US20100312401A1 - Chemical Injection System - Google Patents
Chemical Injection System Download PDFInfo
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- US20100312401A1 US20100312401A1 US12/794,898 US79489810A US2010312401A1 US 20100312401 A1 US20100312401 A1 US 20100312401A1 US 79489810 A US79489810 A US 79489810A US 2010312401 A1 US2010312401 A1 US 2010312401A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D11/00—Control of flow ratio
- G05D11/02—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material
- G05D11/13—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
- E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
- E21B33/068—Well heads; Setting-up thereof having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B15/00—Systems controlled by a computer
- G05B15/02—Systems controlled by a computer electric
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D11/00—Control of flow ratio
- G05D11/02—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material
- G05D11/13—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means
- G05D11/131—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means by measuring the values related to the quantity of the individual components
- G05D11/132—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means by measuring the values related to the quantity of the individual components by controlling the flow of the individual components
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D7/00—Control of flow
- G05D7/06—Control of flow characterised by the use of electric means
- G05D7/0617—Control of flow characterised by the use of electric means specially adapted for fluid materials
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- Testing And Monitoring For Control Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A chemical injection system includes a pump in fluid communication with a chemical reservoir and a pipeline; a motor coupled to the pump and adapted to drive the pump to transfer a chemical fluid from the reservoir to the pipeline; a motor controller electrically coupled to a power module and the motor and adapted to adjust a rotational speed of the motor; and a central controller communicably coupled to the motor controller and a remote computing device. The controller includes a translator adapted to receive a signal from the remote computing device in a first communication protocol and translate the signal from the remote computing device to a command in a second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol, where the command is operable to adjust the motor controller to adjust the rotational speed of the motor.
Description
- This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/184,890, filed on Jun. 8, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- This disclosure relates to a chemical injection system and, more particularly, to a chemical injection system controlled through remote communications via one or more communication protocols.
- Conduit systems that carry and/or transport one or more fluids may utilize injection systems to insert other fluids (e.g., additives, inhibitors, or otherwise) into the conduit system. For example, hydrocarbon systems that transport hydrocarbon fluids, such as oil and/or gas or other fluids, often receive injected fluids in order to, for example, control corrosion within the conduit or pipeline; prevent paraffin deposition; and break emulsions in the transported hydrocarbon fluids. The injected fluids may also be used for water removal or separation from hydrocarbon gasses or liquids. In some instances, a chemical injector may be associated with a wellsite or other hydrocarbon production facility in order to inject chemical additives into a pipeline fluidly coupled at the wellsite with a wellbore producing hydrocarbons. The chemical injector may periodically inject a set amount of chemical additives into the pipeline at predetermined intervals in order to maintain a desired amount of such additives within the pipeline. In such instances, however, the chemical injector may simply inject the additives on a timer system without regard to certain variables such as, for example, the flow rate through the pipeline the amount (percentage concentration) of additives already within the transported hydrocarbon fluids in the pipeline, possible problems within the pipeline or production facility, and/or a desired or required increase in the set amount of additives injected into the pipeline. Further, the chemical injector may have no ability to communicate with other equipment and/or monitoring systems in order to take account of such variables. If communication is possible, however, equipment and/or monitoring systems communicably coupled with the chemical injector may not transmit data and/or instructions in a protocol readily understood by the chemical injector, or vice versa.
- In one general embodiment, a method for controlling a chemical injection system for a hydrocarbon transmission system includes providing a chemical injection system. The chemical injection system includes a pump driven by a motor and in fluid communication with a chemical reservoir and the hydrocarbon transmission system, where the pump is adapted to inject one or more chemical fluids into the hydrocarbon transmission system. The chemical injection system includes a motor controller coupled to the motor and adapted to control operation of the motor; and a controller communicably coupled to the motor controller. The method includes receiving an operational command at the chemical injection system in a first communication protocol from a remote computer; translating, at the controller, the operational command at the first communication protocol to an operational command at a second communication protocol different than the first communication protocol; transmitting the operational command at the second communication protocol from the controller to the motor controller; and adjusting the motor controller to control the operation of the motor in response to receiving the operational command at the second communication protocol from the controller.
- In another general embodiment, a chemical injection system for a hydrocarbon pipeline includes: a pump in fluid communication with a chemical reservoir and the pipeline; a motor coupled to the pump and adapted to drive the pump to transfer a chemical fluid from the reservoir to the pipeline; a motor controller electrically coupled to a power module and the motor and adapted to adjust a rotational speed of the motor; and a central controller communicably coupled to the motor controller and a remote computing device. The controller includes a translator adapted to receive a signal from the remote computing device in a first communication protocol and translate the signal from the remote computing device to a command in a second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol, where the command is operable to adjust the motor controller to adjust the rotational speed of the motor.
