Method for monitoring foam and gas carry under and for controlling the addition of foam inhibiting chemicals
US6121602A · kind A · utility
1Cited by
8References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/22
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Probes previously used only in polar systems are used to detect the presence of foam in nonpolar systems, such as hydrocarbon systems. The probes are used to detect the present of foam in high pressure separating equipment and to notify the operator of such equipment that a foaming condition exists. In response, the operator can either increase or decrease the amount of defoaming chemicals being added to the separator or the flowrate of the defoaming chemical is automatically changed to a predetermined flow rate. The probes may also be used to determine the amount of gas that is trapped or entrained in the crude oil.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.