ONBOARD APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY DYNAMICALLY EVALUATING CHARACTERISTICS OF A NON-HOMOGENOUS LIQUID DURING LOADING AND UNLOADING OF A TRANSPORT CONTAINER

Abstract

An onboard apparatus, system, and method for automatically loading into or unloading from a bulk transport or other container and evaluating characteristics of a liquid during the loading or unloading, that dynamically monitors and evaluates characteristics of the flow, particularly density, which are used to determine other characteristics and values of the load, namely, presence of contaminants such as water, solids, out of specification conditions, etc. to enable accurately measuring volume, mass, and/or quality of the load, and optionally to automatically responsively perform certain operations, for example, to signal an operator, cease loading, segregate and/or return all or portions of the load, if contaminated or out of specification, and which facilitates control remotely, as well as for qualifying for government certification for custody transfer.

Claims

1. A method of loading a liquid from a first container into a second container, comprising steps of: generating a flow of the liquid through a conduit from the first container toward the second container while automatically monitoring characteristics of sequential predetermined segments of the liquid of the flow or for a predetermined time segment of the flow, and determining values representative of densities of the predetermined segments of the flow, respectively; comparing the values representative of the densities of each of the predetermined segments of the flow or the predetermined time period of the flow to at least one predetermined value to determine presence of at least one contaminant therein, respectively, and: a. compiling a first running total of the values representative of the densities of the predetermined segments of the liquid of the flow or the predetermined time period of the flow determined to lack the presence of the at least one contaminant therein; and; e. compiling a second running total of the values representative of the densities of the predetermined segments of the liquid of the flow or the predetermined have the at least one contaminant therein.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising a step of determining an average of the values representative of the densities of the predetermined segments of the liquid of the flow or the predetermined time period of the flow determined to have the at least one contaminant therein.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising an additional step of monitoring the determined average of the values representative of the densities of the predetermined segments of the liquid of the flow or the predetermined time period of the flow determined to have the at least one contaminant therein, then performing at least one of the following steps: g. outputting a signal indicative thereof; and b. ceasing the loading if the determined average exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising an additional step of determining a running total for the loaded liquid as a function of the compiled first and second running totals.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising a step of communicating at least one of the compiled first and second running totals to at least one recipient or potential recipient for the liquid.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein apparatus for performing the step of monitoring the characteristics of the sequential predetermined segments of the liquid of the flow or the predetermined time period of the flow are located on a bulk liquid transport vehicle comprising one of the first container or the second container.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the values representative of densities of the predetermined segments of the liquid of the flow or the predetermined time period of the flow are compared to a predetermined value representative of air contained in the segment to exclude the values representative of densities of the predetermined segments of the flow found to contain air from at least the second running total.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second container is a transport container, and the method comprising further steps of: providing at least two separate compartments within the transport container and connected to the conduit, respectively; and automatically directing an initial portion of the flow of the liquid to a first of the compartments, then, after the loading, returning the initial portion of the flow of the liquid to the first container or transferring the initial portion of the flow to another container.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the containers is a transport container, and a vehicle connected thereto comprises instruments including at least a density meter and a thermometer, configured to automatically monitor the characteristics of the flow of the liquid and determine the density values and an associated temperature, and a processor connected thereto, configured and operable to perform the comparing step.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises crude oil and the contaminant comprises water.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises crude oil and the contaminant comprises solids.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises crude oil and the contaminant comprises an emulsion including solids.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises crude oil and the first container comprises a stationary tank in an oil field or in close proximity thereto.

14. A method of loading a liquid from at least one stationary collection container proximate a production source of the liquid, into a bulk liquid transport container for transport of the liquid to another location, comprising steps of: generating an initial flow of the liquid through a conduit from the collection container toward the transport container; and automatically monitoring characteristics of the initial flow and determining at least one initial density value for the initial flow therefrom; comparing the at least one initial density value for the initial flow to a value indicative of presence of a contaminant, and: v. if the comparison is indicative of presence of the contaminant, then performing at least one of the following steps: h. outputting a signal; i. ceasing the loading; and j. returning the initial flow to the collection container or transferring the initial flow to another container; and vi. if the comparison is indicative of absence of the contaminant, then continuing the flow and the steps of monitoring and comparing, until either: f. expiration of a predetermined period of time; g. a predetermined amount of the liquid has been loaded, or h. the liquid flow is absent for a predetermined period of time.

