Plural Liquid Constituent (e.g., Multiphase Liquid) Patents (Class 73/61.44)
  • Patent number: 12042589
    Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system for detecting peritonitis is disclosed herein. In one example, an impedance measurement system includes an impedance monitor configured to sense an impedance of peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) fluid residing within a fluid line. The impedance monitor includes a first conductive lead disposed within a first port along the fluid line and a second conductive lead disposed within a second port along the fluid line. The impedance measurement system also includes a control unit electrically coupled to the impedance monitor. The control unit uses the sensed impedance from the impedance monitor to detect white blood cells to form a patient peritonitis determination. The control unit may communicate the peritonitis determination to alert a clinician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare SA
    Inventors: Sukhraaj Basati, Shantanu Avinash Gadre, Mohammad Ali Jamnia, Lakshmy M. Nair, William J. O'Reilly, Marta Wlodarczyk
  • Patent number: 11913934
    Abstract: Systems and methods to determine a characteristic of a drilling fluid are presented. A method to determine a characteristic of a drilling fluid includes obtaining a measurement of a mud density of a drilling fluid formed from a mixture of a plurality of components. The method also includes obtaining a measurement of a thermal conductivity of the drilling fluid and determining an error function of a calculation of characteristics of the drilling fluid, where the error function is indicative of a threshold difference between the calculation of the characteristics of the drilling fluid and the characteristics of the drilling fluid obtained from retort data of a fluid distillation process. The method further includes determining, based on the error function, an oil water ratio of the drilling fluid and an average specific gravity of the drilling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangnan Ye, Dale E. Jamison, Marek Kozikowski
  • Patent number: 11713666
    Abstract: A method for determining a plurality of saturation values is provided. The method accessing, by a computing device, data describing a plurality of fluid volume values associated with a reservoir, the plurality of fluid volume values include a plurality of cumulative water volume values and a plurality of cumulative hydrocarbon values, utilizing, by the computing device, the data describing the plurality of fluid volume values to generate ratio values associated with intervals corresponding to depth levels of the reservoir, generating, by the computing device, a fractional flow graphical representation including the ratio values associated with the intervals corresponding to the depth levels of the reservoir, utilizing, by the computing device, the fractional flow graphical representation including the ratio values to determine saturation values associated with the intervals corresponding to the depth levels of the reservoir, and generating a saturation graphical representation including the saturation values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ali M. Al-Shahri, Khaled Benzaoui, Yahya Abdoh Mohammed Ghuwaidi
  • Patent number: 11385194
    Abstract: A fluid property detecting device includes a detection portion configured to detect electric characteristics of a detection target fluid, a calculation portion configured to calculate a property value of the detection target fluid, and a storage portion configured to store the property value calculated by the calculation portion. The storage portion stores, in advance, as the reference detection value, the detection value of the electric characteristic of a reference fluid detected by the detection portion, and the calculation portion calculates the property value of the detection target fluid on the basis of a value obtained by subtracting the reference detection value from a detection value of the detection target fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Keitaro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10823695
    Abstract: There is provided an electrolyte measuring device that can decrease a liquid amount used for measurement, in which stable sealing can be provided in connecting passages of ion selective electrodes to each other with no gap, while maintaining high measurement accuracy of an existing ion selective electrode, and a residing sample liquid can be greatly decreased. In a flow-type ion selective electrode, a sealing member is used, which can be brought into intimate contact with a passage connecting unit to near a passage hole. A gap regulating member is provided to keep a gap between the electrodes constant and to prevent the sealing member from being excessively pressed. An electrode case has a structure suitable for the sealing member for allowing the alignment and holding of the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kishioka, Yu Ishige, Tetsuyoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 10716886
    Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes a disposable set, source(s) of concentrate(s), a water purifier, a sensor, and a control unit. The disposable set includes a water port, an inlet port, a drain port, a water line in fluid communication with the water port, a drain line in fluid communication with the drain port, and a container to hold a dialysis fluid prepared by mixing water and the concentrate(s). The source(s) of concentrate(s) are in fluid communication with the inlet port, and the water purifier is configured to purify water and feed the water towards the water port so the sensor can detect a fluid property. The control unit is configured to deliver dialysis fluid mixed in the disposable set to the drain line and water purified by the water purifier along the water line, into the disposable set, and out the drain line to push dialysis fluid to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Anders Wieslander, Anders Wellings, Olof Jansson
  • Patent number: 10634808
    Abstract: Switchable multi-antenna fluid sensing systems and methods, including a tubular-mounted switchable multi-antenna fluid sensing system that includes two antenna arrays that each senses fluid characteristics not sensed by other antenna arrays, each array including multiple antenna sub-arrays and each sub-array including a receive and transmit antenna with a radial transmission direction different from that of other sub-arrays. The system also includes two RF multiplexers, each coupled to the antennas within the arrays and to corresponding RF transceivers within a sensor tube. A CPU within the sensor tube couples to the RF transceivers, controls signal transmission by, and processes received signals from, the antennas. RF cables coupling the RF transceivers and RF multiplexers are grouped and routed through one end of the sensor tube. The CPU further causes the RF multiplexers to periodically couple to the antennas and stores and/or transmits data representing the received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thanh T. Tran, Kris Ravi, Yousef H Alaas, William J. Schaecher, Ariful I Bhuiyan
  • Patent number: 10591441
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for measuring oil/water content in oil-water mixtures, regardless of the salinity of the mixture and regardless of air in the sensor pipe. In some embodiments, the oil content is measured using a dielectric sensor. It is determined whether the oil content is above or below a threshold. If the oil content is above the threshold, the oil content is reported using the measurement from the dielectric sensor. If the oil content is below the threshold, the oil content is reported using the measurement from the eddy current sensor. In some embodiments, which improve performance when there is air in the sensor pipe, two dielectric sensors with different geometries are used instead of the one dielectric sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Slawomir Winecki, Richard J. Davis, III, Martin V. Melnik
  • Patent number: 10365195
    Abstract: The invention provides a method, and apparatus, for determining the degree of separation (DOS) of a polymer solution into a polymer-rich stream and a solvent-rich stream, said method comprising the following: adding to a liquid-liquid separation vessel the polymer solution, which comprises a polymer, a solvent and an anti-solvent; separating the polymer solution into a polymer-rich stream and a solvent-rich stream; removing at least some the polymer-rich stream from at least one outlet P on the vessel, and measuring the actual solution density of this polymer-rich stream using at least one flow meter; removing at least some of the solvent-rich stream from at least one other outlet S on the vessel, and measuring the actual density of the solvent-rich stream using at least one flow meter; and wherein the degree of separation (DOS) is determined by the following equation (Eqn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Alec Y. Wang, Curvel Hypolite, Jorge Rubalcaba, Michael J. Zogg, Jr., Job D. Guzman
  • Patent number: 10260929
    Abstract: A system and a method for measuring a signal propagation speed in a liquid contained in a vessel or in a gaseous medium contained in the same vessel above the surface of the liquid are proposed. A transmitter transmits a first signal in a first direction which is at an acute or right angle to a first reflective surface, wherein the first reflective surface reflects the first signal so that it travels in a second direction is received by a first acoustic or electromagnetic receiver. The transmitter transmits a second signal in a predetermined third direction which is at an acute angle to the first direction, where the first or a second reflective surface reflects the second signal so that it travels in a predetermined and angular fourth direction with respect to the first or second reflective surface and is received by the first or a second acoustic or electromagnetic receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Frank Kassubek, Miklos Lenner, Tobias Kaufmann, Detlef Pape
  • Patent number: 9658178
    Abstract: A sensor includes a resonant transducer, the resonant transducer being configured to determine the composition of an emulsion. The composition of the emulsion is determined by measuring the complex impedance spectrum values of the mixture of the emulsion and applying multivariate data analysis to the values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cheryl Margaret Surman, William Chester Platt, William Guy Morris, Steven Go, Jon Albert Dieringer, Radislav A. Potyrailo
  • Patent number: 9650890
