Patent Application
20230086247
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a system and method for separating and analyzing multiphase immiscible fluid mixture samples. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to analyzing the separated multiphase immiscible fluid mixture sample in-situ, with a water analysis unit built-in inside a separation vessel.
Multiphase immiscible fluid mixtures (e.g., multiphase fluids) produced from oil wells typically are a mixture of gas, liquid hydrocarbons, and salty formation water (e.g., produced water). For example, an oil well may produce polar and nonpolar molecules along with gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and the like. A gas oil separation plant (GOSP) is used in the upstream oil and gas industry to refer to temporary or permanent facilities that separate the multiphase fluids obtained from a plurality of wells (e.g., more than a hundred oil wells) into constituent vapor and liquid components (e.g., liquid hydrocarbons, and salty formation or produced water) and generate dry crude oil that meets predetermined customer specifications. A typical GOSP includes a high-pressure production trap (HPPT), a low pressure production trap (LPPT), a low pressure degassing tank (LPDT), a dehydrator unit, first and second stage desalting units, a water/oil separation plant (WOSEP), a stabilizer column, centrifugal pumps, heat exchangers, and reboilers.
Composition of the multiphase fluid produced from each well feeding into the GOSP typically varies over time. Generally, a greater amount of crude oil is produced initially from the well. Over time, the amount of produced water increases and the amount of crude oil produced decreases. It is necessary to know the amount of crude oil (and produced water) produced from each well of the GOSP in order to manage production of each well, while maintaining overall efficiency of the GOSP and generating dry crude that meets customer specifications. For example, if a particular well is producing a high proportion of water, it may be desirable to isolate the well from the flow of the GOSP.
A multiphase flow meter (MPFM) may be used at the GOSP (or at a well site upstream the GOSP) to measure the amount or rate of crude oil (and produced water) produced from each well. The MPFM's built-in software and algorithm can be utilized to determine the flow of oil from the combined flow of produced water and crude oil. To obtain accurate measurement of the amount or flow rate of crude oil passing through the MPFM, it is necessary to calibrate the MPFM using predetermined data representing certain physical or chemical properties of the produced water contained in the multiphase fluid (including oil and water) passing through the MPFM. That is, it is necessary to enter data regarding certain properties of the produced water into the MPFM panel so that the flow meter displays information regarding the flow of the constituent oil of the multiphase fluid with high accuracy. To perform such calibration, conventionally, a sample of the multiphase fluid (from one well or a group of wells whose output is passing through the MPFM) is periodically collected in a test trap. The test trap can be rated as having high pressure, intermediate pressure, or low pressure. Crude oil in the sample is allowed to separate from produced water in the test trap, and a portion of the separated produced water is collected and sent to a local laboratory to analyze certain geophysical or geochemical properties (e.g., salinity, chloride content, conductivity, and the like) of the separated produced water sample. The data obtained by this analysis is used to calibrate the MPFM. More specifically, the analytical result received from the laboratory is manually fed into the MPFM panel to optimize or calibrate the output of the MPFM (i.e., optimize oil flow rate data and water flow rate data coming out of the MPFM).
The periodic act of collection of the separated produced water sample from the test trap, transferring the sample to the laboratory, measuring the geophysical properties of the sample in the laboratory, bringing the analytical data back to the GOSP, and manually feeding the analytical data into the MPFM, can take approximately two to three days. Further, since the analytical data received from the laboratory is manually fed into the MPFM, there is a possibility of introducing a human data entry error. A better approach that is faster, automated, low-maintenance, and less prone to human error is desirable.
The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosed subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the technology disclosed herein. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the disclosed subject matter or to delineate the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is discussed later.
In one embodiment, a system for separating and in-situ analyzing a discrete sample of multiphase fluid includes: a separation vessel having a first inner chamber for separating a discrete sample of multiphase fluid into liquid phases including an aqueous liquid phase and a nonporous liquid phase; and a built-in water analysis unit including: an analytical cell disposed inside the first inner chamber of the separation vessel, the analytical cell having a second inner chamber; and at least one probe having a sensing area disposed in the second inner chamber for in-situ analysis of a sample of the aqueous liquid phase that is separated from the discrete sample of multiphase fluid in the first inner chamber and that is channeled to the second inner chamber from the first inner chamber for the in-situ analysis, where the second inner chamber is defined inside the first inner chamber. In another embodiment, the at least one probe has an oblong shape, and wherein the sensing area of the probe is covered with an ion-exchange membrane to prevent fouling of the sensing area.
In yet another embodiment, the analytical cell is built-in in a bottom portion of the separation vessel such that an opening of the sample control valve is disposed in a bottom region of the first inner chamber, where the aqueous liquid phase is likely to accumulate after separating from the discrete sample of multiphase fluid. In yet another embodiment, the analytical cell has a sample inlet and wherein the second inner chamber is in fluid communication with the first inner chamber via the sample inlet. In yet another embodiment, the built-in water analysis unit further includes a sample control valve coupled to the sample inlet for controlling a flow of the separate aqueous liquid phase from the first inner chamber to the second inner chamber, where the analytical cell further has a fresh water inlet, and the second inner chamber is in fluid communication with a fresh water reservoir via the fresh water inlet, and where the system further includes one or more processors operatively coupled to the sample control valve and the at least one probe, the one or more processors being configured to: control the sample control valve to channel a predetermined amount of the separate aqueous liquid phase as the aqueous liquid phase sample from the first inner chamber to the second inner chamber via the sample inlet; dilute the aqueous liquid phase sample channeled into the second inner chamber with a predetermined amount of fresh water introduced into the second inner chamber via the fresh water inlet, to generate a diluted aqueous liquid phase sample; in-situ analyze the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample in the second inner chamber with the at least one probe to obtain diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data; calculate nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample data based on the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data, as well as based on the predetermined amount of fresh water in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample; and transmit the nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample data to a multiphase flow meter for calibration.
