments, optical computing devices can be general-purpose optical devices, with post-acquisition processing (for example, through computer means) that are used to specifically detect the sample characteristic.
[032] In some embodiments, structural components suitable for exemplary optical computing devices are described in Patent Nos. Commonly Owned U.S. 6,198,531; 6,529,276; 7,123,844; 7,834,999; 7,911.60, 7,920,258, and 8,049,881, and Patent Application Nos. U.S. Series 12 / 094,460; 12 / 094,465; and 13 / 456,467. As will be assessed, variations in the structural components of optical computing devices described in the patents and patent applications mentioned above may be adequate, without abandoning the scope of the description, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the various modalities described here.
[033] The optical computing devices described in previous patents and patent applications combine the power, precision and accuracy advantage associated with laboratory spectrometers, while being extremely resistant and suitable for use in the field. In addition, optical computing devices can perform calculations (analyzes) in real time or near real time without the need for time-consuming sample processing. In that regard, optical computing devices can be specifically configured to detect and analyze particular characteristics and / or analytes of interest for a fluid or a substance in the fluid. As a result, the interfering signals are distinguished from those of interest in the substance by the appropriate configuration of the optical computing devices, such that the optical computing devices provide a quick response regarding the characteristics of the fluid or substance based on the detected output. In some embodiments, the detected output can be converted into a voltage that is distinctive from the magnitude of the characteristic being monitored in the fluid. These and other advantages make optical computing devices particularly well suited for field and downhole use.
[034] Optical computing devices can be configured to detect not only the composition and concentrations of a substance in a fluid, but can also be configured to determine the physical properties and other characteristics of the substance, based on its analysis of electromagnetic radiation. received from the substance. For example, optical computing devices can be configured to determine the concentration of an analyte and correlate to the determined concentration with a characteristic of a substance using suitable processing means. As will be assessed, optical computing devices can be configured to detect as many characteristics or analytes as desired for a particular substance or fluid. All that is required to perform the monitoring of multiple characteristics or analytes is the incorporation of adequate processing and detection means within the optical computing device for each characteristic or analyte. In some embodiments, the properties of the substance may be a combination of the properties of the analytes therein (for example, a linear, non-linear, logarithmic and / or exponential combination). Consequently, the more characteristics and analytes are detected and analyzed using optical computing devices, the more precisely the properties of the given substance will be determined.
[035] The optical computing devices described here use electromagnetic radiation to perform calculations, unlike the physically connected circuits of conventional electronic processors. When electromagnetic radiation interacts with a substance, the unique physical and chemical information about the substance can be encoded in the electromagnetic radiation that is reflected, transmitted, or radiated from the substance. This information is generally referred to as the spectral "fingerprint" of the substance. The optical computing devices described here are capable of extracting spectral fingerprint information from multiple characteristics or analytes within a substance and converting that information into a detectable output referring to the general properties of the substance. That is, through appropriate configurations of optical computing devices, the electromagnetic radiation associated with characteristics or analytes of interest in a substance can be separated from the electromagnetic radiation associated with all other components of the substance to estimate the properties of the substance in real time or almost in real time.
[036] The processing elements used in the exemplary optical computing devices described here can be characterized as integrated computational elements (ICE). Each ICE is able to distinguish electromagnetic radiation related to the characteristic or analyte of interest from electromagnetic radiation related to other components of a substance. Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary ICE 100 suitable for use in the optical computing devices used in the systems and methods described here is illustrated. As illustrated, ICE 100 can include a plurality of alternating layers 102 and 104, such as silicon (Si) and SiO2 (quartz), respectively. In general, these layers 102, 104 consist of materials whose refractive index is high and low, respectively. Other examples may include niobium and niobium, germanium and germanium, MgF, SiO, and other high and low index materials known in the art. The layers 102, 104 can be strategically deposited on an optical substrate 106. In some embodiments, the optical substrate 106 is optical glass BK-7. In other embodiments, the optical substrate 106 can be another type of optical substrate, such as quartz, sapphire, silicon, germanium, zinc selenide, zinc sulfide, or various plastics such as polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , diamond, ceramics, combinations of these, and the like.
[037] At the opposite end (for example, opposite the optical substrate 106 in Figure 1), the ICE 100 may include a layer 108 that is generally exposed to the environment of the device or installation. The number of layers 102, 104 and the thickness of each layer 102, 104 are determined from the spectral attributes acquired from a spectroscopic analysis of a characteristic of the substance using a conventional spectroscopic instrument. The spectrum of interest for a particular characteristic of a substance typically includes any number of different wavelengths. It should be understood that the exemplary ICE 100 in Figure 1 does not actually represent any particular characteristic of a particular substance, but is provided for purposes of illustration only. Consequently, the number of layers 102, 104 and their relative thickness, as shown in Figure 1, have no correlation with any particular characteristic of a particular substance. Layers 102, 104 and their relative thicknesses are not necessarily represented in scale, and therefore should not be considered as limiting this description. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the materials that make up each layer 102, 104 (i.e., Si and SiO2) may vary, depending on the application, material cost and / or applicability of the material to the substance.
[038] In some embodiments, the material of each layer 102, 104 can be doped or two or more materials can be combined in a way to obtain the desired optical characteristic. In addition to solids, the exemplary ICE 100 can also contain liquids and / or gases, optionally in combination with solids, to produce a desired optical characteristic. In the case of gases and liquids, the ICE 100 may contain a corresponding container (not shown), which houses the gases or liquids. Exemplary variations of the ICE 100 may also include holographic optical elements, diffraction grids, piezoelectrics, light rod, digital light rod (DLP), and / or acoustic-optical elements, for example, which can create transmission, reflection and / or properties absorption of interest.
[039] The multiple layers 102, 104 exhibit different refractive indices. By properly selecting the materials of layers 102, 104 and their relative thickness and spacing, the ICE 100 can be configured to selectively pass / reflect / refract predetermined fractions of electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths. Each wavelength is provided with a predetermined weighting or loading factor. The thickness and spacing of layers 102, 104 can be determined using a variety of methods of approximating the spectrograph of the characteristic or analyte of interest. These methods can include the inverse Fourier transform (IFT) of the optical transmission spectrum and structuring the ICE 100 as the physical representation of the IFT. The approximations convert the IFT into a structure based on known materials with constant refractive indices. Additional information regarding the structures and design of exemplary integrated computational elements (also referred to as multivariate optical elements) is provided in Applied Optics, Vol. 35, pp. 5484-5492 (1996) and Vol. 129, pp. 2876-2893.