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the output of a plurality of oil wells. The apparatus comprises: i) a plurality of test headers coupled to the plurality of wells via a field testing infrastructure; and ii) a test separator configured to select a first well for testing and to receive a multiphase fluid flow from a first one of the plurality of test headers, the first test header associated with the first well. The test separator is further configured to: iii) separate the multiphase fluid flow into a gas phase stream and a liquid phase stream; iv) measure a plurality of parameters of the gas phase stream and the liquid phase stream over a current period; v) for each of the plurality of parameters, determine a mean value, a standard deviation, a maximum value, and a minimum value in the current period; and vi) determine if a standard deviation associated with a first parameter exceeds a first threshold of a mean value associated with the first parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Phase Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bentley N. Scott
  • Patent number: 9581580
    Abstract: This invention relates to a measurement tool and method of use, and in particular to a measurement tool for use in determining a parameter of a stationary or moving fluid. The measurement tool has been designed primarily for use in borehole formation testing. The measurement tool can measure the dielectric constant of a fluid within a pipe or surrounding the tool. The pipe or wall between the tool and the fluid is electrically insulating. The tool has pair of capacitor plates mounted adjacent to the pipe or wall, a signal generator which can deliver an alternating electrical signal to at least one of the capacitor plates, and a detector for measuring a signal dependent upon the electrical capacitance between the capacitor plates. The measurement tool can additionally measure the electrical resistivity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret Cowsar Waid, Bryan W. Kasperski, Michael Andrew Yuratich
  • Patent number: 9316605
    Abstract: A monitoring unit (100) that determines parameters (p1, p2) of an attribute (P) of a liquid substance flowing (F) through a dielectric conduit (110) includes plural coil members (121, 122) encircling the dielectric conduit (110) that subjects a flow of the liquid substance to plural different electromagnetic fields (B(f)), and under influence thereof measuring circuitry registers corresponding impedance measures (z(f)) of the liquid substance. A processor (130) derives the parameters (p1, p2) of the attribute (P) based on the registered impedance measures (z(f)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventors: Uzi Birk, David Livshits, Rotem Rabinovich
  • Patent number: 9287803
    Abstract: An inverter and a direct current (DC) bus voltage regulating method thereof are provided. The inverter includes a resonant conversion circuit, an inverting circuit, a first control circuit and a second control circuit. The resonant conversion circuit receives a DC input voltage and converts the same into a DC bus voltage. The inverting circuit couples to the resonant conversion circuit, and configured to convert the DC bus voltage into an AC output voltage. The first control circuit is configured to control operations of the resonant conversion circuit, where the first control circuit calculates a best working voltage of the resonant conversion circuit based on the DC input voltage and a resonant frequency of the resonant conversion circuit. The second control circuit controls operations of the inverting circuit, where the second control circuit receives the best working voltage calculated by the first control circuit and regulates the DC bus voltage accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: FSP-Powerland Technology Inc., FSP TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Jian-Guo Mu, Chuan-Yun Wang, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 9207227
    Abstract: In a method for determining a total hydrocarbon composition of a multiphase flow including gas and liquid, the method includes taking different samples of the gas and liquid at at least two different thermodynamic states of the multiphase flow. The method further includes analyzing the different samples, and using a molar balance of the different samples at the at least two different thermodynamic states to calculate a gas molar fraction and a liquid molar fraction. The gas molar fraction and liquid molar fraction may be used for deriving an overall composition of the multiphase flow and for deriving the gas and liquid volume fractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Polytec
    Inventor: Carl Nilsson
  • Patent number: 9176083
    Abstract: A system includes a vessel system for a fluid, a sampling assembly and a resonant sensor system coupled to the sampling assembly. The resonant sensor system may include a subsystem that detects a set of signals from a resonant sensor system at a plurality of locations in the vessel. The resonant sensor system may also include a subsystem that converts the set of signals to values of a complex impedance spectrum for the plurality of locations and stores the values of the complex impedance spectrum and frequency values. A subsystem determines a fluid phase inversion point from the values of the complex impedance spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cheryl Margaret Surman, William Chester Platt, William Guy Morris, Steven Go, Jon Albert Dieringer, Radislav A. Potyrailo
  • Patent number: 9176000
