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US 12,638,367 B2Granted
Multipoint gas input switching
AssigneeEcoTec Solutions, Inc.
InventorJamie Tooley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gas input switching device (also referred to as a “multipoint system”) receives gas samples from multiple gas sources (e.g., gas wells or other gas source) for testing using a gas analyzer (e.g., a laser sensor). Advantageously, using the multipoint system discussed herein, multiple individual gas sources may be analyzed by a single gas analyzer by alternating input to the gas analyzer between the multiple gas lines, such as according to a multipoint switching algorithm.
Claims14
A multipoint gas analyzer system comprising:
- a plurality of gas intake lines coupled to respective of a plurality of a gas sources positioned at different locations of a gas extraction site;
- a plurality of sensor valves coupled at first ends to respective gas intake lines and at second ends to a gas analyzer flow line, wherein each of the sensor valves is configured to selectively allow gas to pass through the sensor valve;
- a plurality of priming valves coupled at first ends to respective gas intake lines and at second ends to a priming flow line, wherein each of the priming valves is configured to selectively allow gas to pass through the priming valve;
- a gas analyzer coupled to the gas analyzer flow line and configured to identify methane content in gas in the gas analyzer flow line;
- a priming pump coupled to the priming flow line;
- a controller comprising one or more microprocessors, the controller electronically configured to selectively activate individual sensor valves and priming valves so that at a first time:
- a first sensor valve coupled to a first gas source is opened allowing gas from the first gas source to flow through the gas intake line into the gas analyzer, with the remaining of the plurality of sensor valves closed;
- and
- a second priming valve coupled to a second gas source is opened allowing gas from the second gas source to flow through the priming flow line, with the remaining of the plurality of priming valves closed;
- wherein at a second time:
- the first sensor valve is closed;
- the second priming valve is closed;
- a second sensor valve coupled to the second gas source is opened allowing gas from the second gas source to flow through the gas intake line into the gas analyzer, with the remaining of the plurality of sensor valves closed;
- and
- a third priming valve coupled to a third gas source is opened allowing gas from the third gas source to flow through the priming flow line, with the remaining of the plurality of priming valves remaining closed;
- wherein the controller is configured to prioritize gas sources based on one or more environmental factors and at least one of recent gas concentration levels or operational efficiency.
13 more elements
A method of analyzing gas from multiple sources at a gas extraction site using a multipoint gas analyzer system, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of gas intake lines, each coupled to a respective gas source positioned at different locations of the gas extraction site, wherein a plurality of sensor valves are coupled at first ends to respective gas intake lines and at second ends to a gas analyzer flow line, wherein each sensor valve is configured to selectively allow gas to pass through, and wherein coupling a plurality of priming valves are coupled at first ends to respective gas intake lines and at second ends to a priming flow line, wherein each priming valve is configured to selectively allow gas to pass through;
- performing gas analysis using a gas analyzer coupled to the gas analyzer flow line, configured to identify methane content in gas in the gas analyzer flow line;
- operating a priming pump coupled to the priming flow line;
- controlling, via a controller comprising one or more microprocessors, the selective activation of individual sensor valves and priming valves such that:
- at a first time:
- opening a first sensor valve coupled to a first gas source to allow gas from the first gas source to flow into the gas analyzer, while keeping other sensor valves closed;
- and
- opening a second priming valve coupled to a second gas source to allow gas from the second gas source to flow through the priming flow line, while keeping other priming valves closed;
- and
- at a second time:
- closing the first sensor valve and the second priming valve;
- opening a second sensor valve coupled to the second gas source to allow gas from the second gas source to flow into the gas analyzer, while keeping other sensor valves closed;
- and
- opening a third priming valve coupled to a third gas source to allow gas from the third gas source to flow through the priming flow line, while keeping other priming valves closed;
- wherein the controller is configured to prioritize gas sources based on one or more environmental factors and at least one of recent gas concentration levels or operational efficiency.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.