Patent Description:
Conventionally, in a pipeline that is used for oil or gas, precipitates, such as hydrate, wax, asphaltene, or scale, are generated depending on a condition, such as temperature or pressure. Because of this, a coping technique for removing these types of precipitates is adopted by using a technique for adding a medical agent called an inhibitor that decreases generation of these types of precipitates, a technique for inserting a tool called a pig into a pipeline, or the like. However, under the current circumstances, there is no means to measure the generation thickness of these precipitates (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a "precipitate thickness"), so that the coping technique is not able to be optimally utilized at the moment by using the inhibitor, the pig, or the like.

Thus, there are demands for technologies for estimating a precipitate thickness of a precipitate generated inside a pipe, and, as examples of the technologies, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and the like are disclosed.

However, with the technologies described above, it is difficult to estimate a precipitate thickness of a precipitate inside the pipe with accuracy. The reason is that the technologies described above have the following problems. First, <CIT> discloses a technology for estimating a shape of a precipitate from a plurality of temperature sensors that are installed on the surface of a pipe around the circumference, and, with this technology, it is not able to estimate a shape of a precipitate with accuracy unless temperatures of fluids inside and outside of the pipe are able to be estimated or measured with accuracy. For example, if the estimated values of the fluid temperatures inside and outside the pipe are incorrect, with this technique, the shape of a precipitate is erroneously estimated thicker or thinner than in reality.

In addition, in <CIT>, if the fluid temperatures are obtained from an experience, an analysis of a flow simulator, or the like, obtained values may possibly be greatly different from the actual values. If these values are estimated on the basis of past measurement results, a difference between the estimated value and the actual value is increased over time due to a phenomenon, such as a change in temperatures inside and outside the pipe over time.

<CIT> discloses a technology for monitoring a precipitate by measuring a pipe surface temperature of a pipeline that is used for oil or gas by using an array temperature sensor, and, with this technology, it is not able to estimate a precipitate shape with accuracy unless the temperatures of the fluids inside and outside the pipe are able to be estimated or measured with accuracy.

<CIT> discloses a technology for monitoring the overall state of a pipeline by measuring a temperature, a vibration, pressure, and a distortion distribution in a pipe axial direction of the pipeline by using a distributed temperature sensor (DTS) and performing calibration on a model, such as a flow assurance simulator, of the pipeline. In this technology, it is not able to estimate a fluid temperature inside the pipe, so that it is not able to estimate a precipitate thickness of a precipitate with accuracy. As described above, there is a demand for an estimation device that is able to estimate a precipitate thickness of a precipitate inside a pipe with accuracy.

<CIT> discloses a device for estimating a thickness of a precipitate based on a pipe surface temperature measured at a precipitate generation position and an estimated in-pipe fluid temperature.

One or more embodiments provide an improvement over conventional technologies by allowing accurate estimations to be made of a precipitate thickness inside a pipe.

According to the invention, an estimation device includes an acquisition unit (such as a controller) configured to acquire a first pipe surface temperature that is an outer surface temperature of a pipe at a precipitate generation position at which a precipitate is adhered to an inner surface of the pipe through which a fluid flows, and a second pipe surface temperature that is an outer surface temperature of the pipe at a reference position that is different from the precipitate generation position, a calculation unit (e.g. the controller) configured to calculate an in-pipe fluid temperature that is a temperature of the fluid at the precipitate generation position based on the second pipe surface temperature, and an estimation unit (e.g. the controller) configured to estimate a thickness of the precipitate based on the in-pipe fluid temperature and the first pipe surface temperature. In a case where the precipitate is not adhered to the inner surface at the reference position, the estimation unit is configured to estimate the thickness of the precipitate at the precipitate generation position. The acquisition unit is further configured to acquire a heat insulating material surface temperature that is an outer surface temperature of a heat insulating material that covers the pipe. The calculation unit is configured to calculate the in-pipe fluid temperature based on the second pipe surface temperature, the heat insulating material surface temperature, and thermal resistance of each of the fluid, the pipe, and the heat insulating material. The estimation unit is configured to estimate the thickness of the precipitate at the precipitate generation position based on a thickness distribution of the precipitates that are associated with the in-pipe fluid temperature and the first pipe surface temperature.

Embodiments of the estimation device are defined in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, an estimation method, which may be performed by a computer, includes acquiring a first pipe surface temperature that is an outer surface temperature of a pipe at a precipitate generation position at which a precipitate is adhered to an inner surface of the pipe through which a fluid flows, and a second pipe surface temperature that is an outer surface temperature of the pipe at a reference position that is different from the precipitate generation position, calculating an in-pipe fluid temperature that is a temperature of the fluid at the precipitate generation position based on the second pipe surface temperature, and estimating a thickness of the precipitate based on the in-pipe fluid temperature and the first pipe surface temperature. In a case where the precipitate is not adhered to the inner surface at the reference position, the estimating the thickness of the precipitate is performed at the precipitate generation position. The method further includes acquiring a heat insulating material surface temperature that is an outer surface temperature of a heat insulating material that covers the pipe. Calculating the in-pipe fluid temperature is based on the second pipe surface temperature, the heat insulating material surface temperature, and thermal resistance of each of the fluid, the pipe, and the heat insulating material. Estimating the thickness of the precipitate at the precipitate generation position is based on a thickness distribution of the precipitates that are associated with the in-pipe fluid temperature and the first pipe surface temperature.

According to the invention, an estimation computer program comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the above-mentioned method.

Embodiments of an estimation device, an estimation method, and an estimation computer program disclosed in the present description will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In the following, a configuration of an estimation system <NUM> according to one or more embodiments, a configuration of an estimation device <NUM> or the like according to one or more embodiments, the flow of each of processes, and examples of a pipe and temperature sensors will be described in this order and, at the end, effects of one or more embodiments will be described.