- In another general embodiment, a system includes: a remote computing system comprising a graphical user interface (GUI); a sensor coupled with a hydrocarbon transmission system; and a chemical injection system. The chemical injection system includes: a pump in fluid communication with a chemical reservoir and the hydrocarbon transmission system; a motor coupled to the pump and adapted to drive the pump to transfer a chemical fluid from the reservoir to the hydrocarbon transmission system; a power module adapted to receive solar power and convert the solar power to electrical power; a motor controller electrically coupled to the power module and the motor and adapted to adjust a rotational speed of the motor; and a central controller communicably coupled to the motor controller and communicably coupled to the remote computing system and the sensor. The controller includes a translator adapted to receive a signal from the remote computing system in a first communication protocol and translate the signal from the remote computing system to a command in a second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol, where the command operable to adjust the motor controller to adjust the rotational speed of the motor.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, a method may further include receiving a second operational command at the chemical injection system in a third communication protocol from the remote computer; translating, at the controller, the second operational command at the third communication protocol to second operational command at the second communication protocol different than the third communication protocol; transmitting the second operational command at the second communication protocol from the controller to the motor controller; and adjusting the motor controller to control the operation of the motor in response to receiving the second operational command at the second communication protocol from the controller.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, a method may further include monitoring at least one parameter of the hydrocarbon transmission system by the chemical injection system; transmitting the parameter to the remote computer; and receiving a fourth operational command at one of the first or third communication protocols from the remote computer in response to the parameter.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, the parameter may include one of the following: a fluidic pressure in the hydrocarbon transmission system; a fluidic flowrate in the hydrocarbon transmission system; a percentage concentration by weight or volume of chemical fluid in the hydrocarbon transmission system; an operational parameter of the motor; a controller temperature; a battery voltage; a motor current; a solar cell charge current; and one or more fault conditions.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, a method may further include measuring the parameter with a sensor positioned in the hydrocarbon transmission system; and wirelessly transmitting a signal representative of the parameter from the sensor to the chemical injection system.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, chemical additives may include at least one of: a corrosion inhibitor; a paraffin inhibiter; a demulsifier; an ethanol; and a foamer.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, receiving an operational command at the chemical injection system in a first communication protocol from a remote computer may include receiving an operational command at the chemical injection system in a first communication protocol from a remote computer via a radio frequency RF signal.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, a method may further include receiving a signal representative of a sensed parameter of the hydrocarbon transmission system in the second communication protocol; translating the parameter in the second communication protocol to a signal representative of the sensed parameter in the first communication protocol; and transmitting the signal representative of the sensed parameter in the first communication protocol to the remote computer.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, adjusting the motor controller to control the operation of the motor in response to receiving the operational command at the second communication protocol from the controller may include adjusting a rotational speed of the motor.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, a method may further include providing a sensor coupled to the hydrocarbon transmission system and adapted to monitor an operational parameter of the system; receiving a signal representative of the operational parameter at the controller from the sensor; and automatically adjusting the motor controller to adjust a rotational speed of the motor in response to receiving the signal representative of the operational parameter.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, a method may further include providing a second chemical injection system; receiving a third operational command at the second chemical injection system in the first communication protocol from the remote computer; translating, at the second controller, the third operational command at the first communication protocol to a third operational command at the second communication; transmitting the third operational command at the second communication protocol from the second controller to the second motor controller; and adjusting the second motor controller to control the operation of the second motor in response to receiving the third operational command at the second communication protocol from the second controller. The second chemical injection system may include: a second pump driven by a second motor and in fluid communication with the chemical reservoir and the hydrocarbon transmission system, where the second pump is adapted to inject one or more chemical fluids into the hydrocarbon transmission system; a second motor controller coupled to the second motor and adapted to control operation of the second motor; and a second controller communicably coupled to the second motor controller.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, the motor controller may include a variable frequency drive.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, the translator may be further adapted to receive a signal from the remote computing device in a third communication protocol and translate the signal from the remote computing device to a second command in the second communication protocol distinct from the third and the first communication protocols, where the second command is operable to adjust the motor controller to adjust the rotational speed of the motor.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, a system may further include a receiver communicably coupled to the central controller and adapted to receive the signal from the remote computing device, the signal comprising a radio frequency (RF) signal.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, the receiver maybe adapted to receive a second signal from a remote sensor coupled to the pipeline.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, the controller may be further adapted to receive the second signal from the remote sensor through the receiver and transmit the second signal to the remote computing device.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, the translator may be adapted to receive the second signal from the receiver, the second signal in the second communication protocol, and translate the second signal to a third signal in the first communication protocol.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, the second communication protocol may include a Modbus protocol.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, the GUI may be adapted to display one or more operational parameters of the chemical injection system.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, a system may further include a transceiver communicably coupled to the remote computing station through a communications network, the transceiver in RF communication with the chemical injection system.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, a system may further include one or more communication stations in RF communication with the chemical injection system and the transceiver, where each communication station is adapted to relay operational parameters of the chemical injection system in the form of RF signals between the transceiver and the chemical injection system.
- In one aspect of one or more general embodiments, a system may further include: a second sensor coupled with the hydrocarbon transmission system; and a second chemical injection system. The second chemical injection system may include a pump in fluid communication with the chemical reservoir and the hydrocarbon transmission system; a motor coupled to the pump and adapted to drive the pump to transfer the chemical fluid from the reservoir to the hydrocarbon transmission system; a power module; a motor controller electrically coupled to the power module and the second motor and adapted to adjust a rotational speed of the motor; and a central controller communicably coupled to the motor controller and to the remote computing system and the second sensor. The controller may include a translator adapted to receive a signal from the remote computing system in the first communication protocol and translate the signal from the remote computing system to a command in the second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol, where the command is operable to adjust the motor controller to adjust the rotational speed of the motor.