    Abstract: A system for measuring component fluid levels in a multi-phase fluid is provided. The system includes a sensing assembly. The sensing assembly includes a primary coil and at least one secondary coil. The primary coil is wound around a sampling container that holds the multi-phase fluid. The secondary coil is disposed proximate to the primary coil and each of the at least one secondary coil is electrically connected to at least one capacitive element. Further, the system includes an analyzer that is inductively coupled to the at least one secondary coil. The analyzer is configured to measure a response of the at least one secondary coil in response to an excitation signal provided to the primary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cheryl Margaret Surman, William Guy Morris, Jon Albert Dieringer
  • Patent number: 9168523
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sample processing devices. The system can include a sample processing device comprising a detection chamber, a motor configured to rotate the sample processing device about an axis of rotation, and an optical module operatively positioned relative to the sample processing device and configured to determine whether a selected volume of material is present in the detection chamber of the sample processing device. The method can include rotating the sample processing device about an axis of rotation, and determining whether a selected volume of material is present in the detection chamber, while rotating the sample processing device. In some embodiments, determining whether a selected volume of material is present can be performed by optically interrogating the detection chamber for an optical property of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, Focus Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Ludowise, David A. Whitman, Kyle C. Armantrout, Maurice Exner, Lucien A. E. Jacky, Michelle Tabb
  • Publication number: 20150052983
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the mass fractions of water and oil in a flowing mixture of oil and water through a pipe includes a sensor portion that measures sound velocity and temperature of the flowing oil water mixture at a first time and at a second time. The apparatus includes a temperature changer in thermal communication with the flowing fluid which changes the temperature of the flowing oil water mixture by a measurable amount between the first time and the second time. A method for measuring water mass fraction in a flowing mixture of oil and water through a pipe includes the steps of measuring sound velocity and temperature of the flowing oil water mixture at a first time with a sensor portion. There is the step of changing the temperature of the flowing oil water mixture by a measurable amount with a temperature changer in thermal communication with the flowing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Herbert Estrada, Calvin R. Hastings, Donald R. Augenstein
  • Publication number: 20150033830
    Abstract: A fluid characterization sensor comprising a plurality of sensor segments is disclosed. Each segment comprises two electrodes, spaced apart so the fluid in the corresponding interval of depth for that segment is positioned between them. Complex current or impedance is measured by exciting one electrode with an AC signal, and measuring the amplitude and phase of the current in the other electrode. After automatically measuring and accounting for pre-determined gain, offset, temperature, and other parasitic influences on the raw sensor signal, the complex electrical impedance of the fluid between the electrodes is calculated from the measured phase/amplitude and/or real/imaginary components of the received electrical current signal and/or the variation of the measured response with variation in excitation frequency. Comparison of measured results with results taken using known fluids identifies fluid properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Earle David DRACK
  • Publication number: 20150020580
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining contents of a conduit containing at least one fluid is described. The conduit may be at least partially defined by at least one wall portion. The wall portion may be cooled. After cooling said, the temperature at least one temperature sensor located adjacent to the wall portion may be measured. A characteristic of said contents is determined based on said measured temperature at the or each temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Rainer Josef Hoffman, William George Clark, Lene Amundsen, Ruben Schulkes
  • Publication number: 20150000383
    Abstract: Measuring device (1; 15) for determining the composition of the liquid phase of a liquid-gas mixture includes a duct (2) defining a flow direction (X) of the mixture parallel to the longitudinal development axis (Y) of the duct (2) and a measuring element (4) arranged in the duct (2) and suited to determine the composition of a liquid layer that flows in contact with the internal surface (3) of the duct (2). The internal surface (3) of the duct (2) includes an intercepting surface (5, 5?) suited to convey part of the liquid layer towards the measuring element (4), arranged so that it is incident on the flow direction (X) and developed according to a conveyance trajectory that has a helical section and whose tangent to the outlet end (7, 7?) intersects the measuring element (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Pietro Fiorentini SPA
    Inventors: Stefano Bernardi, Marco Pavan
  • Publication number: 20140352410