A configuration of the estimation system <NUM> (hereinafter, also appropriately referred to as "system") according to one or more embodiments will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an estimation system according to one or more embodiments. In the following, a configuration example of the entire of the estimation system <NUM> is described, and then, processes performed by the present estimation system <NUM> will be described. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, a description will be made by using a pipeline that is used for oil or a gas as an example; however, the example is not limited to this, and it may be possible to use a pipe through which various kinds of fluid flows, including a pipe that guides a coolant to an electrical power plant, a pipe that guides hot spring water to a predetermined location, or the like.

The estimation system <NUM> includes the estimation device <NUM>, temperature sensors <NUM> (40A, 40B, and 40C), and a precipitate thickness database (DB) <NUM>. Here, the estimation device <NUM>, the temperature sensors <NUM>, and the precipitate thickness DB <NUM> are connected via a predetermined communication network (not illustrated) so as to be able to communicate each other in a wired or wireless manner. Furthermore, in the estimation system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of the estimation devices <NUM> and a plurality of the precipitate thickness DBs <NUM> may be included.

Here, the temperature sensors <NUM> are installed on an outer surface of a pipe <NUM> of a pipeline that is used for oil or gas and an outer surface of a heat insulating material <NUM> that covers the pipe <NUM>. Furthermore, a fluid <NUM>, such as oil or gas, flows through the pipe <NUM>. In addition, a precipitate <NUM>, such as hydrate, wax, asphaltene, or scale, is generated on an inner surface of the pipe <NUM>.

An example in which a precipitate thickness of a precipitate generated inside the pipe is estimated in the system described above will be described. First, the estimation device <NUM> acquires, from the temperature sensor 40A, a pipe surface temperature that is a temperature of an outer surface at a position that is associated with a position at which the precipitate <NUM> is not adhered to an inner surface of the pipe <NUM> (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "reference position") (Step S1). Furthermore, the estimation device <NUM> acquires, from the temperature sensor 40C, a heat insulating material surface temperature that is a temperature of an outer surface of the heat insulating material <NUM> (Step S2). In addition, the estimation device <NUM> acquires, from the temperature sensor 40B, a pipe surface temperature that is a temperature of an outer surface at a position that is associated with a position at which the precipitate <NUM> is adhered to the inner surface of the pipe <NUM> (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "precipitate generation position") (Step S3).

Here, examples of the temperature sensors <NUM> (40A, 40B, and 40C) include a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector, a DTS, a thermal camera, or the like. The temperature sensor 40A measures a pipe surface temperature at the reference position. The temperature sensor 40B measures a pipe surface temperature at the precipitate generation position. The temperature sensor 40C measures a surface temperature of the heat insulating material <NUM>. In <FIG>, each of the temperature sensors 40A, 40B, and 40C is installed at a single position; however, a plurality of temperature sensors may be installed in the entirety of the pipe or the entirety of the heat insulating material.

Then, the estimation device <NUM> uses the measurement values acquired from the temperature sensors <NUM>, and calculates a temperature of the fluid <NUM> flowing through the precipitate generation position (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "in-pipe fluid temperature") (Step S4). Furthermore, a calculation process for calculating the in-pipe fluid temperature will be described (in the flow of a fluid temperature calculation process) in detail later.

After that, the estimation device <NUM> searches the precipitate thickness DB <NUM> for information on a precipitate thickness stored in the precipitate thickness DB <NUM> on the basis of the calculated in-pipe fluid temperature (Step S5), and estimates a precipitate thickness (Step S6). Furthermore, an estimation process for estimating the precipitate thickness will be described (in the flow of a precipitate thickness estimation process) in detail later.

By performing the processes at Steps S1 to S6 described above, it is possible to estimate the thickness of a precipitate generated inside the pipeline without measuring the fluid temperature in the pipeline that is used for oil or gas.

A functional configuration of each of the devices included in the estimation system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the estimation system according to one or more embodiments. In the following, a configuration of the estimation device <NUM>, a configuration of the temperature sensors <NUM>, and a configuration of the precipitate thickness database (DB) <NUM> according to one or more embodiments will be described in this order.

The estimation device <NUM> includes an input unit <NUM>, an output unit <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM> (e.g. a controller). The input unit <NUM> manages an input of various kinds of information with respect to the estimation device <NUM>. For example, the input unit <NUM> is implemented by a mouse, a keyboard, or the like, and receives an input of set information or the like with respect to the estimation device <NUM>. Furthermore, the output unit <NUM> manages an output of various kinds of information received from the estimation device <NUM>. For example, the output unit <NUM> is implemented by a display, or the like, and outputs the set information or the like stored in the estimation device <NUM>.

The communication unit <NUM> manages data communication with the other devices. For example, the communication unit <NUM> performs data communication with each of the devices via a network device that is not illustrated. Furthermore, the communication unit <NUM> is able to perform data communication with a terminal that is not illustrated and that is used by an operator.

The storage unit <NUM> stores therein various kinds of information that is referred when the control unit <NUM> is operated and various kinds of information that is acquired when the control unit <NUM> has been operated. Here, the storage unit <NUM> may be implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory device, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device, such as a hard disk or an optical disk. Furthermore, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, the storage unit <NUM> is installed in the estimation device <NUM>; however, the storage unit <NUM> may be installed outside the estimation device <NUM>, or a plurality of storage units may be installed.

Here, the storage unit <NUM> stores therein information that is used for the fluid temperature calculation process performed by a calculation unit 15b. For example, the storage unit <NUM> stores therein pieces of thermal conductivity kp and ki of the pipe and the heat insulating material, respectively, an outer radius rp2 of the pipe (i.e., an inner radius of the heat insulating material), an inner radius rp1 of the pipe, and an outer radius ri of the heat insulating material. Furthermore, the storage unit <NUM> stores therein a diameter of the pipe, a flow velocity of the fluid inside the pipe, the quality of the heat insulating material, a thickness of the heat insulating material, an ambient air temperature, presence or absence of wind, disposition of the temperature sensors <NUM>, the structure of the pipe, and the like.