- One or more of the above-described embodiments, as well as other embodiments described herein, may include one or more of the following features. For example, a chemical injection system may be remotely controlled through wired or wireless communication. A chemical injection system may be able to receive data in the form of a particular communication protocol and translate such data into a separate and distinct protocol. A chemical injection system may be able to reduce waste of chemicals injected into a hydrocarbon pipeline upon loss of pipeline pressure due to breaks or leaks. A chemical injection system may include a stand-alone power generation module obviating the need for electrical power from a municipal, city, or state power grid. A hydrocarbon transmission system including one or more chemical injection systems may more efficiently inject chemical additives into the system by monitoring the amount of additives present in the system, thereby preventing waste. Further, a hydrocarbon transmission system including one or more chemical injection systems may account for relative distances between production sites and pipeline monitoring locations in order to efficiently inject chemical additives into the system without waste. Additionally, a hydrocarbon transmission system including one or more chemical injection systems may monitor the amounts of injected chemical remaining in one or more chemical fluid reservoirs in order to avoid such injection units running out of chemicals.
- These general and specific aspects may be implemented using a device, system or method, or any combinations of devices, systems, or methods. The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a chemical injection system in accordance with the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a hydrocarbon production system utilizing one or more chemical injection systems in accordance with the present disclosure; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic drawing of an example system for managing one or more chemical injection systems in accordance with the present disclosure; and -
FIGS. 4A-D illustrate example graphical user interfaces (GUI) for use in a system for managing one or more chemical injection systems in accordance with the present disclosure. - In one embodiment, a chemical injection system for a hydrocarbon transmission system includes a pumping system adapted to inject a specified amount of chemical additive into the transmission system; and a controller communicably coupled to the pumping system and adapted to receive one or more operational parameters of the transmission system and transmit a command to the pumping system based on the one or more operational parameters, where the pumping system injects the specified amount in response to the command.
- In another embodiment, a chemical injection system for a hydrocarbon transmission system includes a pumping system adapted to inject a specified amount of chemical additive into the transmission system; and a controller communicably coupled to the pumping system and adapted to receive one or more operational parameters of the transmission system in a first communication protocol and transmit a command to the pumping system based on the one or more operational parameters, where the pumping system injects the specified amount in response to the command. The command is in a second communication protocol distinct from the first protocol.
- In another embodiment, a chemical injection system for a hydrocarbon transmission system includes a pumping system adapted to inject a specified amount of chemical additive into the transmission system; and a controller communicably coupled to the pumping system and a remote data source. The controller is adapted to receive one or more operational parameters of the transmission system from the remote data source and transmit a command to the pumping system based on the one or more operational parameters, where the pumping system injects the specified amount in response to the command.
- In another embodiment, a hydrocarbon transmission system includes a pipeline adapted to enclose a fluid transmitted from a plurality of hydrocarbon production sites to a processing site and a plurality of chemical injection systems. Each injection system includes a pumping system adapted to inject a specified amount of chemical additive into the pipeline; and a controller communicably coupled to the pumping system and adapted to receive one or more operational parameters of the pipeline and transmit a command to the pumping system based on the one or more operational parameters, where the pumping system injects the specified amount in response to the command. The hydrocarbon transmission system further includes a data capture apparatus remote from the plurality of chemical injection systems and coupled to the pipeline, the data capture apparatus adapted to detect the one or more operational parameters and transmit the parameters to at least one of the plurality of chemical injection systems, where the one or more operational parameters include a distance between the data capture apparatus and the plurality of chemical injection systems.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of achemical injection system 100 in accordance with the present disclosure.Chemical injection system 100, typically, includes apump 105 mechanically coupled to a driver, such as amotor 110; amotor controller 115; acontroller 130, and achemical reservoir 165. In some embodiments, thecontroller 130 may be a single unit integrating a motor-controller, controller, and a data acquisition module. Alternatively, at least one of the data acquisition module (not shown) and motor-controller may be separate from thecontroller 130. In one preferred embodiment, thechemical injection system 100 may be utilized in a hydrocarbon production system, such as, for example, a field or area having one or more hydrocarbon (e.g., oil, natural gas) production sites.Chemical injection system 100 may be used in such embodiments to inject or otherwise introduce chemicals (e.g., corrosion inhibitors, ethanol, foamer, paraffin inhibiter, demulsifier, or other chemical) into a hydrocarbon conduit, such as apipeline 120 or wellbore. In some embodiments, for example, an appropriate amount of chemicals, such as a predetermined volumetric amount, an amount per unit volume of fluid flowing through a pipeline, or an amount sufficient to keep a measured pipeline parameter within in a particular range, may be injected into thepipeline 120 or other hydrocarbon transmission apparatus. -
Pump 105 is fluidly coupled to thepipeline 120 and thereservoir 165 and, generally, draws a specified amount of chemical stored in thereservoir 165 and injects the chemical into thepipeline 120 at predefined time intervals, predetermined operating conditions, and/or when commanded. Pump 105 may be any appropriate fluid displacement device, such as, for example, a centrifugal pump, diaphragm pump, or other rotary fluid displacement apparatus, or a positive displacement (e.g., piston or plunger) pump, such as a reciprocating pump. In any event, reference to thepump 105 includes all fluid displacement apparatus operable to receive a fluid at an inlet and impart mechanical energy to the fluid for transporting the fluid through an outlet. In the illustrated embodiment, pump 105 receives chemicals from thereservoir 165 and introduces the chemical into thepipeline 120; alternatively, chemicals may be received at thepump 105 through a separate pipeline or conduit, as appropriate. - In some embodiments, pump 105 may be constructed with particular materials in order to prevent corrosion or deterioration due to the flow of chemical fluid through the
