Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING
OIL/GAS SEPARATION PROCESSES
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to optical analysis systems and
methods for analyzing fluids and, in particular, to systems and methods for
analyzing an oil/gas separation process.
[0002] Most hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs produce a mixture of oil
and/or gas together with water, usually in the form of brine, and large
amounts
of dissolved minerals or precipitates, mostly common salts. In fact, in some
oil
wells, water and other by-products can amount to as much as eighty to ninety
percent of the total production yield. This is particularly true during the
later
stages of production. Somewhere in the production process the produced
mixture undergoes a separation process where the oil/gas is separated from the
remaining components of the mixture and subsequently delivered to a refinery
for treatment. The water and remaining components are usually removed from
the hydrocarbons using one or more single phase or multi-phase separation
devices. Generally, these devices operate to agglomerate and coalesce the
produced hydrocarbons, thereby separating them from the water and other
components of the produced mixture.
[0003] In some cases, the separated water and other components are
able to be pumped back into the ground, perhaps in some borehole neighboring
the one from which it was removed. This process simply replaces a portion of
the liquid removed from the reservoir, but also simultaneously serves to
maintain required formation pressures for efficient production rates. In
offshore
applications, it is often desirable to discharge the produced water directly
into
the surrounding ocean, thereby eliminating the expense of pumping the fluid
back downhole.
[0004] Before the water can be discharged into the ocean, however, or
any other body of water (e.g., rivers, lakes, streams, etc. in other
applications)
it must first be rigorously tested to make sure that it does not contain any
oil or
other impurities that could damage the surrounding sea life. As environmental
regulations increasingly become more stringent with respect to the disposal of
produced water into the ocean, it becomes increasingly crucial to obtain
accurate
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and timely analysis of the separated fluids so as to not be exposed to
undesirable and unnecessary fines and/or fees.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to optical analysis systems and
methods for analyzing fluids and, in particular, to systems and methods for
analyzing an oil/gas separation process.
[0006] In some aspects of the disclosure, a system is disclosed. The
system may include a flow path containing a fluid, a fluid separator coupled
to
the flow path and having an inlet for receiving the fluid and a discharge
conduit
for discharging the fluid after having undergone a separation process in the
fluid
separator, a first optical computing device arranged adjacent the inlet and
having a first integrated computational element configured to optically
interact
with the fluid and thereby produce and convey optically interacted light to a
first
detector which generates a first output signal corresponding to a
characteristic
of the fluid before the fluid enters the fluid separator, a second optical
computing device arranged adjacent the discharge conduit and having a second
integrated computational element configured to optically interact with the
fluid
and thereby produce and convey optically interacted light to a second detector
which generates a second output signal corresponding to the characteristic of
the fluid after the fluid exits the fluid separator, and a signal processor
communicably coupled to the first and second detectors and configured to
receive the first and second output signals and provide a resulting output
signal.
[0007] In other aspects of the disclosure, a method of determining a
characteristic of a fluid is disclosed. The method may include containing a
fluid
within a flow path, conveying the fluid to a fluid separator coupled to the
flow
path, the fluid separator having an inlet for receiving the fluid and a
discharge
conduit for discharging the fluid after having undergone a separation process
in
the fluid separator, generating a first output signal corresponding to the
characteristic of the fluid adjacent the inlet with a first optical computing
device,
the first optical computing device having a first integrated computational
element configured to optically interact with the fluid and produce and convey
optically interacted light to a first detector which generates the first
output
signal, generating a second output signal corresponding to the characteristic
of
the fluid adjacent the discharge conduit with a second optical computing
device,
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the second optical computing device having a second integrated computational
element configured to optically interact with the fluid and produce and convey
optically interacted light to a second detector which generates the second
output
signal, receiving the first and second output signals with a signal processor
communicably coupled to the first and second detectors, and generating a
resulting output signal with the signal processor.
[0008] The features and advantages of the present invention will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the description
of
the preferred embodiments that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of
the present invention, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The
subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications,
alterations,
combinations, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those
skilled
in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary integrated computation element,
according to one or more embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram non-mechanistically illustrating
how an optical computing device distinguishes electromagnetic radiation
related
to a characteristic of interest from other electromagnetic radiation,
according to
one or more embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary system for monitoring a fluid,
according to one or more embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary optical computing device,
according to one or more embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary optical computing device,
according to one or more embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present invention relates to optical analysis systems and
methods for analyzing fluids and, in particular, to systems and methods for
analyzing an oil/gas separation process.
[0016] The exemplary systems and methods described herein employ
various configurations of optical computing devices, also commonly referred to
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as "opticoanalytical devices," for the real-time or near real-time monitoring
of
fluids. In operation, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful
and otherwise advantageous in determining the quality of a fluid in fluid
separation processes. For example, the optical computing devices disclosed
herein, which are described in more detail below, can advantageously provide
real-time or near real-time monitoring of fluid flow and fluid separation
processes that cannot presently be achieved with either onsite analyses at a
job
site or via more detailed analyses that take place in a laboratory. A
significant
and distinct advantage of these devices is that they can be configured to
specifically detect and/or measure a particular component or characteristic of
interest of a fluid, such as a known adulterant, thereby allowing qualitative
and/or quantitative analyses of the fluid to occur without having to undertake
a
time-consuming sample processing procedure. With real-time or near real-time
analyses on hand, the exemplary systems and methods described herein may be
able to provide some measure of proactive or responsive control over the fluid
flow and fluid separation processes, enable the collection and archival of
fluid
information in conjunction with operational information to optimize subsequent
operations, and/or enhance the capacity for remote job execution.
[0017] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the systems
and methods disclosed herein may be suitable for use in the oil and gas
industry
since the described optical computing devices provide a relatively low cost,
rugged, and accurate means for monitoring hydrocarbon quality in order to
facilitate the efficient management of oil/gas production. It will be
appreciated,
however, that the various disclosed systems and methods are equally applicable
to other technology fields including, but not limited to, the food and drug
industry, industrial applications, mining industries, or any field where it
may be
advantageous to determine in real-time or near real-time the concentration or
a
characteristic of a specific substance in a flowing fluid. In
at least one
embodiment, for example, the present systems and methods may be employed
to monitor the quality of potable water after the water has undergone one or
more separation processes to remove contaminants or adulterants therefrom.
In other embodiments, the present systems and methods may be employed in
the military or security fields, such as in submarines or other water craft.
In yet
other embodiments, the present systems and methods may prove useful in the
trucking and auto industries.
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[0018] The optical computing devices suitable for use in the present
embodiments can be deployed at two or more fluidly communicable points within
a flow path, such as a fluid separation device or separator. In
some
embodiments, for example, the optical computing devices may be employed at
5 both the inlet and discharge locations of a fluid separator in order to
monitor the
conditions of the incoming and outgoing fluid and, therefore, the overall
effectiveness of the separator. In
operation, the optical computing device
arranged at the discharge location may be configured to ensure a proper or
environmentally safe chemical composition of the fluid upon its discharge from
the separator. Depending on the location of the particular optical computing
device, various types of information about the fluid can be obtained. In some
cases, for instance, the optical computing devices can be used to monitor
changes to the fluid as a result of adding a treatment substance thereto,
removing a treatment substance therefrom in a separator, or exposing the fluid
to a condition that potentially changes a characteristic of the fluid in some
way.
Thus, the systems and methods described herein may be configured to monitor
a flow of fluids and, more particularly, to monitor the fluid upon its
discharge
from a separator.
