US20180244539A1 - Bubble size monitoring and control - Google Patents

Bubble size monitoring and control Download PDF

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Publication number
US20180244539A1
US20180244539A1 US15/751,021 US201615751021A US2018244539A1 US 20180244539 A1 US20180244539 A1 US 20180244539A1 US 201615751021 A US201615751021 A US 201615751021A US 2018244539 A1 US2018244539 A1 US 2018244539A1
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Prior art keywords
multiphase fluid
mixing
flotation gas
mixer
bubbles
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Abandoned
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US15/751,021
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English (en)
Inventor
Steinar ASDAHL
Michel lver Tveitan MAELUM
Karsten Rabe
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Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Priority to US15/751,021 priority Critical patent/US20180244539A1/en
Assigned to SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION reassignment SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ASDAHL, Steinar, MAELUM, Michel Iver Tveitan, RABE, KARSTEN
Publication of US20180244539A1 publication Critical patent/US20180244539A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/008—Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0205—Separation of non-miscible liquids by gas bubbles or moving solids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
    • B01F15/00162—
    • B01F15/00207—
    • B01F15/00357—
    • B01F15/00422—
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/231—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids by bubbling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/40—Static mixers
    • B01F25/42—Static mixers in which the mixing is affected by moving the components jointly in changing directions, e.g. in tubes provided with baffles or obstructions
    • B01F3/04106—
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/20—Measuring; Control or regulation
    • B01F35/21—Measuring
    • B01F35/211—Measuring of the operational parameters
    • B01F35/2113—Pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/20—Measuring; Control or regulation
    • B01F35/22—Control or regulation
    • B01F35/221—Control or regulation of operational parameters, e.g. level of material in the mixer, temperature or pressure
    • B01F35/2213—Pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/20—Measuring; Control or regulation
    • B01F35/22—Control or regulation
    • B01F35/221—Control or regulation of operational parameters, e.g. level of material in the mixer, temperature or pressure
    • B01F35/2217—Volume of at least one component to be mixed
    • B01F5/0602—
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/20—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by degassing, i.e. liberation of dissolved gases
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/24—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flotation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
    • B01F2101/305—Treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/232—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles
    • B01F23/2323—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles by circulating the flow in guiding constructions or conduits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/20—Measuring; Control or regulation
    • B01F35/21—Measuring
    • B01F35/213—Measuring of the properties of the mixtures, e.g. temperature, density or colour
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/20—Measuring; Control or regulation
    • B01F35/22—Control or regulation
    • B01F35/221—Control or regulation of operational parameters, e.g. level of material in the mixer, temperature or pressure
    • B01F35/2211—Amount of delivered fluid during a period
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/02—Froth-flotation processes
    • B03D1/028—Control and monitoring of flotation processes; computer models therefor
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2101/00—Nature of the contaminant
    • C02F2101/30—Organic compounds
    • C02F2101/32—Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/10—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from quarries or from mining activities
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/03—Pressure
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/38—Gas flow rate
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/40—Liquid flow rate

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to the separation of a mixture of water, a fluid not miscible with water and having a lower density than water, and a gas into these components.
  • the disclosure relates to a combined degassing and flotation tank, which is particularly suited for use in separation processes where a water phase containing oil and gas are separated.
  • Hydrocarbons are widely used as a primary source of energy, and have a great impact on the world economy. Consequently, the discovery and efficient production of hydrocarbon resources is increasingly noteworthy. As relatively accessible hydrocarbon deposits are depleted, hydrocarbon prospecting and production has expanded to new regions that may be more difficult to reach and/or may pose new technological challenges.
  • a borehole is drilled into the earth, whether on land or below the sea, to reach a reservoir containing hydrocarbons.
  • Such hydrocarbons are in the form of oil, gas, or mixtures thereof which may then be brought to the surface through the borehole.
  • Fluids produced from the well may be separated into gas and liquids inside a separator vessel.
  • the water phase coming from the separation at the well-head or subsequent separators may be discharged into the sea after a cleansing that involves the partial removal of gas, oil, chemicals and other impurities.
  • This cleansing is accomplished using equipment such as oil/gas separators, flotation tanks, hydro cyclones, and degassing tanks.
