MICROSENSOR FOR MERCURY

• US 20120021524A1
• Filed: 07/21/2010
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Chen, Hua, van Hal, Ronald E.G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,383,048 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/81
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/06 of a liquid involving electrolysis G01N27/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/12 of a solid body in dependence upon absorption of a fluid; of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid , for detecting components in the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0045 Hg
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/225 Gaseous fuels, e.g. natural gas

Abstract

Methods and devices for detecting a concentration of one or more element in hydrocarbon and/or natural gas in a oil and gas field application. The device including a microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel, the microstructure includes a supporting layer and a insulating layer; a controllable thermal device in communication with the supporting layer of the microstructure, wherein the controllable thermal device is controllably heated to one or more release temperature of the one or more element; a sensing layer arranged on the insulating layer to absorb molecules of the one or more element from hydrocarbon and/or natural gas; a detecting and measuring resistance device in communication with the sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the one or more element onto the sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature, and storing the data on a processor.

Claims

1. An oil and gas field application device for detecting a concentration of one or more element in one of hydrocarbon or natural gas in a wellsite, subterranean environment or both, the oil and gas field application device comprising:

a microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel, the microstructure includes a supporting layer and a insulating layer;

at least one controllable thermal device in communication with the supporting layer of the microstructure, wherein the at least one controllable thermal device is controllably heated to one or more release temperature of the one or more element;

a sensing layer arranged on the insulating layer to absorb molecules of the one or more element from one of hydrocarbon or natural gas; and

a detecting and measuring resistance device in communication with the sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the one or more element onto the sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature, and storing the data on a processor.

2. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more element includes mercury (Hg) or hydrogen sulfide (H₂S).

3. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microstructure is made of a electrical insulating and thermal conducting material and the oil and gas field application includes one of a wellsite, subterranean environment or downhole environment.

4. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the electrical insulating and thermal conducting material is from the group consisting of one of titanium nitride (TiN), silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), aluminum nitride (AlN), silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon or some combination thereof.

5. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one controllable thermal device is a conductive pathway disposed over and substantially covers a surface area of the supporting layer of the microstructure and controls the temperature of the microstructure up to approximately 400 C.

6. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one controllable thermal device is activated to controllably heat the microstructure and the sensing layer to a regeneration temperature sufficient to cause the molecules of the one or more element to be liberated from the sensing layer.

7. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a layer applied on the supporting layer for facilitating adhesion of the controllable thermal device to the microstructure.

8. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a layer deposited on the insulating layer for facilitating adhesion of a sensing layer to the microstructure.

9. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electrical resistivity of the sensing layer changes when the molecules of the one or more element are absorbed by the sensing layer, and the at least one controllable thermal device is activated when the electrical resistivity reaches a predetermined resistivity threshold.

10. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

a metal pathway deposited on the insulating layer to the microstructure, the metal pathway having a affinity for the one or more element.

11. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the metal pathway is from the group consisting of gold, black gold, silver, copper, palladium chloride, an alloy material or some combination thereof.

12. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a reference sensing layer positioned on a portion of the insulating layer.

13. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:

an electrical resistivity of the reference sensing layer changes when the molecules of the one or more element are absorbed by the reference sensing layer, and the at least one controllable thermal device is activated when the electrical resistivity reaches a predetermined resistivity threshold;

a conductive pathway deposited on the insulating layer of the microstructure including the portion of the insulating layer, the metal pathway having a affinity for the one or more element such that the reference sensing layer and sensing layer are in communication with the conductive pathway;

a gas impermeable layer is applied on the portion of the insulating layer of the conductive pathway so as to result in the reference sensing layer to have no absorption.

14. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microstructure is one of non-linear such as wave-like so as to provide a disturbance in a flow of a fluid through the channel.

15. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microstructure is structured and arranged to have a variable thickness to provide a disturbance in a flow of a fluid flowing through the channel.