[0019] As used herein, the term "fluid" refers to any substance that is
capable of flowing, including particulate solids, liquids, gases, slurries,
emulsions, powders, muds, glasses, combinations thereof, and the like. In some
embodiments, the fluid can be an aqueous fluid, including water or the like.
In
some embodiments, the fluid can be a non-aqueous fluid, including organic
compounds, more specifically, hydrocarbons, oil, a refined component of oil,
petrochemical products, and the like. In some embodiments, the fluid can be a
treatment fluid or a formation fluid. Fluids can include various flowable
mixtures
of solids, liquids and/or gases. Illustrative gases that can be considered
fluids
according to the present embodiments include, for example, air, nitrogen,
carbon dioxide, argon, helium, methane, ethane, butane, and other hydrocarbon
gases, combinations thereof and/or the like.
[0020] As used herein, the term "characteristic" refers to a chemical,
mechanical, or physical property of a substance. A characteristic of a
substance
may include a quantitative value of one or more chemical components therein.
Such chemical components may be referred to herein as "analytes." Illustrative
characteristics of a substance that can be monitored with the optical
computing
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devices disclosed herein can include, for example, chemical composition (e.g.,
identity and concentration in total or of individual components), impurity
content, pH, viscosity, density, ionic strength, total dissolved solids, salt
content,
porosity, opacity, bacteria content, combinations thereof, and the like.
[0021] As used herein, the term "flow path" refers to a route through
which a fluid is capable of being transported between two points. In some
cases, the flow path need not be continuous or otherwise contiguous between
the two points. Exemplary flow paths include, but are not limited to, a
flowline,
a pipeline, a hose, a fluid separator, a process facility, a storage vessel,
combinations thereof, or the like. In cases where the flow path is a pipeline,
or
the like, the pipeline may be a pre-commissioned pipeline or an operational
pipeline. In other cases, the flow path may be created or generated via
movement of an optical computing device through a fluid (e.g., an open air
sensor). In yet other cases, the flow path is not necessarily contained within
any rigid structure, but refers to the path fluid takes between two points,
such
as where a fluid flows from one location to another without being contained,
per
se. It should be noted that the term flow path does not necessarily imply that
a
fluid is flowing therein, rather that a fluid is capable of being transported
or
otherwise flowable therethrough.
[0022] As used herein, the term "substance," or variations thereof,
refers to at least a portion of a material of interest to be evaluated using
the
optical computing devices described herein. In
some embodiments, the
substance is the characteristic of interest, as defined above, and may include
any integral component of the fluid flowing within the flow path. In other
embodiments, the substance may be a material of interest flowing jointly with
and otherwise separate from the fluid.
[0023] As used herein, the term "electromagnetic radiation" refers to
radio waves, microwave radiation, infrared and near-infrared radiation,
visible
light, ultraviolet light, X-ray radiation and gamma ray radiation.
[0024] As used herein, the term "optical computing device" refers to an
optical device that is configured to receive an input of electromagnetic
radiation
from a substance, and produce an output of electromagnetic radiation from a
processing element arranged within the optical computing device. The
processing element may be, for example, an integrated computational element
(ICE) used in the optical computing device. As discussed in greater detail
below,
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the electromagnetic radiation that optically interacts with the processing
element
is changed so as to be readable by a detector, such that an output of the
detector can be correlated to at least one characteristic of interest being
measured or monitored in the fluid. The output of electromagnetic radiation
from the processing element can be reflected electromagnetic radiation,
transmitted electromagnetic radiation, and/or dispersed electromagnetic
radiation.
Whether reflected or transmitted electromagnetic radiation is
analyzed by the detector may be dictated by the structural parameters of the
optical computing device as well as other considerations known to those
skilled
in the art. In addition, emission and/or scattering of the substance, for
example
via fluorescence, luminescence, Raman scattering, and/or Raleigh scattering,
can also be monitored by the optical computing devices.
[0025] As used herein, the term "optically interact" or variations thereof
refers to the reflection, transmission, scattering, diffraction, or absorption
of
electromagnetic radiation either on, through, or from one or more processing
elements (i.e., integrated computational elements). Accordingly, optically
interacted light refers to electromagnetic radiation that has been reflected,
transmitted, scattered, diffracted, or absorbed by, emitted, or re-radiated,
for
example, using the integrated computational elements, but may also apply to
interaction with a fluid or a substance in the fluid.
[0026] The exemplary systems and methods described herein will
include at least two optical computing devices strategically arranged along a
flow
path, such as a fluid separator, in order to monitor the concentration of one
or
more substances or characteristics of interest in the fluid and verify any
concentration differences between measurement or monitoring locations. Each
optical computing device may include an electromagnetic radiation source, at
least one processing element (e.g., integrated computational elements), and at
least one detector arranged to receive optically interacted light from the at
least
one processing element. As
disclosed below, however, in at least one
embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation source may be omitted and instead
the electromagnetic radiation may be derived from the fluid or substance
itself.
In some embodiments, the exemplary optical computing devices may be
specifically configured for detecting, analyzing, and quantitatively measuring
a
particular characteristic or analyte of interest of the fluid in the flow
path. In
other embodiments, the optical computing devices may be general purpose
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optical devices, with post-acquisition processing (e.g., through computer
means)
being used to specifically detect the characteristic of the sample.
[0027] In some embodiments, suitable structural components for the
exemplary optical computing devices are described in commonly owned U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,198,531; 6,529,276; 7,123,844; 7,834,999; 7,911,605, 7,920,258, and
8,049,881, and U.S. Pat. App. Serial Nos. 12/094,460; 12/094,465; and
13/456,46. As will be appreciated, variations of the structural components of
the optical computing devices described in the above-referenced patents and
patent applications may be appropriate, without departing from the scope of
the
disclosure, and therefore, should not be considered limiting to the various
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0028] The optical computing devices described in the foregoing patents
and patent applications combine the advantage of the power, precision and
accuracy associated with laboratory spectrometers, while being extremely
rugged and suitable for field use. Furthermore, the optical computing devices
can perform calculations (analyses) in real-time or near real-time without the
need for time-consuming sample processing. In
this regard, the optical
computing devices can be specifically configured to detect and analyze
particular
characteristics and/or analytes of interest of a fluid or a substance in the
fluid.
As a result, interfering signals are discriminated from those of interest in
the
substance by appropriate configuration of the optical computing devices, such
that the optical computing devices provide a rapid response regarding the
characteristics of the fluid or substance as based on the detected output. In
some embodiments, the detected output can be converted into a voltage that is
distinctive of the magnitude of the characteristic being monitored in the
fluid.
The foregoing advantages and others make the optical computing devices
particularly well suited for field and downhole use, but may equally be
applied to
other industries or technologies where accurate monitoring of fluid flow is
desirable.
[0029] The optical computing devices can be configured to detect not
only the composition and concentrations of a substance in a fluid, but they
also
can be configured to determine physical properties and other characteristics
of
the substance as well, based on their analysis of the electromagnetic
radiation
received from the substance. For example, the optical computing devices can be
configured to determine the concentration of an analyte and correlate the
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determined concentration to a characteristic of a substance by using suitable
processing means. As will be appreciated, the optical computing devices may be
configured to detect as many characteristics or analytes as desired for a
given
substance or fluid. All that is required to accomplish the monitoring of
multiple
characteristics or analytes is the incorporation of suitable processing and
detection means within the optical computing device for each characteristic or
analyte. In some embodiments, the properties of the substance can be a
combination of the properties of the analytes therein (e.g., a linear, non-
linear,
logarithmic, and/or exponential combination).
