John W Devries

US Patent:

54171075, May 23, 1995

Filed:

Sep 21, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/124957

Inventors:

Michael P. Biencourt - Chino CA
John A. DeVries - Tustin CA

Assignee:

Paul-Munroe Engineering - Orange CA

International Classification:

G01N 2722
G01N 1100

US Classification:

73 6144

Abstract:

An improved method and capacitance probe arrangement for determining the fluid phase fractions of fluids having differing permitivity such as those of gas, oil, and water and oil-water emulsion in a fluid stream flowing from an oil well which includes trapping the primarily liquid in a vertically disposed chamber. The liquid is held therein to permit separation of the phase fractions to the extent possible within a reasonable time. A number of measurements are taken of the capacitance at a plurality of discrete vertically spaced locations within the chamber. These capacitance measurements relate directly to the varying permittivity of the phase fractions of the various liquids contained therein which may be gas, oil, and water and a oil-water emulsion. The measurements are processed by a data processor to provide precise information on such phase fractions and emulsion interfaces. A number of embodiments of the novel probe are disclosed for determining capacitance at spaced locations within the chamber.