METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MEASURING INTERFACE LEVELS BETWEEN FLUIDS, AND USES THEREOF

Abstract: A method for measuring interface levels between fluids is described, characterised in that, with the aid of a magnetic field forming means, a variable magnetic field is formed in one of the fluids whereby a counterflowing magnetic field is established, being a function of the fluid properties with respect to the portion of conducting fraction in the fluid, and conductivity of the fraction; and the properties of the mentioned fluid are registered by registering the dominating impedance, alternatively resonance frequency, of the system; and by corresponding registrations of different fluid layers at the respective height levels, and in the existing interphase layers, and thereafter by mutual comparison of the mentioned properties, one or more existing multiphase levels are determined. A device to carry out the method is also described. For measuring concentrations/parts of a first fluid in a second fluid in multiphase mixtures, or in streams of the fluids, further methods and devices are given, including application of these.

Description: METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MEASURING INTERFACE LEVELS BETWEEN FLUIDS, AND USES THEREOF. The present invention relates to a method and a device for measuring interface levels in separation tanks, and methods and devices for measuring concentrations/parts of a conductive fraction in flowing multi-phase mixtures, and especially where the fluids are immiscible. The inventions have particular relation to the oil industry where immiscible phases of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) and water are being handled, as there may be present salts (give salinity to the water) in the water fraction, and greater or smaller amounts of solid particles, such as sand. The invention can be applied when one handles flowing mixtures of such fluids and wishes to know relative compositions; or in connection with separation facilities where for example oil and water are to be separated from each other. During production of crude oil, water and gas are separated from the oil onboard the production platforms with the aid of separation tanks that function according to the principle of gravitation. The process water lies at the bottom of the tank. The next layer is an oil/water emulsion. Then comes crude oil alone, which higher up passes into foam which eventually passes into pure hydrocarbon gas. To optimise the separation process, it is necessary to be able to measure the levels of the different layers. There are many devices for measuring the height of the different interface levels, but they all have their limitations and only a few can measure the heights of an emulsion layer and a foam layer. It is an aim of the invention to provide a new method and device to measure the levels of the different layers m a separation tank. Furthermore, it is an aim of the invention to provide a new method and device for measuring concentrations/parts of a conductive fraction in flowing multi-phase mixtures, and particularly where the fluids are mutual immiscible. The method and device according to the invention is characterised by the features which become apparent from the characteristics m the respective independent claims 1 and 8, and specified embodiments become apparent from the associated dependent claims 2-7 and 9-11. Furthermore, the methods for measuring concentrations/parts of a conductive fraction m flowing multi-phase mixtures are defined by the characteristics in the independent claims 13 and 14, while the devices are defined by the claims 15 and 16. Preferred embodiments are defined by the associated dependent claims. According to the invention the following are applied: 1) device and method according to claims 1-11 for determination of interface layers during separation of oil- , gas- and water phases; ana 2) methods and devices according to claims 12-17 for determination of the water portion m multiphase mixtures of oil, gas and water, and solid particles (sand) . The principles of the invention explained m the following description are illustrated m the subsequent figures, m which: Figure 1 shows a set-up of the device m the form of a separation tank with the phases (from below) water, oil, and gas, and intermediate boundary layers. Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the elements which are part of the detector according to the invention. Figure 3 shows the measuring curve for the impedance m the coil αependent on the layer in which the measuring probe is situated. Figure 4 shows how the invention can be used for connecting level measuring devices for measurement of levels m a container . Figure 5 shows an assembly of an excitation and a detector coil for measuring water fraction m multiphase mixtures. Figure 6 shows an assembly of two excitation coils ana a detector coil for measuring conductive fluid (water fraction) Figure 7 shows the results from measurements carried out on a flowing mixture of oil/water/gas by application of the device shown m figure 6. New measuring principle A variable magnetic field that penetrates a medium will induce eddy flows m the medium if the medium is electrically conductive or parts of it are electrically conductive. These eddy flows create a magnetic field which is directed against the imposed field. The counter-induced field will be proportional to the fraction of the conductive