Accordingly, the more
characteristics and analytes that are detected and analyzed using the optical
computing devices, the more accurately the properties or concentration of the
given substance will be determined.
[0030] The optical computing devices described herein utilize
electromagnetic radiation to perform calculations, as opposed to the hardwired
circuits of conventional electronic processors. When electromagnetic radiation
interacts with a substance, unique physical and chemical information about the
substance may be encoded in the electromagnetic radiation that is reflected
from, transmitted through, or radiated from the substance. This information is
often referred to as the spectral "fingerprint" of the substance. The optical
computing devices described herein are capable of extracting the information
of
the spectral fingerprint of multiple characteristics or analytes within a
substance
and converting that information into a detectable output regarding the overall
properties of the substance. That is, through suitable configurations of the
optical computing devices, electromagnetic radiation associated with
characteristics or analytes of interest in a substance can be separated from
electromagnetic radiation associated with all other components of the
substance
in order to estimate the properties of the substance in real-time or near real-
time.
[0031] As briefly mentioned above, the processing elements used in the
exemplary optical computing devices described herein may be characterized as
integrated computational elements (ICE). Each ICE is capable of distinguishing
electromagnetic radiation related to the characteristic or analyte of interest
from
electromagnetic radiation related to other components of a substance.
Referring
to FIG. 1, illustrated is an exemplary ICE 100 suitable for use in the optical
computing devices used in the systems and methods described herein. As
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illustrated, the ICE 100 may include a plurality of alternating layers 102 and
104, such as silicon (Si) and 5i02 (quartz), respectively. In general, these
layers
102, 104 consist of materials whose index of refraction is high and low,
respectively. Other examples might include niobia and niobium, germanium and
5 gernnania, MgF, SiO, and other high and low index materials known in the
art.
The layers 102, 104 may be strategically deposited on an optical substrate
106.
In some embodiments, the optical substrate 106 is BK-7 optical glass. In other
embodiments, the optical substrate 106 may be another type of optical
substrate, such as quartz, sapphire, silicon, germanium, zinc selenide, zinc
10 sulfide, or various plastics such as polycarbonate,
polynnethylnnethacrylate
(PMMA), polyvinylchloride (PVC), diamond, ceramics, combinations thereof, and
the like.
[0032] At the opposite end (e.g., opposite the optical substrate 106 in
FIG. 1), the ICE 100 may include a layer 108 that is generally exposed to the
environment of the flow path, device, or installation. The number of layers
102,
104 and the thickness of each layer 102, 104 are determined from the spectral
attributes acquired from a spectroscopic analysis of a characteristic of the
substance using a conventional spectroscopic instrument. The spectrum of
interest of a given characteristic of a substance typically includes any
number of
different wavelengths. It should be understood that the exemplary ICE 100 in
FIG. 1 does not in fact represent any particular characteristic of a given
substance, but is provided for purposes of illustration only. Consequently,
the
number of layers 102, 104 and their relative thicknesses, as shown in FIG. 1,
bear no correlation to any particular characteristic of a given substance. Nor
are
the layers 102, 104 and their relative thicknesses necessarily drawn to scale,
and therefore should not be considered limiting of the present disclosure.
Moreover, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the materials
that
make up each layer 102, 104 (i.e., Si and 5i02) may vary, depending on the
application, cost of materials, and/or applicability of the material to the
substance.
[0033] In some embodiments, the material of each layer 102, 104 can
be doped or two or more materials can be combined in a manner to achieve the
desired optical characteristic. In addition to solids, the exemplary ICE 100
may
also contain liquids and/or gases, optionally in combination with solids, in
order
to produce a desired optical characteristic. In the case of gases and liquids,
the
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ICE 100 can contain a corresponding vessel (not shown), which houses the
gases or liquids.
Exemplary variations of the ICE 100 may also include
holographic optical elements, gratings, piezoelectric, light pipe, digital
light pipe
(DLP), and/or acousto-optic elements, for example, that can create
transmission, reflection, and/or absorptive properties of interest.
[0034] The multiple layers 102, 104 exhibit different refractive indices.
By properly selecting the materials of the layers 102, 104 and their relative
thickness and spacing, the ICE 100 may be configured to selectively
pass/reflect/refract predetermined fractions of electromagnetic radiation at
different wavelengths. Each wavelength is given a predetermined weighting or
loading factor. The thickness and spacing of the layers 102, 104 may be
determined using a variety of approximation methods from the spectrograph of
the characteristic or analyte of interest. These methods may include inverse
Fourier transform (IFT) of the optical transmission spectrum and structuring
the
ICE 100 as the physical representation of the IFT. The approximations convert
the IFT into a structure based on known materials with constant refractive
indices. Further information regarding the structures and design of exemplary
integrated computational elements (also referred to as multivariate optical
elements) is provided in Applied Optics, Vol. 35, pp. 5484-5492 (1996) and
Vol.
129, pp. 2876-2893.
[0035] The weightings that the layers 102, 104 of the ICE 100 apply at
each wavelength are set to the regression weightings described with respect to
a
known equation, or data, or spectral signature. Briefly, the ICE 100 may be
configured to perform the dot product of the input light beam into the ICE 100
and a desired loaded regression vector represented by each layer 102, 104 for
each wavelength. As a result, the output light intensity of the ICE 100 is
related
to the characteristic or analyte of interest. Further details regarding how
the
exemplary ICE 100 is able to distinguish and process electromagnetic radiation
related to the characteristic or analyte of interest are described in U.S.
Patent
Nos. 6,198,531; 6,529,276; and 7,920,258.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated is a block diagram that non-
mechanistically illustrates how an optical computing device 200 is able to
distinguish electromagnetic radiation related to a characteristic of a
substance
from other electromagnetic radiation. As
shown in FIG. 2, after being
illuminated with incident electromagnetic radiation, a fluid 202 containing a
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characteristic of interest or a substance produces an output of
electromagnetic
radiation (e.g., sample-interacted light), some of which is electromagnetic
radiation 204 corresponding to the characteristic of interest and some of
which is
background electromagnetic radiation 206 corresponding to other components or
characteristics of the fluid 202.
[0037] Although not specifically shown, one or more spectral elements
may be employed in the device 200 in order to restrict the optical wavelengths
and/or bandwidths of the system and thereby eliminate unwanted
electromagnetic radiation existing in wavelength regions that have no
importance. Such spectral elements can be located anywhere along the optical
train, but are typically employed directly after the light source, which
provides
the initial electromagnetic radiation. Various configurations and applications
of
spectral elements in optical computing devices may be found in commonly
owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,198,531; 6,529,276; 7,123,844; 7,834,999; 7,911,605,
7,920,258, 8,049,881, and U.S. Pat. App. Serial Nos. 12/094,460 (U.S. Pat.
App. Pub. No. 2009/0219538); 12/094,465 (U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2009/0219539); and 13/456,467.
[0038] The beams of electromagnetic radiation 204, 206 impinge upon
the optical computing device 200, which contains an exemplary ICE 208 therein.
In the illustrated embodiment, the ICE 208 may be configured to produce
optically interacted light, for example, transmitted optically interacted
light 210
and reflected optically interacted light 214. In operation, the ICE 208 may be
configured to distinguish the electromagnetic radiation 204 from the
background
electromagnetic radiation 206.
