Acoustic monitoring of two phase feed nozzles

• US 5,004,152 A
• Filed: 10/30/1989
• Issued: 04/02/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Baker, Charles L., Joseph, Craig A., Sela, Uri, Cody, George D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/428,553
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 239/1, 239/8, 239/61, 239/71, 73/168, 73/861.04, 73/861.18, 73/865.9
• US Class Current: 239/8
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/26 Nozzle-type reactors, i.e. the distribution of the initial reactants within the reactor is effected by their introduction or injection through nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00065 Pressure measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 4/008 Feed or outlet control devices
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 11/187 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/34 by measuring pressure or differential pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/74 Devices for measuring flow of a fluid or flow of a fluent solid material in suspension in another fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/132 by controlling the flow of the individual components G05D11/133 takes precedence

Abstract

Passive coustic method for monitoring and controlling flow state of two phase fluids through feed nozzles and thereby improving operating stability and high product value yields in major refinery processes or any other process where a finely atomized liquid stream exiting the nozzle is important.

Claims

1. A passive acoustic nozzle monitoring process for correcting the operating conditions of a feed nozzle injecting a liquid gas mixture into a process vessel or chamber so as to maintain the correct mixing of said liquid and gas exiting the nozzle comprising:

(a) determining an initial time variation of the vibrational signal over an initial time period from a vibrational sensor in close proximity to said nozzle when said nozzle is performing at a standard mixing or flow condition which is the desired operating state of the nozzle;

(b) determining a time variation of the vibrational signal over a later time period from said vibrational sensor in close proximity to said nozzle;

(c) comparing said initial time variation of said vibrational signal with said time variation of said vibrational signal taken at a later time, so as to determine a change in said vibrational signal; and

(d) correcting the flow state of the nozzle by changing the variables controlling the relative volumes of gas and liquid entering the nozzle so as to return said nozzle to said desired operating state.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said vibrational sensor is an accelerometer.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said vibrational sensor is a pressure transducer.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said time variations of said vibrational signals are taken over discrete time periods.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein said time variations of said vibrational signals are taken over sequential time periods.

6. The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining a time variation of said vibrational signal for a time period after said step of correcting the flow state of the nozzle comparing it to said initial time variation of said vibrational signal to verify that said nozzle has returned to its desired operating state.