Page 1 Interface Level Measurement with Emulsions Richard von Brecht B ECHTEL 2008 API Spring...

Interface Level Measurement with Emulsions

Richard von Brecht

BECHTEL

2008 API Spring Refining and Equipment Standards Meeting

Interface Level Measurement Methods

• Displacer (Negative Buoyancy)• Magnostrictive (Positive Buoyancy)• Traversing Nuclear Detector• Sounding Probe• Differential Pressure• RF Admittance/Capacitance• Microwave Absorption • Guide Wave Radar

Typical Measurement Problems

• 50% Water-Oil Point Read• Vapor-HC reading can’t overlap the HC-

Water reading• Density variances magnified• Measured mid point drifts away from

the true mid point

Installation Methods

• Two Tap External Installation• Multi-Tap External Installation• Direct probe installation

Displacer

• Traditional method for interface measurement

• Four sizes from 14” to 60” for economic and mechanical reasons

• Mechanical, less reliable than other devices• Calibration procedure complex • Density variance effects are almost doubled • Problems with coatings

Differential Pressure

• Well understood, most widely use for standard level measurement

• Continuing to evolve in accuracy, reliability and communication capabilities

• Avoids drifting and coating issues• Maintain a constant leg composition• Sensitive to density variance

RF Admittance/Capacitance

• Mature technology• Calibrated for the conductive water phase• In-situ calibration for low dielectric fluids• Can measure interface over the entire

vessel• Temperature issues• Can compensate to some extent for

coatings

Microwave Absorption

• Measures water• Not influenced by coatings• Un-affected by vessel geometry • Probe maintainable online• Bench calibrated• Maximum range four feet• Requires external power

Guided Wave Radar

• Bench calibrated, un-affected by vessel• Coating influence less• Maximum range 150 feet• Works with boiling fluids• Measures the upper layer• Mixed results with emulsions • Probe not maintainable online

Summary

• Displacer• Differential Pressure• RF Admittance/Capacitance• Microwave Absorption • Guide Wave Radar

Page 1 Interface Level Measurement with Emulsions Richard von Brecht B ECHTEL 2008 API Spring...

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