[0039] The transmitted optically interacted light 210, which may be
related to the characteristic or analyte of interest of the fluid 202, may be
conveyed to a detector 212 for analysis and quantification. In
some
embodiments, the detector 212 is configured to produce an output signal in the
form of a voltage that corresponds to the particular characteristic of the
fluid
202. In at least one embodiment, the signal produced by the detector 212 and
the concentration of the characteristic of the fluid 202 may be directly
proportional. In other embodiments, the relationship may be a polynomial
function, an exponential function, and/or a logarithmic function. The
reflected
optically interacted light 214, which may be related to the characteristic and
other components of the fluid 202, can be directed away from detector 212. In
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alternative configurations, the ICE 208 may be configured such that the
reflected
optically interacted light 214 can be related to the analyte of interest, and
the
transmitted optically interacted light 210 can be related to other components
of
the fluid 202.
[0040] In some embodiments, a second detector 216 can be present
and arranged to detect the reflected optically interacted light 214. In other
embodiments, the second detector 216 may be arranged to detect the
electromagnetic radiation 204, 206 derived from the fluid 202 or
electromagnetic
radiation directed toward or before the fluid 202. Without limitation, the
second
detector 216 may be used to detect radiating deviations stemming from an
electromagnetic radiation source (not shown), which provides the
electromagnetic radiation (i.e., light) to the device 200. For example,
radiating
deviations can include such things as, but not limited to, intensity
fluctuations in
the electromagnetic radiation, interferent fluctuations (e.g., dust or other
interferents passing in front of the electromagnetic radiation source),
coatings
on windows included with the optical computing device 200, combinations
thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, a beam splitter (not shown) can be
employed to split the electromagnetic radiation 204, 206, and the transmitted
or
reflected electromagnetic radiation can then be directed to one or more ICE
208.
That is, in such embodiments, the ICE 208 does not function as a type of beam
splitter, as depicted in FIG. 2, and the transmitted or reflected
electromagnetic
radiation simply passes through the ICE 208, being computationally processed
therein, before travelling to the detector 212.
[0041] The characteristic(s) of the fluid 202 being analyzed using the
optical computing device 200 can be further processed computationally to
provide additional characterization information about the fluid 202. In some
embodiments, the identification and concentration of each analyte in the fluid
202 can be used to predict certain physical characteristics of the fluid 202.
For
example, the bulk characteristics of a fluid 202 can be estimated by using a
combination of the properties conferred to the fluid 202 by each analyte.
[0042] In some embodiments, the concentration of each analyte or the
magnitude of each characteristic determined using the optical computing device
200 can be fed into an algorithm operating under computer control. The
algorithm may be configured to make predictions on how the characteristics of
the fluid 202 change if the concentrations of the analytes are changed
relative to
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one another. In some embodiments, the algorithm can produce an output that
is readable by an operator who can manually take appropriate action, if
needed,
based upon the output. In some embodiments, the algorithm can take proactive
process control by automatically adjusting flow parameters of a flow path,
such
as reducing fluid flow rate or pressure within the flow path, in order to
manipulate the characteristics of the fluid.
[0043] The algorithm can be part of an artificial neural network
configured to use the concentration of each detected analyte in order to
evaluate
the overall characteristic(s) of the fluid 202 and predict how to modify the
fluid
202 or a fluid flow in order to alter the properties of the fluid or a related
system
in a desired way. Illustrative but non-limiting artificial neural networks are
described in commonly owned U.S. Patent App. No. 11/986,763 (U.S. Patent
Application Publication 2009/0182693). It is to be recognized that an
artificial
neural network can be trained using samples of substances having known
concentrations, compositions, and/or properties, and thereby generating a
virtual library. As the virtual library available to the artificial neural
network
becomes larger, the neural network can become more capable of accurately
predicting the characteristics of a substance having any number of analytes
present therein.
Furthermore, with sufficient training, the artificial neural
network can more accurately predict the characteristics of the substance, even
in the presence of unknown analytes.
[0044] It is recognized that the various embodiments herein directed to
computer control and artificial neural networks, including various blocks,
modules, elements, components, methods, and algorithms, can be implemented
using computer hardware, software, combinations thereof, and the like. To
illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various
illustrative
blocks, modules, elements, components, methods and algorithms have been
described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such
functionality is
implemented as hardware or software will depend upon the particular
application
and any imposed design constraints. For at least this reason, it is to be
recognized that one of ordinary skill in the art can implement the described
functionality in a variety of ways for a particular application. Further,
various
components and blocks can be arranged in a different order or partitioned
differently, for example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments
expressly described.
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[0045] Computer hardware used to implement the various illustrative
blocks, modules, elements, components, methods, and algorithms described
herein can include a processor configured to execute one or more sequences of
instructions, programming stances, or code stored on a non-transitory,
5 computer-readable medium. The processor can be, for example, a general
purpose microprocessor, a nnicrocontroller, a digital signal processor, an
application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, a
programmable logic device, a controller, a state machine, a gated logic,
discrete
hardware components, an artificial neural network, or any like suitable entity
10 that
can perform calculations or other manipulations of data. In some
embodiments, computer hardware can further include elements such as, for
example, a memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read
only memory (ROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), erasable read
only memory (EPROM)), registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMS,
15 DVDs, or any other like suitable storage device or medium.
[0046] Executable sequences described herein can be implemented with
one or more sequences of code contained in a memory. In some embodiments,
such code can be read into the memory from another machine-readable
medium. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the memory
can cause a processor to perform the process steps described herein. One or
more processors in a multi-processing arrangement can also be employed to
execute instruction sequences in the memory. In addition, hard-wired circuitry
can be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to
implement various embodiments described herein. Thus, the present
embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and/or
software.
[0047] As used herein, a machine-readable medium will refer to any
medium that directly or indirectly provides instructions to a processor for
execution. A machine-readable medium can take on many forms including, for
example, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-
volatile media can include, for example, optical and magnetic disks. Volatile
media can include, for example, dynamic memory. Transmission media can
include, for example, coaxial cables, wire, fiber optics, and wires that form
a
bus. Common forms of machine-readable media can include, for example,
floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, other like magnetic
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media, CD-ROMs, DVDs, other like optical media, punch cards, paper tapes and
like physical media with patterned holes, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM and flash
EPROM.
[0048] In some embodiments, the data collected using the optical
computing devices can be archived along with data associated with operational
parameters being logged at a job site. Evaluation of job performance can then
be assessed and improved for future operations or such information can be used
to design subsequent operations. In addition, the data and information can be
communicated (wired or wirelessly) to a remote location by a communication
system (e.g., satellite communication or wide area network communication) for
further analysis. The communication system can also allow remote monitoring
and operation of a process to take place. Automated control with a long-range
communication system can further facilitate the performance of remote job
operations. In particular, an artificial neural network can be used in some
embodiments to facilitate the performance of remote job operations. That is,
remote job operations can be conducted automatically in some embodiments. In
other embodiments, however, remote job operations can occur under direct
operator control, where the operator is not at the job site.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an exemplary system 300
for monitoring a fluid 302, according to one or more embodiments. In the
illustrated embodiment, the fluid 302 may be contained or otherwise flowing
within a flow path 304. The flow path 304 may be a flow line or a pipeline and
the fluid 302 present therein may be flowing in the general direction
indicated by
the arrows A (i.e., from an upstream location to a downstream location). As
will
be appreciated, however, the flow path 304 may be any other type of flow path,
as generally described or otherwise defined herein.
[0050] In at least one embodiment, the flow path 304 may form part of
an oil/gas pipeline and may be arranged near a wellhead or form part of a
plurality of subsea and/or above-ground interconnecting flow lines or
pipelines
that interconnect various subterranean hydrocarbon reservoirs with one or more
receiving/gathering platforms or process facilities. In some embodiments, all
or
a portion of the depicted flow path 304 may be employed downhole. In other
embodiments, all or a portion of the depicted flow path 304 may be employed
above-ground at or near a surface facility, for example. As such, portions of
the
flow path 304 may be arranged substantially vertical, substantially
horizontal, or
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any directional configuration therebetween, without departing from the scope
of
the disclosure.