  • the volume of water accompanying the oil produced from a well may fluctuate and consequently the ability to separate the oil from the produced water may decrease, causing more oil to exit the clean water outlet of the separator and reducing the separator's efficiency.
  • Some embodiments include a system for monitoring and controlling the efficiency of an oil-water separator.
  • a system including a first conduit for flowing a multiphase fluid and a flotation gas source.
  • a mixing system has a first inlet in fluid communication with a downstream end of the first conduit, a second inlet in fluid communication with the flotation gas source, and an outlet.
  • the mixing system serves to mix the multiphase fluid flowing from the downstream end of the first conduit with flotation gas from the flotation gas source so as to produce at the outlet an enhanced multiphase fluid having bubbles of the flotation gas therein.
  • a second conduit has an upstream end in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixing system.
  • a bubble control system is associated with the second conduit and serves to perform a measurement associated with a size of the bubbles of the flotation gas in the enhanced multiphase fluid, and control the mixing system in response to the measurement so as to influence the size of the bubbles of the flotation gas to be above a threshold.
  • Also disclosed herein is a method including mixing a multiphase fluid having a water phase and an oil phase with a flotation gas, according to an operating condition, so as to produce an enhanced multiphase fluid having bubbles of the flotation gas therein.
  • the oil phase is then separated from the water phase using a separator.
  • a property associated with the enhanced multiphase fluid is monitored.
  • the operating condition is adjusted as a function of the monitored property so as to increase a percentage of the oil phase separated from the water phase by the compact flotation unit over a percentage of the oil phase that would be separated from the water phase without adjustment of the operating condition.
  • a method including mixing a multiphase fluid with a flotation gas, according to an operating condition, so as to produce an enhanced multiphase fluid having bubbles of the flotation gas therein.
  • the method also includes monitoring a property associated with the enhanced multiphase fluid, and adjusting the operating condition as a function of the monitored property so as to influence a size of the bubbles to be above a threshold.
  • FIG. 1 shows a degassing and flotation tank type separator that may be used according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic drawing of layout arrangement of a produced water separation operation including an inline camera bubble monitor according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic drawing of layout arrangement of a produced water separation operation including a differential pressure monitor according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic drawing of layout arrangement of a produced water separation operation including a velocity monitor according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 5 shows a schematic drawing of layout arrangement of a produced water separation operation including multiple mixers and multiple inline camera bubble monitors according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a static mixer according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIGS. 6B and 6C show various mixer plates having differing sizes and shapes according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 7 shows an iris-diaphragm type variable valve of a dynamic mixer at various stages of opening and closing according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • connection In the specification and appended claims: the terms “connect”, “connection”, “connected”, “in connection with”, and “connecting” are used to mean “in direct connection with” or “in connection with via one or more elements”; and the term “set” is used to mean “one element” or “more than one element”. Further, the terms “couple”, “coupling”, “coupled”, “coupled together”, and “coupled with” are used to mean “directly coupled together” or “coupled together via one or more elements”.
  • up and downstream As used herein, the terms “up” and “down”, “upper” and “lower”, “upwardly” and downwardly”, “above” and “below”; and other like terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point or element are used in this description to more clearly describe some embodiments of the disclosure. Similarly, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used in this description to indicate relative positions along a path of fluid flow through an element.
  • the device and methods of the present disclosure have been developed to provide better control and improved efficiency of the separation processes of oil entrained in produced water. Due to the presence of the oil together with the produced water, the oil and water can collectively be referred to as a multiphase fluid.
  • Various types of separators may be used to remove the oil from the produced water including oil/gas separators, flotation tanks, hydro cyclones, and degassing tanks.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of one type of separator 102 , a degassing and flotation tank, sometimes referred to as a compact flotation unit or CFU, that may be used according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the CFU 102 uses gas flotation and centrifugal forces to separate and remove the oil and other particles from the water phase of the multiphase fluid.