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for centrifugally driving liquid flow to sequentially dispense aliquots from a reservoir while the device rotates. Also disclosed is a method and system for analysing a liquid to derive an indicator of sedimentation rate of the liquid using sequential aliquoting, using the disclosed device in some embodiments. A particular application is the analysis of blood samples, including sedimentation rate and hematocrit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Nuno Alexandre Esteves Reis, Joao Manuel De Oliveira Garcia Da Fonseca
  • Publication number: 20140305194
    Abstract: A system for measuring component fluid levels in a multi-phase fluid is provided. The system includes a sensing assembly. The sensing assembly includes a primary coil and at least one secondary coil. The primary coil is wound around a sampling container that holds the multi-phase fluid. The secondary coil is disposed proximate to the primary coil and each of the at least one secondary coil is electrically connected to at least one capacitive element. Further, the system includes an analyzer that is inductively coupled to the at least one secondary coil. The analyzer is configured to measure a response of the at least one secondary coil in response to an excitation signal provided to the primary coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cheryl Margaret Surman, William Guy Morris, Jon Albert Dieringer
  • Patent number: 8825408
    Abstract: Methods and systems to characterize a fluid in a reservoir to determine if the fluid is in one of equilibrium or non-equilibrium in terms of one of gravity, solvency power, entropy effect or some combination thereof. The method includes acquiring tool data at each depth for each fluid sample of at least two fluid samples wherein each fluid sample is at a different depth and communicating the tool data to a processor. Determining formation properties of each fluid sample to obtain formation property data and determining fluid properties for each fluid sample to obtain fluid property data. Selecting a mathematical model based on one of gravity, solvency power or entropy, in view of a fluid property, using one of tool data, formation property data, fluid property data, known fluid reservoir data or some combination thereof, to predict if the fluid is in an equilibrium distribution or a non-equilibrium distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Denise E Freed, Kentaro Indo, Oliver C Mullins, John Ratulowski, Julian Zuo
  • Patent number: 8800301
    Abstract: A device is disclosed which is designed to separate water, hydrocarbons and gases, based on the electric characteristics of the materials; the device utilizes the different capacitance of water and hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
    Inventors: Consuelo Goberna Selma, José Prieto Barranco, David Yañez Villareal
  • Publication number: 20140202238
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining concentrations of components of a multiphase fluid. A first flowmeter receives a fluid flow and generates measurements of the fluid flow. After at least partially separating the fluid flow into mixtures of its components, second and third flowmeters generate measurements of the mixtures. A data processing apparatus operatively coupled to the flowmeters receives the measurements and determines concentrations of the components of the fluid flow. In an embodiment, the measurements are mass flow and density readings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Manus P. Henry
  • Patent number: 8746047
    Abstract: Provided is a method for analyzing a dispersion made by dispersing a liquid or solid dispersoid into a liquid dispersion medium. The method includes the steps of: preparing a sample liquid from the dispersion by forming an agglomerate of the dispersoid in the dispersion medium; redispersing the dispersoid that forms the agglomerate in the sample liquid into the dispersion medium of the sample liquid; and measuring the amount of the dispersoid that has been redispersed from the agglomerate in the sample liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Pokka Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Inoue, Joju Niida, Yasuki Matsumura, Kentaro Matsumiya
  • Patent number: 8751167
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for concentration determination of at least one component in an acid catalyst for hydrocarbon conversion containing an unknown concentration of an acid, an acid-soluble-oil (ASO), and water. An instrument configured for measuring a property of the acid catalyst, has responsivities to concentrations of one of the acid, ASO, and water, substantially independent of the concentrations of the others of the acid catalyst, ASO, and water. A temperature detector is configured to generate temperature data for the acid catalyst. A processor is configured to capture data generated by the temperature detector and the instrument, and to use the data in combination with a model to determine a temperature compensated concentration of the one of the acid, the ASO, and the water. Optionally, one or more other instruments configured for measuring other properties of the liquid mixture may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Marcus Trygstad
  • Patent number: 8726722
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining concentrations of components of a multiphase fluid. A first flowmeter receives a fluid flow and generates measurements of the fluid flow. After at least partially separating the fluid flow into mixtures of its components, second and third flowmeters generate measurements of the mixtures. A data processing apparatus operatively coupled to the flowmeters receives the measurements and determines concentrations of the components of the fluid flow. In an embodiment, the measurements are mass flow and density readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Manus Henry
