Three Phase video separator Special core analysis Instrument

The apparatus segregates at reservoir-representative conditions, the components of a three-phase mixture expelled from a core sample. The separator’s wetted parts comprise a vertical bore communicating with a narrow slot whose height equals that of the bore. The narrow slot enhances the phase segregation process. Upon entering the separator, the mixture flows into the bore, deemed the “separation bore”. By virtue of gravity, the lightest fluid comes to rest at the top, the heaviest fluid at the bottom, and the intermediate fluid in the middle. In the separation bore, an emulsion of all fluids prevents accurate volume determination, whereas in the slot, two neat interfaces can be observed.

Embedded in the separator wall, on the visualization side, is a see-through window cell made of two windows mounted opposite each other. Placing a light behind the tube further facilitates discernment of the interfaces. Uninterrupted produced fluid measurements are achieved by means of a proprietary video software. The latter continuously displays the streaming images, automatically detects, measures and records the altitude of one or two interfaces between immiscible fluids such as liquid/liquid and liquid/gas. It finally interprets them and calculates the produced fluid volumes and core saturation levels.

Max pressure :

• 10,000 psi

Max temperature :

• 150 °C

Phase volume change :

• 100 ml

Phase volume accuracy :

• 0.01 ml

Material :

• Sapphire, Stainless steel, option: Inconel

Field of view :

• 100 mm

CDD colour camera :

• 25 Megapixels

Lighting :

• 25 watts

Power supply :

• 110-220 VAC, 50/60 Hz

• The separator is a compact tool which can be easily installed into core flooding air baths.
• The full visibility of the produced phases enables the end user to simultaneously get phase volume changes and real time images of the water/oil and oil/gas interface heights. Cross checking between the actual images and calculated data is then possible.
• The use of 4K high resolution cameras to monitor a 10 cm column of produced fluids allows very accurate meniscus detection and thus volume changes.