The control unit <NUM> manages the overall control of the estimation device <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> includes an acquisition unit 15a, the calculation unit 15b, and an estimation unit 15c. Here, the control unit <NUM> may be implemented by, for example, an electronic circuit, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU), or an integrated circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

The acquisition unit 15a acquires a pipe surface temperature that is an outer surface temperature of the pipe <NUM> at the precipitate generation position at which the precipitate <NUM> is adhered to the inner surface of the pipe <NUM> through which the fluid <NUM> flows (a first pipe surface temperature), and acquires a pipe surface temperature that is an outer surface temperature of the pipe <NUM> at the reference position that is different from the precipitate generation position (a second pipe surface temperature).

For example, the acquisition unit 15a acquires, as the pipe surface temperature associated with the reference position, the outer surface temperature of the pipe <NUM> at the reference position at which a precipitate is not adhered to the inner surface. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 15a acquires, as the pipe surface temperature associated with the reference position, the outer surface temperature of the pipe <NUM> at the reference position at which a precipitate is adhered to the inner surface. In addition, the acquisition unit 15a acquires the heat insulating material surface temperature that is the outer surface temperature of the heat insulating material <NUM> that covers the pipe <NUM>.

In the case of the example described above, in a pipe (pipeline) that transports oil or gas produced from a winze, the acquisition unit 15a acquires the pipe surface temperature that is associated with the reference position and that is measured by the temperature sensor 40A, and acquires the pipe surface temperature that is associated with the precipitate generation position and that is measured by the temperature sensor 40B. In contrast, the process performed by the acquisition unit 15a is not limited to the example described above, and, for example, in a pipe that transports a coolant to an electrical power plant, in a pipe that transports hot spring water to a predetermined location, or the like, the acquisition unit 15a is also able to acquire the pipe surface temperature at the reference position and the pipe surface temperature at the precipitate generation position.

The calculation unit 15b calculates an in-pipe fluid temperature that is the temperature of the fluid <NUM> at the precipitate generation position on the basis of the pipe surface temperature that is associated with the reference position and that is acquired by the acquisition unit 15a. For example, the calculation unit 15b uses the second pipe surface temperature, the heat insulating material surface temperature, and thermal resistance of each of the fluid, the pipe, and the heat insulating material, and calculates the in-pipe fluid temperature.

In the case of the example described above, the calculation unit 15b calculates the in-pipe fluid temperature of the oil or the gas produced from the winze on the basis of the pipe surface temperature at the reference position measured by the temperature sensor 40A. In contrast, the process performed by the calculation unit 15b is not limited to the example described above, and, for example, the calculation unit 15b is also able to calculate the in-pipe fluid temperature of a coolant transported to an electrical power plant, or calculate the in-pipe fluid temperature of hot spring water transported to a predetermined location.

In addition, the calculation unit 15b calculates a temperature difference between the fluid <NUM> flowing through the reference position and the fluid <NUM> flowing through the precipitate generation position by using the temperature of the fluid <NUM> flowing through the precipitate generation position in a state in which the precipitate <NUM> is not adhered, a flow velocity of the fluid <NUM> inside the pipe <NUM>, and a distance between the reference position and the precipitate generation position, and calculates the in-pipe fluid temperature by using the temperature difference.

In other words, if a distance between the temperature sensor 40B that is used to detect generation of a precipitate and the temperature sensor 40A that is used to estimate the in-pipe fluid temperature is large, the fluid temperature at each of the two positions may sometimes be different; however, the calculation unit 15b is able to estimate, with more accuracy, the fluid temperature at the precipitate generation position by correcting the fluid temperature by using a prediction value of the temperature difference between the two positions, a measurement value, or the like.

For example, the calculation unit 15b is able to obtain a fluid temperature difference between the two positions by acquiring, in advance, both of the temperatures at the stage in which a precipitate is not adhered to both of the two positions (i.e., the positions of the temperature sensor 40A and the temperature sensor 40B). Furthermore, the calculation unit 15b is able to obtain a temperature difference between the two positions from the distance between the two positions that is calculated from an amount of change in fluid temperature per length on the basis of the diameter of the pipe, the flow velocity of the fluid inside the pipe, the quality of the heat insulating material, the thickness of the heat insulating material, the ambient air temperature, presence or absence of wind, or the like. In addition, the calculation unit 15b may refer to the above described information needed for the calculation stored in the storage unit <NUM> and use the information to perform the calculation process.

Furthermore, the calculation unit 15b is also able to correct the fluid temperature at the precipitate generation position by using the information obtained at the measurement time by the temperature sensor <NUM> in a manner described below. Namely, if the distance between the two measurement positions is small, the calculation unit 15b may perform the calculation process by using all of the measurement values that are acquired by the temperature sensors <NUM> using wire communication or the like as the pieces of information obtained at the same time; however, if the distance between the two measurement positions is large, the calculation unit 15b is also able to perform the calculation process by using the information on the measurement time and the information on the measurement values of the temperatures acquired at the respective positions by using wireless communication or the like.

First, after the acquisition unit 15a acquires the measurement values and the measurement time, the calculation unit 15b may calculate a fluid temperature from the pipe surface temperature at a point, in which a precipitate is not adhered, at a certain time, and may use the calculated fluid temperature for the estimation process for estimating a precipitate thickness at a precipitate thickness estimation position that is obtained at the certain time.

