阅读说明：本技术 识别管道中的内容物 (Identifying contents in a conduit ) 是由 M·A·卡里米 M·阿尔萨兰 A·沙米姆 于 2018-09-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种示例性系统,包括：芯,其由电介质材料构成；平面谐振器,其位于所述芯上；管道,其含有所述芯和所述平面谐振器,其中所述管道包括导电材料；以及耦接件,其是导电的且将所述平面谐振器连接至所述管道以使得所述管道能够充当所述平面谐振器的电接地。(An exemplary system, comprising: a core composed of a dielectric material; a planar resonator on the core; a pipe containing the core and the planar resonator, wherein the pipe comprises a conductive material; and a coupling that is electrically conductive and connects the planar resonator to the pipe to enable the pipe to act as an electrical ground for the planar resonator.)

1. A system, comprising:

a core comprised of a dielectric material;

a planar resonator on the core;

a pipe containing the core and the planar resonator, the pipe comprising a conductive material; and

a coupling that is electrically conductive and connects the planar resonator to the pipe to enable the pipe to act as an electrical ground for the planar resonator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the planar resonator comprises a microwave T-resonator.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the planar resonator comprises a spiral T-resonator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the planar resonator comprises a ring resonator.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the planar resonator comprises a material printed onto the core.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a pipeline made of metal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the pipe is configured to act as an electromagnetic shield for the planar resonator.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a computing system that obtains data from the planar resonator, obtains a resonant frequency of the planar resonator based on the data, and identifies contents of the pipe based on the resonant frequency.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the contents comprise a fluid; and is

Wherein identifying the fluid comprises determining a change in a resonant frequency or quality factor of the planar resonator.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the planar resonator is a first planar resonator and the coupling is a first coupling; and is

Wherein the system further comprises:

one or more additional planar resonators spatially distributed on the core; and

one or more additional couplings, each of the one or more additional couplings being electrically conductive and connecting the pipe to a corresponding additional planar resonator to enable the pipe to act as an electrical ground for the corresponding additional planar resonator.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more additional planar resonators includes between one additional planar resonator and seven additional planar resonators.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more additional planar resonators are located on different sectors of the core.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more metal separators located within the conduit, the one or more metal separators for confining fluid within a volume associated with each sector of the core.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a computing system to obtain data from each planar resonator, obtain a resonant frequency of each planar resonator based on at least some of the data, and identify contents in different sectors of the pipe based on the resonant frequency and a quality factor of the planar resonator.

15. A method of identifying contents in a conduit constructed of an electrically conductive material, the method comprising:

obtaining data based on a signal output from a planar resonator on a dielectric core within the conduit, the conduit electrically coupled to the planar resonator to act as an electrical ground for the planar resonator;

determining a resonant frequency, a quality factor, or both the resonant frequency and the quality factor of the planar resonator based on the data, the resonant frequency and the quality factor corresponding to the content; and

identifying the content based on the resonant frequency, the figure of merit, or both the resonant frequency and the figure of merit.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the data represents S-parameters of the planar resonator.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

obtaining additional data based on additional signals output from one or more additional planar resonators arranged in different sectors around the dielectric core, the pipe electrically coupled to each of the one or more additional planar resonators to act as a common electrical ground for all planar resonators;

determining a resonant frequency, a quality factor, or both a resonant frequency and a quality factor of the one or more additional planar resonators based on at least some of the additional data; and

identifying contents of a sector based on a resonant frequency, a quality factor, or both the resonant frequency and the quality factor of an additional planar resonator corresponding to the sector.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the contents comprise a fluid; and is

Wherein identifying the fluid comprises determining a change in the resonant frequency and the quality factor of the planar resonator.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein obtaining, determining, and identifying are performed using one or more processing devices; and is

Wherein the method further comprises the one or more processing devices controlling operation of the system based on the identified content.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the system comprises a well traversing a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and is

Wherein controlling the operation of the system comprises controlling one or more components within the well to adjust the amount of hydrocarbon or water in the conduit.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein controlling the one or more components comprises controlling one or more Inflow Control Devices (ICDs) within the well.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

forming the planar resonator on the dielectric core.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein forming the planar resonator on the dielectric core comprises using an additive manufacturing process.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the planar resonator comprises a microwave T-resonator.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the planar resonator comprises a ring resonator.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the planar resonator comprises a spiral T-resonator.

Technical Field

This description relates generally to exemplary techniques for identifying the contents of a metal pipe, for example, using one or more planar microwave resonators that use the metal pipe as a common ground plane.

Background

Pipes, such as metal pipelines, are used in a wide range of applications for transporting contents, such as fluids. For example, in the petroleum industry, metal pipelines may carry fluid streams composed of oil, water, or both oil and water. In some cases, it is desirable to characterize the contents present in the pipe. For example, in the petroleum industry, the productivity of a well may be affected by excess water in the fluid stream. Thus, in this example, knowing the amount of water in the fluid stream may allow the driller to take action.

