Systems and methods for detecting solid particles
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsLily Nuryaningsih, Vimal Vinod Shah, Mahendra Ladharam Joshi
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Abstract
A solids detector may include a receptor configured to extend at least partially into a flow path of a fluid through a conduit. Further, the solids detector may include a sensor configured to receive an acoustic wave generated due to one or more solid particles in the fluid impacting the receptor. Additionally, the sensor may be configured to generate an electrical signal based on the acoustic wave. The electrical signal may be indicative of one or more impact energies of the one or more solid particles that impacted the receptor.
Claims26
A solids detector, comprising:
- a valve comprising a valve body configured to be coupled to a conduit, wherein the valve is configured to control a flow of a fluid through the conduit;
- a receptor coupled to the valve body and configured to extend at least partially into a flow path of the fluid through the valve body;
- and
- a sensor coupled to the valve body and the receptor, wherein the sensor is configured to receive an acoustic wave generated due to one or more solid particles in the fluid impacting the receptor, wherein the sensor is configured to generate an electrical signal based on the acoustic wave, and wherein the electrical signal is indicative of one or more impact energies of the one or more solid particles that impacted the receptor.
A system configured to produce oil and gas from a well, comprising:
- a conduit configured to flow a fluid produced by the well;
- a solids detector coupled to the conduit and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to detecting one or more solid particles in the fluid;
- and
- a controller configured to receive the electrical signal from the solids detector and to determine an action based at least in part on the electrical signal, wherein the action, when executed, adjusts a flow rate of the fluid through the conduit or adjusts a flow path of the fluid through the system.
A solids detector, comprising:
- a receptor configured to extend at least partially into a flow path of a fluid through a conduit, wherein the receptor is configured to generate an acoustic wave in response to one or more solid particles impacting the receptor, and wherein the receptor comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a first sensor coupled to the first end of the receptor;
- and
- a second sensor coupled to the second end of the receptor, wherein the receptor is configured to transfer the acoustic wave to the first and second sensors, and wherein the first and second sensors are configured to generate first and second electrical signals, respectively, based on the acoustic wave, and wherein the first and second electrical signals are each indicative of one or more impact energies of the one or more solid particles that impacted the receptor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.