  • the combined degassing and flotation tank 102 includes a cylindrical vertical tank 1 , a tangentially arranged inlet 2 for the produced water phase, at least one outlet 3 for gas and oil placed in the upper part of the tank 1 , an outlet 4 for water and an outlet 8 for sludge placed in the lower part of the tank 1 , and an inner cylinder 10 forming a flotation and degassing zone between the inner cylinder 10 and the wall of the tank 1 in the upper part of the tank.
  • the cylindrical vertical tank 1 performs the desired separation of an oil/gas phase from a water phase of the multiphase fluid. In use for water treatment in oil production, remaining oil and gas can be removed from the outgoing water phase of the multiphase fluid providing an effluent with a very low content of hydrocarbons simultaneously with the removal of sand and other particulate materials.
  • the tank 1 is provided with an inner cylinder 10 placed in the upper part of the tank leaving an open space between the inner cylinder 10 and the top of the tank.
  • An inlet guide vane 11 may be placed between the tank 1 and the inner cylinder 10 leaving an open space between the inlet guide vane 11 and the inner cylinder 10 and a horizontal circular plate 12 in the lower portion of the tank 1 , leaving a passage for water between the plate 12 and the tank 1 .
  • the inner cylinder 10 is arranged so that passage of oil, gas, and water is allowed over the top of the cylinder.
  • the flotation of oil drops is facilitated by the simultaneous rising of gas bubbles.
  • the inlet guide vane 11 causes the incoming water to flow spirally upward while the tangential inlet causes the incoming water to rotate in the tank 1 , creating a centrifugal force which forces the lighter oil drops towards the center of the tank 1 until the inner cylinder 10 is met. There, oil bubbles and gas bubbles will coalesce and rise due to their lower density than the surrounding water. The oil and gas is then removed via an outlet 3 for oil and gas.
  • Additional gas referred to herein at some places as flotation gas, may be injected into the produced water phase of the multiphase fluid before entering into the CFU 102 to improve separation and provide additional rising gas bubbles in the tank.
  • a produced water separation system or operation 100 is now described with additional reference to the schematic drawing of FIG. 2 .
  • a production fluid source 106 is in fluid communication with the first conduit 107 so as to supply the multiphase fluid thereto.
  • the multiphase fluid flows into the upstream end of the first conduit 107 , and out through the downstream end of the first conduit 107 into a first inlet of the mixer 108 , which is in fluid communication with first conduit 107 .
  • a flotation gas source 104 such as an external gas source or gas recycled from the top of the vessel 1 , is in fluid communication with a second inlet of the mixer 108 and feeds through optional gas valve 129 a flotation gas, such as nitrogen or fuel gas, to the second inlet of the mixer 108 .
  • the mixer 108 serves to mix the inflowing flotation gas with the inflowing multiphase fluid, and provides output of the multiphase fluid as enhanced (mixed) with the flotation gas through an optional external adjustable valve 114 and into an upstream end of the second conduit 109 in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixer 108 .
  • the mixing of the flotation gas with the multiphase fluid by the mixer 108 results in formation of bubbles of the flotation gas within the multiphase fluid.
  • the enhanced multiphase fluid flows into the upstream end of the second conduit 109 , through an inline camera module 110 , and out through the downstream end of the second conduit 109 into the inlet 2 of the CFU 102 .
  • This mixture of gas and oily water then rises to top of the CFU 102 as it enters the tank 1 , enhancing separation.
  • the oil and gas phases may be removed from the CFU 102 via the oil and gas outlet 3 and flow through valve 120
  • the water phase may be removed from the CFU 102 via the water outlet 4 and flow through valve 122 .
  • Gas bubble size distribution within the enhanced multiphase fluid may be influential for separation efficiency of a CFU 102 .
  • Bubbles that may be too small, e.g. less than 90-110 microns (e.g. 100 microns), may in some cases not reach the surface of the fluid within the CFR 102 to be removed through the outlet 3 . Oil covered small scale bubbles will then exit through the clean water outlet 4 .
  • Bubbles that may be too large, e.g. more than 500 microns, may have an issue in that they may have a low flotation potential.
  • the gas bubble size distribution may be dependent on the chemistry of the water, but the Inventors have found it to be closely related to and influenced by the pressure drop generated by the gas mixer 108 which mixes the flotation gas into the produced water.