Disclosure of Invention

An exemplary system, comprising: a core composed of a dielectric material; a planar resonator on the core; and a pipe containing the core and the planar resonator. The conduit comprises an electrically conductive material. The example system also includes a coupling that is electrically conductive and connects the planar resonator to the pipe to enable the pipe to act as an electrical ground for the planar resonator. The exemplary system may include one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

The planar resonator may be a microwave T-resonator. The planar resonator may be a ring resonator. The planar resonator may be a spiral T-resonator. The planar resonator may comprise a material printed onto the core. The conduit may comprise a pipe line made of metal. The pipe may be configured to act as an electromagnetic shield for the planar resonator.

The system may include a computing system that obtains data from the planar resonator, obtains a resonant frequency of the planar resonator based on the data, and identifies a content of the pipe based on the resonant frequency. The contents may include a fluid. Identifying the fluid may include determining a change in a resonant frequency or a quality factor of the planar resonator.

The system may include one or more additional planar resonators spatially distributed on the core. The system may include one or more additional couplings, such as metal shorting bars. Each of the additional couplings may be electrically conductive and may be configured to connect the pipe to the corresponding additional planar resonator to enable the pipe to act as an electrical ground for the additional planar resonator. The one or more additional planar resonators may include between one additional planar resonator and seven additional planar resonators. One or more additional planar resonators may be located on different sectors of the core.

The system may include one or more metal separators within the pipeline. One or more metal separators may be used to confine the fluid within each sector of the core.

The system may include a computing system to obtain data from each planar resonator, obtain a resonant frequency of each planar resonator based on at least some of the data, and identify contents in different sectors of the pipe based on the resonant frequency and the quality factor of the planar resonator.

An example method includes identifying a content in a pipe constructed of an electrically conductive material. The exemplary method includes obtaining data based on a signal output from a planar resonator on a dielectric core within a pipe. The conduit is electrically coupled to the planar resonator to act as an electrical ground for the planar resonator. The example method also includes determining a resonant frequency, a quality factor, or both the resonant frequency and the quality factor of the planar resonator based on the data. The resonant frequency and the quality factor correspond to the content. The method also includes identifying the content based on the resonant frequency, the quality factor, or both the resonant frequency and the quality factor. The method may include one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

The data may represent the S-parameters of the planar resonator. The method may include obtaining additional data based on additional signals output from one or more additional planar resonators disposed in different sectors around the dielectric core. The conduit may be electrically coupled to each of the one or more additional planar resonators to act as a common electrical ground for all of the planar resonators. The method may include determining a resonant frequency, a quality factor, or both a resonant frequency and a quality factor of one or more additional planar resonators based on at least some of the additional data. The method may include identifying the contents of a sector based on a resonant frequency, a quality factor, or both the resonant frequency and the quality factor of an additional planar resonator corresponding to the sector.

The contents may include a fluid. Identifying the fluid may include determining a change in the resonant frequency and the quality factor of the planar resonator. The operations of performing obtaining, determining, and identifying may be performed using one or more processing devices. The method may include one or more processing devices controlling operation of the system based on the identified content. The system may include a well traversing a hydrocarbon containing formation. Operation of the control system may include controlling one or more components within the well to regulate the amount of hydrocarbon or water in the conduit. Controlling one or more components may include controlling one or more Inflow Control Devices (ICDs) within the well.

The method may include forming a planar resonator on a dielectric core. Forming the planar resonator on the dielectric core may include using an additive manufacturing process. The planar resonator may be a microwave T-resonator. The planar resonator may be a ring resonator.

Potential advantages of the exemplary systems and methods described in this specification may include reduced cost, increased ease of manufacture, reduced footprint, and increased functionality. For example, implementing a planar resonator using an additive manufacturing process or other printing process may reduce the size of the resonator and also reduce its cost and complexity. Furthermore, the implementation of the system is flexible, since it enables to place a different number of planar resonators within the pipe. Thus, the example system may be implemented as a directional moisture content sensor that may identify different flow regimes and function as a moisture content sensing tool.

Any two or more features described in this specification (including in this summary section) may be combined to form embodiments not specifically described in this specification.

At least a portion of the processes, methods, systems, and techniques described in this specification may be controlled by executing instructions stored on one or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media on one or more processing devices. Examples of non-transitory machine-readable storage media include read-only memory, optical disk drives, memory disk drives, and random access memory. At least some of the processes, methods, systems, and techniques described in this specification can be controlled using a computing system comprised of one or more processing devices and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processing devices to perform various control operations.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of an exemplary system for identifying contents in a pipe.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of components of the exemplary system of FIG. 1 for identifying the contents (air in this example) in a pipe.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of components of the exemplary system of FIG. 1 for identifying contents in a pipe.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of components of an exemplary system for identifying contents in a conduit.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of components of the exemplary system of FIG. 4 for identifying contents in a pipe.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of components of an exemplary system for identifying contents in a conduit.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating components of an exemplary system (including a data processing system) for identifying contents in a conduit.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the frequency (in megahertz) of a planar resonator versus the S-parameter (S) of the planar resonator for air₂₁) A graph of (a).