16. A oil and gas field application device for detecting two or more elements in one of hydrocarbon or natural gas, the oil and gas field application device comprising:

a multi-zone microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel, the multi-zone microstructure includes;

(1) a first zone with a first supporting layer and a first insulating layer;

(2) a second zone having a second supporting layer and a second insulating layer;

(3) at least two controllable thermal devices, a first controllable thermal device in communication with the first supporting layer and a second controllable thermal device in communication with the second supporting layer and is capable of controlling the temperature up to approximately 400 C,

wherein the first controllable thermal device of the first zone controllably varies the temperature within a first range of temperatures and the second controllable thermal device of the second zone controllably varies the temperature for a second range of temperatures, such that the range of temperature for one of the first controllable thermal device, the second controllable thermal device or both is controllable up to a release temperature of the two or more elements;

(4) a first sensing layer arranged on the first insulating layer, the first sensing layer arranged to absorb molecules of the two or more elements from the one of hydrocarbon or natural gas at a first sensitivity for a first element and a second sensitivity for a second element;

(5) a second sensing layer arranged on the second insulating layer, the second sensing layer arranged to absorb molecules of the two or more elements from the one of hydrocarbon or natural gas at a third sensitivity for the first element and a fourth sensitivity for the second element; and

(6) at least one processor in communication with the at least two controllable thermal devices and the first and second sensing layers.

17. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 16, wherein one of the first insulating layer, the second insulating layer or both include a reference sensing layer positioned on a portion of the insulating layer.

18. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

an electrical resistivity of the reference sensing layer changes when the molecules of the one or more element are absorbed by the reference sensing layer, and the at least one controllable thermal device is activated when the electrical resistivity reaches a predetermined resistivity threshold;

a conductive pathway deposited on the insulating layer, the metal pathway having a affinity for the one or more element such that the reference sensing layer and at least one sensing layer of the two or more sensing layers are in communication with the conductive pathway;

a gas impermeable layer is applied on the insulating layer of the conductive pathway so as to result in the reference sensing layer to having no absorption.

19. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the two or more elements includes mercury and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and the oil and gas field application includes one of a wellsite, subterranean environment or downhole environment.

20. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the multi-zone microstructure is one of non-linear such as wave-like so as to provide a disturbance in a flow of a fluid through the channel.

21. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the multi-zone microstructure is structured and arranged to have a variable thickness to provide a disturbance in a flow of a fluid flowing through the channel.

22. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the microstructure is made of an electrical insulating and a thermal conducting material.

23. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the electrical insulating and thermal conducting material is from the group consisting of one of titanium nitride (TiN), silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), aluminum nitride (AlN), silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon or any combination thereof.

24. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first sensing layer is made of a different material than the second sensing layer.

25. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

a detection and measuring resistance device in communication with the first sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the first element onto the first sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature within the first range,

wherein the detection and measuring resistance device is also in communication with the second sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the second element onto the second sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature within the second range.

26. A device for detecting two or more elements in one of hydrocarbon or natural gas in a wellsite, a subterranean environment or both, the device comprising:

a multi-zone microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel, the multi-zone microstructure including;

(1) a first zone with a first supporting layer and a first insulating layer;

(2) a second zone having a second supporting layer and a second insulating layer;

(3) at least two controllable thermal devices, a first controllable thermal device in communication with the first supporting layer and a second controllable thermal device in communication with the second supporting layer, such that the at least two controllable thermal devices are capable of controlling the temperature up to approximately 400 C,

wherein the first controllable thermal device of the first zone controllably varies the temperature within a first range of temperatures and the second controllable thermal device of the second zone controllably varies the temperature for a second range of temperatures, such that the range of temperature for one of the first controllable thermal device, the second controllable thermal device or both is controllable up to a release temperature of the two or more elements;

(4) a first sensing layer arranged on the first insulating layer, the first sensing layer arranged to absorb molecules of the two or more elements from the one of hydrocarbon or natural gas at a first sensitivity for a first element and a second sensitivity for a second element;

(5) a second sensing layer arranged on the second insulating layer, the second sensing layer arranged to absorb molecules of a second element of the two or more elements from the one of hydrocarbon or natural gas at a third sensitivity for the first element and a fourth sensitivity for the second element;

(6) a detection and measuring resistance device in communication with the first sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the first element onto the first sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature within the first range,

wherein the detection and measuring resistance device is also in communication with the second sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the second element onto the second sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature within the second range; and

(7) at least one processor in communication with the at least two controllable thermal devices, the first and second sensing layers and the detection and measuring resistance device.