  • Publication number: 20140116117
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for determining the composition of a multiphase mixture (MG), the multiphase mixture (MG) having at least three phases, in particular mineral oil, water, sand and/or sludge. The multiphase mixture (MG) is conveyed away or led from a delivery point, for example, in a through-flow device (DF), in particular a pipeline. At least two electrodes (E1, E2) for the capacitive management of an impedance (Zx) of the multiphase mixture (MG) are fitted to the through-flow device (DF) so as to be insulated electrically from the multiphase mixture (MG), and a changing electric voltage having a defined amplitude is applied to the multiphase mixture (MG) by a voltage source (VQ), wherein a frequency of said voltage can be adjusted. Then, with the aid of a reference impedance (Zref), a capacitive measurement of the impedance (Zx) of the multiphase mixture (MG) is carried out (2) via the electrodes (E1, E2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Martin Joksch
  • Patent number: 8710973
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining quality of the transferred body of oil and determining the remaining oil life based on the determined quality and volume of the body of oil. The method additionally includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Schneider, Matthew J. Snider, Robert M. Olree, Eric R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140013830
    Abstract: An electrode structure and apparatus for use in measuring oil-water constituents. The electrode structure comprises a first electrode (1) and a second electrode (2). The first electrode (1) has wrapped on the exterior thereof an insulating layer (104). The first electrode (1) and the second electrode (2) are fixed and insulatively connected via a supporting connector body (3). The first electrode (1) comprises multiple tubular conductive segment sub-electrodes (101) arranged along a first direction. Every two adjacent segment sub-electrodes (101) have formed therebetween a first gap. The second electrode (2) is arranged around the first electrode (1), and both are electrically connected to a signal and data processing unit (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: WEIHAI HAIHER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiming Wang, Guoyong Cheng
  • Patent number: 8584513
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of determining the effectiveness of an asphaltene deposition inhibitor in oilfield applications. Such methods typically comprising the steps of introducing an oil well fluid into a microfluidic/millifluidic system; introducing a mixture of an asphaltene deposition inhibitor and carrier into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; introducing a precipitating agent, typically comprising heptane, into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; and optionally introducing toluene into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; then observing the presence or absence of asphaltene aggregation within the microfluidic/millifluidic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Hough, Jean-Christophe Castaing, Gary Woodward, Ruela Talingting Pabalan, Floryan De Campo
  • Patent number: 8555708
    Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to robust and efficient methods and systems for obtaining a sample of a liquid or gas phase from a multiphase mixture flowing in a pipeline, where the multiphase mixture comprises oil and/or a gaseous hydrocarbon and the pipeline is configured for the transport of the oil and/or gaseous hydrocarbon. In certain aspects of the present invention, after obtaining the sample of the liquid or gas phase of the multiphase mixture, sensing devices, meters, sensor systems or the like may be used to analyze the properties of the collected liquid phase sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Ian Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8536883
    Abstract: A method of measuring the permittivity and/or conductivity of a multiphase fluid flowing through a conduit is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring the signal from a first electromagnetic transmitter to a first electromagnetic receiver separated by a first distance, measuring the signal from the first electromagnetic transmitter to a second electromagnetic receiver separated by a second distance, measuring the signal from a second electromagnetic transmitter to the first electromagnetic receiver separated by a distance substantially equal to the second distance, measuring the signal from the second electromagnetic transmitter to the second electromagnetic receiver separated by a distance substantially equal to the first distance, and wherein the first and second distances are substantially different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-gang Xie, Mehdi Hizem, Rolf Rustad
  • Patent number: 8525533
