Patent ID: 7668688
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for estimating and managing flowing fluid characteristics of a fluid stream flowing through a pipeline in a processing facility in real-time, the method comprising the steps of: opening a remotely operated valve to supply a crude oil sample of dehydrated degassed crude oil to a vertically oriented bypass line, the bypass line having a proximal end portion connected to a section of a crude oil pipeline to receive a portion of the fluid stream flowing through the pipeline defining the crude oil sample and having a distal end portion positioned to reintroduce the crude oil sample back into the fluid stream of the pipeline, the crude oil sample flowing downward between a first location and a second location substantially vertically spaced apart from the first location along a vertically oriented extent of the bypass line and located vertically below the first location; closing the remotely operated valve to substantially isolate the crude oil sample; determining fluid pressure and temperature of the crude oil sample at the first location along the vertically oriented extent of the bypass line, the fluid pressure at the first location determined using a first pressure transducer coupled to a first bypass line fluid pressure tap in the bypass line; determining fluid pressure and temperature of the crude oil sample at the second location along the vertically oriented extent of the bypass line, the fluid pressure at the second location determined using a second pressure transducer coupled to a second bypass line fluid pressure tap in the bypass line, the first and the second bypass line pressure taps having a predetermined vertical elevation therebetween: estimating specific gravity of the crude oil flowing through the pipeline responsive to: the determined fluid pressure at the first location, the determined fluid pressure at the second location, and the vertical elevation between the first location and the second location; and estimating API gravity of the crude oil flowing through the pipeline at standard condition responsive to: the estimated specific gravity of the crude oil flowing through the pipeline, the determined fluid temperature at the first location, and the determined fluid temperature at the second location.