In contrast, instead of using the certain time, the calculation unit 15b may calculate a period of time needed for the fluid to flow from a point at which a precipitate is not adhered to the position of the precipitate thickness estimation position on the basis of the flow velocity inside the pipe and the distance between the two positions, and may use the fluid temperature, which is obtained before the calculated period of time needed for the fluid to flow, in order to estimate the precipitate thickness. This example is used in a case where the position at which a precipitate is not adhered is located on the upstream of the precipitate thickness estimation position, and, in contrast, in a case where the subject position is located on the downstream of the precipitate thickness estimation position, the calculation unit 15b may use the fluid temperature that is obtained at the time before a period of time needed for the fluid to flow. Furthermore, the calculation unit 15b may refer to the disposition of the temperature measurement position, the structure of the pipeline, the information on the fluid, such as the flow velocity, stored in the storage unit <NUM>, and may calculate a temporal difference.

Furthermore, if a pipe surface temperature is acquired from a plurality of reference positions, the calculation unit 15b calculates an in-pipe fluid temperature on the basis of the pipe surface temperature acquired from the reference position at which the highest outer surface temperature is indicated. In other words, if a point at which a precipitate is not adhered is unclear, for example, if it is expected that a precipitate is not adhered to all of the surface but is adhered to a part of the surface, but it is not able to specify the adhesion position, the calculation unit 15b is able to acquire, by disposing the temperature sensors <NUM> at a lot of locations at intervals, information on each of the temperatures and the measurement time by using wireless communication or the like and perform the calculation process.

For example, if each of the measurement positions is close each other and a difference between the fluid temperatures at the respective positions is small, the calculation unit 15b is able to determine that a precipitate is not adhered to a point at which the pipe surface temperature is higher than the other points, calculate a fluid temperature from the measurement temperature at that point, and use the calculated fluid temperature in order to estimate the thickness of the precipitate at the other position.

The estimation unit 15c estimates the information on the thickness of the precipitate <NUM> on the basis of the in-pipe fluid temperature and the pipe surface temperature that is associated with the precipitate generation position. For example, the estimation unit 15c uses the in-pipe fluid temperature and a thickness distribution for each of precipitates associated with the pipe surface temperatures, and estimates the thickness of the precipitate <NUM> at the precipitate generation position.

Here, a method for estimating a precipitate thickness performed on the basis of the measurement value of the outer surface temperature of the pipe is disclosed in <CIT>. In addition, a method for estimating a thickness of the precipitate <NUM> performed by the estimation unit 15c on the basis of the measurement value of the outer surface temperature of the pipe <NUM> is not limited to the method disclosed in <CIT> described above. For example, in <CIT> described above, a precipitate thickness distribution obtained at a fluid temperature and an external air temperature (outside air temperature) is used; however, instead of the outside air temperature, it may be possible to use a precipitate thickness distribution obtained at a heat insulating material surface temperature.

Furthermore, the estimation unit 15c estimates a thickness of the precipitate <NUM> at the precipitate generation position as the information on the thickness of the precipitate <NUM>. In addition, the estimation unit 15c estimates a difference between the thickness of the precipitate at the reference position and the thickness of the precipitate at the precipitate generation position as the information on the thickness of the precipitate <NUM>. Furthermore, the estimation unit 15c estimates the information on the thickness of hydrate, wax, asphaltene, or scale on the basis of the in-pipe fluid temperature and the pipe surface temperature that is associated with the precipitate generation position.

Each of the temperature sensors <NUM> (40A, 40B, and 40C) includes a functioning unit, such as a measuring unit (not illustrated) that measures a temperature, a transmission/reception unit (not illustrated) that manages transmission and reception of various kinds of data to and from the other device.

The measuring unit included in the temperature sensor 40A measures the second pipe surface temperature that is the outer surface temperature of the reference position at which the precipitate <NUM> is not precipitated in the pipe <NUM>. Furthermore, the measuring unit included in the temperature sensor 40C measures the heat insulating material surface temperature that is the outer surface temperature of the heat insulating material <NUM>. In addition, the measuring unit included in the temperature sensor 40B measures the first pipe surface temperature that is the outer surface temperature of the precipitate generation position at which the precipitate <NUM> is precipitated in the pipe <NUM>.

The transmission/reception unit included in the temperature sensor 40A transmits the measured second pipe surface temperature to the estimation device <NUM>. Furthermore, the transmission/reception unit included in the temperature sensor 40C transmits the measured heat insulating material surface temperature to the estimation device <NUM>. In addition, the transmission/reception unit included in the temperature sensor 40B transmits the measured first pipe surface temperature to the estimation device <NUM>.

The precipitate thickness database (DB) <NUM> is a database that stores therein, in an associated manner for each of the types of the precipitate <NUM>, a surface temperature distribution of the pipe in a circumferential direction and a precipitate thickness distribution that is a thickness distribution of a precipitate in a circumferential direction. The precipitate thickness DB <NUM> may be generated by performing a computer simulation, or may be generated from actual measurement values that are accumulated in advance.

The precipitate thickness DB <NUM> stores therein, as the surface temperature distribution of the pipe in the circumferential direction, a graph that indicates a relationship between a surface temperature and an outer circumference position. For example, the precipitate thickness DB <NUM> stores therein the fluid temperature of <NUM> in the case where the precipitate is wax and stores therein a plurality of surface temperature distributions of the pipe <NUM> at the outside air temperature of <NUM>. In addition, the precipitate thickness DB <NUM> stores therein, as the precipitate thickness distribution, a graph that indicates a relationship between a thickness of a precipitate adhered in the pipe and an outer circumference position. In other words, the precipitate thickness DB <NUM> stores therein data on the precipitate thickness distribution associated with each of the plurality of surface temperature distributions that are obtained by using the fluid temperature and the outside air temperature as parameters.

In the following, the flow of each of the processes according to one or more embodiments will be described by using <FIG>. In a description below, the flow of the entire process, the flow of the temperature acquisition process, the flow of the fluid temperature calculation process, and the flow of the precipitate thickness estimation process according to one or more embodiments will be described in this order.