pump 105. For instance, one or more components ofpump 105 may be constructed of stainless steel (e.g., 316), titanium, or any other non-corrosive material, as appropriate. -
Motor 110 is mechanically coupled to thepump 105 and provides power to thepump 105 for fluid displacement. In some embodiments, themotor 110 includes a weatherproof enclosure or design, and is adapted to function in environmentally extreme (e.g., snow, rain, heat) and hazardous conditions. For example,motor 110 may be a totally-enclosed fan cooled (TEFC), totally-enclosed air over (TEAO), hazardous duty, and/or explosion proof motor. In any event,motor 110 may include the appropriate NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) rating for operating requirements in an outdoor, hydrocarbon production area. -
Motor controller 115 is electrically coupled to themotor 110 and, typically, controls the supply of phased power (e.g., 120/3/60, 460/3/60, 208/3/60, 240/1/60, 50 Hertz, DC: 12/24/48/96/single or three phase/brushed or brushless) to themotor 110.Motor controller 115 receives electrical power, in some embodiments, from an area power supply, such as a municipal or state power grid, through thepower supply 125. Alternatively, or in addition, themotor controller 115 may receive electrical power through the power supply from apower module 135, which may be enclosed in, integral with, or separate from thecontroller 130. For instance, in some embodiments, thepower module 135 may be a solar power module, operable to convert solar energy to electrical power. Other forms of power generation (e.g., wind, natural gas, hydroelectric, etc.) may also be used, as appropriate.Power module 135 may also be a battery, such as a lithium, zinc-carbon, gel cell, full cell, or alkaline cell battery, as appropriate. In one preferred embodiment, thepower module 135 may be the primary source of electrical power to the motor controller 115 (and thus motor 110), with the power grid as a secondary power source should there be problems or a failure of thepower module 135. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the power grid may be the primary source of electrical power to themotor controller 115 with thepower module 135 serving as the secondary source of electrical power. Further, in some embodiments, thepower module 135 could be a combined solar module and battery. -
Motor controller 115 is electrically coupled to themotor 110 and, typically, provides and controls electrical power to themotor 110 for operation of thepump 105. In some embodiments,motor controller 110 may be a combination starter/disconnect, which provides “on-off” control of electrical power to themotor 110. In such embodiments, themotor 110 may be operated as a constant (or single) speed motor. Alternatively, themotor controller 115 may also be a variable frequency controller, operable to provide electrical power tomotor 110 at a variety of frequencies (and thus rotational motor speeds) as system operating conditions warrant. As with themotor 110,motor controller 115 may be enclosed or otherwise protected against environmental and/or hazardous operating conditions. -
Controller 130 is communicably coupled to themotor controller 115 and, typically, provides microprocessor-based control of themotor controller 115 and thus motor 110 and pump 105. Thecontroller 130 includes acommunication module 140, atranslation module 145, motor driver, data acquisition, data storage, and aprocessor 150. As illustrated inFIG. 1 , these components may be enclosed or integrated withcontroller 130. Alternatively, one or more of thecommunication module 140,translation module 145,processor 150, and also thepower module 135 may be in separate enclosures but communicably coupled in between. Generally,controller 130 receives inputs and/or instructions and commands from a remote source and, according to the commands, controls the operation and/or speed of themotor 110 and pump 105 to inject chemicals into thepipeline 120. Alternatively, thecontroller 130 may be a stand alone controller with preset programs and schedules to execute. For example, thecontroller 130 may receive data representative of pipeline conditions, such as line pressure, amount of chemicals present in thepipeline 120, and motor operating conditions, and in turn, control thepump 105 to inject more or less chemicals into thepipeline 120. - The
controller 130, in some preferred embodiments, may include a combination of software, middleware, and hardware configured as thecommunication module 140,translation module 145, andprocessor 150.Controller 130 may further include one or more memory devices (not shown) located therein or communicably coupled to thecontroller 130. In some embodiments, for example, such memory may be any database module and may take the form of volatile or non-volatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component. The memory may also include any other appropriate data such as data classes or object interfaces, and software sub-applications or sub-systems. - In certain embodiments, for example, the
controller 130 may store in memory and execute one or more software applications written or described in any appropriate computer language including C, C++, Java, Visual Basic, assembler, Perl, any suitable version of 4GL, as well as others. Such applications may be executed by theprocessor 150 located within or communicably coupled to thecontroller 130.Processor 150 executes instructions and manipulates data to perform the operations of thecontroller 130. Theprocessor 150 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a blade, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Although the present disclosure contemplates asingle processor 150 incontroller 130, multiple processors may be used according to particular needs, and reference to asingle processor 150 is meant to include multiple processors where applicable. - In some embodiments, the
controller 130 is communicably coupled to acommunication bus 155 at thecommunication module 140. Thecommunication bus 140, generally, is a wired communication connection operable to carry data between the communication module and a remote source, such as one or more electronic sensors monitoring thepipeline 120, themotor 110, thepump 105, or other component or apparatus. In any event,communication bus 155 is a non-limiting example of wired communications between thesystem 100 and a remote data source. - Alternatively or in addition to the
communication bus 155,system 100 may include awireless antenna 160 operable to facilitate electronic communication between thecontroller 130 and a remote source.Wireless antenna 160 may communicate through any appropriate wireless technique, such as, for example, radio frequency (RF), WiFi, microwave, and any appropriate IEEE standard technique. In one embodiment, for example, wireless sensors may detect various operational parameters of thepipeline 120, such as line pressure and/or chemical concentrate, and transmit such data to thecontroller 130 via thewireless antenna 160. - The
communication module 140 receives and/or transmits data between a remote source via one or both of thecommunication bus 155 andwireless antenna 160. In some embodiments, only one of thebus 155 andantenna 160 is utilized in thesystem 100. For example, thecommunication module 140 may be a wireless modem operable to receive and transmit electronic data and signals from and to the remote source through thewireless antenna 160. -