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of components of the exemplary system of FIG. 1 for identifying the contents (oil in this example) in a pipe.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the frequency (in megahertz) of a planar resonator versus the S-parameter (S) of the planar resonator for oil₂₁) A graph of (a).

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of components of the exemplary system of FIG. 1 for identifying the contents in a pipe (in this example, seawater).

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the frequency (in megahertz) of a planar resonator versus the S-parameter (S) of the planar resonator for seawater₂₁) A graph of (a).

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the resonant frequency (in megahertz) of two planar resonators versus the S-parameter (S) of the planar resonator₂₁) A graph of (a).

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a spiral T-resonator.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

Detailed Description

Exemplary techniques for identifying the contents of a pipe, such as a pipeline made of metal or other electrically conductive material, are described herein. The technique employs a core. In one example, the core is a structure configured (e.g., shaped and arranged) to fit within the pipe and hold an electrical structure, such as a planar resonator. The core is composed of a dielectric material and may be contained within the tube. One or more planar resonators, such as microwave T-resonators, are held on the core.

An exemplary resonator is an electrical element configured to oscillate at different frequencies. The oscillation frequency with the largest amplitude is the resonance frequency of the resonator. An exemplary planar resonator is a resonator having a flat or substantially flat structure. An exemplary planar resonator includes a feed line and a ground layer. The feed line includes a conductive material configured to receive and transmit signals (e.g., microwave signals). The ground plane is the electrical reference of the feed line.

The planar resonator may be coupled to (e.g., physically connected to) the core. In an example, the planar resonator may be formed on the core using an additive manufacturing process, such as three-dimensional (3D) printing, screen printing, or both 3D printing and screen printing. The planar resonator acts as a sensor for identifying the contents contained within the pipe. In some examples, each resonator includes a feed line having a ring-shaped ground layer. The annular ground layer of the feed line of each planar resonator is coupled to the pipe via a conductive coupling (e.g., a bar). The connection is configured to enable the pipe to act as an electrical ground for the planar resonator. In the example where there are multiple planar resonators on the core, the pipe acts as a common electrical ground for the planar resonators. For example, the conduit may serve as a common electrical ground for all or some of the planar resonators on the core.

The system described in the preceding paragraph may be configured to identify contents, such as fluid, gas or particulate matter contained within or flowing through a pipeline. For example, the system may be configured to identify the type of contents in the pipe, the geometric distribution of the contents in the pipe, the composition of the contents, the volumetric ratio of the fluids making up the contents, the level of the fluids in the contents, or some combination of two or more of these characteristics. In general, the system may be configured to identify any characteristic of the contents that may be determined based on the resonant frequency, the quality factor, or both the resonant frequency and the quality factor of one or more of the planar resonators on the core. The quality (Q) factor of a resonator is a value indicative of the damping level of the resonator. The resonator with the higher quality factor has a longer duration of vibration.

In this regard, the planar resonators may each have a resonant frequency and a quality factor corresponding to the contents contained within the pipe. In some implementations, the planar resonators each have a resonant frequency that is inversely proportional to the square root of the dielectric constant of the contents facing the resonator. This may include a pipeAll or part of the contents of (a). The system determines a resonant frequency of each planar resonator and identifies the contents based on one or more resonant frequencies. Similarly, in some embodiments, the quality factor of the planar resonator may also be based on the scattering (S) parameter of the planar resonator. The S-parameter is a value indicative of the output response of the resonator on one port (1) of the resonator to an input stimulus on the other port (2) of the resonator. The representation of an exemplary S parameter may thus be "S₁₂". The quality factor can be used to identify dielectric losses of the contents in the pipe. The dielectric loss may be used to identify or estimate one or more characteristics of the contents, such as the volume fraction of the gas phase of the contents, the salinity of the contents where the contents are fluid, and the temperature of the contents.

In some embodiments, the system includes hardware, which may include a data processing system configured to obtain data based on signals output from one or more planar resonators on the core. For example, data may be obtained based on the S-parameters transmitted to and received from the planar resonator. The data is processed, analyzed, or both processed and analyzed to obtain a resonant frequency of the planar resonator, a dielectric loss of the contents, or both. The contents are identified based on the resonant frequency, the dielectric loss, or both the resonant frequency and the dielectric loss. For example, if the resonant frequency is within a first frequency range, the contents may be identified as oil. For example, if the resonant frequency is within a second, different frequency range, the contents may be identified as water or seawater.

