Fluid analysis system

• US 5,105,085 A
• Filed: 06/04/1990
• Issued: 04/14/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Artificial Lift Systems Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Danny G. Mcguire, Denver C. Mcguire, Mark E. Sudberry
• Inventors: Sudberry, Mark E., McGuire, Denver C., McGuire, Danny G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Janice A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANIG, RICHARD E
• Application Number:
  US07/533,194
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 250/343, 250/345, 250/346, 250/344, 356/436
• US Class Current: 250/343
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/008 Monitoring of down-hole pump systems, e.g. for the detection of "pumped-off" conditions
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/009 Monitoring of walking-beam pump systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/047 Liquid level measuring depth or liquid level using radioactive markers E21B47/053
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/113 using electrical indications; using light radiations
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/04 Regulating by means of floats F04B49/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 9/12 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

A system for analyzing fluids. In one embodiment, the system measures the water content in an oil/water emulsion. A fluid probe comprising an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor measures the opacity of the fluid. The signal from the phototransistor is input into a series of potentiometers which are set to correspond to different percentages of water content. The outputs of the potentiometers are displayed by a light emitting diode panel. Means for automatically recalibrating the system in response to temperature changes is included. Further, means is included for recalibrating the system to operate in fluids having different API gravities.

In a second embodiment, the system analyzes a fluid to identify and differentiate different fluids in a mixture. The system can distinguish between petroleum products having different opacities; that is, the system can differentiate between crude oil, light oil and distillate. Still further, the system can differentiate between conductive fluids, such as water, and non-conductive fluids, such as oil. An infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor in a fluid probe output a signal indicating by the voltage level the opacity of the fluid. A pair of conductive pins in the fluid probe sense the conductivity of the fluid. The signals from the phototransistor and the conductive pins are input into a series of comparators which are set to preselected levels corresponding to different opacities. The outputs of the comparators are displayed by a light emitting diode panel.

Claims

1. A system for analyzing fluid comprising:

opacity detection means for detecting the opacity of the fluid and for producing a signal indicative of the opacity of the fluid;

signal differentiation means for receiving the signal produced by the opacity detection means and in response thereto producing one of a plurality of signals, each such signal corresponding to a different one of a plurality of preselected opacities, whereby the opacity of the fluid can be determined;

means for transforming the signals from the signal differentiation means into a humanly perceivable form; and

means for recalibrating the system in response to changes in temperature.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the temperature recalibration means is accomplished automatically.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the opacity detection means comprises a source of infrared light, means for receiving the infrared light, and means for producing an electrical signal which varies depending on the opacity of the fluid.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal transformation means comprises a series of lights each of which is illuminated in response to the detection of a preselected opacity.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the signal transformation means comprises a series of light emitting diodes.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid to be analyzed is an oil/water emulsion, wherein the signal produced by the opacity detection means is electrical and varies depending on the API gravity of the oil, and wherein the system further comprises:

means for recalibrating the system to operate in oils having different API gravities.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the preselected opacities to which the signals produced by the signal differentiation means correspond are selected to correspond to different levels of water content in the fluid, whereby a difference in opacity indicates a difference in water content in the fluid.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the temperature calibration means is accomplished automatically.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the opacity detection means comprises a source of infrared light and means for receiving the infrared light.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the opacity detection means comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor .

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the signal transformation means comprises a series of lights each of which is illuminated in response to the detection of a preselected opacity.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the signal transformation means comprises a series of light emitting diodes.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the fluid to be analyzed is an oil/water emulsion, wherein the signal produced in response to the opacity detection means is electrical and varies depending on the API gravity of the oil, and wherein the system further comprises:

means for recalibrating the system to operate in oils having different API gravities.

4. The system of claim wherein the opacity detection means comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.

15. A fluid analysis system, comprising:

opacity detection means for detecting the opacity of the fluid and for producing a signal indicative of the opacity of the fluid;

signal differentiation means for receiving the signal produced by the opacity detection means and in response thereto producing one of a plurality of signals, each such signal corresponding to a different one of a plurality of preselected opacities, wherein each of the preselected opacities is selected to correspond to a different one of a plurality of preselected fluid types; and

means for transforming the signals from the opacity detection means into a humanly perceivable form.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the opacity detection means comprises a source of infrared light and means for receiving the infrared light.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the opacity detection means comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the signal transformation means comprises a series of lights each of which is illuminated in response to the detection of a preselected opacity.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the signal display means comprises a series of light emitting diodes.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the fluid types are different types of petroleum products.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the fluid types are crude oil, light oil, and distillate.

22. The system of claim 15 wherein the fluid types include crude oil, light oil and distillate.

23. A fluid analysis system, comprising:

opacity detection means for detecting the opacity of the fluid and for producing a signal indicative of the opacity of the fluid;

conductivity sensing means for sensing if the fluid is electrically conductive and for producing a signal indicative of the conductivity of the fluid;

signal differentiation means for receiving the signals produced by the opacity detection means and the conductivity sensing means and in response thereto producing one of a plurality of signals, each such signal corresponding to a different one of a plurality of types of fluids, which fluid types comprise conductive and non-conductive fluids having different selected opacities; and

means for transforming the signals produced by the signal differentiation means into a humanly perceivable form.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the opacity detection means comprises a source of infrared light and means for receiving the infrared light.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the opacity detection means comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the signal transformation means comprises a series of lights each of which is illuminated in response to the detection of a different fluid.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the signal transformation means comprises a series of light emitting diodes.

28. The system of claim 23 wherein the fluid types comprise crude oil, light oil, distillate, clear water, muddy water and air.

29. A system for measuring the water content in an oil/water emulsion comprising:

opacity detection means for detecting the opacity of the fluid and for producing a signal indicative of the opacity of the fluid;

signal differentiation means for receiving the signal produced by the opacity detection means and in response thereto producing one of a plurality of signals, each such signal corresponding to a different one of a plurality of preselected opacities, each of which preselected opacities is selected to correspond to a different level of water content; and

means for transforming the signals from the signal differentiation means into a humanly perceivable form.

30. The system of claim 29 further comprising:

mean for recalibrating the system in response to changes in temperature.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the temperature recalibration means is accomplished automatically.

32. The system of claim 30 further comprising:

means for recalibrating the system to operate in oils having different API gravities.

33. The system of claim 29 further comprising:

means for recalibrating the system to operate in oils having different API gravities.