Apparatus and method for measuring the water content of oil flowing in a pipe
AssigneeTexaco Inc.
InventorsDonald J. Dowling, William Schoen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for measuring oil flowing in a pipe include continuously sampling the cil to provide a stream of sample oil. The temperature of the sample oil is changed by a predetermined amount. The acoustical velocity of the sample oil is determined prior to the temperature change and after the temperature change by sensors providing corresponding signals. A circuit provides a signal corresponding to the water content of the oil in accordance with the acoustical velocity and the known temperature change.
Claims8
Apparatus for providing an output corresponding to the water content of oil flowing in a pipe comprising means for continuously sampling the oil to provide a stream of sample oil, means for changing the temperature of the sample oil by a predetermined amount, means for measuring the acoustical velocity of the sample oil prior to the temperature change and after the temperature change and providing corresponding signals, and output means connected to acoustical velocity sensing means for providing the output corresponding to the water content of the oil in accordance with the signals from the acoustical velocity sensing means and the known predetermined temperature change.
A method for providing an output corresponding to the water content of oil flowing in a pipe which comprises continuously sampling the oil to provide a stream of sample oil, changing the temperature of the sample oil by a predetermined amount, measuring the acoustical velocity of the sample oil prior to the temperature change and after the temperature change, providing signals corresponding to the measured velocities, and providing the output corresponding to the water content of the oil in accordance with the velocity signals and the known predetermined temperature change.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.