As mentioned, in some embodiments, there may be a plurality of planar resonators spatially distributed around the core. For example, there may be two, three, four, five, six, seven or eight planar resonators. Each of these planar resonators may be configured to output a signal in a sector around the pipe. That is, as described subsequently, the signal from each planar resonator may be concentrated in an arc of a circle around the planar resonator. In an example, the circular arcs define sectors associated with corresponding planar resonators on the core. The resonant frequency of the resonator in each sector can be determined and used to identify the contents in each sector. The quality factor of the resonators in each sector can be determined and used to identify the contents in each sector. Both the resonant frequency and the quality factor of the resonator in each sector can be determined, and both the resonant frequency and the quality factor can be used to identify the contents in each sector. In examples where different sectors contain oil and water, the system may constitute a directional water cut sensor that may be used to identify different flow regimes. Exemplary flow regimes include different phases of contents within the pipe or geometric distributions of different contents.

FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly 10 of an exemplary system configured to identify the contents of a pipe. The assembly comprises a pipe 11. In this example, the conduit 11 is a pipe made of or including metal or other electrically conductive material. For example, the conduit may be made entirely of metal or comprise a metal band or ring. For example, one or more metals capable of withstanding extreme temperature and pressure conditions within a drilling environment may be used, such as titanium or steel. For example, in oil and gas wells, temperatures in excess of 100 degrees celsius (c) and pressures in excess of 2000 pounds per square inch gauge (PSI) are considered extremes. In this example, the conduit is cylindrical in shape.

The core 12 is contained within the tube 11. In some embodiments, the core 12 and the conduit 11 are concentric. The core 12 is made of or includes a dielectric material. Exemplary dielectrics may have a dielectric loss tangent of less than 0.01 and a dielectric constant in the range of 2 to 50. Dielectric loss tangents in excess of 0.01, for example, can adversely affect signal output. Examples of dielectric materials that may be used include Polyetheretherketone (PEEK). In an example, PEEK has a dielectric loss tangent of 0.005 and a dielectric constant of about 3.2. PEEK may be used because it is able to withstand the temperature and pressure conditions in a particular environment (e.g., a drilling environment). In some embodiments, the core 12 is solid. In some embodiments, the core 12 is wholly or partially hollow. In some embodiments, the core 12 comprises a single dielectric material. In some embodiments, the core 12 includes multiple dielectric materials.

In the example of fig. 1, the planar resonator 14 is mounted on a core. In some implementations, the planar resonator 14 is formed on the core 12 using an additive manufacturing process, such as 3D printing, manual screen printing, or a combination of 3D printing and manual screen printing. However, the planar resonator 14 may be mounted on the core 12 using any technique. The planar resonator 14 may be a microwave resonator, such as a microwave T-resonator or a ring resonator. An exemplary microwave T-resonator is a band-stop resonator. An exemplary ring resonator is a bandpass resonator. In some embodiments, the length of the resonator is in a range between four to five times the diameter of the pipe and ten to twelve times the diameter of the pipe, inclusive. In some embodiments, the planar resonator has a length in a range between one meter and two meters, inclusive.

In some embodiments, the planar resonator is protected from the surrounding contents on the pipe by a dielectric coating. Exemplary materials for the dielectric coating include oxide ceramics and polymers. Examples of the oxide include oxide ceramics of aluminum, titanium, and yttrium. For example, the ceramic may be durable, wear resistant, and corrosion resistant enough to survive a permanent installation in a well or five years. In general, any thin (e.g., one millimeter) layer of conformal dielectric material having mechanical and chemical durability and having a small dielectric constant and a small loss tangent may be used. Exemplary dielectrics may have a dielectric loss tangent of less than 0.01 and a dielectric constant in the range of 2 to 50.

As illustrated in fig. 1, the planar resonator 14 includes a feed line 15 for receiving an input, and also includes a ground layer 16 for the feed line. Ground plane 16 is electrically coupled to duct 11. Any conductive coupling may be used to implement this electrical connection. In the example of fig. 1, a bar 17 is used. In this example, the bar is made of or comprises an electrically conductive material which establishes an electrically conductive path between the pipe 11 and the planar resonator 14. In this configuration, the pipe 11 acts as an electrical ground for the planar resonator 14. As described subsequently, the pipe 11 may serve as a common electrical ground for the plurality of planar resonators.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the assembly 10 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. In fig. 2, a single planar resonator 14 is located on the outer surface of the core 12, and the core 12 is coaxially arranged in the center of the pipe 11. In this example configuration, the annular ground plane of the feed line of the planar resonator 14 is shorted to the pipe 11 using shorting bar 17. As shown in fig. 2, the electric field 19 emanating from the planar resonator 14 terminates substantially at the pipe 11, since the pipe 11 acts as an electrical ground. In the example of fig. 2, the contents or medium in the pipe is air; however, any contents other than or in addition to air may be used. For example, a valve may be opened to introduce air into the conduit.

In the example of fig. 1 and 2, the feed line 15 (not visible in fig. 2) comprises a microstrip feed line and the planar resonator comprises a quarter wavelength (λ/4) shunt stub. In some examples, the dimensions of each feed line and ground layer may be optimized to match an impedance of 50 ohms (Ω). In some embodiments, in order to match the impedance to 50 Ω, a dedicated annular ground layer 16 is arranged below the feed line 15. The feed line and the annular ground layer may be separated by a dielectric. In this example, the thickness of the dielectric is one millimeter (1 mm). Examples of dielectric materials that can be used are described previously. The presence of dielectric content between the core 12 and the pipe 11 changes the waveguide wavelength, and hence the resonant frequency, of the planar resonator 14 on the core 12.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary electric field distribution 19 of the planar resonator 14 shown in the cross-section of fig. 2. In the example of fig. 3, most of the electric field emanating from the planar resonator 14 is concentrated in a sector 20 (in this example, a circular arc) between the core 12 and the pipe 11. In some embodiments, this sector may range from 45 °, or different from 45 °, or may have a shape other than a circular arc. In this example, the arc is defined relative to the center of the cross-section of the core. In some embodiments including multiple planar resonators, there is a tendency for the electric field of a single resonator to encroach on adjacent sectors. Thus, the resonant frequency of a single resonator will depend primarily on the dielectric properties of the contents 21 within its sector, but may also be affected by the contents in adjacent sectors. To reduce such effects, a separator between sectors may be used, as described subsequently.

Fig. 4 illustrates an assembly 24 of an exemplary system configured to identify multiphase flow in a pipe. For example, the contents of the pipe may be a fluid stream composed of oil and water. Due to the different densities, the oil and water are at least partially separated in the pipe. The upper sector 25 of the pipe 26 may contain mostly oil because oil is less dense than water. The lower sector 27 of the conduit 26 may contain primarily water because water is more dense than oil. In this example, the system includes two planar resonators: one facing the upper sector 25 of the pipe and one facing the lower sector 27 of the pipe.

In this example, each sector can be filled with air, and then liquid can be introduced into the sector. As liquid is introduced into the sector, the effective dielectric properties of the sector change. The change in the effective dielectric properties of the sector changes the effective wavelength of the planar resonator of the sector, thereby changing the resonant frequency of the planar resonator.

As previously mentioned, the planar resonators each have a resonant frequency that is inversely proportional to the square root of the dielectric constant of the contents (oil or water in this example) facing the resonator. Thus, the system determines the resonant frequency of each planar resonator and identifies the contents as oil or water based on one or more resonant frequencies. The system may also determine a figure of merit for each planar resonator, and may identify the contents as oil or water based on one or more figures of merit. The system may determine both a resonant frequency and a figure of merit for each planar resonator, and may identify the contents as oil or water based on the one or more resonant frequencies and the one or more figures of merit.

Each component of fig. 4 may have the same structure and function as the corresponding component of fig. 1. In this regard, the assembly 24 may include a conductive tube 26, and a core 29 that is dielectric and concentric with the tube. The system of fig. 4 comprises a first planar resonator 30 and a second planar resonator 31. The first planar resonator 30 faces the upper sector 25 of the pipe and the second planar resonator 31 faces the lower sector 27 of the pipe. In some implementations, there may be more than two planar resonators, and the arrangement of the planar resonators may be different than that shown in fig. 4. The first and second planar resonators may be of the same type as the planar resonator 14 of fig. 1, and have the same structure and function as the planar resonator 14 of fig. 1. Each of the first planar resonator 30 and the second planar resonator 31 may be electrically coupled to the pipe 26 in the same manner as the planar resonator 24 is electrically coupled to the pipe 11 in fig. 1. For example, the first planar resonator 30 may be electrically coupled to the pipe 26 via a coupling (e.g., a rowbar 32 in fig. 5). For example, the second planar resonator 31 may be electrically coupled to the pipe 26 through a coupling (e.g., a rowbar 32 in fig. 5). Different couplings (e.g., separate rowbars) may be used to electrically couple (e.g., electrically connect) different resonators to the pipe. For example, each resonator may have its own bar or set of bars that it uses to electrically couple to the pipe. In this configuration, the pipe 26 acts as a common electrical ground for both the first planar resonator 30 and the second planar resonator 31. In this example, a common electrical ground defined by the conduit surrounds the first planar resonator and the second planar resonator.

In this regard, FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of the assembly 24 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. In this example, the electric field emanating from each resonator essentially terminates at the pipe 26, since the pipe 26 acts as an electrical ground. In the example of fig. 5, the contents or medium on the upper sector 25 of the pipe are oil and the contents or medium on the lower sector 27 of the pipe are water. However, any contents may be used.

As previously explained, in some embodiments, a system for identifying the contents of a pipe may include more than two planar resonators. In the exemplary system 40 of fig. 6, eight planar resonators are arranged around a core 41. The eight planar resonators are configured to identify multiphase flow in the pipe 42. The various components of the system may have the same structure and function as the corresponding components of fig. 1-5. For example, the assembly may include a conductive tube 42, and a core 41 that is dielectric and concentric with the tube. Of the eight resonators included in the system of fig. 5, only one can be seen: a planar resonator 44. In the figure, a portion of the sector 45 is not shown to expose a portion of the planar resonator 44. The sectors associated with each corresponding planar resonator include sectors 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, and 52. A bar (not labeled) electrically connects the corresponding planar resonator to the conduit 42. Different couplings (e.g., separate rowbars) may be used to electrically couple (e.g., electrically connect) different resonators to the pipe. The pipe 42 thus acts as a common electrical ground for all eight planar resonators contained within the system 40.

In some embodiments including more than one planar resonator, there may be splitters that define each sector. In some embodiments, the separator may be a metal. Thus, the separator may provide electromagnetic isolation between adjacent sectors to enable the contents of each sector to be characterized independently. In some embodiments, the separator may be made of another material, such as a dielectric material. The separator may be or comprise a thin plate, which may be located on each side of the corresponding resonator between the pipe and the core. The sheet may form a gas-tight or liquid-tight seal between the core and the tube. Thus, by providing a sheet, the contents of a sector can be wholly or partially separated from the contents of other sectors, including immediately adjacent sectors. The metal sheets may also be configured to wholly or partially confine the electric field within their respective sectors. Thus, in some implementations, the resonant frequency of each planar resonator will be defined only by the dielectric medium in its sector.

In an exemplary embodiment, the majority of the electric field of a planar resonator is concentrated in an arc around a 10mm wide resonator (λ/4 stub) having a resonant frequency in the range of 50 megahertz (MHz) to 200 MHz. In this example, each resonator may cover at least a 45 ° sector of the cross-section of the pipe in which the contents are to be identified. In order to cover the entire 360 ° arc of the pipe, eight planar resonators are arranged on the core, as in fig. 6. The planar resonators face in different directions and thus cover different sectors. The system is thus configured to characterize the fluid composition in different directions. Thus, the system may identify flow regimes in the multiphase flow, such as measuring water cut in oil.

In some embodiments, a system for identifying the contents of a pipe may include a microwave helical T-resonator. An example of a microwave spiral T-resonator 70 is shown in fig. 14. The spiral T-resonator 70 is mounted on a core 72. In some implementations, the spiral T-resonator 70 is formed on the core 72 using an additive manufacturing process, such as 3D printing, manual screen printing, or a combination of 3D printing and manual screen printing.

The spiral T-resonator 70 includes a feed line 74 having a circular ground plane 75. As shown in fig. 14, feed line 74 is helically wound around core 72. Ground plane 75 is electrically coupled to conduit 77. Any conductive coupling may be used to implement this electrical coupling. In the example of fig. 14, a bar 78 is used. As described, the rowbars may be made of or include a conductive material that establishes a conductive path between the pipe 77 and the spiral T-resonator 70. In this configuration, the conduit 77 serves as the electrical ground for the helical T-resonator 70. In some embodiments, multiple spiral T-resonators may be mounted on the core. The conduit 77 may serve as a common electrical ground for the plurality of spiral T-resonators in the manner previously described.

Each planar resonator may be calibrated before use. An exemplary method of performing calibration includes examining the response of the resonator, e.g., a shift in resonant frequency for content of a known liquid with known dielectric properties. Curve fitting techniques may then be used to correlate the resonator response to the corresponding dielectric constant. A relationship may be established between each dielectric constant corresponding to the contents of the pipe and the characteristic curve of the planar resonator. Prior to operation, the resonator response may be measured at two or three known levels, which may serve as calibration points for the resonator for subsequent readings.

Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary system 50 that may include the components of any of fig. 1-6. The assembly 10 of fig. 1 is used as an example. In exemplary system 50, the resonant frequency of each planar resonator may be measured using a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) or other electronic component (e.g., a microwave oscillator) electrically coupled to the planar resonator. The VNA 54 may be implemented as a standalone instrument as shown or as part of a data processing system. The VNA 54 is configured to receive signals from each of the microwave resonators via the converter 52. In this example, the VNA is configured to observe a bandpass or bandstop response of the planar resonator.

In the exemplary system 50, the converter 52 is configured to connect each planar resonator on the core to the VNA 54 in turn. In case only one resonator is included, as in the example of fig. 7, the converter may be controlled to connect and disconnect said resonators. The converter may be controlled by a computing system, such as computing system 55. The computing system 55 may include one or more processing devices, such as a microprocessor. Examples of computing systems that may be used include those described in this specification. Computing system 55 may be configured (e.g., programmed) to communicate with VNA 54 and translator 52, as represented by the dashed arrows. The transmission of signals between the assembly 10 and the transducer 52 is also indicated by the dashed arrows.

The system 50 including the VNA 54 may be configured to acquire raw microwave resonance data from a planar resonator on a core, perform conversions on the data, and process the data to identify the contents within the pipe. In an example, the system may be configured to obtain data based on signals output from each planar resonator on the core, determine a resonant frequency of each planar resonator based on the data, and identify contents of different sectors around the core based on the resonant frequency. In an example, the system may be configured to obtain data based on signals output from each planar resonator on the core, determine a figure of merit for each planar resonator based on the data, and identify contents of different sectors around the core based on the figure of merit. In an example, the system may be configured to obtain data based on signals output from each planar resonator on the core, determine a resonant frequency and a quality factor for each planar resonator based on the data, and identify contents of different sectors around the core based on both the resonant frequency and the quality factor. As mentioned, in some implementations, data may be obtained based on S-parameters transmitted from or received by the planar resonator under consideration.