components in the medium and the electrical conductivity of these components. The magnetic field can be generated by a coil to which current is supplied from an oscillator. The electrical impedance in the coil will then be dependent on the surrounding medium. The sensitivity increases with the frequency of the magnetic field, but the frequency is limited upwards by the penetrating depth of the field into the medium. If such a coil is placed m a separation tan , the impedance of the coil will be lowest m water and highest m gas. In foam, oil and water/oil emulsions, we will obtain values for the coil impedance m between the mentioned extreme values. In oil-, water-, and gas mixtures it is shown experimentally that the frequency between 5 MHz and 15 MHz will be an optimal compromise between increasing sensitivity and reduction m penetration depth. The frequency is determined by the diameter of the coil and number of windings. Greatest sensitivity is obtained at the resonance frequency of the coil IC where L is the coil inductance and C is the resulting coil capacitance between the wmαmgs. As L is inversely proportional to the counteπnduced field m the meαium and C is dependent on the permittivity of the medium, the resonance frequency f 0 can be used to determine whether the coil is m oil, foam or gas as the capacitance C (but not the inductance L) will be different for each of these layers. Both the coil impedance and resonance frequency will be dependent on the conductivity and droplet size distribution of the conductive components (process water) at the detector coil. But it is the relative change in impedance, alternatively resonance frequency, which gives the different levels m the separation tank. The variations m the water conductivity and size distribution of water droplets m oil (oil-continuous mixture) and the size distribution of oil droplets m water (water- continuous mixture) have, therefore, no influence on the level measurements . Figure 1 shows a diagram of the principle of the measuring set-up m the laboratory in the form of a separation tank/container 10 typically made of glass) which contains the three phases, water, oil and gas as three separate layers m this orαer from below, respectively, and intermediate bounαary layers . There are two emulsion layers formed between the oil phase and the water phase. The lower of these layers is a water layer 13 with a part of emulsified oil droplets which is designated a water- continuous layer, and an overlaying oil layer 15 which contains a portion of emulsified water droplets which is designated an oil-continuous layer. A measuring probe according to the invention n the form of a coil 12, and connected to an impedance analyser 17, is immersed m the container and the impedance is measured m turn m each of the above mentioneα layers . Figure 2 shows the circuitry of the detector electronics. The circuitry consists of a detector coil 20 containing a capacitance Ci connected in parallel to a coil Li. An amplifier 26 is retro-connected to the coil L s and the capacitance Ci. Furthermore, the coil 20 is connected to a phase detector 22, which in turn is connected to an integrator 24, which m turn is connected to a voltage oscillator VCO. The oscillator VCO s connected to the retro-connected circuit via a resistance R 0 , and connected directly to the phase detector 22. This circuitry will ensure the excitation of the coil at resonance and make possible the measurement of the impedance of the coil and resonance frequency (at resonance the impedance is pure resistance) . Explanation of Fig. 2. When the detector coil Li is m resonance with Ci, the retro-connection impedance for amplifier 26 is purely resistive and the phase displacement between (0ι and ω 2 will be -180 degrees. In this case φi + φ 2 = 0 and the voltage from the phase detector 22 is zero. The integrator 24 will in this case have a constant terminal voltage which keeps the voltage-regulated oscillator at ω 2 . If the detector coil' s mductivity changes by the coil being surroundeα by a different material, the retro-connected network for the amplifier 26 w ll introduce a phase displacement such that φi + φ2 is different from zero. The phase detector 22 supplies thereby a voltage which is integrated in the integrator 24 and the voltage-regulated oscillator changes the frequency ω 2 until Li and Ci is n resonance again and thus φi + φ∑ = 0. The frequency φ 2 will thus be characteristic for the fluid with which the detector coil is surrounded. Results from the laboratory measurement with the probe connection according to the figures 1 and 2 are shown in figure 3. The measured coil impedance is shown as a function of level in the separation tank (N=10, f=ll MHz) (N is number of windings, f is the frequency) . From the figures 1 and 3 it will be clear that when tne coil is surrounded by process water (e.g. water with conductivity 5 Siemens/meter) , the coil impedance is low (ca. 10 ohms) . It starts rising at ca. 5 cm because of water droplets in the oil. At 7 cm (m the water/oil emulsion layer) the impedance has risen to ca . 