[0051] As illustrated, the flow path 304 may include or otherwise be
fluidly coupled to a fluid separator 306. In
some embodiments, the fluid
separator 306 may form an integral part of the flow path 304, where the inlet
and discharge conduits 308a,b provide transition locations or points between
the
flow lines of the flow path 304 and the fluid separator 306. The fluid
separator
306 may be configured to receive the fluid 302 via an inlet conduit 308a and
discharge the fluid 302 via at least one discharge conduit 308b after one or
more
constituent components is separated therefrom.
Accordingly, in some
embodiments, the fluid 302 contained or otherwise flowing through the
discharge conduit 308b may be characterized or otherwise referred to as a
"separated fluid." While only one inlet conduit 308a and only one discharge
conduit 308b are depicted in FIG 3, it will be appreciated that more than one
inlet conduit 308a and one discharge conduit 308b may be employed without
departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0052] The fluid separator 306 may be any type of separator known to
those skilled in the art and used to separate one or more components in the
fluid
302 from one or more other components in the fluid 302. In oil and gas
applications, for example, the fluid separator 306 may be any type of
separator
used to separate wellbore production fluids into their constituent components
of,
for example, oil, gas, water, precipitates, impurities, condensates (e.g.,
BTEX
compounds), multiphase fluids, combinations thereof, and the like. Suitable
separators include separators that operate on the principle of density
separation
or separators that operate on the principle of centrifuge separation. In
operation, the higher density material or substance (e.g., water) is separated
from the lower density material or substance (e.g., gas, oil, impurities,
etc.) via
differential settling or centrifuging, as known in the art. In some
embodiments,
various materials, chemicals, or substances, as known in the art, may be added
to the fluid 302 to help facilitate a more efficient separation process. Other
suitable separators 306 may include, but are not limited to, oil and gas
separators, stage separators, trap separators, knockout vessels (knockout
drum,
knockout trap, water knockout, or liquid knockout), flash chamber separators
(flash vessel or flash trap), expansion separator or expansion vessel,
scrubbers
(gas scrubber), corrugated plate receptors, filters (gas filter), cyclone
technology
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(gas/solid separation, hydrocyclones for liquid phase separation), and
flocculent
assisted dissolved air and induced air flotation (DAF, IAF for solid and oil
separation for oily waste treatment). Suitable separators 306 may have three
general configurations: vertical, horizontal, and spherical.
[0053] As depicted, and in the context of the oil and gas industry, the
fluid separator 306 may operate to separate oil/gas 312 from the fluid 302 and
a
foam breaker or divider 314 may be arranged within the fluid separator 306 in
order to isolate the separated oil/gas 312 from any remaining components of
the
fluid 302 and to otherwise facilitate removal of the oil/gas 312 from the
fluid
separator 306. The fluid separator 306 may also operate to separate any
precipitates 316 from the fluid 302, which may, for example, settle or
otherwise
coalesce near the bottom of the fluid separator 306.
Once substantially
separated from the oil/gas 312 and/or the precipitates 316, the fluid 302
exits
the fluid separator 306 via the discharge conduit 308b. As will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art, the illustrated fluid separator 306 is described
merely
by example in order to supplement understanding of the exemplary systems and
methods described herein.
Accordingly, in no way should the described
components or separation processes discussed herein as related to the fluid
separator 306 be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
Indeed, those skilled in the art will readily recognize several variations or
configurations of the fluid separator 306 that may be employed without
departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0054] The system 300 may further include at least a first optical
computing device 318a and a second optical computing device 318b. The optical
computing devices 318a,b may be somewhat similar to the optical computing
device 200 of FIG. 2, and therefore may be best understood with reference
thereto. As illustrated, the first and second optical computing devices 318a,b
may each be associated with the flow path 304 at independent and distinct
monitoring locations along the flow path 304.
Specifically, the first optical
computing device 318a may be located at, near (e.g., adjacent to or in
proximity
of), or before the inlet conduit 308a, and the second optical computing device
318b may be located at, near (e.g., adjacent to or in proximity of), or after
the
discharge conduit 308b. The optical computing devices 318a,b may be useful in
determining a particular characteristic of the fluid 302 within the flow path
304,
such as determining how the concentration of a substance present within the
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fluid 302 changes after passing through the fluid separator 306. It should be
noted that, while only two optical computing devices 318a,b are shown in FIG.
3,
it will be appreciated that the system 300 may employ more than two optical
computing devices within the flow path 304, without departing from the scope
of
the disclosure.
[0055] Each device 318a,b may be housed within an individual casing
or housing coupled or otherwise attached to the flow path 304 at its
respective
location. As illustrated, for example, the first device 318a may be housed
within
a first housing 320a and the second device 318b may be housed within a second
housing 320b. In some embodiments, the first and second housings 320a,b may
be mechanically coupled to the flow path 304 using, for example, mechanical
fasteners, brazing or welding techniques, adhesives, magnets, combinations
thereof or the like. Each housing 320a,b may be configured to substantially
protect the internal components of the respective devices 318a,b from damage
or contamination from the external environment. Moreover, each housing
320a,b may be designed so as to withstand the pressures that may be
experienced within the flow path 304 and thereby provide a fluid tight seal
between the flow path 304 and the respective housing 320a,b.
[0056] As will be described in more detail below, each device 318a,b
may be configured to produce an output signal in real-time or near real-time
in
the form of a voltage (or current) that corresponds to particular
characteristic of
interest in the fluid 302. For example, the first device 318a may generate a
first
output signal 322a and the second device 318b may generate a second output
signal 322b. In some embodiments, the output signal 322a,b from each device
318a,b may be conveyed to or otherwise received by a signal processor 324
communicably coupled to each device 318a,b. The signal processor 324 may be
a computer including a non-transitory machine-readable medium, and may
employ an algorithm configured to calculate or otherwise determine the
differences between the two output signals 322a,b. For example, the first
output signal 322a may be indicative of the concentration of a substance
and/or
the magnitude of the characteristic of interest in the fluid 302 at the
location of
the first device 318a along the flow path 304, and the second output signal
322b
may be indicative of the concentration of the substance and/or the magnitude
of
the characteristic of interest in the fluid 302 at the location of the second
device
318b along the flow path 304. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, the
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signal processor 324 may be configured to determine how the concentration of
the substance and/or the magnitude of the characteristic of interest in the
fluid
302 has changed by passing through the fluid separator 306.
[0057] In real-time or near real-time, the signal processor 324 may be
5
configured to provide a resulting output signal 326 which may be conveyed,
either wired or wirelessly, to a user for consideration. In
at least one
embodiment, as briefly mentioned above, the resulting output signal 326 may
correspond to a measured difference in the substance and/or the magnitude of
the characteristic of interest in the fluid 302 between the first and second
optical
10
computing devices 318a,b. For example, in one or more embodiments, the first
and second output signals 322a,b may be indicative of a concentration of a
substance, such as a hydrocarbon or other common production fluid component,
flowing with the fluid 302. The first optical computing device 318a may be
configured to determine and report the concentration of the substance at,
near,
15 or
before the inlet conduit 308a, and the second optical computing device 318b
may be configured to determine and report the concentration of the substance
at, near, or after the discharge conduit 308b. By calculating the difference
between the first and second output signals 322a,b, the signal processor 324
may be able to determine how efficiently the fluid separator 306 operates.