[040] The weights that layers 102, 104 of the ICE 100 apply to each wavelength are adjusted to the regression weights described in relation to a known equation, or data, or spectral signature. Briefly, the ICE 100 can be configured to realize the scalar product of the incoming light beam on the ICE 100 and a desired loaded regression vector represented by each layer 102, 104 for each wavelength. As a result, the output light intensity of the ICE 100 is related to the characteristic or analyte of interest. Additional details regarding how the exemplary ICE 100 is able to distinguish and process electromagnetic radiation related to the characteristic or analyte of interest are described in Patent Nos. U.S. 6,198,531; 6,529,276; and 7,920,258.
[041] Now with reference to Figure 2, a block diagram is illustrated which illustrates non-mechanically how an optical computing device 200 is able to distinguish electromagnetic radiation related to a characteristic of a substance from other electromagnetic radiation. As shown in Figure 2, after being illuminated with incident electromagnetic radiation, a substance 202 containing an analyte of interest (for example, a characteristic of the substance) produces an output of electromagnetic radiation (for example, light interacted with a sample), some of which is the electromagnetic radiation 204 corresponding to the characteristic or analyte of interest and one of these is the background electromagnetic radiation 206 corresponding to other components or characteristics of the substance 202.
[042] Although not specifically shown, one or more spectral elements can be employed in device 200 to limit the optical wavelengths and / or bandwidths of the system and then eliminate unwanted electromagnetic radiation in wavelength regions that do not. matter. These spectral elements can be located anywhere along the optical train, but are typically used directly after the light source, which provides the initial electromagnetic radiation. Various configurations and applications of spectral elements in optical computing devices can be found in Patent Nos. Commonly Owned U.S. 6,198,531; 6,529,276; 7,123,844; 7,834,999; 7,911,605, 7,920,258, 8,049,881, and Patent Application Nos. U.S. Series 12 / 094,460 (Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2009/0219538); 12 / 094,465 (Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2009/0219539); and 13 / 456,467.
[043] The electromagnetic radiation beams 204, 206 fall on the optical computing device 200, which contains an exemplary ICE 208 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, ICE 208 can be configured to produce optically interacted light, for example, transmitted optically interacted light 210 and reflected optically interacted light 214. In operation, ICE 208 can be configured to distinguish electromagnetic radiation 204 from electromagnetic radiation background 206.
[044] The transmitted optically interacted light 210, which may be related to the characteristic or analyte of interest of substance 202, can be directed to a detector 212 for analysis and quantification. In some embodiments, detector 212 is configured to produce an output signal in the form of a voltage that corresponds to the particular characteristic of substance 202. In at least one embodiment, the signal produced by detector 212 and the concentration of the characteristic of substance 202 can be directly proportional. In other modalities, the relationship can be a polynomial function, an exponential function and / or a logarithmic function. The reflected optically interacted light 214, which may be related to the characteristic and other components of substance 202, can be directed out of detector 212. In alternative configurations, the ICE 208 can be configured in such a way that the reflected optically interacted light 214 can be related to the analyte of interest, and the transmitted optically interacted light 210 can be related to other components of the substance 202.
[045] In some embodiments, a second detector 216 may be present and arranged to detect reflected optically interacted light 214. In other embodiments, the second detector 216 may be arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation 204, 206 derived from substance 202 or radiation electromagnetic targeting, or earlier, of substance 202. Without limitation, the second detector 216 can be used to detect radiant deviations derived from a source of electromagnetic radiation (not shown), which supplies electromagnetic radiation (ie, light) to the device 200. For example, radiant deviations may include such things as, but not limited to, fluctuations in intensity in electromagnetic radiation, interfering fluctuations (for example, dust or other interferences that pass in front of the source of electromagnetic radiation), window coverings included with the optical computing device 200, combinations thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, a beam splitter (not shown) can be used to divide the electromagnetic radiation 204, 206, and the transmitted or reflected electromagnetic radiation can then be directed to one or more ICE 208. That is, in such modalities, the ICE 208 does not function as a type of beam splitter, as shown in Figure 2, and the electromagnetic radiation transmitted or reflected simply passes through ICE 208, which is computationally processed there, before moving to detector 212.
[046] The characteristic (s) of substance 202 that is / are analyzed using the optical computing device 200 can be processed in a computational manner to provide additional characterization information about the substance 202. In some embodiments, the identification and concentration of each analyte in substance 202 can be used to predict certain physical characteristics of substance 202. For example, the volume characteristics of a substance 202 can be estimated using a combination of the properties conferred on the substance 202 for each analyte.
[047] In some embodiments, the concentration of each analyte or the magnitude of each characteristic determined using the optical computing device 200 can be fed into an algorithm that operates under computer control. The algorithm can be configured to make predictions about how the characteristics of substance 202 change if the concentrations of the analytes change relative to each other. In some embodiments, the algorithm can produce an output that is readable by an operator who can take appropriate measures manually, if necessary, based on the output. In some modalities, the algorithm can take proactive process control by automatically adjusting the flow of a treatment substance that is introduced into a flow path or by stopping the introduction of the treatment substance in response to an out of reach condition.
[048] The algorithm can be part of an artificial neural network configured to use the concentration of each analyte detected to evaluate the characteristic (s) of substance 202 and to predict how to modify substance 202 to change its properties in a desired way. Illustrative, but not limiting, artificial neural networks are described in Commonly Owned U.S. Patent Application No. 11 / 986,763 (U.S. Patent Application Publication 2009/0182693). It will be identified that an artificial neural network can be prepared using samples of substances that have known concentrations, compositions and / or properties, and thus generate a virtual library. As the virtual library available for the artificial neural network becomes larger, the neural network may become better able to accurately predict the characteristics of a substance that has any number of analytes present in it. Furthermore, with sufficient formation, the artificial neural network can more accurately predict the characteristics of the substance, even in the presence of unknown analytes.
[049] It is identified that the various modalities here focused on computer control and artificial neural networks, including various blocks, modules, elements, components, methods, and algorithms, can be implemented using hardware, computer software, combinations of these, and similar. To illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, several blocks, modules, elements, components, methods and illustrative algorithms have been described in general terms in terms of their functionality. The possibility of such functionality being implemented as hardware or software will depend on the particular application and any design restrictions imposed. For at least that reason, it will be recognized that an element skilled in the art can implement the functionality described in a variety of ways for a particular application. In addition, several components and blocks can be arranged in a different order or divided differently, for example, without abandoning the scope of the modalities expressly described.