200 ohms to increase to 350 ohms m the oil phase. Instead of using ^ust one single coil which is manually moved consecutively to the mentioned layers, describeα above, one can use a submersible rod to which is mounted a number of such coils and which in total covers all the different layers, as snown m figure 1, as will be apparent in the next example . The practical arrangement. With reference to figure 4, a given number of coils 30a, 30b, .. , 30h, (m this example 7 coils) are mounted on a submersible rod, immersed/placed in an enclosed tube 32 by electrically insulating material . The coil connections in the form of wires are led through the tube 32 to an electronics box (not shown in the figure) placed on the top of the tank 34. A standard electronics multiplexer connects the coils to the detector electronics one by one and the measuring signal from the detector electronics s sent further for interpretation, presentation, information and regulation . The measuring principle used for measuring water fraction m multiphase mixtures. This measuring principle can also be used for measuring water fraction m multiphase mixtures m which the water component is the only electrically conductive component. In this case, an excitation coil 40 with an oscillator 41 and a detector coil 42 with a voltage detector 43, as shown m figure 5, are used. Both coils 40, 42 are fitted to the outside of a tube of electrically insulating material 44, which carries the multiphase mixture. An oscillator establishes an alternating voltage m the coil for induction of a magnetic field through the tube . The fraction (part) of electrically conductive components in the mixture determines the strength of the induced magnetic field, and thereby the induced voltage n the detector/- measuring coil. In an oil/water/gas mixture the induced voltage m the measuring coil will be dependent on the water content, but not on the gas and oil content m the mixture, as these two components are not electrically conductive. Today in multiphase flow meters, permittivity measurement and/or gamma absorption measurement are used to determine the fractions n the mixtures. Both these measuring methods are influenced by all three components simultaneously, something which complicates the fraction estimations. The measuring principle presented here makes it possible to measure the water fraction from 0 to 100% water, independent of the amount of the other components m the mixture when these are electrically insulating. The measurements are, however, affected by the water phase conductivity, but this influence can be eliminated by using the impedance at resonance. The droplet size distribution m the fluid mixture will also influence the measurement result, both m water- continuous and water-discontinuous pnase. To compensate for this influence, a measurement with a parallel standing excitation coil with a different resonance frequency is needed. Then we have three independent measurement variables to solve for the three unknown: Conductivity m the water component, droplet size distribution in the fluid mixture and water fraction (water cut) . The practical arrangement for measuring the water fraction in fluid/gas mixtures. The measuring unit for detection of water cut in pipe flows, is for example constructed as shown in figure 6. Two excitation coils 50, 52 are wound round an insulating tube 54 (liner) made from an electrically insulating material (such as a so-called peek) . Between the two excitation coils 50, 52, a detector coil 56 for the field generated by the two outer coils, is wound round the tube 54. The three coils 50, 52, 56 are mounted inside a coat 58, typically made of steel, and the whole unit surrounds the body (tube/duct) through which the fluid is flowing. The fluid flows preferably from below and upwards, as shown with the arrow 60. The two excitation coils 50,52, are connected to the excitation coils 62 and 64, respectively, which establish respective alternating voltages with different frequencies fl and f2, for example such that fl>f2. Furthermore, the detector coil 56 is connected to a voltage detector 66 which registers the induced alternating voltage which follows from the induced counter-flowing magnetic field which arises from the water m the flowing oil. The induced voltage m the detector coil is at any time the sum of the induced voltage from the magnetic fields from the excitation coil and thus contains two frequencies. Amplitudes and frequencies are detected and water fraction ana conductivity of the water are estimated with, e.g. the aid of mathematical models or a neural network. If one frequency s used ana the resonance frequency for one coil or induced voltage m the detector coil is used, the conductivity of the water must be known. The water fraction and conductivity can vary. By using different frequencies one has two independent equations which can be used to estimate water fraction and the conductivity of the water by use of mentioned mathematical models. Use of one frequency can provide both resonance frequency and impedance which gives two independent variables which also can be used to estimate water fraction and conductivity in the fluid. The experimental results from measurements carried out on a three-component flow rig (oil/water/gas) are shown n figure 7. The figure shows the induced voltage in millivolts as a function of the water fraction m percent. It can be seen that for both the two intermediate phases, water-continuous and oil-continuous pnases, the induced voltage decreases when the water fraction increases . The tests, with the measuring points given m figure 7, show the abrupt decline in induced voltage with increasing water fraction at the transition between the water-continuous and the oil-continuous phases. Exactly where the fall occurs is dependent on the direction from whicn the measurements