27. An apparatus for use in a oil and gas field application for detecting one of mercury (Hg) or hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in one of hydrocarbon or natural gas in a wellsite, subterranean environment or both, the apparatus comprising:

a microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel that is structured and arranged for an oil and gas field application environment, the microstructure includes a supporting layer and a insulating layer;

at least one controllable thermal device in communication with the supporting layer of the microstructure, wherein the at least one controllable thermal device controls the temperature up to a release temperature of one of the mercury (Hg) or the hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and is capable of controlling the temperature up to approximately 400 C;

a sensing layer arranged on the insulating layer to absorb molecules of one of the mercury (Hg) or hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) from one of hydrocarbon or natural gas; and

a detecting and measuring resistance device in communication with the sensing layer for measuring the electrical resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of one of the mercury (Hg) or hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) onto the sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature up to approximately 400 C; and

at least one processor in communication with the at least one controllable thermal device, the sensing layer and the detection and measuring resistance device, such that the at least one controllable thermal device is activated when the electrical resistivity reaches a predetermined resistivity threshold.

28. A method for detecting a concentration of one or more element from one of hydrocarbon or natural gas in a oil and gas field application, wherein the oil and gas field application includes a wellsite and a subterranean environment, the method comprising:

a) exposing at least one sensing layer arranged on a portion of an insulating layer of a microstructure to one of hydrocarbon or natural gas for a first period of time;

b) measuring resistance caused by absorption of molecules of a first element of the one or more element onto the at least one sensing layer with a detecting and measuring resistance device in communication with the at least one sensing layer and recording first element resistance data on a processor;

c) controllably heating at least one controllable thermal device in communication with a portion of a supporting layer of the microstructure, wherein the at least one controllable thermal device controllably varies the temperature of the microstructure up to a release temperature of the first element and for a second period of time;

d) measuring resistance of the first element on the sensing layer with the detecting and measuring resistance device and recording the released first element resistance data on the processor;

e) controllably heating the at least one controllable thermal device up to a release temperature of the second element and for a third period of time;

f) measuring resistance of the second element on the at least one sensing layer with the detecting and measuring resistance device and recording the released second element resistance data on the processor; and

g) determining the concentration of one or more element.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein step b) further comprises:

waiting for a second period of time so the at least one sensing layer cools; and

re-measuring resistance caused by absorption of molecules of the first element of the one or more element onto the at least one sensing layer with the detecting and measuring resistance device and recording cooled first element resistance data on the processor.

30. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the first period of time is substantially longer in time than any other period of time including the second period of time, the third period of time, the fourth period time, etc.

31. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the second period of time is substantially less than the first period of time.

32. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the third period of time is substantially less than the second period of time.

33. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the first element is mercury (Hg) and the second element is hydrogen sulfide (H₂S).

34. A oil and gas field application device for detecting two or more elements in one of hydrocarbon or natural gas, the oil and gas field application device comprising:

a multi-zone microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel, the multi-zone microstructure includes;

(1) a first zone with a first supporting layer and a first insulating layer;

(2) a second zone having a second supporting layer and a second insulating layer, such that the second zone is maintained at a temperature B;

(3) at least two controllable thermal devices, a first controllable thermal device in communication with the first supporting layer and a second controllable thermal device in communication with the second supporting layer and is capable of controlling the temperature up to approximately 400 C,

wherein the first controllable thermal device of the first zone maintains at a temperature A and the second controllable thermal device of the second zone maintains at a temperature B, wherein the first controllable thermal device, the second controllable thermal device or both is controllable up to a release temperature of the two or more elements;

(4) a first sensing layer arranged on the first insulating layer, the first sensing layer arranged to absorb molecules of the two or more elements from the one of hydrocarbon or natural gas at a first sensitivity for a first element and a second sensitivity for a second element;

(5) a second sensing layer arranged on the second insulating layer, the second sensing layer arranged to absorb molecules of the two or more elements from the one of hydrocarbon or natural gas at a third sensitivity for the first element and a fourth sensitivity for the second element; and

(6) at least one processor in communication with the at least two controllable thermal devices and the first and second sensing layers.

35. The oil and gas field application device as claimed in claim 34, wherein the temperature A is at a temperature up to a release temperature of the first element of the two or more elements, and wherein the temperature B is at a temperature above the release temperature of the first element and below the release temperature of the second element of the two or more elements.