In yet another embodiment, the sensing area of the at least one probe is at a distal end of the probe, and wherein the probe is oriented in the second inner chamber such that the sensing area is immersed in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample when the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample is contained in the second inner chamber.
In yet another embodiment, the at least one probe includes an ion-selective electrode configured to in-situ measure one or more properties of the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample, the one or more properties selected from a group including: sodium concentration, chloride concentration, total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration, pH, conductivity, sulfate concentration, carbonate concentration, and nitrate concentration.
In yet another embodiment, the at least one probe includes first, second, and third probes that are proximally disposed adjacent to each other such that each probe is oriented in the second inner chamber with the sensing area of the probe in a downward direction and immersed in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample when the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample is contained in the second inner chamber, and such that there exists an acute angle measured from the probe to a horizontal plane that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of gravity. In yet another embodiment, the acute angle is in the range of 30°-60°. In yet another embodiment, the one or more processors are further configured to: introduce the discrete sample of multiphase fluid into the first inner chamber of the separation vessel via a multiphase fluid inlet of the separation vessel; mix a predetermined amount of demulsifier obtained from a demulsifier source with the discrete sample of multiphase fluid in the first inner chamber to cause the discrete sample to separate into liquid phases including the aqueous liquid phase and the nonpolar liquid phase; and control the sample control valve to channel the predetermined amount of the aqueous liquid phase as the aqueous liquid phase sample from the first inner chamber to the second inner chamber via the sample inlet of the analytical cell, in response to determining that the discrete sample of multiphase fluid in the first inner chamber has separated into liquid phases including the aqueous liquid phase and the nonpolar liquid phase.
In yet another embodiment, the analytical cell further has a sample outlet, wherein the separation vessel has a drain outlet, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: drain the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample in the second inner chamber via the sample outlet after obtaining the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data; rinse the second inner chamber and the sensing area of the at least one probe disposed in the second inner chamber with fresh water introduced into the second inner chamber via the fresh water inlet after draining the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample; and drain the discrete sample of multiphase fluid in the first inner chamber via the drain outlet after channeling the predetermined amount of the aqueous liquid phase as the aqueous liquid phase sample from the first inner chamber to the second inner chamber.
In yet another embodiment, the predetermined amount of the aqueous liquid phase channeled as the aqueous liquid phase sample from the first inner chamber to the second inner chamber is substantially in the range of 50-60 milliliters.
In yet another embodiment, a method for separating and in-situ analyzing a discrete sample of multiphase fluid includes: introducing a discrete sample of multiphase fluid into a first inner chamber of a separation vessel, wherein an analytical cell having a second inner chamber is built-in inside the first inner chamber of the separation vessel, and wherein the analytical cell has a sample inlet for fluidly communicating the second inner chamber with the first inner chamber; mixing a predetermined amount of demulsifier obtained from a demulsifier source with the discrete sample of multiphase fluid in the first inner chamber to cause the discrete sample to separate into liquid phases including an aqueous liquid phase and a nonpolar liquid phase; channeling a predetermined amount of the separate aqueous liquid phase as an aqueous liquid phase sample from the first inner chamber to the second inner chamber via the sample inlet of the analytical cell, in response to determining that the discrete sample of multiphase fluid in the first inner chamber has separated into liquid phases including the aqueous liquid phase and the nonpolar liquid phase; diluting the aqueous liquid phase sample channeled into the second inner chamber with a predetermined amount of fresh water from a fresh water reservoir to generate a diluted aqueous liquid phase sample; and in-situ analyzing the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample contained in the second inner chamber with at least one probe having a sensing area disposed in the second inner chamber, where the second inner chamber is defined inside the first inner chamber.
In yet another embodiment, the method further includes: obtaining diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data based on the in-situ analysis with the at least one probe; calculating nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample data based on the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data, as well as based on the predetermined amount of fresh water in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample; and transmitting the nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample data to a multiphase flow meter. In yet another embodiment, the analytical cell further has a sample outlet on a bottom surface thereof, wherein the separation vessel has a drain outlet on a bottom surface thereof, and where the method further includes: draining the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample in the second inner chamber via the sample outlet after obtaining the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data; rinsing the second inner chamber and the sensing area of the at least one probe disposed in the second inner chamber with fresh water from the fresh water reservoir after draining the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample; and draining the discrete sample of multiphase fluid in the first inner chamber via the drain outlet after channeling the predetermined amount of the aqueous liquid phase as the aqueous liquid phase sample from the first inner chamber to the second inner chamber.
In yet another embodiment, a water analysis unit of a system for separating and in-situ analyzing a discrete sample of multiphase fluid includes: an analytical cell disposed inside a first inner chamber of a separation vessel for separating a discrete sample of multiphase fluid into liquid phases including an aqueous liquid phase and a nonporous liquid phase, wherein the analytical cell has: (i) a second inner chamber that is defined inside the first inner chamber, and (ii) a sample inlet to fluidly communicate the second inner chamber with the first inner chamber; and at least one probe having a sensing area disposed in the second inner chamber for in-situ analysis of a sample of the aqueous liquid phase that is separated from the discrete sample of multiphase fluid in the first inner chamber and that is channeled to the second inner chamber from the first inner chamber for the in-situ analysis.