    Abstract: A conductivity detector detects the electrical conductivity of a fluid under analysis for determining chemical or physical properties of the fluid that are related its electrical properties. Such conductivity detectors may find use in, for example, hemodialysis systems for analyzing the effectiveness of the hemodialysis treatment. In an aspect, to improve accuracy of the conductivity measurements, the detector utilizes four-wire resistance measurement methods. In another aspect, to avoid fouling or contamination of the electrodes, the detector utilizes capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) methods so that the electrodes are physically unconnected to the fluid contained in a fluid chamber. In a possible further aspect, the fluid chamber may be a disposable component removable from the electrodes. The conductivity detector can include other features such as calibration circuits and features for electrically isolating the fluid under detection from the fluid in the rest of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8505363
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cyclonic sensor chamber and a multiphase composition meter employing a sensor array compatible with such a sensor chamber. The sensor geometry imparts centripetal force to radially stratify a multiphase composition, and permits radial measurement of the entire flow composition in a linearly independent manner at different regions within the sensor. An appropriate array of sensors may be chosen to measure the properties of the composition from the group of testable composition properties consisting of speed of propagation of ultrasonic waves; amplitude modulation or attenuation of ultrasonic waves, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, infrared, visible and ultraviolet light; phase modulation or standing wave resonance of ultrasonic waves and microwaves; spin states of nuclei of nuclear magnetic resonance; and complex impedance, capacitance, inductance, mutual inductance, conductance, frequency response and phase delay. The sensor may be used to measure the water cut in an oil-well flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Vlastimil Masek
  • Publication number: 20130145827
    Abstract: In some variations, this disclosure provides a method of verifying the presence of an admixture in association with a solid base material, by combining the admixture with a stable inorganic tracer. A sample of the solid base material may be analyzed, using suitable analytical techniques, to detect the presence of the inorganic tracer in excess of any native inorganic tracer. When the inorganic tracer is positively detected, it is confirmed that the traceable admixture has been properly dosed within the base material. The inorganic tracer may comprise a rare earth metal, such as selenium, molybdenum, bismuth, and combinations, alloys, or oxides thereof, for example. The solid base material may be a cementitious material, in some embodiments. The traceable admixture may be a water-repellent admixture, in some embodiments. The principles of the invention, however, are widely applicable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ACM CHEMISTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: ACM Chemistries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8445289
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining concentration of components in a liquid hydrocarbon mixture including hydrocarbons and water flowing through an alkylation process. A fluid flow path conveys the liquid continuously from the alkylation process through a first instrument configured for measuring a property of the liquid mixture, and having responsivities to concentration of the components, which are independent of the concentration of the water. A temperature detector generates temperature data for the liquid, and a second instrument measures another property of the liquid mixture. The instruments have mutually distinct responsivities to concentrations of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Marcus Trygstad, Bruce Keen, Russell Jackson
  • Patent number: 8408049
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine fractions of various phases in a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes main body including an interior configured receive a multiphase fluid and an exterior. The apparatus senses fluid pressure of multiphase fluid received in the interior and senses a fluid temperature of the multiphase fluid. The apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave into the fluid and detects the transmitted wave to determine its velocity and attenuation. The apparatus may adjust the determined velocity and attenuation based on the temperature and pressure of the fluid to compensate for a difference between the sensed temperature and pressure and a standard temperature and pressure. The apparatus determines a gas fraction, water fraction, and a non-water fluid fraction of the multiphase fluid based on the sensed fluid pressure, the sensed fluid temperature, and the velocity and attenuation of the ultrasonic wave in the multiphase fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Multiphase Flow International, LLC, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yildirim Hurmuzlu, Peter Antich, Ali Dogru, Edmond Richer, Billy Smith
  • Publication number: 20130061658
    Abstract: A test method for the determination of methanol in crude oils to levels as low as 0.5 ppm is disclosed. The method includes extracting methanol into a water phase from a test sample of the crude oil forming a test sample extract. The method further includes extracting methanol into a water phase from a reference sample of the crude oil forming a reference sample extract, wherein the reference sample having a predetermined amount of methanol added thereto. The method further includes measuring the methanol content in the test sample extract and the methanol content in the reference sample extract. The method also includes determining the methanol content of the crude oil based upon the methanol content in the test sample extract and the methanol content in the reference sample extract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Frank P. DiSANZO, Eric S. SHI, Masato SHIBASAKI, Shigeharu YAMAMOTO, Hisao MORITA, Norio TAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20130047709