The flow of the entire process according to one or more embodiments will be described with reference to <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the entire process according to one or more embodiments. First, the acquisition unit 15a included in the estimation device <NUM> performs the temperature acquisition process (Step S101). Then, the calculation unit 15b included in the estimation device <NUM> performs the fluid temperature calculation process (Step S102). Then, the estimation unit 15c included in the estimation device <NUM> performs the precipitate thickness estimation process (Step S103), and ends the process.

The flow of the temperature acquisition process according to one or more embodiments will be described with reference to <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the temperature acquisition process according to one or more embodiments. First, the acquisition unit 15a included in the estimation device <NUM> acquires, from the temperature sensor 40A, the outer surface temperature (the second pipe surface temperature) at the reference position at which the precipitate <NUM> is not precipitated in the pipe <NUM> (Step S201). Then, the acquisition unit 15a acquires the outer surface temperature (the heat insulating material surface temperature) of the heat insulating material <NUM> from the temperature sensor 40C (Step S202). Then, the acquisition unit 15a acquires, from the temperature sensor 40B, the outer surface temperature (the first pipe surface temperature) at the precipitate generation position at which the precipitate <NUM> is precipitated in the pipe <NUM> (Step S203).

The acquisition unit 15a performs the processes at Steps S201 to S203 described above and ends the temperature acquisition process. Furthermore, the order of the processes performed at Steps S201 to S203 and the timing at which each of the processes is performed are able to be dynamically or statically changed. In addition, of the processes performed at Steps S201 to S203, some process may be omitted.

The flow of the fluid temperature calculation process according to one or more embodiments will be described with reference to <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the fluid temperature calculation process according to one or more embodiments. In a description below, a method for calculating a fluid temperature according to one or more embodiments will be described by using mathematical formulas, and then, the flow of the fluid temperature calculation process according to one or more embodiments will be described in detail.

In the following, an example of a technique for estimating an in-pipe fluid temperature from a pipe surface temperature at a point at which a precipitate is not adhered will be indicated. First, it is assumed that a pipe surface temperature of a point at which a precipitate is not adhered and a heat insulating material surface temperature are measured. If a temperature of the pipe surface is denoted by T<NUM>, a heat insulating material surface temperature is denoted by T<NUM>, and an in-pipe fluid temperature is denoted by Tinner, a heat transfer amount Q of a fluid from inside the pipe to an external portion of the pipe is represented by Equation (<NUM>) below by considering a transfer of the heat of the fluid inside the pipe to the pipe surface.

In addition, by considering a transfer of the heat from the pipe surface to the heat insulating material surface, regarding the heat transfer amount Q, a relation represented by Equation (<NUM>) is obtained. <MAT>
where, Rpipe and Rinsulation denote the thermal resistance of the pipe and the heat insulating material, respectively, and Rinner denotes the thermal resistance of the fluid inside the pipe due to a thermal transfer. It is possible to calculate Rpipe and Rinsulation, on the basis of Equation (<NUM>) and Equation (<NUM>) below, by using thermal conductivities kp and ki of the pipe and the heat insulating material, respectively, an outer radius rp2 of the pipe (i.e., the inner radius of the heat insulating material), an inner radius rp1 of the pipe, an outer radius ri of the heat insulating material, and a length L of an area that is considered for a thermal transfer in an axial direction of the pipe. In addition, "ln" in Equation is a natural logarithm. <MAT><MAT>.

Furthermore, it is possible to calculate Rinner by using a heat transfer rate hinner inside the pipe on the basis of Equation (<NUM>) below.

Then, it is possible to calculate an in-pipe fluid temperature Tinner on the basis of Equation (<NUM>) below by using Equation (<NUM>) and Equation (<NUM>) above.

Furthermore, L does not affect the calculation result of Equation (<NUM>) above, and may be thus defined as, for example, <NUM> or the like. In addition, in the case where an ambient air temperature of the pipe is measured or predicted instead of the heat insulating material surface temperature, it is also possible to estimate the in-pipe fluid temperature in a similar manner, and, in addition, it is possible to estimate an in-pipe fluid temperature in a similar manner even if a pipe does not include a heat insulating material.

In the following, an example of the flow of a calculation process for calculating the in-pipe fluid temperature will be described. At a first step, the calculation unit 15b included in the estimation device <NUM> receives an input of the pipe surface temperature T<NUM> that is the outer surface temperature at the reference position (Step S301). At a second step, the calculation unit 15b receives an input of a heat insulating material surface temperature T<NUM> (Step S302). At a third step, the calculation unit 15b receives an input of rp1, rp2, r<NUM>, and L as the values related to the radius of each of the pipe and the heat insulating material and the length (Step S303). At a fourth step, the calculation unit 15b receives an input of kp, ki, and hinner as the values of the thermal conductivity and the heat transfer rate (Step S304). At a fifth step, the calculation unit 15b outputs Tinner as the calculation value of the in-pipe fluid temperature (Step S305).

The calculation unit 15b performs the processes at Steps S301 to S305 described above, and ends the fluid temperature calculation process. Furthermore, the order of the input reception processes performed at Steps S301 to S304 and the timing at which each of the processes is performed are able to be dynamically or statically changed.

The flow of the precipitate thickness estimation process according to one or more embodiments will be described with reference to <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the precipitate thickness estimation process according to one or more embodiments. In a description below, the information that is stored in the precipitate thickness database (DB) <NUM> and that is used for the estimation process according to one or more embodiments will be described, and then, the flow of the precipitate thickness estimation process according to one or more embodiments will be described in detail.

The precipitate thickness DB <NUM> stores therein, for each of the types of precipitate, information in which a surface temperature distribution of the pipe in the circumferential direction is associated with a precipitate thickness distribution that is a thickness distribution of a precipitate in the circumferential direction. The information may be generated from a computer simulation, or may be generated from actual measurement values that are accumulated in advance.