20 [0058]
In other embodiments, the first and second output signals
322a,b may be indicative of a characteristic of interest of the fluid 302
itself,
such as any chemical, mechanical, or physical property of the fluid 302. In at
least one embodiment, the characteristic of interest may refer to an impurity
content of the fluid 302, such as the presence of salts, precipitates, water
(i.e.,
in the case of hydrocarbon separation) and hydrocarbons (i.e., in the case of
water separation), particles, tags (e.g., chemical or physical), metals,
organic
compounds and volatile organic compounds, additives and treatments,
polymers, biological organisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, microorganisms, etc.)
drugs and medicines, poisons, or other components of interest. The first
optical
computing device 318a may be configured to determine and report the
concentration of the impurity content at, near, or before the inlet conduit
308a,
and the second optical computing device 318b may be configured to determine
and report the concentration of the impurity content at, near, or before the
discharge conduit 308b.
Accurately calculating and reporting the impurity
content of the fluid 302 in real-time or near real-time may prove advantageous
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in quality control applications where the fluid 302 exiting the fluid
separator 306
must, for example, adhere to strict environmental rules and regulations. For
example, state and national regulations often determine that oil in waste
water
concentrations are less than 5ppnn for discharge into inland water ways and 20-
3Oppnn in the open ocean. The system 300, and its variations, may be used to
ensure that the concentration of oil in waste water do not exceed these
predetermined limits.
[0059] In other embodiments, the first and second output signals
322a,b may be indicative of fluid compositions and fluid phases. For example,
the first and second output signals 322a,b may be indicative of
characteristics
such as density, specific gravity, pH, total dissolved solids, sand or
particulates,
combinations thereof, and the like. In yet other embodiments, the first and
second output signals 322a,b may be indicative of the concentration or content
of one or more treatment chemicals added tot eh fluid 302. In
many
circumstances, for example, separation operations may be assisted by the use
of
one or more treatment chemicals, such as emulsion breakers, de-foaming
agents, digester organisms, coalescing agents, and flocculants. The relative
concentrations of such treatment chemicals can be monitored and measured
using the system 300, and its variations.
[0060] In yet other embodiments, the resulting output signal 326 may
be recognized by the signal processor 324 as being within or without a
predetermined or preprogrammed range of suitable operation for the flow path
304. For example, the first and second output signals 322a,b may report
general fluid conditions in the flow path 304 on respective sides of the fluid
separator 306 and may be configured to warn a user if the level of the oil (or
other substance to be separated using the fluid separator 306) has surpassed a
predetermined level. In some aspects, the first output signal 322a derived
from
the first optical computing device 318a may be configured to provide an early
warning of a potential overload of the fluid separator 306. Likewise, the
second
output signal 322b derived from the second optical computing device 318b may
be configured to provide an alert that an impurity, such as oil or another
hydrocarbon, is exiting the fluid separator 306 via the discharge conduit
308b.
[0061] In at least one embodiment, the system 300 may be or
otherwise include an automated control system 328 configured to autonomously
react to resulting output signals 326 that are within or without predetermined
or
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preprogrammed ranges of suitable operation for the flow path 304. For
example, if the resulting output signal 326 exceeds the predetermined or
preprogrammed range of operation, the automated control system 328 may be
configured to alert the user so appropriate corrective action may be taken, or
otherwise autonomously undertake the appropriate corrective action such that
the resulting output signal 326 returns to a value that falls within the
predetermined or preprogrammed range of operation. Such corrective actions
may entail adjusting the parameters or conditions of the fluid 302, such as by
manipulating fluid flow, pressure, temperature, flow path direction (e.g.,
changing the route of the fluid flow), adding treatments and/or other
additives
(all types), increasing or decreasing the speed of rotation of disc stage
centrifuges, adjusting electrical or magnetic fields, adjusting light exposure
and/or air flow, combinations thereof, and the like.
[0062] Still referring to FIG. 3, in other embodiments, the first optical
computing device 318a may be omitted from the system 300 and instead an
optical light pipe 330 may be included to facilitate the monitoring and/or
detection of the fluid 302 at or near the inlet conduit 308a. The optical
light pipe
330 may be a fiber optic lead, probe, or conduit used for the transmission of
electromagnetic radiation to/from the second optical computing device 318b.
Specifically, the optical light pipe may communicably couple the second
optical
computing device 318b to the fluid at or near the inlet conduit 308a. For
example, the optical light pipe 330 may be configured to convey
electromagnetic
radiation from the second optical computing device 318 to the fluid 302 for
the
purpose of determining the particular characteristic of interest. The optical
light
pipe 330 may also be configured to convey optically interacted radiation from
the fluid 302 to the second optical computing device 318b.
[0063] In exemplary operation, the second optical computing device
318b may receives optically interacted radiation from the fluid 302 at or near
the
inlet conduit 308a via the optical light pipe 330 and also at or near the
discharge
conduit 308b via the process described above. In some embodiments, a
detector (not shown, but described below in FIG. 4 as detector 414) arranged
within the second optical computing device 316 may be configured to time
multiplex the dual beams of optically interacted light from the fluid 302. For
example, the optically interacted radiation received via the optical light
pipe 330
may be directed to or otherwise received by the second optical computing
device
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318b at a first time T1, and the optically interacted radiation derived at or
near
the discharge conduit 308b may be directed to or otherwise received by the
second optical computing device 318b at a second time T2, where the first and
second times T1, T2 are distinct time periods that do not spatially overlap.
[0064] Consequently, the detector receives at least two distinct beams
of optically interacted light and is able to convey corresponding second
output
signals 322b for the respective beams to the signal processor for processing.
The first beam of optically interacted light may indicate the concentration of
a
substance and/or the magnitude of the characteristic of interest in the fluid
302
at or near the inlet conduit 318a, while the second beam of optically
interacted
light may indicate the concentration of a substance and/or the magnitude at or
near the discharge conduit 318b. By calculating the difference between the
corresponding second output signals 322b, the signal processor 324 may be able
to determine how efficiently the fluid separator 306 operates or determine how
the concentration of the substance and/or the magnitude of the characteristic
of
interest in the fluid 302 has changed by passing through the fluid separator
306.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 4, with continued reference to FIG. 3,
illustrated is a schematic view of an exemplary optical computing device 400,
which may represent a more detailed view of the first and/or second optical
computing devices 318a,b, according to one or more embodiments. As
illustrated, the optical computing device 400 may be coupled or otherwise
attached to the flow path 304 in order to monitor the fluid 302 before and/or
after the fluid separator 306 (FIG. 3). The optical computing device 400 may
include an electromagnetic radiation source 402 configured to emit or
otherwise
generate electromagnetic radiation 404. The electromagnetic radiation source
402 may be any device capable of emitting or generating electromagnetic
radiation, as defined herein. For example, the electromagnetic radiation
source
402 may be a light bulb, a light emitting device (LED), a laser, a blackbody,
a
photonic crystal, an X-Ray source, combinations thereof, or the like.
[0066] In some embodiments, a lens 406 may be configured to collect
or otherwise receive the electromagnetic radiation 404 and direct a beam 408
of
electromagnetic radiation 404 toward the fluid 302. The lens 406 may be any
type of optical device configured to transmit or otherwise convey the
electromagnetic radiation 404 as desired. For example, the lens 406 may be a
normal lens, a Fresnel lens, a diffractive optical element, a holographic
graphical
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element, a mirror (e.g., a focusing mirror), a type of collimator, or any
other
electromagnetic radiation transmitting device known to those skilled in art.