[050] The computer hardware used to implement the various blocks, modules, elements, components, methods, and illustrative algorithms described here may include a processor configured to execute one or more sequences of instructions, programming locations, or code stored in one non-temporary, computer-readable medium. The processor can be, for example, a general purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a specific integrated circuit, a field programmable port array, a programmable logic device, a controller, a state machine, a logic gate, distinct hardware components, an artificial neural network, or any similar suitable entity that can perform calculations or other data manipulation. In some embodiments, computer hardware may also include elements such as a memory (for example, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read memory (ROM), programmable read memory (PROM), memory erasable media (EPROM)), registers, hard drives, removable disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or any other similar suitable device or storage medium.
[051] The executable sequences described here can be implemented with one or more code sequences contained in a memory. In some embodiments, this code can be read in the memory of another machine-readable medium. The execution of the instruction sequences contained in the memory can cause a processor to carry out the process steps described here. One or more processors in a multiprocessing arrangement can also be employed to execute instructional sequences in memory. In addition, a set of physically connected circuits can be used instead of or in combination with software instructions to implement the various modalities described here. Thus, the present modalities are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and / or software.
[052] As used here, a machine-readable medium will refer to any medium that provides instructions directly or indirectly to a processor for execution. A machine-readable medium can take many forms including, for example, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical and magnetic disks. Volatile media can include, for example, dynamic memory. The transmission means may include, for example, coaxial cables, wire, optical fiber, and wires that form a bus. Common forms of machine-readable media may include, for example, floppy disks, floppy disks, hard drives, magnetic tapes, other similar magnetic media, CD-ROMs, DVDs, other similar optical media, perforated cards, paper tapes and physical media with printed holes, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM and flash EPROM.
[053] In some modalities, data collected using optical computing devices can be archived together with data associated with operational parameters that are recorded in a workplace. The job performance assessment can then be carried out and improved for future operations or such information can be used to design subsequent operations. In addition, data and information can be communicated (wired or wireless) to a remote location by a communication system (for example, satellite communication or wide area network communication) for further analysis. The communication system can also allow remote monitoring and process operation to take place. Automatic control with a long-range communication system can further facilitate the performance of remote work operations. In particular, an artificial neural network can be used in some modalities to facilitate the performance of remote work operations. That is, remote work operations can be conducted automatically in some modes. In other modalities, however, remote work operations can take place under the control of the direct operator, where the operator is not at the workplace.
[054] Now with reference to Figure 3, an exemplary system 300 for monitoring a fluid 302 is illustrated, according to one or more modalities. In the illustrated embodiment, fluid 302 may be contained or otherwise flow within an exemplary flow path 304. Flow path 304 may be a flow line or a pipe and the fluid 302 present therein may be flowing in the general direction indicated by arrows A (that is, from upstream to downstream). As will be appreciated, however, flow path 304 may be any other type of flow path, as generally described or otherwise defined here. In at least one embodiment, however, flow path 304 may form part of an oil / gas pipeline and may be part of a wellhead or a plurality of underwater and / or surface interconnecting flow lines or tubes that interconnect several underground hydrocarbon reservoirs with one or more receiving / collecting platforms or process facilities. In some embodiments, portions of the flow path 304 can be employed at the bottom of the well and fluidly connect, for example, a formation and a wellhead. Thus, the portions of the flow path 304 can be arranged substantially vertically, substantially horizontally, or any directional configuration between them, without abandoning the scope of the description.
[055] System 300 may include at least a first optical computing device 306a and a second optical computing device 306b. Optical computing devices 306a, b can be similar in some respects to the optical computing device 200 of Figure 2, and therefore can be better understood with reference to this. As illustrated, the first and second optical computing devices 306a, b can be associated with flow path 304 at independent and distinct monitoring locations along the length of flow path 304. Specifically, the first optical computing device 306a can be located at a first monitoring location along flow path 304 and the second optical computing device 306b can be located at a second monitoring location along flow path 304, where the first monitoring location communicates fluently with the second monitoring location through contiguous portions of flow path 304. As described in more detail below, each optical computing device 306a, b can be useful in determining a particular characteristic of fluid 302 within flow path 304, such as determining a concentration of a substance that may be present within fluid 302 at the correct location spondent along the flow path 304.
[056] In some embodiments, the second optical computing device 306b is arranged at a predetermined distance from the first optical computing device 306a along the length of the flow path 304. In other embodiments, however, the first optical computing device 306a it can be randomly separated from the second optical computing device 306b, without abandoning the scope of the description. In addition, while only two optical computing devices 306a, b are shown in Figure 3, it will be assessed that system 300 can employ more than two optical computing devices within the 304 flow path. In these embodiments, each additional optical computing device can be separated from the first and second optical computing devices 306a, b at predetermined and random distances, depending on the application.
[057] Each device 306a, b can be housed within an enclosure or individual housing coupled or otherwise fixed to the flow path 304 at its respective location. As illustrated, for example, the first device 306a can be housed within a first housing 308a and the second device 306b can be housed within a second housing 308b. In some embodiments, the first and second housings 308a, b can be mechanically coupled to the flow path 304 using, for example, mechanical fasteners, brazing or welding techniques, adhesives, magnets, combinations thereof or the like. Each housing 308a, b can be configured to substantially protect the internal components of the respective devices 306a, b against damage or contamination from the external environment. In addition, each housing 308a, b can be designed to withstand the pressures that can be experienced within flow path 304 and then provide a fluid tight seal between flow path 304 and the respective housing 308a, b.
[058] Each device 306a, b may include an electromagnetic radiation source 310 configured to emit or otherwise generate electromagnetic radiation 312. The source of electromagnetic radiation 310 may be any device capable of emitting or generating electromagnetic radiation, as defined on here. For example, the source of electromagnetic radiation 310 may be an electric lamp, a light-emitting device (LED), a laser, a black body, a photonic crystal, an x-ray source, combinations thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, a lens (not shown), or any other type of optical device configured to transmit or otherwise conduct electromagnetic radiation, may be arranged to collect or otherwise receive electromagnetic radiation 312 and direct a beam towards the fluid 302.
[059] In one or more embodiments, devices 306a, b may also include a sampling window 314 disposed adjacent to fluid 302 for detection purposes. The sampling window 314 can be made from a variety of transparent, rigid or semi-rigid materials that are configured to allow the transmission of 312 electromagnetic radiation through it. For example, the sampling window 314 can be made, but without limitation, of glasses, plastics, semiconductors, crystalline materials, polycrystalline materials, hot or cold compressed powders, combinations thereof, or the like. To remove ghosting or other imaging problems resulting from reflectance on the sampling window 314, system 300 may employ one or more elements of internal reflectance (IRE), such as those described in Commonly Owned U.S. Patent No. 7,697 .141, and / or one or more imaging systems, such as those described in US Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 456,467.