are taken. Either in the oil-continuous with decreasing water fraction or m the water-continuous with increasing water fraction. Thus, a hysteresis loop is obtained, and this area defines the dividing line between the two boundary layers . The voltage-excitation/detector coils according to the figures 5-6 are included in a larger circuit, such as the one which is used in connection with the figures 1-4, to analyse for impedance/resonance frequency, and where comparisons are made with calibrated measurement values, such tnat one can provide data on the content/distribution of conductive component m the multiphase fluid. Thus one can analyse for fraction of the conductive component. The method and device which is described m connection with the figures 5-7, is particularly applicable to measuring conductive component (s) m flowing multiphase mixtures of water, oil and gas. This is relevant during exploration of hydrocarbons from an oilfield or during ordinary transport and processing of such mixtures, for example m refineries. Such flowing mixtures are more or less mixed to emulsions, e.g. oil droplets in water (water-continuous phase) or water droplets in oil (oil-continuous phase), i.e. on a scale between pure water phase and pure oil phase. Over time, the condition in such a mixture will vary. This means that the method and device, m combination with the use of hysteresis curve presentation as shown m figure 7, can be used to find out (with the aid of data processing with mathematical models or neural networks) which type of emulsion that is dominant in the flowing fluid at any time, and where on the mentioned scale the emulsion is lying (m droplets size distribution) . Thus, one can all the time monitor and provide information about the condition m the multiphase flow. This is a very important application of the invention, and represents a large step forward for the oil industry. Corresponding methodology is applied to mapping of any occurring transition-emulsions between pure oil and water phases m a tank, such as m a storage tank, as described m connection with the figures 1-4. Thus, one can map where the transition between oil-contmuous and water- continuous phase is lying. In addition, the invention may be applied to all multiphase mixtures (particularly immiscible mixtures), which contain a mixture of conductive and non-conductive components. For example, generally within the chemical industry, and the food industry, such as during handling of milk, for example during homogenisation where the fraction/part of fat m the milk shall be regulated and emulsified.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. Method for measuring interphase levels oetween fluids, characterised m that a variable magnetic field is established in one of the fluids by means of a device creating a magnetic field, whereby a counter-flowing magnetic field is established, being a function of the properties of the fluid with respect to the portion of conductive fraction in the fluid, and the conductivity of the fraction; and the properties of the mentioned fluid are registered by registering of the system' s prominent impedance, alternatively a resonance frequency, and by corresponding registration in different fluid layers at various height levels, and in the existing interphase layers, and thereafter mutual comparison of mentioned properties, one or more interphase levels that are present are determined. 2^ Method m accordance with claims 1-2, characterised m that the magnetic field creating means comprises a coil which receives an alternating voltage, sucn as by means of an oscillator. 3. Method m accordance with claims 1-2, characterised in that a number of mutually separate coils ( 30a, 30b, .. , 30h) are being used, arranged in a tube (32) of electrically insulating material, with said tube being arranged m the fluid mixture, the level ratio of which is to be registered, and the coils are connected one by one to an impedance analyser/detector electronics via a multiplexer, for further treatment of the measured data. 4. Method m accordance with one of the claims 2-3, characterised m that the resulting impedance/resonance frequency (17) is registered from the established counter- induced voltage (magnetic field) , depending on which fluid (boundary layer) the respective coil is in contact with. 5. Method m accordance with one of the preceding claims characterised m using a connection is provides for excitation of the coιl(s) at resonance including measurement of the coιl(s) impedance, comprising: a detector coil (20) comprising a capacitance Ci connected m parallel with a coil Li, an amplifier (26) which is retro-connected to the coil L s and capacitance Ci, and the coil (20) is connected to a phase detector (22), which m turn is connected to an integrator (24) and further to a voltage oscillator VCO, and said oscillator VCO being connected to the retro- connection circuit via a resistance R σ , and connected directly to the phase detector (22), such that excitation of the coil is ensured at resonance, and the coil impedance and resonance frequency can be measured, as the impedance is pure resistance at resonance . 6. Method m accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised n that measurements are carried out at frequencies up to 20 MHz, particularly m the range 5-15 MHz. 1 . Method m accordance with claim 3, characterised m that the coil resonance frequency for the different fluid phases is measured, with L being the coil inductance and C the resulting capacitance between the windings . 