Translation module 145 is communicably coupled to thecommunication module 140 and theprocessor 150. Typically,translation module 145 receives data communicated in a particular communication protocol to thesystem 100 via thecommunication bus 155 and/orwireless antenna 160 and, when necessary, translates such data to a secondary communication protocol understood by themotor controller 115 or other components of thesystem 100. For instance, data may be sent to thecontroller 130 in many different protocols, such as RS-232, RS-485 (Modbus or EIA-485), RS-422 (or EIA-422), TCP/IP, Fieldbus, DeviceNet, and Profibus, to name but a few. Themotor controller 115 may be configured to receive data in only one, or just a few, protocols (e.g., a version of the Modbus serial communication protocol, such as Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus TCP, Modbus over TCP/IP, Modbus over TCP, and/or Modbus Plus). Thus, thetranslation module 145 allows a remote source of data to be transmitted to thecontrol 130 in a remote protocol without regard to the particular protocol understood by themotor controller 115. - Further, in some embodiments, the
translation module 145 may allow a user or operator to connect to thecontroller 130 and receive feedback data (e.g., operational data of themotor 110, pump 105, or any other component of the system 100) without regard to a particular protocol understood by the user's device (i.e., computer, laptop, PDA, cell phone). In other words, thetranslation module 145 may perform two-way protocol translation between thesystem 100 and the user or operator. In such fashion, the user or operator may seamlessly communicate with thesystem 100 without any additional action required on the user's part. -
Processor 150 performs any logical operation necessary for controlling, operating, or otherwise managing thesystem 100, and in particular, themotor controller 115 and thus motor 110 and pump 105. For instance, theprocessor 150 may receive one or more data signals representative of, for example, pipeline fluid line pressure, pipeline fluid flowrate, pipeline chemical percentage concentrate by volume or by weight, motor operating parameter (e.g., amp draw, voltage, winding temperature) and transmit commands to themotor controller 115 based on such data. As one specific example, a wireless pressure sensor may be installed at a particular location in thepipeline 120. The sensor may periodically transmit the sensed line pressure to thecontroller 130 via thewireless antenna 160. When such sensed pressure falls below a minimum threshold, such as when a pipeline break occurs, theprocessor 150 may command themotor controller 115 to stop or reduce the speed of themotor 110 and pump 105 so that additional chemicals are not injected into thepipeline 120 and wasted. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of ahydrocarbon production system 200 utilizing one or morechemical injection systems 210 in accordance with the present disclosure. In some embodiments, for instance, the one or morechemical injection systems 210 may be substantially similar tochemical injection system 100.System 200 includes one or morehydrocarbon production sites 215, each of which is fluidly coupled to apipeline 205. At one or more of thesites 215, achemical injection system 210 is also in fluid communication with thepipeline 205 and operates in accordance with thechemical injection system 100 described above. At a main (or side) branch of thepipeline 205, amonitoring module 225 detects one or more operational parameters of the hydrocarbon stream within thepipeline 205. Thesystem 200 also includes aremote control center 220. As illustrated inFIG. 2 , thechemical injection systems 210,monitoring module 225, andremote control center 220 may all be in wireless communication. Further, although a particular number ofsites 215,injection systems 210,monitoring module 225, andcontrol center 220 are shown, more or less of each component, as appropriate, may be utilized in keeping with the present disclosure. - In some embodiments, the
production system 200 may operate as follows.Monitoring module 225 may include a number of wireless sensor devices operable to detect one or more operational parameters of the hydrocarbon stream within thepipeline 205. For instance, themodule 225 may detect the relative amount of chemical additives injected into thepipeline 205 by the one or morechemical injection systems 210. Such data may be wirelessly transmitted directly to eachchemical injection system 210 and/or theremote control center 220. In some embodiments, the data is communicated to theremote control center 220, where it is then processed. Theremote control center 220 may then wirelessly issue commands to one or more of thechemical injection systems 210. Such commands may include a command to stop injecting chemical additive into thepipeline 205 and/or a command to inject a specified amount of chemical additive into thepipeline 205. Thus, in some embodiments, some or all of the processing of data and command generation may occur at theremote control center 220 rather than each individualchemical injection system 210. In certain embodiments, theremote control center 220 may control one or morechemical injection systems 210 without regard to data received from themonitoring module 225. For instance, theremote control center 220 may issue commands to thechemical injection systems 210 to inject the chemical additives into thepipeline 205 at set intervals. Alternatively, theremote control center 220 may merely monitor and/or store data wirelessly communicated directly to thechemical injection systems 210 from themonitoring module 225. Upon receipt of such data, thechemical injection systems 210 may process the data and inject more or less chemical additive into thepipeline 205, as appropriate (as described above with reference toFIG. 1 ). - Further, in some embodiments, the
remote control center 220 and/or thechemical injection systems 210 may account for the length ofpipeline 205 between a particularchemical injection system 210 and themonitoring module 225. For instance, particularchemical injection systems 210 that are further away from themonitoring module 225 may inject more chemical additive into thepipeline 205 as compared tochemical injection systems 210 that are closer to themonitoring module 225. This may, in some embodiments, help ensure that the amount of chemical additive in thepipeline 205 is uniformly consistent. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic drawing of an example system 300 for managing one or morechemical injection systems 310. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 300 includes acomputer 305 displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) 315, one or more remotechemical injection systems 310, and abase transceiver 325. Generally, system 300 may be used to detect one or more operational parameters of a hydrocarbon stream within a pipeline (such as pipeline 205) and inject chemicals (e.g., corrosion inhibitors, ethanol, foamer) into the pipeline in response to or independent of the detected operational parameters. In addition, the system 300 may all for microprocessor-based remote monitoring and control of the one or morechemical injection systems 310 regardless of a communication protocol utilized by thechemical injection systems 310, thebase transceiver 325, and/or the computer 305 (as well as other equipment present in system 300 but not illustrated inFIG. 3 ). -