[060] After passing through the sampling window 314, electromagnetic radiation 312 impacts and interacts optically with fluid 302, or a substance flowing within fluid 302. As a result, optically interacted radiation 316 is generated and reflected from the fluid 302. Those skilled in the art, however, will easily recognize that alternative variations of devices 306a, b may allow optically interacted radiation 316 to be generated when transmitted, scattered, diffracted, absorbed, emitted, or re-radiated by and / or from fluid 302, or the particular substance flowing within fluid 302, without abandoning the scope of the description.
[061] The optically interacted radiation 316 in each device 306a, b can be directed or otherwise received by an ICE 318 disposed within the corresponding device 306a, b. each ICE 318 can be a spectral component substantially similar to the ICE 100 described above with reference to Figure 1. Consequently, in operation, each ICE 318 can be configured to receive the optically interacted radiation 316 and produce the modified electromagnetic radiation 320 corresponding to a characteristic or particular analyte of interest of the fluid 302. In particular, the modified electromagnetic radiation 320 is the electromagnetic radiation that has been optically interacted with the ICE 318, thereby obtaining an approximate simulation of the regression vector corresponding to the characteristic of interest of the fluid 302 is obtained.
[062] It should be noted that, while Figure 3 shows the ICE 318 receiving the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the sampling window 314 and the fluid 302, the ICE 318 can be arranged at any point along the optical train of the device 306a, b , without abandoning the scope of the description. For example, in one or more embodiments, the ICE 318 can be arranged inside the optical train before the sampling window 314 and also obtain substantially the same results. In other embodiments, the sampling window 314 can serve a dual purpose like a transmission window and ICE 318 (ie, a spectral component). In still other modalities, ICE 318 can generate modified electromagnetic radiation 320 through reflection, instead of transmission through it.
[063] Furthermore, while only one ICE 318 is shown on each corresponding device 306a, b, the modalities are contemplated here to include the use of at least two ICE on each device 306a, b configured to cooperatively determine the characteristic of interest in the fluid 302. For example, two or more ICEs can be arranged in series or in parallel within the device 306a, be configured to receive the optically interacted radiation 316 and thereby increase the sensitivities and detector limits of the device 306a, b. In other embodiments, two or more ICEs can be arranged in a mobile assembly, such as a rotating disk or an oscillating linear matrix, which moves in such a way that the individual ICE components are capable of being exposed or otherwise interacting optically with the electromagnetic radiation for a brief distinct period of time. In one or more modalities, the two or more ICE in any of these modalities can be configured to be associated or dissociated with the characteristic of interest in the fluid 302. In other modalities, the two or more ICE can be configured to be positive or negative correlated to the characteristic of interest in fluid 302. These optional modalities that employ two or more ICE 318 are further described in Patent Application Nos. of copending U.S. Series 13 / 456,264 and 13 / 456,405.
[064] In some modalities, it may be desired to monitor more than one analyte or characteristic of interest at a time at each location along the 304 flow path. In such modalities, multiple configurations for multiple ICE components can be used, where each component ICE is configured to detect a particular and / or distinct characteristic or analyte of interest. In some embodiments, the characteristic or analyte can be analyzed sequentially using multiple ICE components that are provided with a single beam of electromagnetic radiation that is reflected or transmitted through fluid 302. In some embodiments, as briefly mentioned above, multiple ICE components can be arranged on a rotating disk, where the individual ICE components are exposed only to the beam of electromagnetic radiation for a short period of time. The advantages of this approach may include the ability to analyze multiple analytes using a single optical computing device and the opportunity to analyze additional analytes when adding additional ICE components to the rotating disk. In various embodiments, the rotating disk can be rotated at a frequency of about 10 RPM to about 30,000 RPM in such a way that each analyte in fluid 302 is measured quickly. In some embodiments, these values can be calculated in an appropriate time domain (for example, about 1 millisecond to about 1 hour) to more accurately determine the characteristics of the fluid 302.
[065] In another embodiment, multiple optical computing devices can be placed in parallel at each location along the length of the 304 flow path, where each optical computing device contains a single ICE that is configured to detect a particular characteristic or analyte of interest to fluid 302. In these embodiments, a beam splitter can deflect a portion of the electromagnetic radiation that is reflected, emitted, or transmitted through fluid 302 and on each optical computing device. Each optical computing device, in turn, can be coupled to a corresponding detector or detector matrix that is configured to detect and analyze an electromagnetic radiation output from the optical computing device. Parallel configurations of optical computing devices can be particularly beneficial for applications that require low power inputs and / or non-moving parts.
[066] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the previous configurations can be additionally used in combination with a serial configuration in any of the present modalities. For example, two optical computing devices that have a rotating disk with a plurality of ICE components arranged therein can be placed in series to perform an analysis at a single location along the length of the 304 flow path. Also, multiple detection stations , each containing optical computing devices in parallel, can be placed in series to perform a similar analysis.
[067] The modified electromagnetic radiation 320 generated by each ICE 318 can subsequently be conducted to a detector 322 for signal quantification. Detector 322 can be any device capable of detecting electromagnetic radiation, and can generally be characterized as an optical transducer. In some embodiments, detector 322 may be, but is not limited to, a thermal detector such as a thermopile or photoacoustic detector, a semiconductor detector, a piezoelectric detector, a load-coupled device (CCD) detector, a video detector or matrix , a division detector, a photon detector (such as a photomultiplier tube), photodiodes, combinations thereof, or the like, or other detectors known to those skilled in the art.
[068] In some embodiments, detector 322 on each device 306a, b can be configured to produce an output signal in real time or near real time in the form of a voltage (or current) that corresponds to the particular characteristic of interest in fluid 302. For example, detector 322 disposed within the first device 306a can generate a first output signal 324a, and detector 322 disposed within the second device 306b can generate a second output signal 324b. The voltage returned by each detector 322 is essentially the scalar product of the optical interaction of the optically interacted radiation 316 with the respective ICE 318 as a function of the concentration of the characteristic of interest of the fluid 302. Thus, each output signal 324a, b produced by its corresponding detector 322 and the concentration of the characteristic of interest in the fluid 302 can be related.
[069] Output signal 324a, b from each device 306a, b can be conducted or otherwise received by a signal processor 326 communicably coupled to detectors 322. Signal processor 326 can be a computer that includes a non-machine readable medium, and may employ a configured algorithm to calculate or otherwise determine the differences between the output signals 324a, b. For example, the first output signal 324a can be indicative of the concentration of a substance and / or the magnitude of the characteristic of interest in the fluid 302 at the location of the first device 306a along flow path 304, and the second output signal 324b can be indicative of the concentration of the substance and / or the magnitude of the characteristic of interest in the fluid 302 at the location of the second device 306b along the flow path 304. Consequently, the signal processor 326 can be configured to determine how the concentration of the substance and / or the magnitude of the characteristic of interest in fluid 302 has changed between the first and second monitoring sites along the flow path 304. In some embodiments, the algorithm employed by the signal processor 326 can take into account the distance between the two devices 306a, b. Depending on the application, the monitoring distances can be short (for example, meters or centimeters), or long (for example, thousands of miles), mainly depending on the application of interest. For those skilled in the art, they will also assess that multiple monitors can be employed at a variety of points along the 304 flow path.
[070] In real time or near real time, signal processor 326 can be configured to provide a resulting output signal 328 corresponding to the measured difference in substance and / or magnitude of the characteristic of interest in fluid 302 between the first and second monitoring locations along flow path 304. In some embodiments, the resulting output signal 328 can be routed, wired or wireless, to a user for consideration. In other embodiments, the resulting output signal 328 can be recognized by signal processor 326 as being within or outside a predetermined or pre-programmed range of suitable operation. If the resulting output signal 328 exceeds the predetermined or pre-programmed operating range, signal processor 326 can be configured to alert the user that an appropriate corrective action can be taken, or otherwise take the corrective action autonomously. appropriate so that the resulting output signal 328 returns to a value within the predetermined or pre-programmed operating range.
[071] The elements skilled in the art will easily assess the various and numerous applications with which the 300 system, and alternative configurations thereof, can be used appropriately. For example, in one or more embodiments, the first and second output signals 324a, b can be indicative of a concentration of a substance flowing with fluid 302 at the first and second monitoring sites, respectively. In some embodiments, the substance, which can be a corrosion or scale inhibitor, can be added to fluid 302 at or near the first monitoring location where the first optical computing device 306a is disposed. The first optical computing device 306a can be configured to determine and report the concentration of the substance at the first monitoring site. Also, the second optical computing device 306b can be configured to determine to report the concentration of the substance at the second monitoring site, downstream from the first monitoring site. By calculating the difference between the first and second output signals 324a, b, signal processor 326 may be able to determine whether the added substance is operating as intended within flow path 304 or otherwise if the added dosage was sufficient .
[072] In other embodiments, the first and second output signals 324a, b may be indicative of a characteristic of interest to the fluid 302 itself at the first and second monitoring sites, respectively. For example, fluid 302 may include one or more substances or chemical compositions, such as paraffin or calcium carbonate, which precipitate under certain conditions and form incrustations on the inner walls of flow path 304. The first optical computing device 306a can be configured to determine and report the concentration of one or more substances or chemical compositions in the first monitoring site. Also, the second optical computing device 306b can be configured to determine and report the concentration of one or more chemical substances or compositions at the second monitoring site, downstream from the first monitoring site. By calculating the difference between the first and second output signals 324a, b, signal processor 326 may be able to determine how much encrustation is deposited on the walls of the flow path and, more importantly, generally where it is occurring.
[073] In other modalities, the first and second output signals 324a, b can be indicative of other characteristics, such as, but without limiting character, pH, viscosity, density or specific gravity, and ionic resistance, as measured in the first and second monitoring locations, respectively.
[074] Still in additional modalities, the 300 system can be used to monitor the production of two or more hydrocarbon production fields. For example, it is often common for corresponding flow paths that extend from two or more hydrocarbon production fields to eventually join downstream and ultimately share a common pipeline that conducts the combined produced fluids to a production collection or installation. . As a result, fluids produced from each hydrocarbon production field are mixed within the common pipe, and this mixture of the produced fluids can cause deposits to form in the common pipe due to the incompatibility of the different fluids produced. In some applications, the first and second optical computing devices 306a, b can be arranged on the corresponding first and second flow paths 304 (ie, pipes or flow lines), where the first and second flow paths 304 eventually join downstream in a common pipe (not shown). The first and second output signals 324a, b can be indicative of a characteristic of interest of the fluid 302 in each of the first and second flow paths 304. When analyzing the first and second output signals 324a, b, a pipe operator common pipe may be able to determine the origin of deposits or other harmful substances found within the common pipe. If the origin of the deposits or other harmful substances is found to correspond to the first flow path 304, for example, the cost of inhibition or chemical cleaning may be charged to the owner of the first flow path 304.
[075] Now with reference to Figure 4, an exemplary housing 400 which can be used to house an optical computing device, according to one or more modalities, is illustrated. Housing 400 may serve the same purpose as the first and second housings 308a and 308b discussed above with reference to Figure 3 and, in at least one embodiment, may be an alternative embodiment of each housing 308a, b. The elements skilled in the art, however, will easily recognize that various designs and alternative configurations of housings used to house optical computing devices are suitable for the systems and methods currently described. In fact, the accommodation arrangements described and revealed here are by way of example only, and should not be considered as limiting the exemplary systems and methods described here.
[076] As illustrated, housing 400 may be in the form of a screw 402 that encloses the various components of an optical computing device, such as the first and second optical computing devices 306a, b in Figure 3. In one embodiment, the components of the optical computing device housed within housing 400 may be housed within a rod 404 of screw 402, and screw 402 may have a hex head 406 for manual manipulation of housing 400 using, for example, a wrench or another manual torque generation tool.
[077] In at least one embodiment, the housing 400 has external threads 408 that are threadable with the corresponding compatible pipe threads (not shown) provided, for example, in an opening defined in the flow path 304 (Figure 3) which is configured to receive housing 400. The 408 threads can be sealed to the pipe threads compatible with a thread sealant to help withstand the high pressures that can be experienced in the 304 flow path. The sample window 314 is configured to be in optical communication with fluid 302 (Figure 3) and allow optical interaction between fluid 302 and the other internal components of the internally housed optical computing device.
[078] Again with reference to Figure 3, the elements skilled in the art will easily recognize that, in one or more modalities, electromagnetic radiation can be derived from the fluid 302 itself, and otherwise derived independently from the source of electromagnetic radiation 310. For example, several substances naturally radiate electromagnetic radiation that is able to interact optically with ICE 318. In some embodiments, for example, fluid 302 or the substance within fluid 302 may be a blackbody radiation substance configured to radiate heat which can interact optically with ICE 318. In other embodiments, fluid 302 or the substance within fluid 302 may be radioactive or chemiluminescent and therefore radiates electromagnetic radiation that is capable of interacting optically with ICE 318. Still in other modalities , electromagnetic radiation can be induced from fluid 302 or the substance within fluid 302 by being actuated mechanically magnetic, electrical, combinations of these, or the like. For example, in at least one embodiment, a voltage can be placed on fluid 302 or the substance within fluid 302 to induce electromagnetic radiation. As a result, the modalities are contemplated here where the source of electromagnetic radiation 310 is omitted from the particular optical computing device.
[079] Some modalities described here include: A. A system, comprising: a flow path that contains a fluid and provides at least a first monitoring location and a second monitoring location; a first optical computing device disposed in the first monitoring location and which has a first integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and conduct optically interacted light to a first detector that generates a first output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the fluid at the first monitoring site; a second optical computing device disposed at the second monitoring location and which has a second integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and conduct optically interacted light to a second detector that generates a second output signal corresponding to the fluid characteristic in the second location; and a signal processor coupled in a communicable manner to the first and second detectors and configured to receive the first and second output signals and to determine a difference between the first and second output signals.
[080] Modality A may have one or more of the following additional elements in any combination:
[081] Element 1: The mode in which the first monitoring location communicates smoothly with the second monitoring location through contiguous portions of the flow path.
[082] Element 2: The mode in which the first and second optical computing devices are housed within the corresponding first and second housings, with the first and second housings being coupled to the flow path at the first and second monitoring sites, respectively .
[083] Element 3: The mode in which the first and second optical computing devices additionally include the corresponding first and second sources of electromagnetic radiation configured to emit electromagnetic radiation to interact optically with the fluid.
[084] Element 4: The mode in which the difference between the first and second output signals is indicative of how the fluid characteristic has changed between the first and second monitoring sites.
[085] Element 5: The modality in which the fluid characteristic is one or more substances or chemical compositions present in the fluid.
[086] Element 6: The modality in which the one or more substances or chemical compositions include at least one among paraffins, waxes, asphaltenes, aromatic, saturated foams, salts, particulates, and sand.
[087] Element 7: The modality in which one or more substances or chemical compositions include at least one among barium, calcium, manganese, sulfur, iron, strontium, and chlorine.
[088] Element 8: The mode in which the fluid characteristic corresponds to a treatment substance added to the fluid and contained within the flow path.
[089] Element 9: The mode in which the treatment substance is selected from the group consisting of acids, acid generation compounds, bases, base generation compounds, biocides, surfactants, scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors , gelling agents, crosslinking agents, anti-clogging agents, foaming agents, antifoaming agents, emulsifying agents, demulsifying agents, iron control agents, propellants, gravel, particulate diversions, salts, fluid loss control additives, gases , catalysts, clay control agents, chelating agents, corrosion inhibitors, dispersants, flocculants, sequestrants, lubricants, breakers, delayed release breakers, friction reducers, binding agents, viscosifiers, weighting agents, solubilizers, control agents rheology, viscosity modifiers, pH control agents, hydrate inhibitors, permeability modifiers r elative, bypass agents, consolidating agents, fibrous materials, bactericides, tracers, probes, nanoparticles, derivatives thereof, and the like.
[090] Element 10: The mode in which the difference between the first and second output signals is indicative of how a concentration of the treatment substance has changed between the first and second monitoring sites.
[091] Other modalities described here include: B. A method of determining a fluid characteristic, which comprises: containing a fluid within a flow path that provides at least a first monitoring location and a second monitoring location; generate a first output signal corresponding to the fluid characteristic at the first monitoring location with a first optical computing device, the first optical computing device having a first integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and then conduct the light optically interacted for a first detector that generates the first output signal; generate a second output signal corresponding to the fluid characteristic at the second monitoring location with a second optical computing device, the second optical computing device having a second integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and then conduct the light optically interacted for a second detector that generates the second output signal; receiving the first and second output signals with a signal processor coupled in a manner communicable to the first and second detectors; and determining a difference between the first and second output signals with the signal processor.
[092] Mode B can have one or more of the following additional elements in any combination:
[093] Element 1: The mode in which determining the difference between the first and second output signals further comprises determining how the fluid characteristic has changed between the first and second monitoring sites.
[094] Element 2: The modality also includes adding a treatment substance to the flow path, in which the fluid characteristic corresponds to a concentration of the treatment substance.
[095] Element 3: The mode in which to determine the difference between the first and second output signals also comprises determining how the concentration of the treatment substance has changed between the first and second monitoring sites.
[096] Element 4: The mode additionally comprises: generating a resulting output signal indicative of a difference between the first and second output signals with the signal processor; and conducting the resulting output signal to a user for consideration.
[097] Element 5: The mode in which to generate the first output signal additionally comprises: emitting electromagnetic radiation from a first source of electromagnetic radiation; optically interacting electromagnetic radiation from the first source of electromagnetic radiation with the fluid; and generate the optically interacted electromagnetic radiation that will be detected by the first detector.
[098] Element 6: The mode in which to generate the second output signal comprises additionally: emitting electromagnetic radiation from a second source of electromagnetic radiation; optically interacting electromagnetic radiation from the second source of electromagnetic radiation with the fluid; and generate the optically interacted electromagnetic radiation that will be detected by the second detector.
[099] Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to achieve the mentioned purposes and advantages as well as those that are inherent in it. The particular modalities described above are only illustrative, since the present invention can be modified and practiced in different ways, but evident equivalents for the elements versed in the technique that have the benefit of the instructions here. Furthermore, there are no limitations on the details of construction or design shown here, other than as described in the claims below. Therefore, it is evident that the particular illustrative modalities described above can be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention illustratively described here can be suitably practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically described here and / or any optional element described here. Although the compositions and methods are described in terms of "comprising", "containing", or "including" various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also "consist essentially of" or "consist of" various components and steps. All of the numbers and ranges described above may vary by some. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is described, any number and any range included within the range is specifically described. In particular, each range of values (of the form, "from about aa to b", or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b," or, equivalently, "from approximately ab") described here will be understood to present each number and range within the broadest range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their common, normal meaning except where explicitly and clearly defined to the contrary by the patent holder. Furthermore, the indefinite articles "one" or "one", as used in the claims, are defined here to mean one or more of an element that is introduced.

权利要求:
Claims (22)
[0001]
1. System, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a flow path that contains a fluid and provides at least a first monitoring location and a second monitoring location; a first optical computing device disposed in the first monitoring location and which has a first integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and conduct optically interacted light to a first detector that generates a first output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the fluid at the first monitoring site; a second optical computing device disposed at the second monitoring location and which has a second integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and conduct optically interacted light to a second detector that generates a second output signal corresponding to the fluid characteristic in the second location; and a signal processor communicably coupled to the first and second detectors and configured to receive the first and second output signals and determine a difference between the first and second output signals, in which at least one of the first and second integrated computational elements comprises a plurality of alternating layers of different materials, the two different materials are selected from the group consisting of silicon, silica (SiO2), quartz, niobium and niobium, germanium and germanium and magnesium fluoride, a thickness of each of the pluralities of alternating layers is selected according to the spectral attribute of the fluid characteristics, and a portion of the optically interacted light is transmitted through at least one of the first or second of the integrated computational elements.
[0002]
2. System, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first monitoring site communicates smoothly with the second monitoring site through contiguous portions of the flow path.
[0003]
3. System, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first and second optical computing devices are housed within the corresponding first and second housings, the first and second housings being coupled to the flow path in the first and second housings. according to monitoring sites, respectively.
[0004]
4. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first and second optical computing devices additionally include the corresponding first and second sources of electromagnetic radiation configured to emit electromagnetic radiation to interact optically with the fluid.
[0005]
5. System, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the difference between the first and second output signals is indicative of how the fluid characteristic has changed between the first and second monitoring sites.
[0006]
6. System according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the characteristic of the fluid is one or more substances or chemical compositions present in the fluid.
[0007]
7. System according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the one or more substances or chemical compositions include at least one among paraffins, waxes, asphaltenes, aromatics, saturated foams, salts, particulates and sand.
[0008]
8. System according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that one or more substances or chemical compositions include at least one between barium, calcium, manganese, sulfur, iron, strontium and chlorine.
[0009]
9. System according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the fluid characteristic corresponds to a treatment substance added to the fluid and contained within the flow path.
[0010]
10. System according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the treatment substance is selected from the group consisting of acids, acid generation compounds, bases, base generation compounds, biocides, surfactants, inhibitors fouling agents, corrosion inhibitors, gelling agents, crosslinking agents, anti-clogging agents, foaming agents, antifoaming agents, emulsifying agents, demulsifying agents, iron control agents, propellants, gravel, particulate diversions, salts, control additives loss of fluid, gases, catalysts, clay control agents, chelating agents, corrosion inhibitors, dispersants, flocculants, sequestrants, lubricants, breakers, delayed release breakers, friction reducers, binding agents, viscosifiers, weighting agents , solubilizers, rheology control agents, viscosity modifiers, pH control agents, hydra inhibitors rat, relative permeability modifiers, bypass agents, consolidating agents, fibrous materials, bactericides, tracers, probes, nanoparticles, derivatives thereof, and the like.
[0011]
11. System according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the difference between the first and second output signals is indicative of how a concentration of the treatment substance has changed between the first and second monitoring sites.
[0012]
12. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first output signal and the second output signal are proportional to a vector product of a spectrum of an input light with the regression vector related to the characteristics of the fluid.
[0013]
13. Method of determining a fluid characteristic, characterized by the fact that it comprises: containing a fluid within a flow path that provides at least a first monitoring location and a second monitoring location; generate a first output signal corresponding to the fluid characteristic at the first monitoring site with a first optical computing device, the first optical computing device having a first integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and then conduct the optically interacted light for a first detector that generates the first output signal; generate a second output signal corresponding to the fluid characteristic at the second monitoring location with a second optical computing device, the second optical computing device having a second integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and then conducting the optically interacted light to a second detector that generates the second output signal; receiving the first and second output signals with a signal processor coupled in a manner communicable to the first and second detectors; and determining a difference between the first and second output signals with the signal processor, in which at least one of the first or second integrated computational elements comprises a plurality of alternating layers of different materials, the two different materials are selected from the group consisting of silicon, silica (SiO2), quartz, niobium and niobium, germanium and germanium and magnesium fluoride, a thickness of each of the pluralities of alternating layers is selected according to the spectral attribute acquired from the fluid characteristics, and a portion of the optically reacted light is transmitted through at least one of the first or second of the integrated computational elements.
[0014]
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that determining the difference between the first and second output signals further comprises determining how the fluid characteristic has changed between the first and second monitoring site.
[0015]
15. Method according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that it further comprises adding a treatment substance to the flow path, in which the fluid characteristic corresponds to a concentration of the treatment substance.
[0016]
16. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that determining the difference between the first and second output signals further comprises determining how the concentration of the treatment substance has changed between the first and second monitoring sites.
[0017]
17. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises: generating a resulting output signal indicative of a difference between the first and second output signals with the signal processor; and conducting the resulting output signal to a user for consideration.
[0018]
18. Method, according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that generating the first output signal further comprises: emitting electromagnetic radiation from a first source of electromagnetic radiation; optically interacting electromagnetic radiation from the first source of electromagnetic radiation with the fluid; and generate the optically interacted electromagnetic radiation that will be detected by the first detector.
[0019]
19. Method, according to claim 18, characterized by the fact that generating the second output signal further comprises: emitting electromagnetic radiation from a second source of electromagnetic radiation; optically interacting electromagnetic radiation from the second source of electromagnetic radiation with the fluid; and generate the optically interacted electromagnetic radiation that will be detected by the second detector.
[0020]
20. System, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a first flow path that contains a first fluid and provides a first monitoring location; a second flow path that contains a second fluid and provides a second monitoring location, the first and second flow paths being combined downstream into a common flow path that conducts the first and second fluids as a combined fluid; a first optical computing device disposed in the first monitoring site and which has a first integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the first fluid and generate a first output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the first fluid, from a first interacted light optically; a second optical computing device disposed in the second monitoring location and which has a second integrated computational element configured to interact optically with the fluid and generate a second output signal corresponding to the characteristic of the second fluid from a first optically interacted light; and a signal processor coupled in a communicable manner to the first and second optical computing devices and configured to receive and determine a difference between the first and second output signals, wherein at least one of the first or second integrated computational elements comprises a plurality of alternating layers of two different materials, the two different materials are selected from the group consisting of silicon, silica (SiO2), quartz, niobium and niobium, germanium and germanium and magnesium fluoride, a thickness of each of the pluralities of alternating layers it is selected according to the acquired spectral attribute of the characteristics of the first or second fluids, and a portion of the first and second optically interacted lights is transmitted through at least one of the first or second of the integrated computational elements, respectively.
[0021]
21. System according to claim 20, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises a third optical computing device arranged in a third monitoring location in the common flow path, the third optical computing device having a third computational element integrated configured to interact optically with the combined fluid and generate a third output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the combined fluid that will be received by the signal processor.
[0022]
22. Method of determining a characteristic of a fluid, characterized by the fact that it comprises: containing a first fluid within a first flow path that provides a first monitoring location; contain a second fluid within a second flow path that provides a second monitoring location, the first and second flow paths being combined downstream into a common flow path that conducts the first and second fluids as a combined fluid; optically interacting a first computational element integrated with the first fluid to generate a first output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the first fluid from a first optically interacted light; optically interacting a second computational element integrated with the second fluid to generate a second output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the second fluid from a first optically interacted light; receiving the first and second output signals with a signal processor; and determine a difference between the first and second output signals with the signal processor, in which at least one of the first or second integrated computational elements comprises a plurality of alternating layers of two different materials, the two different materials are selected from the group consisting of silicon (Si), silica (SiO2), quartz, niobium and niobium, germanium and germanium and magnesium fluoride, a thickness of each of the pluralities of alternating layers is selected according to the spectral attribute acquired from the characteristics of the first or second fluids, and a portion of the first or second optically interacted lights is transmitted through at least one of the first or second of the integrated computational elements, respectively.

类似技术:

---

公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题

---

BR112015003473B1|2021-03-09|systems and methods for monitoring a flow path

---

US9182355B2|2015-11-10|Systems and methods for monitoring a flow path

---

US9395294B2|2016-07-19|Systems and methods for monitoring chemical processes

---

US9222892B2|2015-12-29|Systems and methods for monitoring the quality of a fluid

---

AU2013315824B2|2016-06-02|Systems and methods for monitoring the quality of a fluid

---

US8908165B2|2014-12-09|Systems and methods for monitoring oil/gas separation processes

---

US9671262B2|2017-06-06|Systems and methods for analyzing flowback compositions in real time

---

BR112015002550B1|2020-11-03|system for inspection and monitoring of an internal surface of a pipe and method of inspection and monitoring of an internal surface of a pipe

---

CA2923008C|2018-07-10|Systems and methods for measuring downhole fluid characteristics in drilling fluids

---

BR112015002983B1|2020-12-15|SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING AN OIL / GAS SEPARATION PROCESS

---

BR112015002095B1|2021-05-25|system for monitoring a pipeline and method of monitoring a fluid within a pipeline

---

US20140081594A1|2014-03-20|Systems and Methods for Inspecting and Monitoring a Pipeline

---

US20220003652A1|2022-01-06|In situ evaluation of filter parameters with opticoanalytical devices

同族专利:

---

公开号 | 公开日

---

SA515360081B1|2016-05-26|

---

NZ704576A|2016-05-27|

---

MX2015002059A|2015-06-05|

---

BR112015003473A2|2017-07-04|

---

EP2872875A4|2016-07-27|

---

SG11201501174PA|2015-05-28|

---

AU2013315789A1|2015-02-26|

---

EP2872875A1|2015-05-20|

---

MX342276B|2016-09-22|

---

WO2014043057A1|2014-03-20|

---

CA2882203A1|2014-03-20|

引用文献:

---

公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题

---

---

DE4235225C2|1992-10-13|1994-11-10|Iris Gmbh Infrared & Intellige|Sensor arrangement and method for monitoring the conversion rate of an exhaust gas catalytic converter|

---

GB2364383A|1997-05-02|2002-01-23|Baker Hughes Inc|Avoiding injection induced fracture growth in a formation during hydrocarbon production|

---

US6198531B1|1997-07-11|2001-03-06|University Of South Carolina|Optical computational system|

---

US7123844B2|1999-04-06|2006-10-17|Myrick Michael L|Optical computational system|

---

US6529276B1|1999-04-06|2003-03-04|University Of South Carolina|Optical computational system|

---

US20060228256A1|2003-02-07|2006-10-12|Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System|Multi-shell microspheres with integrated chomatographic and detection layers for use in array sensors|

---

EP1664742A4|2003-08-14|2010-05-05|Microptix Technologies Llc|System and method for integrated sensing and control of industrial processes|

---

US7697141B2|2004-12-09|2010-04-13|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|In situ optical computation fluid analysis system and method|

---

US7834312B2|2005-02-24|2010-11-16|Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.|Water detection and 3-phase fraction measurement systems|

---

US8382909B2|2005-11-23|2013-02-26|Edwards Limited|Use of spectroscopic techniques to monitor and control reactant gas input into a pre-pump reactive gas injection system|

---

WO2007064579A1|2005-11-28|2007-06-07|University Of South Carolina|Optical analysis system and elements to isolate spectral region|

---

US8358418B2|2005-11-28|2013-01-22|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Optical analysis system for dynamic real-time detection and measurement|

---

WO2007064578A2|2005-11-28|2007-06-07|University Of South Carolina|Optical analysis system and optical train|

---

US20070166245A1|2005-11-28|2007-07-19|Leonard Mackles|Propellant free foamable toothpaste composition|

---

US7911605B2|2005-11-28|2011-03-22|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Multivariate optical elements for optical analysis system|

---

US7410011B2|2006-03-14|2008-08-12|Core Laboratories Lp|Method to determine the concentration of deuterium oxide in a subterranean formation|

---

US7472748B2|2006-12-01|2009-01-06|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Methods for estimating properties of a subterranean formation and/or a fracture therein|

---

DE102008018102A1|2008-04-09|2009-10-29|Khs Ag|Method and measuring device for determining the content of at least one filter aid in a liquid medium|

---

US20120150451A1|2010-12-13|2012-06-14|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Optical Computation Fluid Analysis System and Method|

---

US9395306B2|2011-08-05|2016-07-19|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Methods for monitoring fluids within or produced from a subterranean formation during acidizing operations using opticoanalytical devices|US8908165B2|2011-08-05|2014-12-09|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Systems and methods for monitoring oil/gas separation processes|

---

US9206386B2|2011-08-05|2015-12-08|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Systems and methods for analyzing microbiological substances|

---

US9182355B2|2011-08-05|2015-11-10|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Systems and methods for monitoring a flow path|

---

US9441149B2|2011-08-05|2016-09-13|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Methods for monitoring the formation and transport of a treatment fluid using opticoanalytical devices|

---

US9395306B2|2011-08-05|2016-07-19|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Methods for monitoring fluids within or produced from a subterranean formation during acidizing operations using opticoanalytical devices|

---

US9297254B2|2011-08-05|2016-03-29|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Methods for monitoring fluids within or produced from a subterranean formation using opticoanalytical devices|

---

US8960294B2|2011-08-05|2015-02-24|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Methods for monitoring fluids within or produced from a subterranean formation during fracturing operations using opticoanalytical devices|

---

US9464512B2|2011-08-05|2016-10-11|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Methods for fluid monitoring in a subterranean formation using one or more integrated computational elements|

---

US9222348B2|2011-08-05|2015-12-29|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Methods for monitoring the formation and transport of an acidizing fluid using opticoanalytical devices|

---

US9222892B2|2011-08-05|2015-12-29|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Systems and methods for monitoring the quality of a fluid|

---

US9261461B2|2011-08-05|2016-02-16|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Systems and methods for monitoring oil/gas separation processes|

---

US8997860B2|2011-08-05|2015-04-07|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.|Methods for monitoring the formation and transport of a fracturing fluid using opticoanalytical devices|

---

FR3046879A1|2016-01-20|2017-07-21|Ulis|METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING MICRO-ENCAPSULATION ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION DETECTOR|

法律状态:
2018-11-21| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

---

2019-12-10| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

---

2021-01-26| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

---

2021-03-09| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 10/09/2013, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

---

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

---

US13/616,106|2012-09-14|

---

US13/616,106|US9182355B2|2011-08-05|2012-09-14|Systems and methods for monitoring a flow path|

---

PCT/US2013/058864|WO2014043057A1|2012-09-14|2013-09-10|Systems and methods for monitoring a flow path|

---