In yet another embodiment, the at least one probe has an oblong shape, and wherein the sensing area of the probe is covered with an ion-exchange membrane to prevent fouling of the sensing area, where the analytical cell is built-in in a bottom portion of the separation vessel, and where an opening of the sample control valve is adapted to be disposed in a region of the first inner chamber where the aqueous liquid phase accumulates after separation thereof the discrete sample of multiphase fluid. In yet another embodiment, the analytical cell further has a fresh water inlet, and the second inner chamber is in fluid communication with an external fresh water reservoir via the fresh water inlet, and where the water analysis unit further includes: a sample control valve coupled to the sample inlet for controlling a flow of the aqueous liquid phase sample from the first inner chamber to the second inner chamber; and one or more processors operatively coupled to the sample control valve and the at least one probe, the one or more processors being configured to: control the sample control valve to allow a predetermined amount of the separate aqueous liquid phase to flow into the second inner chamber via the sample inlet as the aqueous liquid phase sample; dilute the aqueous liquid phase sample in the second inner chamber to generate a diluted aqueous liquid phase sample by allowing a predetermined amount of fresh water from the fresh water reservoir to flow into the second inner chamber via the fresh water inlet; in-situ analyze the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample in the second inner chamber with the at least one probe to obtain diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data; calculate nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample data based on the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data, and based on the predetermined amount of fresh water in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample; transmit the nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample data to an external multiphase flow meter.
In yet another embodiment, the sensing area of the at least one probe is at a distal end of the probe, and wherein the probe is oriented in the second inner chamber such that the sensing area is immersed in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample when the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample is contained in the second inner chamber. In yet another embodiment, the at least one probe includes an ion-selective electrode configured to in-situ measure one or more properties of the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample, the one or more properties selected from a group including: sodium concentration, chloride concentration, total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration, pH, conductivity, sulfate concentration, carbonate concentration, and nitrate concentration. In yet another embodiment, the at least one probe includes first, second, and third probes that are proximally disposed adjacent to each other such that each probe is oriented in the second inner chamber with the sensing area of the probe in a downward direction and immersed in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample when the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample is contained in the second inner chamber, and such that there exists an acute angle measured from the probe to a horizontal plane that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of gravity.
In yet another embodiment, the analytical cell further has a sample outlet on a bottom surface thereof, and the one or more processors are further configured to: drain the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample in the second inner chamber via the sample outlet after obtaining the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data; and rinse the second inner chamber and the sensing area of the at least one probe disposed in the second inner chamber with fresh water from the fresh water reservoir after draining the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample. In yet another embodiment, the predetermined amount of the aqueous liquid phase allowed to flow into the second inner chamber via the sample inlet as the aqueous liquid phase sample is substantially in the range of 50-60 milliliters.
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.
While certain embodiments will be described in connection with the illustrative embodiments shown herein, the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to those embodiments. On the contrary, all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents are included within the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter as defined by the claims. In the drawings, which are not to scale, the same reference numerals are used throughout the description and in the drawing figures for components and elements having the same structure.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the inventive concept. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described. Moreover, the language used in this disclosure has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter, resort to the claims being necessary to determine such inventive subject matter. Reference in this disclosure to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment” or “another embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, and multiple references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “another embodiment” should not be understood as necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
This disclosure pertains to a system for separating and in-situ analyzing a sample of an aqueous liquid phase (e.g., produced water) separated from a discrete sample of multiphase fluid (e.g., oil-water mixture) in a separation vessel and corresponding method. The separated produced water sample is analyzed in a water analysis unit that is built-in inside an inner chamber of the separation vessel where the discrete sample of multiphase fluid has been separated into liquid phases including the aqueous liquid phase and a nonpolar liquid phase (e.g., oil). Since the water analysis unit is built-in inside the inner chamber of the separation vessel, a separate analytical cell or vessel external to the separation vessel for analysis and measurement of the separated produced water sample is not required, thereby reducing costs.
The built-in water analysis unit includes (e.g., contains, is equipped with, is disposed with, is installed with) one or more ion-selective electrodes (e.g., probes, sensors) to measure one or more properties (e.g., geophysical properties, geochemical properties, and the like) of the separated produced water sample that is channeled from an inner chamber of the separation vessel to an inner space of the analytical cell. For example, the measured properties include pH, conductivity, salinity, chloride content, sodium content, total dissolved solids (TDS), and other ions. More specifically, the water analysis unit built-in inside the inner chamber of the separation vessel includes an analytical cell that defines an inner space where one or more miniaturized ion-selective electrodes (e.g., sensors, probes, and the like) are disposed in series to measure the various properties of the produced water sample. For example, the ion-selective electrodes disposed in series in the inner space of the analytical cell include a first electrode to measure sodium concentration (for salinity), a second electrode to measure conductivity, and a third electrode to measure TDS concentration, and the system is configured to automatically and simultaneously operate the three electrodes, so that the three electrodes work together to measure predetermined properties of produced water sample. Having the water analysis unit built-in inside the inner chamber of the separation vessel enables continuous, real-time measurement of the properties of the separated produced water sample, without having to transfer the separated produced water sample from the separation vessel to an external analytical cell, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
Having an accurate view of the hydrocarbons produced from a well (at a GOSP or well site) enables operators to make better decisions regarding the economic potential of the well, and of the oil field more generally. Advantageously, the method and system with the built-in water analysis unit disclosed here are capable of providing near-instantaneous, real-time water sample measurements for multiphase fluid samples obtained from a well(s) that, when utilized to control, optimize or calibrate a MPFM, enables production engineers to obtain an accurate view regarding the hydrocarbon production of the well(s). For example, a well or group of wells producing a significant water cut can be identified, and isolated if necessary, so that resources are conserved. Because the system and method disclosed herein can be automated, measurements can be carried out routinely in an unattended and uninterrupted manner with minimal labor costs and reduced potential for error. More specifically, data obtained using the system and method disclosed here can be used to calibrate, optimize, or control the MPFM, so that accurate flow rates of each phase of the multiphase fluid flowing out of the well(s) can be measured over time. The measured data may also be used to assess the remaining productivity of the producing well(s). The system and method disclosed here thus enable real-time, faster, and more accurate measurement of data that provides the information necessary for the control and optimization of the oil field or of the GOSPs output.