The precipitate thickness DB <NUM> stores therein a graph that indicates a relationship between the surface temperature and the outer circumference position as the surface temperature distribution of the pipe in the circumferential direction. For example, the precipitate thickness DB <NUM> stores therein a graph that indicates a plurality of surface temperature distributions at the in-pipe fluid temperature and an external temperature (e.g., an outside air temperature, a heat insulating material surface temperature, an outer pipe fluid temperature, etc.). Furthermore, the precipitate thickness DB <NUM> stores therein a graph that indicates a relationship between the thickness of the precipitate adhered in the pipe and the outer circumference position as the precipitate thickness distribution. In other words, the precipitate thickness DB <NUM> stores therein data on a precipitate thickness distribution that is associated with each of the plurality of surface temperature distributions obtained by using the in-pipe fluid temperature and the heat insulating material surface temperature as parameters.

In the following, an example of the flow of the estimation process for estimating a precipitate thickness will be described. At a first step, the estimation unit 15c included in the estimation device <NUM> receives an input of the in-pipe fluid temperature that has been calculated by the calculation unit 15b (Step S401). At a second step, the estimation unit 15c receives an input of the heat insulating material surface temperature (Step S402). At a third step, the estimation unit 15c receives an input of the pipe surface temperature (Step S403). At a fourth step, the estimation unit 15c outputs the estimated value of the precipitate thickness (Step S404).

At this time, the estimation unit 15c searches, the precipitate thickness DB <NUM>, for a surface temperature distribution in which the value of the surface temperature is most matched by using the calculated in-pipe fluid temperature and the heat insulating material surface temperature as keys. Then, the estimation unit 15c estimates a thickness of the precipitate <NUM> on the basis of the precipitate thickness distribution that is associated with the searched surface temperature distribution.

The estimation unit 15c performs the processes at Steps S401 to S404 described above, and ends the precipitate thickness estimation process. Furthermore, the order of the input reception processes performed at Steps S401 to S403 and the timing at which each of the processes is performed are able to be dynamically or statically changed.

An example of disposition of the pipe and the temperature sensors and the use of the pipe and the temperature sensors will be described with reference to <FIG>. In examples <NUM> to <NUM>, the estimation process on the pipe in which a generation position of a precipitate is clear will be described, and in example <NUM>, the estimation process on the pipe in which a generation position of a precipitate is unclear will be described. Furthermore, the pipe illustrated in <FIG> is a pipe covered by a heat insulating material; however, the pipe may also be a pipe without a heat insulating material, or it may also correct the influence of an ambient environment by increasing the number of measurement points on a surface or an inside of a heat insulating material.

An estimation process performed on the pipe in which a generation position of a precipitate is clear will be described with reference to <FIG> is a diagram illustrating example <NUM> of a pipe and temperature sensors according to one or more embodiments. Furthermore, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a pipe <NUM> that is covered by a heat insulating material <NUM>, and in which precipitates <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are adhered near the center of the pipe <NUM> at an upper part and a lower part of the pipe <NUM> caused by a flow of a fluid <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, if it is realized that a precipitate is adhered to only a part of a pipe, the estimation device <NUM> is able to estimate an in-pipe fluid temperature by measuring a temperature of a point, in which a precipitate is not adhered, at a position on the upstream or the downstream side of the part of the pipe in which a precipitate is adhered. In other words, the estimation device <NUM> acquires a temperature measured by a temperature sensor 41A-<NUM> as the pipe surface temperature of a reference position located on the upstream side, and acquires a temperature measured by a temperature sensor 41A-<NUM> as the pipe surface temperature of a reference position located on the downstream side. In contrast, the estimation device <NUM> acquires a temperature measured by each of temperature sensors 41B-<NUM> and 41B-<NUM> as the pipe surface temperature at the precipitate generation position. Furthermore, the cause of a precipitate generated at only a part of the pipe may possibly be a difference in ambient environment of the pipe, a difference in pipe diameter, a difference in in-pipe fluid temperature.

An estimation process performed on the pipe in which a generation position of a precipitate is clear will be described with reference to <FIG> is a diagram illustrating example <NUM> of a pipe and temperature sensors according to one or more embodiments. Furthermore, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a pipe <NUM> that is covered by a heat insulating material <NUM>, and in which a precipitate <NUM> is adhered to an upper part of an elbow portion of the pipe <NUM> caused by a flow of a fluid <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, if it is realized that a precipitate is adhered to only a part of a pipe, the estimation device <NUM> is able to estimate, similarly to <FIG>, an in-pipe fluid temperature by measuring a temperature of a point, in which a precipitate is not adhered, at a position on the upstream or the downstream side of the part of the pipe in which a precipitate is adhered. In other words, the estimation device <NUM> acquires a temperature measured by a temperature sensor 42A-<NUM> as a pipe surface temperature of a reference position located on the upstream side, and acquires a temperature measured by a temperature sensor 42A-<NUM> as the pipe surface temperature of a reference position located on the downstream side. Furthermore, if the precipitate <NUM> is adhered to only an upper part of the pipe, the estimation device <NUM> may acquire the temperature measured by a temperature sensor 42A-<NUM> as a pipe surface temperature at a position that is opposite the position in which the precipitate <NUM> is adhered. In contrast, the estimation device <NUM> acquires the temperature measured by a temperature sensor 42B as the pipe surface temperature of the precipitate generation position.