Computer 305 may be a standalone computing device, such as a laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld electronic mail device, desktop computer, server, or other computing device. Although illustrated as a laptop computer, reference to thecomputer 305 includes any processor-based computing device that is operable to manipulate, display, receive, and/or transmit data, such as data associated with a wellsite, hydrocarbon piping system, or other hydrocarbon production facility. For example,computer 305 may include a combination of software, middleware, and hardware, including one or more memory devices (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component).Computer 305 may store in memory and execute one or more software applications written or described in any appropriate computer language including C, C++, Java, Visual Basic, assembler, Perl, any suitable version of 4GL, as well as others, in order to manipulate, display, receive, and/or transmit data. - In some embodiments, the
computer 305 may be located at a remote monitoring station, such as thestation 320.Further computer 305 may be one of several computers at the remote monitoring station, where eachcomputer 305 may monitor, receive data from, and/or generate commands transmitted to a singlechemical injection system 310 or multiplechemical injection systems 310. - Each
chemical injection system 310 may be positioned at or near a wellsite and/or a pipeline transporting hydrocarbon fluid. In some embodiments, thechemical injection system 310 may be substantially similar tochemical injection system 210 and/orchemical injection system 100 described above. For example, eachchemical injection system 310 may include a pump mechanically coupled to a motor, a motor controller, a processor-based controller, and a chemical reservoir.Chemical injection system 310 may be used in such embodiments to inject or otherwise introduce chemicals (e.g., corrosion inhibitors, ethanol, foamer) into a hydrocarbon conduit. The pump is fluidly coupled to hydrocarbon conduit and the reservoir and draws a specified amount of chemical stored in the reservoir and injects the chemical into the conduit at predefined time intervals, predetermined operating conditions, and/or when commanded. The pump is coupled to a motor, which is electrically coupled to the motor controller. The motor controller receives electrical power (such as, for example, from a solar power module at thechemical injection system 310, as illustrated) and provides the power to the motor. In some embodiments, the motor controller may be a combination starter/disconnect, which provides “on-off” control of electrical power to the pump motor, while in such embodiments, the motor controller may be a variable frequency controller, operable to provide electrical power to the pump motor at a variety of frequencies (and thus rotational motor speeds) as system operating conditions warrant. In some embodiments, the controller may communicate to the motor controller in only one, or just a few, communication protocols (e.g., Modbus). - The controller is communicably coupled to the motor controller and, typically, provides microprocessor-based control of the motor controller and thus motor and pump of
chemical injection system 310. In some embodiments, the controller is communicably coupled (e.g., wirelessly, via wired communication, or a combination thereof) to one ormore communication stations 320. For example, in some embodiments, data may be transmitted between thecommunication station 320 and thechemical injection system 310 via a particular communication protocol (e.g., RS-232, RS-485 (Modbus or EIA-485), RS-422 (or EIA-422), TCP/IP, Fieldbus, DeviceNet, and Profibus, to name but a few) and over a certain communication form (e.g., cellular, RF, satellite, or other type of communication form). One or moreadditional communication stations 320 may be interposed between the communication station in direct communication with thechemical injection system 310 and abase transceiver 325. For example, thecommunication stations 320 may be radio frequency (RF) transceivers that are operable to send and receiveRF signals 335 representative of data and/or commands between thechemical injection systems 310 and thebase transceiver 325. - The
base transceiver 325 receives and/or consolidates data received from thechemical injection systems 310 via thecommunication stations 320. Thebase transceiver 325 may also receive and/or consolidate commands to thechemical injection systems 310 from the computer 305 (or other computing device). In the illustrated embodiment, thebase transceiver 325 may communicate with thecomputer 305 over acommunications network 330. For example, thecommunications network 330 may be all or a portion of an enterprise or secured network; a VPN merely betweencomputer 305 and other computing devices communicably coupled to thebase transceiver 325; one or more local area networks (LANs), radio access networks (RANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), all or a portion of the global computer network known as the Internet; and/or any other communication system or systems at one or more locations. - The
GUI 315, in the illustrated embodiment, displays one or more variables or data for monitoring, managing, or otherwise controlling thechemical injection systems 310. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, theGUI 315 may display a level of a chemical reservoir at thechemical injection system 310; power capacity and/or availability of a pump motor at thechemical injection system 310; one or more pump or pump motor characteristics (e.g., amps, current status, pressure, as well as other parameters). TheGUI 315 may also display other information in the illustrated format or in different formats. - In operation, a user or operator may utilize the
GUI 315 to control one or more components of thechemical injection system 310 based on data received from thesystem 310 and displayed on theGUI 315. For example, eachchemical injection system 310 may include a number of wireless sensor devices operable to detect one or more operational parameters of the hydrocarbon stream within the pipeline. For instance, thesystem 310 may detect the relative amount of chemical additives injected into the pipeline. In some embodiments, the data is communicated to thecomputer 305 via thecommunication stations 320,base transceiver 325, andcommunications network 330, where it is then processed. Thecomputer 305 and/or a user operating thecomputer 305 may then issue commands to one or more of thechemical injection systems 310. Such commands may include a command to stop injecting chemical additive into the pipeline and/or a command to inject a specified amount of chemical additive into the pipeline. - Turning to