In operation, a control unit of the system is configured to control flow of a multiphase fluid sample into the separation vessel with the built-in water analysis unit. The control unit may control to separate liquid phases (e.g., oil and produced water) of the multiphase fluid sample in the separation vessel by adding a predetermined measured amount (and/or type) of demulsifier to the multiphase fluid sample in the separation vessel and operating a mixer to actively mix the demulsifier into the multiphase fluid sample. Still further, the control unit may be configured to cause a measured amount of the produced water separated from the multiphase fluid sample to be introduced (channeled) into the analytical cell of built-in water analysis unit from the inner chamber of the separation vessel for in-situ measurement. The control unit may be configured to dilute the measured amount of the separated produced water contained in the built-in analytical cell with a measured amount of fresh water, and in-situ measure the geophysical or geochemical properties of the diluted produced water sample using one or more miniaturized sensors or probes (e.g., ion-selective electrodes) disposed inside the built-in analytical cell. The system is thus configured to perform the separation, analysis and measurement operations, inside the separation vessel, without the need to convey the separated produced water sample out of the separation vessel for analysis and measurement. The control unit may further be configured to transmit data representing the measured properties of the separated produced water sample to an already existing MPFM associated with one or more wells from which the multiphase fluid sample was obtained to calibrate, control, or optimize the flow rate measurements for each phase by the MPFM. The MPFM may thus continuously, quickly and automatically be calibrated using multiphase fluid samples obtained in real-time to continuously and accurately calculate the flow rate of the oil flowing from the GOSP (or oil field) at any given time.
The system and method of the present disclosure is thus capable of automatically monitoring geophysical or geochemical properties of produced water by taking continuous readings of multiphase fluid samples from one or more wells at the GOSP or oil field. The system can easily take samples and then measure in-situ the properties of the separated produced water for each sample and feed the measurement directly into the MPFM. The separation vessel with the built-in water analysis unit can be installed proximal to the MPFM, and the control unit can automatically divert samples from the well to the separation vessel with the built-in water analysis unit to analyze in-situ the geochemical properties of the produced water sample, and the control unit can further automatically transmit the measurement data for each sample from the built-in water analysis unit to the MPFM. Since the measurement data is automatically fed to the MPFM, manual sample collection and manual data entry into the MPFM is not required, and real-time measurement and monitoring for one or more wells at the GOSP or at the oil field can be automatically performed without requiring constant human supervision or interruption.
Separation vessel 110 may be configured to receive and contain a multiphase fluid from a selected well or group of wells associated with system 100. The well(s) may belong to an oil field that is serviced by a GOSP to separate the multiphase fluid produced from the well(s) into constituent vapor and liquid components, and generate dry crude oil. As shown in
As shown in
Pump assembly 117 and inlet control valve 118 may be disposed (installed) on multiphase fluid coupling 116 to selectively start, stop, and control a flow rate of a stream of the multiphase fluid flowing through multiphase fluid coupling 116, based on control operations of control unit 180. Pump assembly 117 may be driven by one or more electric motors. Examples of electric motors used to drive pump assembly 117 include induction motors and/or permanent magnet motors. System 100 may further include one or more drives (e.g., variable frequency drives (VFDs); not shown) that monitor and control the electric motors, under control of control unit 180. The control drives, inlet control valve 118, and control unit 180 may together define a control system for automatically and selectively controlling (e.g., starting, stopping, changing flow rate, and the like) a flow of a measured amount of the multiphase fluid into separation vessel 110.
As shown in
Control unit 180 may be configured to control operations of pump assembly 117 and/or control valve 118 based on sensor data indicating the fill level of separation vessel 110 received from first and second level indicators 106 and 107. For example, in response to receiving sensor data from first level indicator 106 indicating that inner chamber 112 is full with the discrete sample (e.g., measured amount) of multiphase fluid, control unit 180 may be configured to control operations of pump assembly 117 and/or control valve 118 to stop further flow of the multiphase fluid from holding chamber 115 into separation vessel 110. Similarly, in response to receiving sensor data from second level indicator 107 indicating that inner chamber 112 of separation vessel 110 is empty, control unit 180 may be configured to control operations of pump assembly 117 and/or control valve 118 to start flow of the multiphase fluid from holding chamber 115 into separation vessel 110 to fill inner chamber 112 with a discrete sample of the multiphase fluid that needs to be analyzed. First and second level indicators 106 and 107 can be devices suitable for indicating the level of liquid held in the inner chamber of separation vessel 110, such as sensors, a window, a float, and the like. Although
The multiphase fluid, delivered via multiphase fluid coupling 116 to inner chamber 112, can be generally characterized as a fluid that includes a mixture of at least an aqueous liquid phase (e.g., produced water) and a nonpolar liquid phase (e.g., crude oil). Analyzing the discrete sample contained in separation vessel 110 allows greater control over the separation of aqueous liquid and nonpolar liquid phases than could be achieved using a continuous process. In some embodiments, the multiphase fluid can include aqueous liquid droplets dispersed in the nonpolar liquid phase, nonpolar liquid droplets dispersed in the aqueous liquid phase, or both. The multiphase fluid can include an emulsion of aqueous liquid droplets emulsified in the nonpolar liquid phase, nonpolar liquid phase droplets emulsified in the aqueous liquid phase, or both. The aqueous liquid phase can include produced water from a corresponding well or group of wells. The nonpolar liquid phase can include crude oil produced from a corresponding well or group of wells. The multiphase fluid can contain between about 5 and 95 vol % nonpolar liquid phase and between about 5 and 95 vol % aqueous liquid phase. If the multiphase fluid contains less than about 5 vol % aqueous liquid phase there may not be a sufficient amount of water in the discrete sample received and contained in inner chamber 112 to separate it out and carry out in-situ analysis of geophysical properties thereof in built-in water analysis unit 140. According to at least one embodiment, the multiphase fluid can have a volume ratio of nonpolar liquid phase to aqueous liquid phase that is between about 99:1 and 30:70, alternately between about 95:5 and 40:60. In one or more embodiments, the multiphase fluid includes a gas phase. The gas phase can include gases produced from a corresponding well or group of wells, such as hydrocarbons, carbon oxides, hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, and the like. The gas phase can be dissolved in the liquid phases of the multiphase fluid when it is introduced to separation vessel 110.