15. The method of claim 14, where in step ii. the step of comparing involves determining the presence of the contaminant, and if present, then performing at least one of the following steps: a. outputting a signal indicative thereof; b. ceasing the loading.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising an additional step of compiling the density values for at least the continuing flow in a data file associated with the loaded liquid.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising an additional step of determining a value for the loaded liquid as a function of at least the compiled density values.

18. The method of claim 16, comprising a step of communicating the compiled density values or the determined value for the loaded liquid to at least one recipient or potential recipient for the liquid.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein apparatus for performing the steps of monitoring are located on the bulk liquid transport container or a vehicle that moves therewith, and the method comprises further steps of: unloading the loaded liquid from the transport container in an unloading flow; and automatically monitoring characteristics of the unloading flow and determining multiple density values therefor; and comparing the multiple density values for the unloading flow to the density values for the continuing flow to verify integrity of the unloaded liquid.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the comparing of the density values for the unloading flow and the continuing flow are used to calibrate the apparatus on the bulk liquid transport container or vehicle that moves therewith.

21. The method of claim 14, comprising further steps of: providing at least two separate compartments within the transport container and connected to the conduit, respectively; and automatically directing the continuing flow to a first of the compartments, while monitoring characteristics thereof and periodically determining continuing density values therefrom, and comparing the continuing density values or at least one value representative thereof to at least one limit value; and if the continuing density values or the at least one value representative thereof are or is beyond the limit, then diverting the flow to a second of the compartments.

22. The method of claim 21, comprising further steps of: while diverting the flow, monitoring characteristics of the diverted flow and periodically determining diverted flow density values therefrom, and comparing the diverted flow density values or at least one representative value thereof to at least one predetermined limit therefor; and if beyond the at least one predetermined limit, then diverting the flow to the first of the compartments.

22. The method of claim 20, comprising a further step after completion of the loading of the liquid into the transport container, of unloading at least a portion of any contents of the second compartment.

23. The method of claim 22, where in the step of unloading, the contents of the second compartment are automatically unloaded into the collection container upon completion of the loading.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein the transport container or a vehicle connected thereto comprises instruments including at least a density meter, and a thermometer, configured to automatically monitor the characteristics of the loading flow and determine the density values and an associated temperature, and a processor connected thereto, configured and operable to perform the comparing step.

25. The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid comprises crude oil and the contaminant comprises water.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein the value indicative of presence of a contaminant is at least about 0.9.

27. The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid comprises crude oil and the contaminant comprises an emulsion including solids.

28. The method of claim 14, wherein the value indicative of presence of a contaminant is less than about 0.7.

29. The method of claim 14, wherein step i. a. further comprises prompting a user to select at least one of step i. b. and step i. c.

30. The method of claim 14, comprising further steps of: automatically: moving the transport container to another location; then unloading the liquid from the transport container into a different container, comprising steps of: generating an unloading flow of the liquid through a conduit from the transport container to the different container; while monitoring characteristics of the unloading flow, including determining multiple unloading flow density values thereof and comparing the unloading flow density values or at least one value representative thereof to the density values determined for the continuing flow or a value representative thereof.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein at least a substantial portion of the monitoring steps are performed by apparatus on the transport container or a vehicle that moves therewith.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein values obtained from the comparing of the unloading flow density values or at least one value representative thereof to the density values determined for the continuing flow or a value representative thereof are used to calibrate the apparatus on the transport container or vehicle that moves therewith.

33. The method of claim 14, wherein the transport container comprises a container selected from a group consisting of: a tanker truck, a tanker trailer, and a rail car tanker.

34. The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid comprises crude oil and the collection container comprises a stationary tank in an oil field or in close proximity thereto.

35. The method of claim 14, wherein the value indicative of presence of water comprises a value representative of a density value of at least about 0.9 kg/m.sup.3.

36. A method of loading crude oil from at least one stationary collection container proximate a production source of the crude oil, into a bulk liquid transport container for transport of the crude oil to another location, comprising steps of: providing a first value indicative of presence of a contaminant in the crude oil; generating an initial flow of the crude oil through a conduit from the collection container toward the transport container; and automatically monitoring characteristics of the initial loading flow and determining at least one initial density value for the flow therefrom; comparing the at least one initial density value to the value indicative of presence of a contaminant, and: vii. if the comparison is indicative of presence of the contaminant, then performing at least one of the following steps: k. outputting a signal; l. ceasing the loading; and m. returning the initial flow to the collection container; and viii. if the comparison is indicative of absence of the contaminant, then continuing the flow and the steps of monitoring and comparing, until either: i. expiration of a predetermined period of time; j. a predetermined amount of the crude oil has been loaded, or k. the flow is absent for a predetermined period of time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 is a side view of a bulk liquid tank trailer incorporating a Coriolis meter into piping thereof.