FIGS. 4A-D ,other example GUIs GUIs computer 305 in place of or in addition toGUI 315. Further,GUIs chemical injection system 310. For example,GUI 400 provides information related to temperature of fluid flowing through the pipeline and/or from chemical reservoir; flow rate of fluid flowing through the pipeline and/or from chemical reservoir; fluidic pressure of fluid flowing through the pipeline and/or from chemical reservoir; fluidic storage level of the chemical reservoir; a corrosion rate of the pipeline or other hydrocarbon transmission system; and a percentage water content of fluid flowing through the pipeline.GUI 410 provides information related to battery characteristics of thechemical injection system 310, as well as characteristics of the pipeline and/or other hydrocarbon transmission system.GUI 420 provides information related to motor characteristics of a motor in thechemical injection system 310.GUI 430 provides information related to additional operational characteristics of a pump and/or motor in thechemical injection system 310, as well as example fault information of thechemical injection system 310. - Returning to
FIG. 3 , in certain embodiments, thecomputer 305 may control one or morechemical injection systems 310 without regard to data received from the systems 310 (or other monitoring systems). For instance, thecomputer 305 may issue commands to thechemical injection systems 310 to inject the chemical additives into the pipeline at set intervals. Alternatively, thecomputer 305 may merely monitor and/or store data wirelessly communicated directly to thechemical injection systems 310. Upon receipt of such data, thechemical injection systems 310 may process the data and inject more or less chemical additive into the pipeline. - A number of embodiments have been described, and several others have been mentioned or suggested. Other embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure and claims. Some of the advantages of the chemical injection systems described herein have been discussed throughout this disclosure. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will readily recognize additional advantages that a variety of additions, deletions, alterations, and substitutions may be made to these embodiments.
Claims (25)
1. A method for controlling a chemical injection system for a hydrocarbon transmission system comprising:
providing a chemical injection system comprising:
a pump driven by a motor and in fluid communication with a chemical reservoir and the hydrocarbon transmission system, the pump adapted to inject one or more chemical fluids into the hydrocarbon transmission system;
a motor controller coupled to the motor and adapted to control operation of the motor; and
a controller communicably coupled to the motor controller;
receiving an operational command at the chemical injection system in a first communication protocol from a remote computer;
translating, at the controller, the operational command at the first communication protocol to an operational command at a second communication protocol different than the first communication protocol;
transmitting the operational command at the second communication protocol from the controller to the motor controller; and
adjusting the motor controller to control the operation of the motor in response to receiving the operational command at the second communication protocol from the controller.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a second operational command at the chemical injection system in a third communication protocol from the remote computer;
translating, at the controller, the second operational command at the third communication protocol to second operational command at the second communication protocol different than the third communication protocol;
transmitting the second operational command at the second communication protocol from the controller to the motor controller; and
adjusting the motor controller to control the operation of the motor in response to receiving the second operational command at the second communication protocol from the controller.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
monitoring at least one parameter of the hydrocarbon transmission system by the chemical injection system;
transmitting the parameter to the remote computer; and
receiving a fourth operational command at one of the first or third communication protocols from the remote computer in response to the parameter.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the parameter comprises one of the following:
a fluidic pressure in the hydrocarbon transmission system;
a fluidic flowrate in the hydrocarbon transmission system;
a percentage concentration by weight or volume of chemical fluid in the hydrocarbon transmission system;
an operational parameter of the motor;
a controller temperature;
a battery voltage;
a motor current;
a solar cell charge current; and
one or more fault conditions.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
measuring the parameter with a sensor positioned in the hydrocarbon transmission system; and
wirelessly transmitting a signal representative of the parameter from the sensor to the chemical injection system.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chemical fluids comprise at least one of:
a corrosion inhibitor;
a paraffin inhibiter;
a demulsifier;
an ethanol; and
a foamer.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving an operational command at the chemical injection system in a first communication protocol from a remote computer comprises receiving an operational command at the chemical injection system in a first communication protocol from a remote computer via a radio frequency RF signal.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a signal representative of a sensed parameter of the hydrocarbon transmission system in the second communication protocol;
translating the parameter in the second communication protocol to a signal representative of the sensed parameter in the first communication protocol; and
transmitting the signal representative of the sensed parameter in the first communication protocol to the remote computer.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the motor controller to control the operation of the motor in response to receiving the operational command at the second communication protocol from the controller comprises adjusting a rotational speed of the motor.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing a sensor coupled to the hydrocarbon transmission system and adapted to monitor an operational parameter of the system;
receiving a signal representative of the operational parameter at the controller from the sensor; and
automatically adjusting the motor controller to adjust a rotational speed of the motor in response to receiving the signal representative of the operational parameter.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing a second chemical injection system comprising:
a second pump driven by a second motor and in fluid communication with the chemical reservoir and the hydrocarbon transmission system, the second pump adapted to inject one or more chemical fluids into the hydrocarbon transmission system;
a second motor controller coupled to the second motor and adapted to control operation of the second motor; and
a second controller communicably coupled to the second motor controller;
receiving a third operational command at the second chemical injection system in the first communication protocol from the remote computer;
translating, at the second controller, the third operational command at the first communication protocol to a third operational command at the second communication;
transmitting the third operational command at the second communication protocol from the second controller to the second motor controller; and
adjusting the second motor controller to control the operation of the second motor in response to receiving the third operational command at the second communication protocol from the second controller.