  • the present disclosure aims to provide technology for monitoring and controlling the bubble size distribution in the enhanced multiphase fluid entering the CFU 102 .
  • Current mixers 108 have a pressure drop according to the multiphase fluid as it passes through, and this pressure drop varies in the short term and during field life, potentially resulting in varying and non-optimum mixing and process efficiency.
  • the fluid velocity through a current mixer can change due to various reasons, resulting in more or less turbulence and consequently resulting in the formation of smaller or larger gas bubbles in the multiphase fluid.
  • a particularly useful bubble size window exists, but the actual bubble size might fall outside of this range by having a fixed geometry mixer plate or otherwise static gas mixer.
  • a dynamic mixer (capable of maintaining a desired pressure drop regardless of fluid flow rate) provided with a monitoring system or bubble control system provides the ability to maintain the majority of the gas bubbles above a first threshold value (e.g. above 100 microns) and below a second threshold value (e.g. below 500 microns)—that is, within the desired gas bubble size window—regardless of the changes to the produced multiphase fluid flow rate into the CFU.
  • a first threshold value e.g. above 100 microns
  • a second threshold value e.g. below 500 microns
  • the camera module 110 and controller 112 form and thus may collectively be referred to as a bubble control system 199
  • the mixer 108 and optional valves 129 and 114 form and thus may collectively be referred to as a mixing system 198 .
  • a controller 112 such as a computer, microcontroller, system on a chip, microprocessor, programmable logic array, or field programmable gate array, is coupled to either (or both of) the mixer 108 and the optional adjustable valve 114 , as well as to the camera module 110 .
  • the camera module 110 includes a high speed camera that captures images of the bubbles as the enhanced multiphase fluid flows through the second conduit 109 , and the controller 112 operates and monitors output of the camera 110 .
  • the controller 112 performs image processing, so as to enable online, inline, real-time, continuous monitoring and estimation of bubble size distribution of dispersed flotation gas in the enhanced multiphase fluid flowing through second conduit 109 .
  • the controller 112 is able to determine whether the bubble size distribution is within a desired range.
  • the mixer 108 may be a dynamic mixer capable of varying the size and/or shape of the opening or the position of a valve at its outlet under control of the controller 112 .
  • the mixer 108 may instead have a fixed size and shape opening at its outlet, but an adjustable valve 114 under control of the controller 112 may be placed between the mixer 108 and conduit 109 , between sections of the conduit 109 , or within the conduit 109 .
  • the mixer 108 may be a dynamic mixer and the variable valve 114 may also be present.
  • FIGS. 6B and 6C show different fixed plates 130 a - 130 d for the mixer 108 in the case where the mixer has a fixed size and shape opening at its outlet, with each plate having a different size and shape opening 131 a - 131 d through which the enhanced multiphase fluid flows.
  • the mixer 108 is a dynamic mixer, it could include any suitable restriction at its outlet causing a pressure drop; for example, a variable area orifice plate valve, a butterfly valve, a specially designed variable cage valve, or equivalent technology mixing the dispersed gas in the fluid.
  • a dynamic mixer may also include an iris-diaphragm type variable valve 130 e - 130 f as shown in FIG. 7 , a valve having two or more plate sizes that can be changed, or other dynamic valve types where the size and/or shape of the opening through which the fluid flows may be altered.
  • the use of the controller 112 with the camera module 110 provides a feedback loop, and the controller 112 may change the valve opening 131 e - 131 f in real-time conditions or nearly real-time conditions based on the feedback loop so as to maintain the bubble size distribution within the desired range.
  • the controller 112 may control the bubble size distribution produced at the outlet of the mixer 108 by controlling the rate of flow of flotation gas from the gas source 104 into the mixer 108 .
  • the controller 112 may control the valve 129 (also referred to as a flotation gas source control) so as to alter the flow rate of gas from the gas source 104 as a function of the determination and monitoring of the bubble size distribution, to thereby maintain the bubble size distribution within a desired range.
  • the control of the rate of flow of flotation gas may be performed in the absence of other control of the mixing system (i.e.
