Crude oil measurement system and method
AssigneeMicro Motion, Inc.
InventorsRichard L. Ridgeway, John W. Sulton, Scott D. Graham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for measuring crude oil as it is transported from a storage tank to a transport vessel. The transport vehicle includes a fluid conveying line adapted to extend from the storage tank to the transport vessel. A pump is connected to the line to convey the oil from the tank to the vessel. A mass meter is disposed in the line. A microprocessor is electrically connected to and controls the mass meter so as to calculate the volume of liquid transferred from the storage tank to the transport vessel. A sample pot device is connected to the line and capable of taking an oil sample from the line that is representative of the entire amount of oil that is transferred.
Claims10
A system for measuring crude oil as it is transported from a storage tank to a transport vessel of a transport vehicle, the system comprising:
- an oil conveying line adapted to convey oil from the storage tank to the transport vessel;
- a pump associated with said line to convey oil from the tank to the transport vehicle;
- a mass meter associated with said line, said mass meter capable of sensing characteristics of the conveyed oil;
- a microprocessor controlling said mass meter and utilizing said sensed characteristics so as to calculate the volume of oil transferred from the storage tank to the transport vessel;
- a recirculation conduit having a first end in fluid communication with said line on an input side of said mass meter and a second end in fluid communication with said line on an output side of said mass meter;
- and
- a diverting valve controlled by said microprocessor and coupling said conduit second end to said line, said diverting valve having a first position allowing flow into the transport vessel and blocking flow into said conduit and a second position blocking flow to the transport vessel and allowing flow into said conduit.
A method for measuring crude oil as it is transported from a storage tank to a transport vessel of a transport vehicle, the method comprising:
- directing the oil through a mass meter as it is transferred from the storage tank to the transport vessel, said mass meter sensing predetermined parameters of the oil;
- conveying said sensed parameters to a microprocessor where a volume value is computed;
- determining based upon the sensed parameters whether water is present in the oil being conveyed to the transport vessel;
- and
- diverting the oil being conveyed through a recirculation conduit if water is present.
A method for measuring crude oil as it is transported from a storage tank to a transport vessel of a transport vehicle, the method comprising:
- directing the oil through a mass meter as it is transferred from the storage tank to the transport vessel, said mass meter sensing predetermined parameters of the oil;
- conveying said sensed parameters to a microprocessor where a volume value is computed;
- and
- recirculating the oil through a recirculation conduit and an air eliminator structure prior to loading of the oil into the transport vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.