Automated wellhead monitoring and control system
AssigneeStearns, Conrad and Schmidt, Consulting Engineers, Inc.
InventorsDavid Hostetter, Philip Carrillo, Melissa Russo, Christopher Carver
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated wellhead monitoring and control system. The system is communicatively coupled to one or more LFG wellheads as well as other desired landfill components. The system receives and aggregates both real-time and historical data related to the operation of landfill components at a single site and/or integrates numerous sites for comparison. The system controls the LFG wellheads and other desired landfill components based on the real-time, forecasted, and historical data, and utilizes various algorithms, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to effectuate such control.
Claims17
A system for autonomously monitoring and controlling a wellhead, the system comprising:
- a wellhead comprising a wellhead valve, wherein the wellhead valve is adjustable by a control unit to open and/or close to a specified position and for a specified amount of time;
- a plurality of sensors to identify a plurality of variables;
- a control unit configured to receive data related to the variables from the plurality of sensors and to maintain a plurality of setpoint values of the variables by adjusting a plurality of wellhead equipment, wherein the control unit is configured to maintain the setpoint value of a primary variable from the plurality of variables and monitor for a plurality of secondary variables from the plurality of variables, wherein the primary variable is constantly monitored and adjusted to maintain the associated setpoint value of the primary variable, wherein the secondary variables are monitored and adjusted to maintain a range associated with the setpoint values of the secondary variables, wherein the secondary variables are adjusted by the control unit if the associated setpoint values of the secondary variables exceeds or declines beyond the range, wherein the control unit maintains the setpoint values of the primary and secondary variables based on a hierarchy, wherein a position of the primary and secondary variables in the hierarchy is changed when at least one of the primary or secondary variables exceeds or declines beyond the range, and wherein the control unit is configured to send a warning if a predetermined number of changes in the hierarchy occur within a predetermined amount of time.
A method for autonomously monitoring and controlling a wellhead, the method comprising:
- identifying a plurality of wellhead variables using a plurality of sensors on the wellhead;
- storing the plurality of wellhead variables in real time to a historical database;
- comparing the plurality of wellhead variables to a plurality of associated setpoint values, wherein each variable is associated with at least one setpoint value;
- monitoring a primary variable from the plurality of wellhead variables and adjusting a wellhead valve position to maintain the primary variable at the associated setpoint value;
- monitoring one or more secondary variables from the plurality of wellhead variables, identifying that one or more of the secondary variables has exceeded or declined beyond a threshold range, and adjusting the wellhead valve position for a predetermined period of time to maintain the secondary variables within the range;
- maintaining the setpoint values of the primary and secondary variables based on a hierarchy;
- changing a position of the primary and secondary variables in the hierarchy when at least one of the primary or secondary variables exceeds or declines beyond the range;
- and
- sending a warning if a predetermined number of changes in the hierarchy occur within a predetermined amount of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.