[0045] FIG. 1A is a top view of a Coriolis meter and piping of a bulk liquid tank trailer.

[0046] FIG. 1B is a side view of a Coriolis meter and piping of a bulk liquid tank trailer.

[0047] FIG. 1C is an image of a representative onside crude oil storage tank to which the bulk liquid tank trailer will be connected for loading crude for transport to another location.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a side view of a bulk liquid tank trailer incorporating two vorcone meters into piping thereof.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a side view of the tank trailer showing a control for loading and unloading, including for controlling the respective Coriolis or vorcone meter or meters and outputting data for the loading and unloading process.

[0050] FIG. 4 is an image of a user interface, illustrating an operating step of a method of the invention.

[0051] FIG. 5 is an image of a user interface, illustrating another operating step of a method according to the invention.

[0052] FIG. 6 is an image of a user interface, illustrating another operating step of a method according to the invention.

[0053] FIG. 7 is an image of a user interface, illustrating another operating step of a method according to the invention.

[0054] FIG. 8 is an image of a user interface, illustrating another operating step of a method according to the invention.

[0055] FIG. 8A is an image of a user interface, illustrating another operating step of a method according to the invention

[0056] FIG. 9 is an image of a user interface, illustrating another operating step of a method according to the invention.

[0057] FIG. 10 is an image of a user interface, illustrating another operating step of a method according to the invention.

[0058] FIG. 11 is an image of a user interface, illustrating another operating step of a method according to the invention.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a graphical representation of BS&W verses time determined for a representative loading operation according to the invention.

[0060] FIG. 13 is a graphical representation of flow rate verses volume determined for a representative loading operation according to the invention.

[0061] FIG. 14 is a tabular representation of sums of parameters including total volume loaded, BS&W, and total API, determined for a representative loading operation according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0062] Referring now to the FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2, and 3 of the drawings, the invention utilizes a meter 1 (FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B) or 22 (FIG. 2) or other measuring device or devices, configured and operable to determine mass, volume, and density of a flowing liquid, incorporated in a mobile platform for carrying on a bulk liquid or fluid transport vehicle 24 such as, but not limited to, a tanker trailer, tanker truck, rail tank car, or the like, having a typical onboard tank 34. As a non-limiting example, the meter 1 can comprise a Coriolis meter (FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B). The measurement of the mass flow rate in a Coriolis meter 1 is based on the principle of causing a medium to flow through a flow tube inserted in the pipe and vibrating during operation, whereby the medium is subjected to Coriolis forces. The latter causes the inlet-side and outlet-side portions of the flow tube to vibrate out of phase with respect to each other. The magnitude of these phase differences is a measure of the mass flow rate. The vibrations of the flow tube are therefore sensed by use of two vibration sensors positioned at a given distance from each other along the flow tube and converted by these sensors into measurement signals having a phase difference from which the mass flow rate is derived. A suitable commercially available Coriolis meter 1 for crude oil applications is the Optimass 6000 meter available from Krohne USA and configure for 4 inch piping connections.

[0063] Another suitable meter is a Vorcone meter 22 (FIG. 2) which is a hybrid vortex shedding and cone meter. In this type of meter fluid passing around a bluff body produces a stream of vortices with a generation rate which is proportional to the flow rate of the fluid. A sensor responsive to the vortices produces a signal having a frequency representing the flow rate. The flow rate signal can then be used for calculating the resulting volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the pipe. The measure of fluid flow rate for the vortex shedding flow meter, however, is independent of density. Thus, it is not possible to derive density or mass flow rate from the volumetric flow rate measurement alone. Therefore, an averaging pitot tube and a thermal flow meter, however, both measure flow rate dependent upon fluid density. A suitable Vorcone meter 22 is available from Vortek Instruments. A single meter 1, 22 can be utilized for loading and unloading with appropriate directional piping and valving, or two meters 1, 22 can be used.