Incident microwaves superimposed on reflected microwaves produce destructive interference at the resonance frequency. At this frequency, microwaves do not pass from one port of the resonator to the other port of the resonator. Thus, when a microwave resonator (e.g., planar resonator 14) is in operation and a difficult-to-resolve signal or an undetectable signal is identified for the microwave resonator at VNA 54, system 50 may determine that the operating frequency of the microwave resonator is the resonant frequency of the microwave resonator. Undetectable signals can be identified based on the following knowledge: the microwave resonator is operating and should receive a signal due to the microwave resonator operation, but not. The system may use this detected resonant frequency to identify the contents of the sector associated with the planar resonator. For example, the computing system 55 may access a database that correlates the resonant frequency with the identity of the contents. The computing system 55 may then provide the identity of the contents associated with the detected resonant frequency. For example, the identity may be sent over a network or displayed on a display screen.

In embodiments used in the petroleum industry, the oil and water content in a pipeline can be determined. Those determined amounts may be used to affect operation of a well traversing or reaching a hydrocarbon containing formation. For example, the computing system may control one or more components within the well to adjust the amount of oil or water in a pipe within the well. Controlling one or more components may include controlling one or more Inflow Control Devices (ICDs) within the well. In this regard, the ICD may include a valve that controls the flow of fluid produced from the formation into the wellbore. This fluid, which may be referred to as production fluid, may contain varying amounts of water and oil (or other hydrocarbons). The region in which the amount of water in the fluid exceeds the predetermined content may be referred to as an aquifer. The example systems described herein may be used to analyze fluid entering an ICD to determine an amount of water entering the ICD and identify an aquifer based on the amount of water. In response to identifying an aquifer within the well, the computing system may shut down the ICD or may direct the shutdown of the ICD.

Operational control may be implemented directly by the computing system without human intervention, or operational control may be directed by the computing system and implemented through human intervention. Reflectivity-based oscillator arrangements other than the arrangement of fig. 7 or transmissivity-based oscillator arrangements other than the arrangement of fig. 7 may also be used to identify the contents of a pipe using one or more planar resonators.

The following is an exemplary method that may be used by the computing system 55 to identify the resonant frequency of one or more planar resonators. For example, the computing system 55 may monitor the frequency output by the planar resonator. The computing system 55 may generate a plot of those frequencies and identify the resonant frequency that produces the minimum frequency value for the resonator by a reduction in the amplitude of the frequency. As explained previously, the amplitude of the resonant frequency is based on the content through which the electric field of the planar resonator passes. For example, the resonant frequency changes when the contents within the pipe (i.e., the contents around the core) change from air to oil or water.

Referring back to fig. 2, in this example, a single planar resonator 14 is used and the contents of the pipe 11 are air. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the frequency output (in megahertz) of the planar resonator 14 plotted versus the S-parameter (S) of the planar resonator 14₂₁) Graph 60 of (a). As depicted in fig. 8, for air, the reduction occurs at 204.6 MHz. The resulting minimum represents the resonant frequency of the planar resonator 14.

In the example of fig. 9, a single planar resonator 14 is used and the contents of the pipe 11 are oil. Fig. 10 is a graph 61 showing the plotted frequency output (in megahertz) of the planar resonator 14 versus the S-parameter of the planar resonator 14. As shown in fig. 10, for oil, the reduction occurs at 179.7 MHz. The resulting minimum represents the resonant frequency of the planar resonator 14. Thus, as the dielectric constant of the contents around the core increases from 1.0 (air) to 2.2 (oil), the resonant frequency of the planar resonator decreases from 204.6MHz to 179.7 MHz.

In the example of fig. 11, a single planar resonator 14 is used and the contents of the pipe 11 are seawater. Fig. 12 is a graph 62 showing the plotted frequency output (in megahertz) of the planar resonator 14 versus the S-parameter of the planar resonator 14. As shown in fig. 12, for seawater, the reduction occurs at 149.2 MHz. The resulting minimum represents the resonant frequency of the planar resonator 14. Thus, as the dielectric constant of the contents around the core increases from 2.2 (oil) to 80.0 (seawater), the resonant frequency of the planar resonator 14 decreases from 179.7MHz to 149.2 MHz. Accordingly, when the water content in the pipe changes from 100% oil to 100% water, the resonance frequency of the planar resonator also changes from 149.2MHz to 179.7 MHz. In fig. 12, the gap 64 in the resonant frequency curve is wider than the gap in fig. 8 and 10 because the contents are seawater and the loss of seawater is greater than air or oil.

