US4543191A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
BS&W in crude oil streams
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1981-08-10
•
Granted: 1985-09-24
•
Expires: 2001-08-10
Abstract
Abstract Capacitance cells comprising concentric tubes are maintained clean of sediment in the space between the inner and outer tubes where capacitance is measured by (1) suspending fibrous strands in the fluid flow outside the inner tube and/or (2) partially plugging the inner tube to increase flow outside the inner tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas L. Stewart
- 👤 Florian C. Demny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2823; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01N27/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A process for reducing inequality between flow velocity within at least two dimensionally similar BS&W monitors, both of which have capacitance cells of at least two concentric tubes through which a liquid to be monitored is flowed, one of said monitors normally having a substantially greater volumetric flow than the other of said monitors, comprising, partially blocking the inner tube of the lesser flow monitor to the extent necessary to increase flow between the inner and outer tubes and to reduce inequality with flow between the inner and outer tubes of the greater flow monitor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A process for reducing inequality between flow velocity within at least two dimensionally similar BS&W monitors, both of which have capacitance cells of at least two concentric tubes through which a liquid to be monitored is flowed, one of said monitors normally having a substantially greater volumetric flow than the other of said monitors, comprising, partially blocking the inner tube of the lesser flow monitor to the extent necessary to increase flow between the inner and outer tubes and to reduce inequality with flow between the inner and outer tubes of the greater flow monitor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein volumetric flow through the greater flow monitor is about 2 to 100 or more times that of the lesser flow monitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process for continuously cleaning a BS&W monitor which has a capacitance cell of at least two concentric tubes through which a liquid to be monitored is flowed, comprising suspending one or more fibrous strands longitudinally in the current flow within the concentric tubes, whereby the strands function to clean the walls of the tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process for continuously cleaning a BS&W monitor which has a capacitance cell of at least two concentric tubes through which a liquid to be monitored is flowed, comprising suspending one or more fibrous strands longitudinally in the current flow within the concentric tubes, whereby the strands function to clean the walls of the tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the strands are suspended from nonconductive spacers separating the tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the liquid is waxy crude oil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for reducing inequality between flow velocity within at least two dimensionally similar BS&W monitors, both of which have capacitance cells of at least two concentric tubes through which a liquid to be monitored is flowed, one of said monitors normally having a substantially greater volumetric flow than the other of said monitors, comprising, means for partially blocking the inner tube of the lesser flow monitor to the extent necessary to increase flow between the inner and outer tubes to reduce inequality with flow as between the inner and outer tubes of the greater flow monitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for reducing inequality between flow velocity within at least two dimensionally similar BS&W monitors, both of which have capacitance cells of at least two concentric tubes through which a liquid to be monitored is flowed, one of said monitors normally having a substantially greater volumetric flow than the other of said monitors, comprising, means for partially blocking the inner tube of the lesser flow monitor to the extent necessary to increase flow between the inner and outer tubes to reduce inequality with flow as between the inner and outer tubes of the greater flow monitor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the blocking means is a plug with a centrally located hole.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the hole is directed to impart a swirling motion to liquid passing through the partially blocked tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus for continuously cleaning a BS&W monitor which has a capacitance cell of at least two concentric tubes through which a liquid to be monitored is flowed, comprising, one or more flexible strands suspended longitudinally in the current flow within the concentric tubes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus for continuously cleaning a BS&W monitor which has a capacitance cell of at least two concentric tubes through which a liquid to be monitored is flowed, comprising, one or more flexible strands suspended longitudinally in the current flow within the concentric tubes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the strands are fibrous and are suspended from nonconductive spacers separating the tubes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2117648A
Cited
US2415729A
Cited
US3319710A
Cited
US3546926A
Cited
US4184932A
Cited
US4225362A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-23 | 1989-03-25 | 1989-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-23 | 1993-03-25 | 1993-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-23 | 1997-03-25 | 1997-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |