Patent ID: 6794864
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method of determining the oil fraction of a fluid emulsion comprising heavy oil/bitumen and water by direct measurement comprising the steps of:(a) providing a low field NMR relaxometer; (b) measuring and recording the T2 relaxation spectrum of the emulsion at a temperature allowing recovery of the T2 spectrum of the heavy oil/bitumen, substantially separate from a T2 water peak; (c) determining a distinguishing T2 cutoff value; (d) measuring the total amplitude (Aoil) of the spectrum at T2 times less than and equal to the T2 cutoff value; (e) converting Aoil to a weight value by dividing Aoil by the amplitude index of an oil standard (Aloil) of known weight; and (f) using the weight value to determine the oil fraction of the fluid emulsion.