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring a property of a multiphase fluid comprising a mixture of at least an oil phase and a water phase travelling through a conduit, the method comprising measuring the thickness of the liquid mixture, measuring the permittivity of a portion of the multiphase fluid, combining the thickness measurement with the permittivity measurement to obtain a derived value for the permittivity of the liquid mixture, and using at least the derived permittivity of the liquid mixture and a relationship between a single phase liquid property and a corresponding two-phase property of the liquid mixture, to obtain a calculated water-to-liquid ratio of the liquid mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheng-Gang XIE, Songming HUANG
  • Patent number: 8211706
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining concentration of components in a liquid hydrocarbon mixture including hydrocarbons and water flowing through an alkylation process. A fluid flow path conveys the liquid continuously from the alkylation process through a first instrument configured for measuring a property of the liquid mixture, and having responsivities to concentration of the components, which are independent of the concentration of the water. A temperature detector generates temperature data for the liquid, and a second instrument measures another property of the liquid mixture. The instruments have mutually distinct responsivities to concentrations of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Marcus Trygstad, Russell Jackson, Bruce A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20120137754
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining concentrations of components of a multiphase fluid. A first flowmeter receives a fluid flow and generates measurements of the fluid flow. After at least partially separating the fluid flow into mixtures of its components, second and third flowmeters generate measurements of the mixtures. A data processing apparatus operatively coupled to the flowmeters receives the measurements and determines concentrations of the components of the fluid flow. In an embodiment, the measurements are mass flow and density readings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Manus Henry
  • Patent number: 8180578
    Abstract: A method of analyzing phase transitions of fluid in an oilfield operation of an oilfield. The method includes determining phase boundaries of a multi-component multi-phase system based on geophysical parameters associated with the oilfield, predicting an amount of at least one fluid component in a liquid fluid phase of the multi-component multi-phase system by solving a set of flash equations based on phase boundaries, and performing the oilfield operation based on the predicted amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Wayne Stone, James S. Nolen
  • Patent number: 8151634
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device (10) for detecting the frothing ability of a fluid, said device including: an inlet (11) for receiving a portion of said fluid; means (12) for entraining air into said fluid portion; a mixing chamber (13) for receiving said air entrained fluid portion, said mixing chamber (13) being adapted for mixing said fluid portion and said air; and a detector (15) for detecting the amount of froth (18) generated in said mixing chamber (13). The invention also provides a method for detecting the frothing ability of a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Newcastle Research Associates Limited
    Inventor: Noel William Alexander Lambert
  • Patent number: 8062903
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for overcoming detrimental diffusive effects in a sample liquid stream by forming segmented liquid bodies (e.g., droplets) from a sample liquid stream in an immiscible liquid stream. The liquid bodies are formed at the intersection of a channel providing the sample liquid stream and a channel providing the immiscible liquid stream. The formed liquid bodies compartmentalize the portion of the sample liquid stream from which the liquid bodies are formed, thus minimizing the detrimental effects of diffusion that occur in a continuous liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Daniel T. Chiu, John Scott Edgar
  • Patent number: 7974792
    Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for determining a liquid flow fraction in a gas flow material flowing through a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal from the flow meter (5) and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the first and second sensor signals from the interface (201), determine a substantially instantaneous flow stream density of the gas flow material using the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, compare the substantially instantaneous flow stream density to at least one of a predetermined gas density that is representative of a gas flow fraction of the gas flow material and a predetermined liquid density that is representative of a liquid flow fraction, and determine the liquid flow fraction from the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Ralph Duffill, Steven M. Jones, Andrew Timothy Patten