  • Adjustment of the valve 129 may also serve to provide adjustment of the pressure at which the flotation gas enters the second inlet of the mixer 108 .
  • FIGS. 6B and 6C shows examples of restriction plates 130 a - 130 d having various shapes and sizes.
  • Another method includes utilizing the valve 114 to adjust the pressure drop.
  • the resulting process efficiency using the valve 114 and a static mixer 108 in combination is also equal for the same pressure drop.
  • a static mixer 108 and valve 114 may be used in combination to create similar results as a dynamic mixer, helping keep the bubble size distribution within the desired range regardless of a flow rate of the multiphase fluid through the first conduit 107 .
  • the bubble size distribution is a function of the pressure drop.
  • the pressure drop across the mixer 108 may be monitored as a function of the position of the outlet valve in mixer 108 , size or shape of an orifice within the outlet valve in mixer 108 , or a size or shape of an orifice within a restriction plate 130 a - 130 f within the mixer 108 .
  • the pressure drop may also be monitored as a function of position of the valve 114 , size or shape of an orifice within the valve 114 , or size or shape of an orifice within a restriction plate 130 a - 130 f within the valve 114 .
  • the position of the outlet valve in mixer 108 , size or shape of an orifice within the outlet valve in mixer 108 , or a size or shape of an orifice within a restriction plate 130 a - 130 f within the mixer 108 may then be adjusted or controlled as a function of the monitored pressure drop.
  • the position of the valve 114 , size or shape of an orifice within the valve 114 , or size or shape of an orifice within a restriction plate 130 a - 130 f within the valve 114 may be adjusted or controlled as a function of the monitored pressure drop. This adjustment or control may be performed manually in the case where the mixer 108 is static, or in the case where the valve 114 is static. This adjustment or control may be performed under control of the controller 112 in the case where the mixer 108 is dynamic, or in the case where the valve 114 is dynamic.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic drawing of layout arrangement of a produced water separation system 100 ′ including a differential pressure monitor 125 according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Other components are similar to or the same as described above and need no further discussion.
  • the differential pressure monitor 125 is of a suitable type and kind, and may be comprised of pressure sensors at the first inlet and at the outlet of the mixer 108 (or the outlet of the valve 114 ).
  • the controller 112 may compare the readings of the pressure sensors of the differential pressure monitor 125 so as to determine the pressure drop across the mixer 108 .
  • the controller 112 may then control the mixer 108 and/or valve 114 as a function of the pressure drop so as to maintain the pressure drop within a desired range that maintains the bubble size distribution within a desired range.
  • the system 100 ′′ may include fluid velocity or fluid flow meters 126 at the first inlet and/or at the outlet of the mixer 108 (or the outlet of the valve 114 ), such as to provide for estimation of the velocity of the multiphase fluid in the first conduit 107 and the enhanced multiphase fluid in the second conduit 109 .
  • the controller 112 may compare the readings of the velocity or flow meters 126 so as to determine the flow rate or fluid velocity increase across the mixer 108 .
  • the controller 112 may then control the mixer 108 and/or valve 114 as a function of the flow rate or velocity drop so as to maintain the flow rate or velocity increase within a desired range that maintains the bubble size distribution within a desired range.
  • the mixers 108 a and 108 b may, in the case that they are dynamic mixers, be operated in synchronization with one another, or asynchronously with one another.
  • the outlets of the dynamic mixers 108 a and 108 b may be controlled to have a same size, shape, or configuration, or may be controlled so as to have difference sizes, shapes, or configurations.
  • one mixer 108 a or 108 b may be a static mixer, while the other is a dynamic mixer 108 a or 108 b.
  • One, both, or neither of the optional valves 114 a and 114 b may be present, and may be operated as described with respect to the case of dynamic mixers 108 a and 108 b.
  • the valves 129 a and 129 b may also be operated synchronously or asynchronously.
  • One or both of the camera modules 110 a and 110 b may be present.
  • multiple mixers 114 , valves 108 , gas valves 129 , differential pressure sensors 125 , and velocity flow meters 126 may be used similarly to as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • different potential bubble control system 199 , 199 ′, 199 ′′, 199 ′′′ components described above may be mixed and matched.