As explained previously, the multiphase fluid in separation vessel 110 can be a fluid obtained from a well or a group of wells. Alternately, the multiphase fluid in separation vessel 110 may be a multiphase fluid that has at least partially been treated upstream for separation of one or more of oil, water, and gas, after the extraction of the multiphase fluid from a well or a group of wells. For example, the multiphase fluid may be a multiphase fluid that has been processed at an upstream stage (upstream to separation vessel 110) to remove dissolved oil and/or gases. As inner chamber 112 is filled with the multiphase fluid, gases displaced by the multiphase fluid exit inner chamber 112 from gas outlet 113 to gas flow line 119. Gas flow line 119 can also be used to vent gases that come out of the multiphase fluid during or after filling separation vessel 110 and during the separation operation of the various liquid phases from the multiphase fluid filled in inner chamber 112. Gas flow meter 120 may be disposed on gas flow line 119 to measure the displaced or vented gas as it exits separation vessel 110. In some embodiments, control unit 180 may be communicatively coupled to flow meter 120 to obtain a measurement of gas exiting separation vessel.
As shown in
Pump assembly 127A, demulsifier control valve 127B, and additional sensors (e.g., flow meters; not shown) may be disposed on demulsifier coupling 126 to introduce the measured amount and the predetermined type of demulsifier from demulsifier source 125 into separation vessel 110, under control of control unit 180. Pump assembly 127A may be driven by one or more electric motors. System 100 may further include one or more drives (e.g., VFDs; not shown) that monitor and control the electric motors under control of control unit 180. The control drives of pump assembly 127A, demulsifier control valve 127B, flow sensors (not shown), and control unit 180 may together define a control system for automatically introducing a measured amount and a predetermined type of demulsifier from source 125 into separation vessel 110 based on characteristics of the discrete sample of multiphase fluid contained therein.
The introduced measured amount and type of demulsifier from source 125 may be mixed with the multiphase fluid in inner chamber 112 to obtain a demulsified multiphase fluid. In some embodiments, control unit 180 may be configured to mix the selected amount and type of demulsifier with the multiphase fluid before the mixture is introduced into inner chamber 112.
Alternately, control unit 180 may actively mix the demulsifier with the multiphase fluid using mixer 108.
The demulsifier can be any component, such as a surface-active agent, that facilitates the aggregation of dispersed droplets of the aqueous liquid phase or the nonpolar liquid phase. Control unit 180 may be configured to automatically select the type (and amount) of demulsifier based on the type of crude oil and the amount of produced water that is typically produced from the multiphase fluid inside separation vessel 110 where the demulsifier is to be added. Nonlimiting examples of suitable demulsifiers include: polyol block copolymers, alkoxylated alkyl phenol formaldehyde resins, epoxy resin alkoxylates, amine-initiated polyol block copolymers, modified silicone polyethers, silicone polyethers, or similar components, and combinations of the same. Such demulsifiers are available from The Dow Chemical Company, Inc. and Ecolab, Inc. The amount and/or type of demulsifier that control unit 180 is configured to use can be an amount and/or type sufficient to facilitate the aggregation of dispersed droplets of the aqueous liquid phase or nonpolar liquid phase such that the bulk aqueous liquid phase and nonpolar liquid phase are separated. However, excess demulsifier can slow separation of the multiphase fluid and produce very stable emulsions. According to at least one embodiment, the amount of demulsifier control unit 180 is configured to use can be enough to produce a concentration of between about 1 and 100 ppmv demulsifier, alternately between about 1 and 50 ppmv, alternately between about 1 and 25 ppmv, alternately between about 5 and 10 ppmv.
After adding the demulsifier into the discrete sample of multiphase fluid in inner chamber 112 and mixing the demulsified multiphase fluid with mixer 108, control unit 180 is configured to allow the demulsified multiphase fluid to settle inside separation vessel 110 for a predetermined period of time, or until a predetermined condition of the demulsified multiphase fluid is achieved as determined based on data from one or more sensors (not shown). For example, the period of time can be predetermined to be between 1 minute and 24 hours, preferably between about 20 minutes and 12 hours, more preferably between about 1 and 5 hours. Also, the predetermined period of time may depend on the measured amount and type of demulsifier mixed into the multiphase fluid, and/or on the characteristics of the discrete sample of multiphase fluid in vessel 110. As a non-limiting example, the period of time can be predetermined to be approximately 2 hours. In this case, control unit 180 may be configured so that after adding the demulsifier into the multiphase fluid in separation vessel 110, control unit 180 may turn on mixer 108 for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 5 minutes), and after passage of the predetermined amount of time, control unit 180 may control to turn off mixer 108, and allow the mixed demulsified multiphase fluid in separation vessel 110 to stabilize and settle for a predetermined period of time. For example, after turning off mixer 108, control unit 180 may start a timer and may determine that the demulsified multiphase fluid has adequately separated into constituent liquid phases including a separated nonpolar liquid phase and a separated aqueous liquid phase (i.e., separation operation complete) after the predetermined period of time has elapsed (e.g., after 2 hours).