In
other embodiments, the lens 406 may be omitted from the optical computing
device 400 and the electromagnetic radiation 404 may instead be directed
toward the fluid 302 directly from the electromagnetic radiation source 402.
[0067] In one or more embodiments, the optical computing device 400
may also include a sampling window 410 arranged adjacent to or otherwise in
contact with the fluid 302 for detection purposes. The sampling window 410
may be made from a variety of transparent, rigid or semi-rigid materials that
are
configured to allow transmission of the electromagnetic radiation 404
therethrough. For example, the sampling window 410 may be made of, but is
not limited to, glasses, plastics, semi-conductors, crystalline materials,
polycrystalline materials, hot or cold-pressed powders, combinations thereof,
or
the like. In order to remove ghosting or other common imaging issues that may
result from reflectance on the sampling window 410, the optical computing
device 400 may employ one or more internal reflectance elements (IRE), such as
those described in co-owned U.S. Patent No. 7,697,141, and/or one or more
imaging systems, such as those described in co-owned U.S. Patent App. Ser. No.
13/456,467.
[0068] After passing through the sampling window 410, the
electromagnetic radiation 404 impinges upon and optically interacts with the
fluid 302. As a result, optically interacted radiation 412 is generated by and
reflected from the fluid 302. Those skilled in the art, however, will readily
recognize that alternative variations of the optical computing device 400 may
allow the optically interacted radiation 412 to be generated by being
transmitted, scattered, diffracted, absorbed, emitted, or re-radiated by
and/or
from the fluid 302, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0069] The optically interacted radiation 412 generated by the optical
interaction with the fluid 302 may be directed to or otherwise be received by
an
ICE 414 arranged within the optical computing device 400. The ICE 414 may be
a spectral component substantially similar to the ICE 100 described above with
reference to FIG. 1. Accordingly, in operation the ICE 414 may be configured
to
receive the optically interacted radiation 412 and produce modified
electromagnetic radiation 416 corresponding to a particular characteristic of
interest of the fluid 302. In particular, the modified electromagnetic
radiation
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416 is electromagnetic radiation that has optically interacted with the ICE
414,
whereby an approximate mimicking of the regression vector corresponding to
the characteristic of interest in the fluid 302 is obtained.
[0070] It should be noted that, while FIG. 4 depicts the ICE 414 as
5
receiving electromagnetic radiation as reflected from the fluid 302, the ICE
414
may be arranged at any point along the optical train of the optical computing
device 400, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example,
in
one or more embodiments, the ICE 414 (as shown in dashed) may be arranged
within the optical train prior to the sampling window 410 and equally obtain
10
substantially the same results. In other embodiments, the sampling window 410
may serve a dual purpose as both a transmission window and the ICE 414 (i.e.,
a spectral component). In yet other embodiments, the ICE 414 may generate
the modified electromagnetic radiation 416 through reflection, instead of
transmission therethrough.
15 [0071]
Moreover, while only one ICE 414 is shown in the optical
computing device 400, embodiments are contemplated herein which include the
use of at least two ICE components in the optical computing device 400
configured to cooperatively determine the characteristic of interest in the
fluid
302. For example, two or more ICE may be arranged in series or parallel within
20 the
optical computing device 400 and configured to receive the optically
interacted radiation 412 and thereby enhance sensitivities and detector limits
of
the optical computing device 400. In other embodiments, two or more ICE may
be arranged on a movable assembly, such as a rotating disc or an oscillating
linear array, which moves such that the individual ICE components are able to
25 be
exposed to or otherwise optically interact with electromagnetic radiation for
a
distinct brief period of time. The two or more ICE components in any of these
embodiments may be configured to be either associated or disassociated with
the characteristic of interest in the fluid 302. In other embodiments, the two
or
more ICE may be configured to be positively or negatively correlated with the
characteristic of interest in the fluid 302. Additional discussion of these
optional
embodiments employing two or more ICE components can be found in co-
pending U.S. Pat. App. Ser. Nos. 13/456,264, 13/456,405, 13/456,302, and
13/456,327.
[0072] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to monitor more than
one characteristic of interest at a time using the optical computing device
400.
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In such embodiments, various configurations for multiple ICE components can
be used, where each ICE component is configured to detect a particular and/or
distinct characteristic of interest. In some embodiments, the characteristic
can
be analyzed sequentially using multiple ICE components that are provided a
single beam of electromagnetic radiation as reflected from or transmitted
through the fluid 302. In some embodiments, as briefly mentioned above,
multiple ICE components can be arranged on a rotating disc, where the
individual ICE components are only exposed to the beam of electromagnetic
radiation for a short time. Advantages of this approach can include the
ability to
analyze multiple characteristics or analytes within the fluid 302 using a
single
optical computing device and the opportunity to assay additional analytes
simply
by adding additional ICE components to the rotating disc. In
various
embodiments, the rotating disc can be turned at a frequency of about 10 RPM to
about 30,000 RPM such that each analyte in the fluid 302 is measured rapidly.
In some embodiments, these values can be averaged over an appropriate time
domain (e.g., about 1 millisecond to about 1 hour) to more accurately
determine
the characteristics of the fluid 302.
[0073] In other embodiments, multiple optical computing devices can
be placed at a single location along the flow path 304, either at the inlet
conduit
308a or the discharge conduit 308b of the fluid separator 306, and each
optical
computing device may contain a unique ICE that is configured to detect a
particular characteristic of interest in the fluid 302. In such embodiments, a
beam splitter can divert a portion of the electromagnetic radiation being
reflected by, emitted from, or transmitted through the fluid 302 and into each
optical computing device. Each optical computing device, in turn, can be
coupled to a corresponding detector or detector array that is configured to
detect and analyze an output of electromagnetic radiation from the respective
optical computing device. Parallel configurations of optical computing devices
can be particularly beneficial for applications that require low power inputs
and/or no moving parts.
[0074] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the foregoing
configurations can further be used in combination with a series configuration
in
any of the present embodiments. For example, two optical computing devices
having a rotating disc with a plurality of ICE components arranged thereon can
be placed in series for performing an analysis at a single location along the
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length of the flow path 304.
Likewise, multiple detection stations, each
containing optical computing devices in parallel, can be placed in series for
performing a similar analysis.
[0075] The modified electromagnetic radiation 416 generated by the
ICE 414 may subsequently be conveyed to a detector 418 for quantification of
the signal. The
detector 418 may be any device capable of detecting
electromagnetic radiation, and may be generally characterized as an optical
transducer. In some embodiments, the detector 418 may be, but is not limited
to, a thermal detector such as a thermopile or photoacoustic detector, a
semiconductor detector, a piezo-electric detector, a charge coupled device
(CCD)
detector, a video or array detector, a split detector, a photon detector (such
as a
photonnultiplier tube), photodiodes, combinations thereof, or the like, or
other
detectors known to those skilled in the art.
[0076] The detector 418 may be configured to produce an output
signal, such as one or the first and second output signals 322a and 322b, as
generally discussed above with reference to FIG. 3. The output signal 322a,b
may be generated in real-time or near real-time and may be conveyed in the
form of a voltage (or current) that corresponds to the particular
characteristic of
interest in the fluid 302. The voltage returned by the detector 418 is
essentially
the dot product of the optical interaction of the optically interacted
radiation 412
with the respective ICE 414 as a function of the concentration of the
characteristic of interest of the fluid 302. As such, the output signal 322a,b
produced by the detector 418 and the concentration of the characteristic of
interest in the fluid 302 may be related, for example, directly proportional.
In
other embodiments, however, the relationship may correspond to a polynomial
function, an exponential function, a logarithmic function, and/or a
combination
thereof.
