Detector for Characterizing a Fluid

• US 20110016962A1
• Filed: 07/20/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: DiFoggio, Rocco
• Application Number:
  US12/839,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20110016962A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/152.15
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/1702 with opto-acoustic detection, e.g. for gases or analysing solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/014 Resonance or resonant frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0224 Mixtures of three or more liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0226 Oils, e.g. engine oils
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/036 by measuring frequency or resonance of acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/222 Constructional or flow details for analysing fluids optoacoustic fluid cells G01N29/2425
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/2418 using optoacoustic interaction with the material, e.g. laser radiation, photoacoustics photoacoustic cells G01N21/1702; measuring characteristics of vibrations by using radiation-sensitive means G01H9/00; acousto-optical conversion techniques for short-range imaging G01S15/8965; sound-producing devices using laser bundle G10K15/046
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2823 Raw oil, drilling fluid or polyphasic mixtures

Abstract

An apparatus for characterizing a fluid property in a vessel may include a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member may be oriented at a non-zero angle. The second member may be responsive to the motion of the first member, and the first member may be acoustically coupled to the fluid by the vessel. Also, a method for characterizing the fluid includes using the response of the second member to estimate the fluid property.

Claims

1. An apparatus for characterizing a fluid received by a vessel, comprising:

a detector configured to be operably coupled to the vessel, the detector including a first member and a second member oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first member, the second member being responsive to a motion of the first member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a response of the second member to a bending moment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector includes one or more of:

a Y-shape, a T-shape, a W-shape, a Gamma-shape, and a fractal-shape.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a source configured to direct a beam of electromagnetic radiation into the vessel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one parameter of the beam is selected to cause at least a portion of the beam to be absorbed by a selected substance.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the selected substance is at least one of:

(i) an oil-based contaminant; and

(ii) a component of an oil-based drilling fluid.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the response is a vibration.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector is mounted on an exterior surface of the vessel.

9. A method for characterizing a fluid, comprising:

detecting a response of a detector operably coupled to a vessel, the detector including a first member and a second member oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first member, the second member being responsive to a motion of the first member.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

moving the first member by generating pressure pulses in the vessel.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising directing electromagnetic radiation into the vessel.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one parameter of the electromagnetic radiation is selected to cause at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation to be absorbed by a selected substance.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the selected substance is at least one of:

(i) an oil-based contaminant; and

(ii) a component of an oil-based drilling fluid.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the response is a vibration.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the response is motion of the second member due to an applied bending moment.

16. An apparatus for characterizing a fluid, comprising:

a vessel configured to receive the fluid;

a source configured to direct a beam of electromagnetic energy into the vessel; and

a sensor configured to detect a response of the vessel to a response of the fluid.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one parameter of the beam is selected to cause at least a portion of the beam to be absorbed by a selected substance.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the selected substance is at least one of:

(i) an oil-based contaminant; and

(ii) a component of an oil-based drilling fluid.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the response of the vessel is a vibration.