In another embodiment, separation vessel 110 may be equipped with one or more sensors (not shown) that may be configured to detect sensor data, and control unit 180 may be configured to receive the sensor data and make a determination based on the sensor data as to whether the separation operation has completed.
As shown in
System 100 further includes fresh water reservoir (e.g., fresh water source) 135 which stores fresh water (e.g., deionized water). Fresh water reservoir 135 includes an outlet that is in fluid communication with fresh water inlet 128 of built-in analytical cell 141 via fresh water coupling 130. As shown in
As shown in
During operation, when control unit 180 determines (e.g., based on passage of the predetermined period of time, or based on sensor data) that the demulsified multiphase fluid in inner chamber 112 has adequately separated into liquid phases including the separate nonpolar liquid phase and the separate aqueous liquid phase (e.g., as shown in
Control unit 180 may be configured to control sample control valve 129, any pump associated with sample control valve 129, fresh water control valve 134, and pump assembly 131, such that the separated aqueous liquid phase sample from inner chamber 112 is conveyed to inner space 142 via sample coupling 132 separately from and/or concurrently with conveyance of the predetermined amount of fresh water from fresh water reservoir 135 to inner space 142 of analytical cell 141 via fresh water coupling 130. Further, although
Thus, control unit 180 may control sample control valve 129 to deliver the predetermined measured amount (i.e., mass, volume, or both) of the aqueous liquid phase as the aqueous liquid phase sample that is to be mixed with the fresh water prior to the in-situ analysis and measurement. For example, control unit 180 may utilize data from one or more sensors (e.g., flow meters; not shown) disposed on sample coupling 132 to deliver the aqueous liquid phase sample having the measured amount to inner space 142 of analytical cell 141. Similarly, control unit 180 may control fresh water control valve 134 and pump assembly 131 to deliver the predetermined measured amount (i.e., mass, volume, or both) of the fresh water as the predetermined amount of fresh water to dilute the aqueous liquid phase sample and generate the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample 105A. For example, control unit 180 may utilize data from one or more sensors (e.g., flow meters; not shown) disposed on fresh water coupling 130 to deliver the fresh water having the measured amount to inner space 142 of analytical cell 141. Mixing of the measured amounts of aqueous liquid phase and fresh water to generate the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample may occur inside, outside, or partially inside and partially outside inner space 142 of analytical cell 141.
As shown in
As shown in
The amount of fresh water used to dilute the aqueous liquid phase sample can be predetermined based on preset criteria (e.g., type of multiphase fluid from which the aqueous liquid phase has been separated, application requirements, sensing capacity of probes in water analysis unit 140, number of probes, fluid sample size contained in the analytical cell, and the like). For example, the ratio of fresh water to aqueous liquid phase in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample can be between about 50:1 and 1:1, preferably between about 30:1 and 1:1, more preferably between about 10:1 and 15:1. As a specific (non-limiting) example, the ratio of fresh water to aqueous liquid phase in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample that is contained in inner space 142 is 10:1.
Diluting the aqueous liquid phase sample with fresh water ensures that the capacity of each probe 160 for performing in-situ measurement is not overloaded, and increases the volume of the relatively small quantity of the aqueous liquid phase sample so that the sample can be analyzed by each probe 160 and adequately immerse each probe 160 disposed in series inside inner space 142. That is, the dilution step (e.g., diluting the produced water sample with a sample of fresh water by 10 times) enables application of multiple ion-selective electrodes for in-situ measurement of properties of the produced water sample in series inside inner space 142, while also ensuring that the measured properties remain within the specified operating range of ion-selective electrodes 160. This step can also reduce the corrosive potential of the aqueous liquid phase sample, allowing system 100 components to be manufactured from materials which might otherwise be unsuitable.
As explained previously, inner space 142 defined by built-in analytical cell 141 is in fluid communication with inner chamber 112 and fresh water reservoir 135 via sample inlet 132 and fresh water inlet 128, respectively. In
Further, in
Further, the number of probes 160 inside inner space 142 of built-in water analysis unit 140 is not intended to be limiting. As a non-limiting example,
As explained previously, sensor tip 170 of each electrode or probe 160 may be coated with an ion-exchange membrane to prevent accumulation of oil at or near the sensing area. Even when present in extremely limited quantities, oil in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample can foul sensing area 170 of probes 160 and cause inaccurate measurements. The membrane coating helps prevent the accumulation of oil droplets at or near sensing area 170. The ion-exchange membrane used for coating sensing area 170 may be a polar material directly applied to the surface of sensing area 170 of each electrode 160 to allow exchange of the produced water sample but prevent oil droplets from sticking to the sensing area surface of each electrode 160. The polar material of the ion-exchange membrane may be any material that is sufficiently permeable and suitable for coating sensing area 170 that is to be used in an aqueous environment, so as to allow the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample to contact the surface of sensing area 170 of each probe 160, while blocking any residual oil from contacting sensing area 170. For example, the polar material can include a polymer such as polyvinyl acetate, polyimide, polybenzimidazole, polyacrylonitrile, polyethersulfone, sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer, or similar materials, and combinations of the same.