An estimation process performed on the pipe in which a generation position of a precipitate is clear will be described with reference to <FIG> is a diagram illustrating example <NUM> of a pipe and temperature sensors according to one or more embodiments. Furthermore, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a pipe <NUM> that is covered by a heat insulating material <NUM>, and in which precipitates <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are adhered to a branch portion of the pipe <NUM> caused by a flow of a fluid <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, if it is realized that a precipitate is adhered to only a part of a pipe, the estimation device <NUM> may measure a pipe surface temperature of the root of the branch portion or another branch destination. In other words, the estimation device <NUM> acquires a temperature measured by a temperature sensor 43A-<NUM> as the pipe surface temperature of a reference position located at the root of the branch portion, and acquires a temperature measured by a temperature sensor 43A-<NUM> as the pipe surface temperature of a reference position located at another branch destination. In contrast, the estimation device <NUM> acquires a temperature measured by each temperature sensors 43B-<NUM> and 43B-<NUM> as the pipe surface temperature of the precipitate generation position.

An estimation process performed on the pipe in which a generation position of a precipitate is unclear will be described with reference to <FIG> is a diagram illustrating example <NUM> of a pipe and temperature sensors according to one or more embodiments. Furthermore, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a pipe <NUM> that is covered by a heat insulating material <NUM>, and in which a generation position of a precipitate is unclear even though a fluid <NUM> flows.

At this time, if each of the measurement position are separated each other and a difference in fluid temperature at each position is large, the estimation device <NUM> estimates a fluid temperature based on the assumption that a precipitate is not present at each of the positions by using Equation (<NUM>) that is a calculation expression of the in-pipe fluid temperature as described above. In other words, the estimation device <NUM> defines, by taking into account a fluid temperature difference or a temporal difference for each position, a measurement position, in which a highest temperature is able to be obtained as an estimated value of a fluid temperature at a certain reference position, as a position without a precipitate, and uses the estimated value of the fluid temperature obtained from the measurement value at the defined measurement position in order to estimate a precipitate thickness at the other measurement position.

In <FIG>, surface temperatures in the pipe at four points associated with temperature sensors <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM> are measured. For example, the point associated with the temperature sensor <NUM>-<NUM> is defined as a reference point (another point may be possible). Then, time δt<NUM>-<NUM>, δt<NUM>-<NUM>, and δt<NUM>-<NUM> needed for the fluid <NUM> to flow from the point associated with the temperature sensor <NUM>-<NUM> to the point associated with the temperature sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, the point associated with the temperature sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, and the point associated with the temperature sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, respectively, are obtained on the basis of the distance between the measurement points and the flow velocity,. Here, estimated values that are related to the in-pipe fluid temperatures at the respective positions and that are estimated from the pipe surface temperatures at the four points associated with the temperature sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> at time t on the basis of the assumption that a precipitate is not adhered to each of the positions are denoted by Ti1(t), Ti2(t), Ti3(t), and Ti4(t), respectively. As a result, if a fluid temperature at the point associated with the temperature sensor <NUM>-<NUM> at certain time t<NUM> is estimated from the pipe surface temperatures at the points associated with the temperature sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>, Ti1(t<NUM>), Ti2(t<NUM>+δt<NUM>-<NUM>), Ti3(t<NUM>+δt<NUM>-<NUM>), and Ti4 (t<NUM>+δt4 -<NUM>), respectively, are obtained. Then, if it is assumed that a precipitate is not adhered to the point in which the highest temperature is obtained from among the estimated temperatures, the in-pipe fluid temperature is estimated from that point and the estimated in-pipe fluid temperature is used to estimate a precipitate thickness of other points. Therefore, if a precipitate is not adhered to at least one position from among the four points that are associated with the temperature sensors <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>, it is possible to estimate a precipitate thickness by using this method.

Firstly, in the process according to one or more embodiments described above, the first pipe surface temperature that is the outer surface temperature of the pipe <NUM> at the precipitate generation position at which the precipitate <NUM> is adhered to the inner surface of the pipe <NUM> through which the fluid <NUM> flows and the second pipe surface temperature that is the outer surface temperature of the pipe <NUM> at the reference position that is different from the precipitate generation position are acquired, the in-pipe fluid temperature that is the temperature of the fluid <NUM> at the precipitate generation position is calculated on the basis of the acquired second pipe surface temperature, and the information on the thickness of the precipitate <NUM> is estimated on the basis of the calculated in-pipe fluid temperature and the acquired first pipe surface temperature. As a result, in this process, it is possible to estimate the precipitate thickness inside the pipe with accuracy.

Secondly, in the process according to one or more embodiments described above, the outer surface temperature of the pipe <NUM> at the reference position at which the precipitate <NUM> is not adhered to the inner surface of the pipe is acquired as the second pipe surface temperature, and the thickness of the precipitate <NUM> at the precipitate generation position is estimated. As a result, in this process, it is possible to estimate, with accuracy, the precipitate thickness inside the pipe by using the information on the reference position at which a precipitate is not adhered.

Thirdly, in the process according to one or more embodiments described above, the outer surface temperature of the pipe <NUM> at the reference position at which the precipitate <NUM> is adhered to the inner surface of the pipe is acquired as the second pipe surface temperature, and a difference between the thickness of the precipitate <NUM> at the reference position and the thickness of the precipitate at the precipitate generation position is estimated. As a result, in this process, it is possible to estimate, with accuracy, the difference between the precipitate thicknesses inside the pipe by using the information on the reference position at which the precipitate is adhered.

Fourthly, in the process according to one or more embodiments described above, a heat insulating material surface temperature that is the outer surface temperature of the heat insulating material <NUM> that covers the pipe <NUM> is further acquired, an in-pipe fluid temperature is calculated by using the second pipe surface temperature, the heat insulating material surface temperature, and the thermal resistance of each of the fluid <NUM>, the pipe <NUM>, and the heat insulating material <NUM>, and then, the thickness of the precipitate <NUM> at the precipitate generation position is estimated by using the thickness distribution of the precipitates that are associated with each of the in-pipe fluid temperature and first pipe surface temperature. As a result, in this process, it is possible to estimate, with accuracy, the precipitate thickness inside the pipe in a non-invasive manner.

