Velocity sensor for a plunger lift system
AssigneeExtreme Telematics Corp.
InventorsMark David Scantlebury, Timothy Daly, James La Haye, Valens D'Silva
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A velocity sensor, a controller, a plunger lift system and method for controlling a plunger lift system is provided. The velocity sensor can use a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor spaced a sensor distance to determine a velocity of a plunger as it passes the velocity sensor. The controller can use information received from the velocity sensor to both control the operation of the plunger lift system using the measured plunger velocity obtained from the velocity sensor and shut down the well if the plunger is measured travelling to fast.
Claims33
A velocity sensor for sensing the velocity of a plunger arriving at a top of a well, the velocity sensor comprising:
- a circuit board;
- a processing unit;
- a first magnetic field sensor;
- a second magnetic field sensor spaced a sensor distance from the first magnetic field sensor on the circuit board;
- at least one memory containing program instructions, the processing unit responsive to the program instructions and operative to:
- obtain measurements of the magnetic field surrounding the first magnetic field sensor from the first magnetic field sensor;
- obtain measurements of the magnetic field surrounding the second magnetic field sensor from the second magnetic field sensor;
- when the plunger passes the first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor, determine the pass time for the plunger to pass between the first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor;
- and
- calculate the velocity of the plunger by dividing the sensor distance by the pass time.
A method for determining a velocity of a plunger in a plunger lift system, the method comprising:
- providing a velocity sensor having a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor spaced a sensor distance apart;
- determining a pass time for the plunger to pass between the first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor;
- and
- using the sensor distance and the pass time to calculate the velocity of the plunger as it passes the first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor.
A controller for controlling the operation of a plunger lift system for a gas producing well having a plunger, a plunger velocity sensor and a valve between the well and an outlet line, the controller comprising:
- at least one processing unit;
- an input interface operatively connectable to the plunger velocity sensor;
- an output interface operatively connectable to the valve and operative to open and close the valve;
- at least one memory containing program instructions, the at least one processing unit responsive to the program instructions and operative to:
- open the valve and allowing the plunger to rise to a top of the well;
- in response to receiving a signal from the plunger velocity sensor, close the valve and determine a measured velocity of the plunger proximate a top of the well;
- using a current afterflow time and a difference between a target plunger velocity and the measured velocity to calculate an adjusted afterflow time;
- after the adjusted afterflow time has passed, close the valve and keeping the valve closed for a close time;
- and
- repeat the steps of the method, each time calculating a new adjusted afterflow time and keeping the control valve open for the new adjusted afterflow time.
A method of operating a plunger lift system in a gas producing well, the method comprising:
- opening a control valve and allowing a plunger to rise to a top of the well;
- measuring a velocity of the plunger using a velocity sensor positioned proximate the top of the well;
- using a current afterflow time and a difference between a target velocity and the actual velocity to calculate an adjusted afterflow time;
- allowing the adjusted afterflow time to pass before closing the control valve and keeping the valve closed for a close time;
- and repeating the steps of the method, each time calculating a new adjusted afterflow time and keeping the control valve open for the new adjusted afterflow time.
A method of operating a plunger lift system in a gas producing well, the method comprising:
- opening a control valve and allowing a plunger to rise to a top of the well;
- measuring a plunger velocity indicating a velocity of the plunger using a velocity sensor positioned proximate the top of the well;
- allowing an afterflow time to pass before closing the control valve and keeping the valve closed for a close time;
- repeating the steps of the method;
- and
- if a measured plunger velocity exceeds a threshold velocity, shutting down the well.
A plunger lift system for removing fluids from a well, the system comprising:
- a wellhead provided at a top of the well and having a plunger receiver;
- production tubing connected to the well head and extending downwards down the well, the plunger receiver operatively connected to a top end of the production tubing;
- a plunger provided in the production tubing;
- an outlet line connected to the well head below the plunger receiver and fluidly connected with the production tubing;
- a control valve connected inline with the outlet line;
- a velocity sensor positioned on the outside of the plunger receiver to measure the velocity of the plunger as the plunger enters the plunger receiver;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the velocity sensor to receive velocity data from the velocity sensor and operatively connected to the control valve to open and close the control valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.