Automatic gas sample handling and preparation for surface data logging applications
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorMarkus Bernhard Dröge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sample handling system receives a downhole sample. The sample handle system conditions the sample using a separator and filters to allow discharge of unwanted liquids and particulates prior to flowing the sample to one or more analyzers. Separating the moisture and particulates from the sample improves the operation of the components of the sample handling system, for example, by eliminating unwanted condensate or moisture. A coalescing filter, for example, may protect a proportional valve by removing unwanted particulates and liquids from the sample. Additionally, main components of the sample handling system are accessible from a front of a housing to allow for ease of repair and replacement.
Claims20
A method for conditioning an extracted downhole sample by a sample handling system, comprising:
- extracting a sample fluid from a borehole;
- drawing the extracted sample fluid from a source to an input line of the sample handling system using a pump assembly;
- increasing the pressure of the extracted sample fluid using the pump assembly to transition the extracted sample fluid from a vacuum to a pressure higher than the vacuum;
- separating, by a membrane separator coupled in-line with the pump assembly, from the extracted sample fluid having an increased pressure at least one of one or more particulates and one or more liquids to form a gas component, and wherein a liquids and particulates component is formed by the separated at least one of the one or more particulates and the one or more liquids;
- flowing the liquids and particulates component to a filter coupled to the membrane separator;
- and
- discharging from the filter an excess portion of the liquids and particulates component.
A sample handling system, comprising:
- an input line coupled to a source;
- a pump assembly coupled to the input line, wherein the pump assembly draws an extracted fluid from a source through the input line;
- a high pressure line coupled to the pump assembly, wherein the pump assembly increases the pressure of the extracted fluid through the high pressure line to a pressure higher than a vacuum;
- a membrane separator coupled in-line with the high pressure line, wherein the membrane separator separates from the extracted fluid having an increased pressure at least one of one or more particulates and one or more liquids to form a gas component, and wherein a liquids and particulates component is formed by the separated at least one of the one or more particulates and the one or more liquids;
- a filter coupled to the membrane separator, wherein the filter receives an excess portion of the liquids and particulates component;
- and
- an output port coupled to the filter, wherein the filter discharges the excess portion to the output port.
A sample analysis system, comprising:
- a control system;
- a sample handling system communicatively coupled to the control system, wherein the sample handling system comprises:
- an input line coupled to a source;
- a pump assembly coupled to the input line, wherein the pump assembly draws an extracted fluid from a source through the input line;
- a high pressure line coupled to the pump assembly, wherein the pump assembly increases the pressure of the extracted fluid through the high pressure line to a pressure higher than a vacuum;
- a membrane separator coupled in-line with the high pressure line, wherein the membrane separator separates from the extracted fluid having an increased pressure at least one of one or more particulates and one or more liquids to form a gas component, and wherein the liquids and particulates component is formed by the separated at least one of the one or more particulates and the one or more liquids;
- a filter coupled to the membrane separator, wherein the filter receives an excess portion of the liquids and particulates component;
- and
- an output port coupled to the filter, wherein the filter discharges the excess portion to the output port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.