8. Device for measuring interphase levels between fluids, characterised by one or more means for establishing magnetic field is/are arranged in order to establish a variable magnetic field in the fluids, and means for registering (17) of the impedance/resonance frequency resulting from the counteπnduced voltage (magnetic field) formed, which depends on which fluid (boundary layer) tne respective magnetic field establishing means is in contact with. 9. Device m accordance with claim 8, characterised in that the magnetic field forming means comprises a coil wnich can receive an alternating voltage, such as by means of an oscillator. 10. Device in accordance with claim 9, characterised in that a number of coils ( 30a, 30b, .. , 30h) are arranged inside a tube of electrically insulating material, with the coil connections being fed to a junction unit which is arranged to connect the coils to the detector electronics one oy one, such as an impedance analyser, and the measuring signal from the detector electronics is sent further for interpretation, presentation, information and regulation. 11. Device in accordance with claim 10, characterised by a detector connection comprising: a detector coil (20) comprising a capacitance Ci connected m parallel with a coil Li, an amplifier (26) which is retro-connected to the coil L s and the capacitance Ci, and the coil (20) is connected to a phase detector (22), which in turn is connected to an integrator (24) and further to a voltage oscillator VCO, said oscillator VCO being connected to the retro- connection circuit via a resistor R 0 , and connected directly to the phase detector (22) . 12. Method for measuring concentrations/parts of a conductive fraction m flowing multiphase mixtures, characterised m that an excitation coil (40) and a detector coil (42) are arranged enclosmgly around a body, such as a tube (44), which carries the multiphase volume; the excitation coil (40) is applied an alternating voltage, and the resulting detector voltage registered m the detector coil (44) is compared to calibration values of the system to determine the part of conductive fractions m the multiphase flow/volume . 13. Method for measuring concentrations/parts of a conductive fraction m flowing multiphase mixtures, characterised m that the parameters in the form of the conductivity of the conducting fraction, size distribution of droplets in the fluid mixture and conductive fractions are measured by application of two excitation coils (55, 57) with respective mutually different resonance frequencies fi and f 2 , and a detector coil (56), and the induced voltage m the detector coil (56) , which is the sum of the induced voltage from the magnetic fields from the two excitation coils (55, 57), and comprising two frequencies, is applied to estimate the independent parameters, such as by means of mathematical models or neural networks. 14. Method m accordance with claims 12-13, characterised m that the method is applied to a flowing mixture of oil, water and gas, where the water is electrically conductive, while the gas and the oil are not conductive. 15. Device for measuring concentrations/parts of a first fluid m a second fluid m multiphase mixtures, or m flows of the fluids, characterised m that an excitation coil and a detector coil are arranged enclosmgly round the volume (such as a pipe whicn carries the multiphase fluid) , in that the excitation coil is arranged to be applied an alternating voltage, and a resulting detector voltage is arranged to be registered, and the detector voltage is compared to calibration values of the system to determine the portion of conductive fraction m the multiphase stream/volume. 16. Device for measuring concentrations/parts of a first fluid a second fluid m multiphase mixtures, or flows of the fluids, characterised n that two excitation coils (55, 57) which, via excitation oscillators (62, 64) respectively, are arranged to be driven by mutually different resonance frequencies fi and f 2 respectively; and a detector coil (56) connected to a voltage detector, with the excitation coils (55, 57) and the detector coil (56) being arranged enclso gly around the volume (such as a tube that carries the multiphase fluid forward) . 17. Device m accordance with claim 16, characterised that the detector coil (56) is arranged between the two excitation coils (50, 52), and that the unit of the three coils (50, 52, 56) is mounted mside a coat (58), typically made from steel, and the unit surrounds the means (tube/duct) through which the fluid is flowing. 18. Application of 1) device and method according to claims 1-11 for determination of interphase layers during separation of oil, gas and water phases; and of 2) methods and devices according to claims 12-17 for determination of the part of water multiphase mixtures of oil, gas and water and solid particles (sand) . 19. Application accordance with claim 18 for measuring/registering of interphase layers which comprise an oil-contmuous layer with a droplet size distribution of water m the oil, and a water-continuous layer with a droplet size distribution of oil the water, and where the boundary layer between the oil pnase and the gas phase comprises a foam layer.

Inventors: HAMMER ERLING, HAMMER, ERLING
Applicants: FORINNOVA AS, HAMMER ERLING, HAMMER, ERLING
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G01F23
IPC codes: G01F23, G01N27, G01N33