Fifthly, in the process according to one or more embodiments described above, a temperature difference between the fluid <NUM> flowing through the reference position and the fluid <NUM> flowing through the precipitate generation position is calculated by using the temperature of the fluid <NUM> at the precipitate generation position, the flow velocity of the fluid <NUM> inside the pipe <NUM>, and a distance between the reference position and the precipitate generation position in a state in which the precipitate <NUM> is not adhered, and an in-pipe fluid temperature is calculated by using the calculated temperature difference. As a result, in this process, it is possible to calculate, with accuracy, the in-pipe fluid temperature and estimate, with accuracy, the precipitate thickness inside the pipe.

Sixthly, in the process according to one or more embodiments described above, when the second pipe surface temperature is acquired from the plurality of reference positions, the in-pipe fluid temperature is calculated on the basis of the second pipe surface temperature that is acquired from the reference position in which a highest outer surface temperature is indicated. As a result, in this process, it is possible to estimate, with accuracy, the precipitate thickness inside the pipe even if the position at which a precipitate is not adhered is unclear.

Seventhly, in the process according to one or more embodiments described above, the first pipe surface temperature and the second pipe surface temperature inside the pipe <NUM> that transports oil or gas produced from a winze are acquired, an in-pipe fluid temperature of the oil or the gas is calculated on the basis of the second pipe surface temperature, and then, the information on the thickness of hydrate, wax, asphaltene, or scale is estimated on the basis of the in-pipe fluid temperature and the first pipe surface temperature. As a result, in this process, it is possible to estimate, with accuracy, the precipitate thickness inside the pipe in a pipeline that is used for oil or gas.

The flow of the processes, the control procedures, the specific names, and the information containing various kinds of data or parameters indicated in the above specification and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise stated.

Furthermore, the components of each unit illustrated in the drawings are only for conceptually illustrating the functions thereof and are not always physically configured as illustrated in the drawings. In other words, the specific shape of a separate or integrated device is not limited to the drawings. Specifically, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically separating or integrating any of the units depending on various loads or use conditions.

Furthermore, all or any part of each of the processing functions performed by the each of the devices can be implemented by a CPU and by programs including instructions analyzed and executed by the CPU or implemented as hardware by wired logic.

In the following, an example of a hardware configuration of the estimation device <NUM> will be described. Furthermore, the same hardware configuration may be used for the other devices. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration. As illustrated in <FIG>, the estimation device <NUM> includes a communication device 10a, a hard disk drive (HDD) 10b, a memory 10c, and a processor 10d. Furthermore, each of the units illustrated in <FIG> is connected by a bus or the like with each other.

The communication device 10a is a network interface card or the like, and communicates with another server. The HDD 10b stores therein the programs and the DBs that operate the functions illustrated in <FIG>.

The processor 10d operates the process that executes each of the functions described above in <FIG> or the like by reading the programs that execute the same process as that performed by each of the processing units illustrated in <FIG> from the HDD 10b or the like and loading the read programs in the memory 10c. For example, the process executes the same functions as those performed by each of the processing units included in the estimation device <NUM>. Specifically, the processor 10d reads, from the HDD 10b or the like, the programs having the same functions as those performed by the acquisition unit 15a, the calculation unit 15b, the estimation unit 15c, and the like. Then, the processor 10d executes the process for executing the same processes as those performed by the acquisition unit 15a, the calculation unit 15b, the estimation unit 15c, and the like.

In this way, the estimation device <NUM> is operated as an information processing apparatus that performs various processing methods by reading and executing the programs. Furthermore, the estimation device <NUM> is also able to implement the same functions as those described above in one or more embodiments by reading the above described programs from a recording medium by a medium reading device and executing the read programs. Furthermore, the programs described in other embodiments are not limited to be executed by the estimation device <NUM>. For example, the programs described in other embodiments are not limited to be executed by the information processing apparatus <NUM>. For example, the above embodiments may also be similarly used in a case in which another computer or a server executes a program or in a case in which another computer and a server cooperatively execute the program with each other.

The programs may be distributed via a network, such as the Internet. Furthermore, the programs may be executed by storing the programs in a recording medium that can be read by a computer readable medium, such as a hard disk, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk (MO), a digital versatile disk (DVD), or the like, and read the programs from the recording medium by the computer.

Claim 1:
An estimation device (<NUM>) comprising:
an acquisition unit (15a) configured to:
acquire a first pipe surface temperature and a second pipe surface temperature, wherein the first pipe surface temperature is an outer surface temperature of a pipe at a precipitate generation position at which a precipitate is adhered to an inner surface of the pipe through which a fluid flows, and the second pipe surface temperature is the outer surface temperature of the pipe at a reference position different from the precipitate generation position;
a calculation unit (15b) configured to calculate an in-pipe fluid temperature that is a temperature of the fluid at the precipitate generation position based on the second pipe surface temperature; and
an estimation unit (15c) configured to estimate a thickness of the precipitate based on the in-pipe fluid temperature and the first pipe surface temperature,
wherein in a case where the precipitate is not adhered to the inner surface at the reference position, the estimation unit (15c) is configured to estimate the thickness of the precipitate at the precipitate generation position,
the acquisition unit (15a) is further configured to acquire a heat insulating material surface temperature that is an outer surface temperature of a heat insulating material that covers the pipe,
the calculation unit (15b) is configured to calculate the in-pipe fluid temperature based on the second pipe surface temperature, the heat insulating material surface temperature, and thermal resistance of each of the fluid, the pipe, and the heat insulating material, and
the estimation unit (15c) is configured to estimate the thickness of the precipitate at the precipitate generation position based on a thickness distribution of the precipitates that are associated with the in-pipe fluid temperature and the first pipe surface temperature.