Nuclear magnetic resonance method of detecting and monitoring the flocculation kinetics of heavy fractions of a complex fluid
US7009393B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N24/082
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonance method of detecting and monitoring the flocculation kinetics of high molecular weight fractions of a complex fluid. The inventive method applies the following to the fluid: a first static polarization magnetic field and, subsequently, at least a second oscillating pulsed magnetic field which generates a nuclear magnetic resonance for the nuclei considered and the acquisition of relaxation signals from the nuclei in the fluid. Moreover, the method detects, in the relaxation signals, a first part P1 which is representative of the relaxation of the flocculated fractions in the fluid and a second part P2 which is representative of the relaxation of the liquid fraction of the fluid; and determines the flocculation rate of the fractions by comparison with values M<sb>x</sb>(t=0) and M<sb>x1</sb>(t=0) which were extrapolated at the start of the acquisition times of the two parts. The invention is suitable, for example, for monitoring the flocculation kinetics of generally asphaltene polar fractions which are contained in the dissolved state and/or in the stable colloidal state in a liquid hydrocarbon fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.