During operation, control unit 180 controls components of system 100 consistent with the manner described above to introduce (channel, flow, convey) the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample in inner space 142 of built-in analytical cell 141 of water analysis unit 140 to fill analytical cell 141 (e.g., as shown in
For example, the preset period of time of the in-situ measurement operation can be predetermined to be between 30 seconds and 1 hour, preferably between about 1 minute and about 20 minutes, more preferably between about 3 minutes and 5 minutes. At the end of the preset period, control unit 180 may control to obtain measurement data from the one or more probes 160 and record the data in memory. Alternately, control unit 180 may be configured to detect when the measurement or output of the one or more probes 160 has adequately stabilized so as to determine that a steady reading from sensors 160 has been obtained. In this case, control unit 180 may be configured to maintain the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample in inner space 142 in contact with respective sensor tips 170 of the one or more probes 160 until the steady reading has been detected and recorded. Once control unit 180 detects the stable reading or once the preset period of time has elapsed, control unit 180 stores in memory, a set of measurement data corresponding to the output of the one or more probes 160 as diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data. Control unit 180 may record the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data in association with other relevant data such as data regarding the multiphase fluid in inner chamber 112 from which the aqueous liquid phase sample for in-situ measurement was drawn, demulsifier data, source well information, and the like.
Control unit 180 may further be configured to calculate approximate corresponding values from the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data for the nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample extracted from inner chamber 112 by adjusting the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data to account for the measured amount of dilution with fresh water from fresh water reservoir 135. That is, control unit 180 may be configured to calculate and record in memory, a set of measurement data corresponding to the nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample as the nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample data (i.e., aqueous liquid phase sample data), based on the recorded set of measurement data corresponding to diluted aqueous liquid phase sample, and based on data regarding the ratio of fresh water to aqueous liquid phase in the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample. Control unit 180 can also be configured to adjust the calculated nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample data to account for properties of the fresh water used for the dilution. For example, if the property to be approximated is the concentration of a solute, the processing unit 180 can be configured to adjust the calculated nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample data to account for a known preexisting concentration of the solute in the fresh water that is used to dilute the aqueous liquid phase sample.
As shown in
Further, as shown in
Further, as shown in
The above process of system 100 thus repeats with each new discrete sample of the multiphase fluid introduced into separation vessel 110 after in-situ analysis and measurement for a previous discrete sample of the multiphase fluid has been completed. The process can be automated by control unit 180 so that discrete samples of multiphase fluid in separation vessel 110 are continuously subject to in-situ analysis and measurement in real-time, sets of measurement data recorded in memory, and the data transmitted to MPFM 190 for calibrating, optimizing, or controlling accuracy of data output from MPFM 190 with minimal or no supervision. The automation allows direct feeding of data to the MPFM to streamline and expedite the process of well monitoring, while reducing error. The system 100 can thus be used to analyze discrete multiphase fluid samples from one or more wells, allowing less-productive wells to be identified and isolated.
Method 200 then proceeds to block 210 where control unit 180 controls pump assembly 127A and control valve 127B to introduce a predetermined measured amount and type of demulsifier from demulsifier source 125 into separation vessel 110. At block 210, control unit 180 is configured to determine the measured amount and type of demulsifier to be introduced into inner chamber 112 based on predetermined data representing the type of crude oil and the amount of produced water that is typically produced from the multiphase fluid inside separation vessel 110 filled at block 205. At block 215, control unit 180 controls mixer 108 to mix the demulsifier with the multiphase fluid inside inner chamber 112 (i.e., mixing operation). At block 215, control unit 180 may operate mixer 108 for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 minutes) after the demulsifier is added to the multiphase fluid in separation vessel 110 at block 210.
Method 200 then proceeds to block 220 where control unit 180 determines whether the discrete sample of multiphase fluid contained in inner chamber 112 has adequately separated into liquid phases including a separate aqueous liquid phase and a separate nonporous liquid phase. At block 220, control unit 180 may be configured to determine that adequate separation has been achieved (e.g., separation operation completed) based on passage of the predetermined period of time since completion of the mixing operation at block 215. For example, control unit 180 may determine that the separation operation has completed when approximately 2 hours have elapsed since completion of the mixing operation. Alternately, or in addition, control unit 180 at block 220 may be configured to determine that the separation operation has completed based on sensor data from one or more sensors (not shown; e.g., optical sensors, conductivity sensors, and the like) disposed in separation vessel 110 making such a determination.
In response to control unit 180 determining that the discrete sample in inner chamber 112 has adequately separated into liquid phases including the separate aqueous liquid phase and the separate nonporous liquid phase (YES at block 220; separation operation complete), method 200 proceeds to block 225 where control unit 180 controls pump assembly 131 and fresh water control valve 134 to introduce (e.g., channel, flow, convey) a measured amount of fresh water from fresh water reservoir 135 into inner space 142 inside inner chamber 112 of separation vessel 110, and further control sample control valve 129, and any associated pump, to introduce (e.g., channel, flow, convey) a measured amount (e.g., 50-60 milliliters) of the separated aqueous liquid phase (e.g., aqueous liquid phase sample) from inner chamber 112 into inner space 142, for in-situ analysis and measurement of the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample.
At block 225, control unit 180 may be configured draw the measured amount of the aqueous liquid phase as the nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample from inner chamber 112, and draw the measured amount of fresh water from fresh water reservoir 135, using one or more sensors (e.g., flow meters), so that the nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample and the fresh water are mixed at a predetermined ratio (e.g., 10:1) to generate the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample. As explained previously, the mixing and resultant generation of the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample may occur outside, inside, or partially inside and partially outside inner space 142 of analytical cell 141. For example, at block 225, control unit 180 may be configured so that first, the measured amount of fresh water is channeled into inner space 142, and second, the nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample is channeled into inner space 142, so that the mixing and resultant generation of the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample occurs inside inner space 142 of analytical cell 141.