  • one or more camera modules 110 may be used together with one or more differential pressure sensors 125 in a single application so as to provide for additional data for use by the controller 112 in controlling the mixers 114 , valves 108 , and gas valves 129 .
  • acoustic monitoring techniques may be used on the enhanced multiphase fluid as a way to estimate the size of the flotation gas bubbles, and the controller may use this information in controlling the mixer, and/or valve, and/or gas valve.
  • the flotation gas can be released from the liquid water phase by pressure drop added downstream of the CFU 102 .
  • the liquid water phase may be configured flow out the water outlet 4 in the cylindrical vertical tank 1 and into a conduit, vessel, or other fluid bearing structure having a diameter wider than that of the outlet 4 so as to cause the liquid water phase to undergo a drop in fluid pressure. This drop in fluid pressure may result in degasification of the liquid water phase, and thus flotation gas that has dissolved in the liquid water phase may exit the liquid water phase.
  • the systems 100 , 100 ′, 100 ′′, 100 ′′′ described above can work with and be installed with new CFU systems, or may be retrofitted to existing CFU installations.
  • the controller 112 may be the controller of the CFU as well. This helps enable optimization of process efficiency based on bubble size, regardless of changing fluid flow rates in the system 100 , 100 ′, 100 ′′, 100 ′′′ and regardless of different fluid chemistry.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Accessories For Mixers (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
US15/751,021 2015-08-27 2016-08-26 Bubble size monitoring and control Abandoned US20180244539A1 (en)

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US11761945B2 (en) 2021-09-22 2023-09-19 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Water analysis unit of a system for separating and analyzing a multiphase immiscible fluid mixture and corresponding method
US11833449B2 (en) 2021-09-22 2023-12-05 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Method and device for separating and measuring multiphase immiscible fluid mixtures
US11833445B2 (en) 2021-09-22 2023-12-05 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Method and device for separating and measuring multiphase immiscible fluid mixtures using an improved analytical cell
US20240100546A1 (en) * 2021-05-18 2024-03-28 Central South University Coarse particle flotation equipment and method based on coupled fluidization of cyclone and damping
US20240173681A1 (en) * 2022-11-28 2024-05-30 Koflo Corporation Baffle Elements and Static Mixers Including Baffles Elements
US12146779B2 (en) 2021-09-22 2024-11-19 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Method and system for separating and analyzing multiphase immiscible fluid mixtures
US12559389B2 (en) 2015-08-27 2026-02-24 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Bubble size monitoring and control

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US12559389B2 (en) 2015-08-27 2026-02-24 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Bubble size monitoring and control
US20220341114A1 (en) * 2020-02-27 2022-10-27 Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Marine debris collection device
US20240100546A1 (en) * 2021-05-18 2024-03-28 Central South University Coarse particle flotation equipment and method based on coupled fluidization of cyclone and damping
US11761945B2 (en) 2021-09-22 2023-09-19 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Water analysis unit of a system for separating and analyzing a multiphase immiscible fluid mixture and corresponding method
US11833449B2 (en) 2021-09-22 2023-12-05 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Method and device for separating and measuring multiphase immiscible fluid mixtures
US11833445B2 (en) 2021-09-22 2023-12-05 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Method and device for separating and measuring multiphase immiscible fluid mixtures using an improved analytical cell
US12146779B2 (en) 2021-09-22 2024-11-19 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Method and system for separating and analyzing multiphase immiscible fluid mixtures
US20240173681A1 (en) * 2022-11-28 2024-05-30 Koflo Corporation Baffle Elements and Static Mixers Including Baffles Elements

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JP2018533463A (ja) 2018-11-15
CN107949543A (zh) 2018-04-20
EP3341331B1 (de) 2020-06-17
EP3341331A1 (de) 2018-07-04
KR20180035236A (ko) 2018-04-05
US20220396502A1 (en) 2022-12-15
JP7034903B2 (ja) 2022-03-14
WO2017035422A1 (en) 2017-03-02
DK3341331T3 (en) 2020-09-21
SA518391019B1 (ar) 2021-07-07
US12559389B2 (en) 2026-02-24

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