Referring to the example of fig. 4, two planar resonators are used: one planar resonator 31 faces the water in the pipe and one planar resonator 30 faces the oil in the pipe. This configuration may be used to implement directional moisture content sensing. The directional water cut sensing may include identifying a sector of the cross-section of the pipe that contains water or a percentage of water sufficient to affect resonance. In this example, most of the electric field from the planar resonator 30 will be in the upper sector 25 of the pipe cross-section (of fig. 5), and most of the electric field of the planar resonator 31 will be in the lower sector 27 of the pipe cross-section. Thus, the system can distinguish the contents in the upper sector from the contents in the lower sector. In this regard, fig. 13 is a graph 64 showing the plotted frequency output (in megahertz) of the planar resonators 30, 31 versus the S-parameter of the planar resonators. As shown in fig. 13, curve 66 shows the resonant response of the planar resonator 30 facing the oil in the upper sector of the pipe. The resonant frequency of the oil is known to be 179.7MHz, which is close to the 178.9MHz resonant frequency of curve 66. In fig. 13, curve 67 shows the resonant response of the planar resonator 31 facing the water in the lower sector of the pipe. The resonant frequency of water is known to be 149.2MHz, which is close to the 148.2MHz resonant frequency of curve 67.

The known magnitudes of the resonant frequencies of the different contents may be stored in a memory in the computing system 55 or in any other computer memory. The computing system may compare the known amplitude to the detected amplitude and, if the two are within an acceptable tolerance, conclude that the content associated with the detected amplitude is content associated with the known amplitude. In the example of fig. 13, the contents that produce a resonance frequency of 178.9MHz can be declared as oil, and the contents that produce a resonance frequency of 148.2MHz can be declared as water.

Thus, the exemplary system may sense how the contents (e.g., oil and water) are distributed in the cross-section of the pipe. For example, in fig. 4, the upper sector contains 100% oil, while the lower sector contains 100% water. Thus, the system may determine that the absolute water cut (i.e., the percentage of water in the fluid) is 50%. The system may also determine that the contents in the upper sector are 100% oil and the contents in the lower sector are 100% water. As explained, the system may use more than two planar resonators (see, e.g., fig. 6) to increase directional sensing resolution.

The resonant frequency or quality factor obtained by the data processing system may be based on one or more real-time measurements. In this regard, in some embodiments, real-time may not mean that two actions are simultaneous, but may include actions that occur in a continuous manner or follow one another in time, taking into account delays associated with processing, data transmission, hardware, and the like.

The example systems described herein may be implemented for vertical wells or wells that are not vertical in whole or in part. For example, the system may be used to analyze the contents of a pipeline in a deviated, horizontal or partially horizontal well.

As explained previously, the exemplary systems described in this specification employ microwave resonators. However, the system is not limited to use with microwaves. Electromagnetic waves and electromagnetic wave resonators may be used instead of microwave resonators. For example, Radio Frequency (RF) and RF resonators may be used instead of microwave frequency and microwave frequency resonators. In an example, radio frequencies extend from about 3 hertz (Hz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). In an example, the microwave frequency extends from about 0.3GHz to 300 GHz.

The operating frequencies of the systems described in this specification are not limited to any particular frequency band. The frequency may be increased or decreased based on the size, dimensions, or both of the pipe and planar resonators used.

The examples described in this specification relate to the oil industry. However, the exemplary systems described in this specification are not limited to the oil industry and may be used in any suitable context. The system may be used to identify different types of contents, such as fluids, in a pipe. For example, the system may be used in industry to automate processes involving chemical delivery, or in medical or other industrial applications. In the context of drilling, the system may be used at various locations, such as uphole or downhole. The system may also be used in a laboratory.

All or a portion of the methods, systems, and techniques described in this specification can be controlled using a computer program product. The computer program product may include instructions stored on one or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media. The instructions are executable on one or more processing devices. A computer program can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages. A computer program can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and coupled to each other through a network.

Actions associated with controlling the system may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to control all or some of the operations previously described. All or a portion of the system may be controlled by special purpose logic circuitry, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or both an FPGA and an ASIC.

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory region or a random access memory region or both. Elements of a computer include one or more processors for executing instructions and one or more memory area devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more machine-readable storage media, e.g., a mass storage device for storing data, e.g., a magnetic, magneto-optical disk, or optical disk. Non-transitory machine-readable storage media suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile storage area, including by way of example semiconductor storage area devices such as erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and flash storage area devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and digital versatile disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM).

Any "electrical connection" as used in this specification can connote a direct physical connection or a connection that includes or does not include intervening components (e.g., air) but still allows electrical signals to flow between the coupled components. Unless otherwise specified, any "connection" involving circuit techniques that allow for the flow of signals, whether or not the word "electrical" is used to modify the "connection," is an electrical connection, and not necessarily a direct physical connection.

Elements of different implementations described may be combined to form other implementations not specifically set forth previously. Elements may be omitted from the described system without adversely affecting its operation or the operation of the overall system as a whole. Further, various separate units may be combined into one or more respective units to perform the functions described in this specification.

Other embodiments not specifically described in the present specification are also within the scope of the following claims.