Operations of block 225 are further illustrated by way of example with reference to
Method 200 then proceeds to block 230 where the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample 105A contained in inner space 142 of analytical cell 141 of water analysis unit 140 is in-situ analyzed with the at least one probe 160 to obtain diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data (e.g., set of measurement data corresponding to diluted aqueous liquid phase sample). At block 235, control unit 180 accounts for the dilution of the aqueous liquid phase sample by performing predetermined processing on the diluted aqueous liquid phase sample data to obtain nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample data (e.g., set of measurement data corresponding to nondiluted aqueous liquid phase sample).
Continuing with the above example of
At block 240, control unit 180 may transmit the (nondiluted) aqueous liquid phase sample data obtained at block 235 to MPFM 190 to calibrate, optimize, or control MPFM 190 so that MPFM 190 can detect flow rates of oil in the multiphase fluid passing therethrough more accurately. As a result of method 200, MPFM 190 is able to more accurately detect the constituent flow rates of various liquid phases (e.g., crude oil, produced water) of the multiphase fluid that was analyzed in-situ at block 230 and that is flowing through MPFM 190. Method 200 then proceeds to block 245 where control unit 180 operates control valve 192 and/or pump assembly (not shown in
Next, at block 255, control unit 180 controls drain control valve 196 to drain the fluid contained inside inner chamber 112 to drain equipment 195. Continuing with the above example of
Method 200 next proceeds to block 260 where control unit 180 determines (e.g., based on sensor data associated with holding chamber 115) whether multiphase fluid whose sample needs to be analyzed by built-in water analysis unit 140 is present in holding chamber 115. In response to determining that a multiphase fluid whose sample needs to be analyzed is present in holding chamber 115 (YES at block 260), method 200 proceeds to block 205, and the steps of method 200 are repeated to analyze the new discrete sample of multiphase fluid. On the other hand, in response to determining that a multiphase fluid whose sample needs to be analyzed is not present in holding chamber 115 (NO at block 260), method 200 waits until a new sample becomes available in holding chamber 115 for analysis. At block 220, in response to control unit 180 determining that the discrete sample in inner chamber 112 has not adequately separated into liquid phases including the separate aqueous liquid phase and the separate nonporous liquid phase (NO at block 220; separation operation not complete), method 200 waits until the separation operation has completed.
In this manner, multiple samples are continuously and automatically analyzed by the system and method, and corresponding measurement data recorded automatically. Further, by providing built-in water analysis unit 140 inside inner chamber 112 of separation vessel 110 for in-situ measurement of the aqueous liquid phase sample data, a separate external analytical chamber is not required, and the automated analysis and measurement of the data can be performed in-situ, without having to flow the separated aqueous liquid phase sample from the bottom of separation vessel 110 to an external analysis unit, thereby simplifying operation, increasing efficiency, and reducing cost. The in-situ measurement technique disclosed herein may further prevent contamination of the separated aqueous liquid phase sample that may otherwise happen in case the aqueous liquid phase sample is to be flown to external analytical chamber for analysis, thereby ensuring or increasing accuracy of the measured aqueous liquid phase sample data.
Processor 306 may be any suitable processor capable of executing program instructions. Processor 306 may include a central processing unit (CPU) that carries out program instructions (e.g., the program instructions of the program modules 312) to perform the arithmetical, logical, or input/output operations described. Processor 306 may include one or more processors. I/O interface 308 may provide an interface for communication with one or more I/O devices 314, such as a joystick, a computer mouse, a keyboard, or a display screen (for example, an electronic display for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI)). I/O devices 314 may include one or more of the user input devices. I/O devices 314 may be connected to I/O interface 308 by way of a wired connection (e.g., an Industrial Ethernet connection) or a wireless connection (e.g., a Wi-Fi connection). I/O interface 308 may provide an interface for communication with one or more external devices 316. In some embodiments, I/O interface 308 includes one or both of an antenna and a transceiver. In some embodiments, external devices 316 include any of the electronic components communicatively coupled to control unit 180 and that are described above in connection with
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the embodiments. It is to be understood that the forms of the embodiments shown and described herein are to be taken as examples of embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed or omitted, and certain features of the embodiments may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the embodiments. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described in the following claims. Headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description.
It will be appreciated that the processes and methods described herein are example embodiments of processes and methods that may be employed in accordance with the techniques described herein. The processes and methods may be modified to facilitate variations of their implementation and use. The order of the processes and methods and the operations provided may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, and so forth. Portions of the processes and methods may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Some or all of the portions of the processes and methods may be implemented by one or more of the processors/modules/applications described here.
As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (e.g., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (e.g., meaning must). The words “include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but not limited to. As used throughout this application, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” may include a combination of two or more elements. As used throughout this application, the term “or” is used in an inclusive sense, unless indicated otherwise. That is, a description of an element including A or B may refer to the element including one or both of A and B. As used throughout this application, the phrase “based on” does not limit the associated operation to being solely based on a particular item. Thus, for example, processing “based on” data A may include processing based at least in part on data A and based at least in part on data B, unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. As used throughout this application, the term “from” does not limit the associated operation to being directly from. Thus, for example, receiving an item “from” an entity may include receiving an item directly from the entity or indirectly from the entity (e.g., by way of an intermediary entity). Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the discussion, it is appreciated that throughout this specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or the like refer to actions or processes of a specific apparatus, such as a special purpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic processing/computing device. In the context of this specification, a special purpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic processing/computing device is capable of manipulating or transforming signals, typically represented as physical, electronic or magnetic quantities within memories, registers, or other information storage devices, transmission devices, or display devices of the special purpose computer or similar special purpose electronic processing/computing device.
At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations, and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of the embodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations may be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). The use of the term “about” means ±10% of the subsequent number, unless otherwise stated.
Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having may be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present disclosure.
While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.
In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise.
Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the subject matter of the present disclosure therefore should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”