[0077] In some embodiments, the optical computing device 400 may
include a second detector 422, which may be similar to the first detector 418
in
that it may be any device capable of detecting electromagnetic radiation.
Similar to the second detector 216 of FIG. 2, the second detector 422 of FIG.
4
may be used to detect radiating deviations stemming from the electromagnetic
radiation source 402. Undesirable radiating deviations can occur in the
intensity
of the electromagnetic radiation 404 due to a wide variety of reasons and
potentially causing various negative effects on the optical computing device
400.
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28
These negative effects can be particularly detrimental for measurements taken
over a period of time. In some embodiments, radiating deviations can occur as
a result of a build-up of film or material on the sampling window 410 which
has
the effect of reducing the amount and quality of light ultimately reaching the
first detector 418. Without proper compensation, such radiating deviations
could
result in false readings and the output signal 322a,b would no longer be
primarily or accurately related to the characteristic of interest.
[0078] To compensate for these types of undesirable effects, the
second detector 422 may be configured to generate a compensating signal 424
generally indicative of the radiating deviations of the electromagnetic
radiation
source 402, and thereby normalize the output signal 322a,b generated by the
first detector 418. As illustrated, the second detector 422 may be configured
to
receive a portion of the optically interacted radiation 412 via a
beannsplitter 426
in order to detect the radiating deviations. In other embodiments, however,
the
second detector 422 may be arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation from
any portion of the optical train in the optical computing device 400 in order
to
detect the radiating deviations, without departing from the scope of the
disclosure.
[0079] In some applications, the output signal 322a,b and the
compensating signal 424 may be conveyed to (either jointly or separately) or
otherwise received by a signal processor 324. The signal processor 324 may be
configured to computationally combine the compensating signal 424 with the
output signal 322a,b in order to normalize the output signal 322a,b in view of
any radiating deviations detected by the second detector 422. In
some
embodiments, computationally combining the output and compensating signals
320, 328 may entail computing a ratio of the two signals 322a,b, 424. For
example, the concentration or magnitude of each characteristic determined
using the optical computing device 400 can be fed into an algorithm run by the
signal processor 324. The algorithm may be configured to make predictions on
how the characteristics of the fluid 302 change if the concentrations of the
analytes are changed relative to one another.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 5, with continued reference to FIGS. 3 and
4, illustrated is a schematic view of another exemplary optical computing
device
500, according to one or more embodiments. As with the optical computing
device 400 of FIG. 4, the optical computing device 500 of FIG. 5 may also
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represent a more detailed view of the first and/or second optical computing
devices 318a,b, albeit an alternative to the optical computing device 400.
Accordingly, the optical computing device 500 may be similar in some respects
to the optical computing device 400 of FIG. 4, and therefore may be best
understood with reference thereto where like numerals will indicate like
elements
that will not be described again. The optical computing device 500 may again
be configured to determine the concentration of a characteristic of interest
in the
fluid 302 as contained within the flow path 304. Unlike the optical computing
device 400 in FIG. 4, however, the optical computing device 500 in FIG. 5 may
be configured to transmit the electromagnetic radiation through the fluid 302
via
a first sampling window 502a and a second sampling window 502b arranged
radially-opposite the first sampling window 502a. The first and second
sampling
windows 502a,b may be similar to the sampling window 410 described above in
FIG. 4.
[0081] As the electromagnetic radiation 404 passes through the fluid
302 via the first and second sampling windows 502a,b, it optically interacts
with
the fluid 302. Optically interacted radiation 412 is subsequently directed to
or
otherwise received by the ICE 414 as arranged within the optical computing
device 500. It is again noted that, while FIG. 5 depicts the ICE 414 as
receiving
the optically interacted radiation 412 as transmitted through the sampling
windows 502a,b, the ICE 414 may equally be arranged at any point along the
optical train of the optical computing device 500, without departing from the
scope of the disclosure. For example, in one or more embodiments, the ICE 414
may be arranged within the optical train prior to the first sampling window
502a
and equally obtain substantially the same results. In other embodiments, one
or
each of the first or second sampling windows 502a,b may serve a dual purpose
as both a transmission window and the ICE 414 (i.e., a spectral component). In
yet other embodiments, the ICE 414 may generate the modified electromagnetic
radiation 416 through reflection, instead of transmission therethrough.
Moreover, as with the system 300 of FIG. 3, embodiments are contemplated
herein which include the use of at least two ICE components in the optical
computing device 500 configured to cooperatively determine the characteristic
of
interest in the fluid 302.
[0082] The modified electromagnetic radiation 416 generated by the
ICE 414 is subsequently conveyed to the detector 418 for quantification of the
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signal and generation of an output signal (i.e., output signals 322a or 322b)
which corresponds to the particular characteristic of interest in the fluid
302.
The optical computing device 500 may also include the second detector 422 for
detecting radiating deviations stemming from the electromagnetic radiation
5 source 402. As illustrated, the second detector 422 may be configured to
receive a portion of the optically interacted radiation 412 via the
beannsplitter
426 in order to detect the radiating deviations. In other embodiments,
however,
the second detector 422 may be arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation
from any portion of the optical train in the optical computing device 500 in
order
10 to detect the radiating deviations, without departing from the scope of
the
disclosure. The output signal 322a,b and the compensating signal 424 may then
be conveyed to (either jointly or separately) or otherwise received by the
signal
processor 324 which may computationally combine the two signals 322a,b and
424 and provide in real-time or near real-time the resulting output signal 326
15 corresponding to the concentration of the characteristic of interest in
the fluid
302.
[0083] Still referring to FIG. 5, with additional reference to FIG. 4,
those skilled in the art will readily recognize that, in one or more
embodiments,
electromagnetic radiation may be derived from the fluid 302 itself, and
otherwise
20 derived independent of the electromagnetic radiation source 402. For
example,
various substances naturally radiate electromagnetic radiation that is able to
optically interact with the ICE 414. In some embodiments, for example, the
fluid 302 may be or otherwise include a blackbody radiating substance
configured to radiate heat that may optically interact with the ICE 414. In
other
25 embodiments, the fluid 302 may be radioactive or chenno-luminescent and,
therefore, radiate electromagnetic radiation that is able to optically
interact with
the ICE 414. In yet other embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation may be
induced from the fluid 302 by being acted upon mechanically, magnetically,
electrically, combinations thereof, or the like. For instance, in at least one
30 embodiment, a voltage may be placed across the fluid 302 in order to
induce the
electromagnetic radiation. As a result, embodiments are contemplated herein
where the electromagnetic radiation source 402 is omitted from the optical
computing device 500.
[0084] Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to attain the
ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The
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31
particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present
invention may be
modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those
skilled in the art
having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are
intended to the
details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the
claims below. It
is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed
above may be
altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within
the scope and
spirit of the present invention. The invention illustratively disclosed herein
suitably may be
practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed
herein and/or any
optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are
described in terms of
"comprising," "containing," or "including" various components or steps, the
compositions
and methods can also "consist essentially of' or "consist of' the various
components and
steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount.
Whenever a
numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number
and any
included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In
particular, every range of
values (of the form, "from about a to about b," or, equivalently, "from
approximately a to b,"
or, equivalently, "from approximately a-b") disclosed herein is to be
understood to set forth
every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also,
the terms in
the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and
clearly defined
by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles "a" or "an," as used in the
claims, are
defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces.
If there is any
conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more
patent or other
documents that may be herein referred to, the definitions that are consistent
with this
specification should be adopted.
