FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 3,578,077 A
• Filed: 05/27/1968
• Issued: 05/11/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwin E. Glenn Jr, Malcolm K. Strubhar, Vasel R. Slover
• Original Assignee: Edwin E. Glenn Jr, Malcolm K. Strubhar, Vasel R. Slover
• Inventors: Glenn, Edwin E. Jr., Strubhar, Malcolm K., Slover, Vasel R.
• Application Number:
  US04/732,460
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• US Class Current: 166/68
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/34 Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2577 Liquid level responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3071 With main line gas outlet from trap chamber

Abstract

This specification discloses a method and apparatus for controlling flow of a multiphase fluid stream from a partially depleting supply source such as a pumping oil well so that the flow rate of the liquid phase thereof is maintained substantially constant. Where said source is an oil well, the multiphase fluid is pumped from the well into a separator where it is separated into its liquid and gas phases. A constant volume pump withdraws liquid from the separator at a set flow rate. A conduit connects the separator back to the well and has a valve therein which is controlled by the liquid level in the separator whereby a portion of the liquid in the separator can be returned to the well to maintain sufficient fluid in the well for the well pump to operate at its capacity.

Claims

1. In a flow control system adapted to be used in controlling flow of a multiphase fluid from a partially depleting supply source, the combination comprising:

means for separating said fluid into liquid and gas phases, said separating means having an inlet adapted to be connected to said partially depleting supply source to receive said multiphase fluid therefrom and having a liquid outlet conduit means for passage of the liquid phase therefrom;

means connected in said liquid outlet conduit means for withdrawing a first potion of said liquid phase from said separating means at a specified rate;

return conduit means fluidly connected at one of its ends to said separating means and adapted to be connected at the other of its ends to said partially depleting supply source;

means in said separating means for sensing the level of said liquid phase therein; and

valve means in fluid communication with said return conduit means and responsive to said level sensing means for permitting liquid flow through said return conduit means from said separating means to said partially depleting supply source when said level rises above a reference level whereby a second portion of said liquid phase may be returned to said partially depleting supply source.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises:

a valve in said liquid return conduit means operably connected to said level sensing means and responsive thereto whereby said valve moves toward an open position as the liquid level rises above a reference level in said separating means and moves toward a closed position as the liquid level drops below said reference level.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises:

a first valve in said liquid return conduit means operably connected to said level sensing means and responsive thereto whereby said first valve moves toward a closed position as the liquid level in said separating means rises above a reference level and moves toward an open position as the liquid level drops below said reference level;

bypass line means for fluidly connecting a point on said liquid return conduit means upstream of said first valve means to a point on said liquid return conduit means downstream of said first valve whereby said bypass line means and the portion of said liquid return conduit means between said points form a loop;

means in said bypass line means for pumping liquid therethrough; and

a second valve in said liquid return conduit means downstream of said loop adapted to close whenever said first valve opens so that said pump means in said bypass line means will circulate liquid through said loop when said liquid level in said separating means falls below said reference level, said second valve adapted to open whenever said first valve closes so that said pumping means in said bypass line means will return liquid to said partially depleting supply source when said liquid level in said separating means rises above said reference level.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said separatiNg means has a second outlet conduit means adapted for flow of said gas phase from said separating means.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said second outlet conduit means includes:

means for measuring gas phase flow from said separating means;

means for maintaining the pressure within said separating means at a desired value.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein:

said separating means has a second outlet conduit means adapted for flow of said gas phase from said separating means, said separating means including;

means for measuring said gas phase flow from said separating means; and

means for maintaining the pressure within said separating means at a desired value.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said means for withdrawing a portion of said liquid phase at a specified rate comprises:

a constant volume pump.

8. The system of claim 7 including:

a vessel connected to said liquid outlet conduit downstream of said pump, said vessel adapted to contain liquid whereby a back pressure may be maintained on said pump.

9. The system of claim 1 including:

means connecting said inlet of said separating means to said partially depleting supply source wherein said source is an oil well having a well pump therein which produces said multiphase fluid from said well at a rate greater than it is replaced therein.