12. A chemical injection system for a hydrocarbon pipeline comprising:
a pump in fluid communication with a chemical reservoir and the pipeline;
a motor coupled to the pump and adapted to drive the pump to transfer a chemical fluid from the reservoir to the pipeline;
a motor controller electrically coupled to a power module and the motor, the motor controller adapted to adjust a rotational speed of the motor; and
a central controller communicably coupled to the motor controller and a remote computing device, the controller comprising a translator adapted to receive a signal from the remote computing device in a first communication protocol and translate the signal from the remote computing device to a command in a second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol, the command operable to adjust the motor controller to adjust the rotational speed of the motor.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the motor controller comprises a variable frequency drive.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the translator is further adapted to receive a signal from the remote computing device in a third communication protocol and translate the signal from the remote computing device to a second command in the second communication protocol distinct from the third and the first communication protocols, the second command operable to adjust the motor controller to adjust the rotational speed of the motor.
15. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a receiver communicably coupled to the central controller and adapted to receive the signal from the remote computing device, the signal comprising a radio frequency (RF) signal.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the receiver is adapted to receive a second signal from a remote sensor coupled to the pipeline.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the controller is further adapted to receive the second signal from the remote sensor through the receiver and transmit the second signal to the remote computing device.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the translator is adapted to receive the second signal from the receiver, the second signal in the second communication protocol, and translate the second signal to a third signal in the first communication protocol.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the second signal comprises one of:
a fluidic pressure in the pipeline;
a fluidic flowrate in the pipeline;
a percentage concentration by weight or volume of chemical fluid in the pipeline; and
an operational parameter of the motor.
20. The system of claim 12 , wherein the second communication protocol comprises a Modbus protocol.
21. A system comprising:
a remote computing system comprising a graphical user interface (GUI);
a sensor coupled with a hydrocarbon transmission system; and
a chemical injection system, comprising:
a pump in fluid communication with a chemical reservoir and the hydrocarbon transmission system;
a motor coupled to the pump and adapted to drive the pump to transfer a chemical fluid from the reservoir to the hydrocarbon transmission system;
a power module adapted to receive solar power and convert the solar power to electrical power;
a motor controller electrically coupled to the power module and the motor, the motor controller adapted to adjust a rotational speed of the motor; and
a central controller communicably coupled to the motor controller, the central controller communicably coupled to the remote computing system and the sensor, the controller comprising a translator adapted to receive a signal from the remote computing system in a first communication protocol and translate the signal from the remote computing system to a command in a second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol, the command operable to adjust the motor controller to adjust the rotational speed of the motor.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the GUI is adapted to display one or more operational parameters of the chemical injection system.
23. The system of claim 21 , further comprising a transceiver communicably coupled to the remote computing station through a communications network, the transceiver in RF communication with the chemical injection system.
24. The system of claim 23 , further comprising one or more communication stations in RF communication with the chemical injection system and the transceiver, each communication station adapted to relay operational parameters of the chemical injection system in the form of RF signals between the transceiver and the chemical injection system.
25. The system of claim 21 , further comprising:
a second sensor coupled with the hydrocarbon transmission system; and
a second chemical injection system, comprising:
a pump in fluid communication with the chemical reservoir and the hydrocarbon transmission system;
a motor coupled to the pump and adapted to drive the pump to transfer the chemical fluid from the reservoir to the hydrocarbon transmission system;
a power module;
a motor controller electrically coupled to the power module and the second motor, the motor controller adapted to adjust a rotational speed of the motor; and
a central controller communicably coupled to the motor controller, the central controller communicably coupled to the remote computing system and the second sensor, the controller comprising a translator adapted to receive a signal from the remote computing system in the first communication protocol and translate the signal from the remote computing system to a command in the second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol, the command operable to adjust the motor controller to adjust the rotational speed of the motor.
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