[0064] Representative associated apparatus, namely, an onboard piping system 28, for incorporating the meter or meters 1, 22, in connection with an onboard tank 34 are generally illustrated. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the associated piping system 28 includes one or more thermometers 16; air eliminators 19, and pressure gages 20, incorporated onto a bulk liquid or fluid transport vehicle 24, and will variously include, but is not limited to: connecting flanges 2; gaskets 3; pipe 4, 11; hoses 8; bolts 5, 12, 13, nuts 6, 14, 17, and washers 18; and valves 7, 10, beneath tank 34 of the vehicle 24. Transport vehicle 24 shown here is configured to be utilized to unload crude from onsite storage and collection tanks such as tank 32 illustrated in FIG. 1C, which are commonly located at well sites in oil fields that can be located anywhere around the world. A typical transport vehicle 24 has a tank divided into 2 compartments, a front compartment and a rear compartment, and piping system 28 has automatically controllable valves in connection with each compartment so as to be configurable for directing flow of liquid to either or both of the compartments. Piling system 28 is additionally of sufficient length from the meter or meters 1, 22 to the compartments such that a segment or portion of the liquid flow that passes through the meter 1, 22 can be directed to a particular compartment after passing through and being measured by the meter. Piping system 28 will be connected to a coupler fitting of tank 32 via a hose 30 (FIG. 2) using standard couplers in the well known conventional manner. Piping system 28 or tank 32 can optionally include a pump for pumping the liquid from the tank 32 through hose 30 to the piping system 28 to tank 34, and/or gravity feed can be used. In this latter regard, it can be observed in FIG. 1C that onsite tank 32 is relatively substantial in height (at least twice as tall as vehicle 24) and thus when full or nearly full can generate a relatively high head pressure from gravity for initiating and maintaining the flow of the liquid into tank 34 of vehicle 24. A pump, either onsite or on board can be utilized when insufficient head pressure is present, or to supplement gravity for faster loading as desired or required for a particular application.

[0065] Additionally, the apparatus of the invention can include a H.sub.2S detector 36 as shown in connection with vent piping of the container or tank 34, connected in a suitable conventional manner with the load unload control 38 so as to monitor H.sub.2S emissions and generate a signal or alarm when present above a settable threshold level. The amount and timing of H.sub.2S flow can also be recorded.

[0066] Control 38 includes an onboard panel, box, or other structure that carries a PLC or other microprocessor based controller, a suitable power supply, and a communication device or devices, which can be, for instance, a wireless radio, network controller or router, modem, cellular modem, etc. for communicating with peripheral devices such as a PC, tablet or smart device, e.g., for enabling SCADA and to provide a local or remote operator interface. The PLC or other controller communicates through a wiring harness, cables, etc., of an on-board network or wirelessly, e.g., WAN, with the operator interface and Coriolis meter, vorcone meter, or other measuring device, and receives inputs from and display information on an associated touch screen or the main operator interface device. The PLC or other controller connects to a pump motor controller, valve controllers, such as but not limited to, pneumatic or electric servos, motors, solenoids, etc., for generating and controlling the liquid flow during loading and unloading, to and from the compartments of vehicle 24, and also to signal devices, alarms, safety devices such as interlocks, etc., via a wiring harness, and/or a wired or wireless controller network or the like.

[0067] As discussed above, for crude oil loading applications it is often highly desirable to generate information and data regarding the oil being loaded, in particular, to precisely determine grade and individual contaminant levels, at the loading site, and/or when unloaded from the transport container at a destination such as an oil depot, pipeline terminal, or the like.

[0068] The apparatus, system, and method of the invention provide these capabilities, incorporated into an automatic loading routine that can be initiated when hose 32 of a transport vehicle 24 is securely coupled to a tank to be unloaded, such as tank 32.

[0069] Referring also to FIGS. 4-11, a typical unloading sequence is initiated using an operator interface 40 connected to control 38, which operator interface 40 can be a touch screen, tablet, laptop, etc. or the main operator interface device (HMI) on control 38 itself. As a first step illustrated in FIG. 4, an operator initiates operation by touching “PRESS TO BEGIN”. Optionally, the operator can touch “BLM” to provide information to the Bureau of land management of the United States federal government. The next screen, shown in FIG. 5, will be an enter data screen, wherein the operator can enter a run number, which will be a number assigned to the particular load being loaded, and a ticket number for tracking purposes. An optional observed temperature taken from a thermometer measurement of a sample of the oil to be loaded is inputted as well as optionally an observed API value. The observed API value can be determined using an API measuring device and the sample of the oil to be loaded, in the well known manner. These are advantageous as they provide convenient references for values determined according to the invention. FIG. 6 shows a screen that is displayed to enable the operator to select a weight of the load to be loaded.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 7, the operator is next prompted to select a method of loading, either automatic or manual. If the vehicle transport container, e.g., vehicle 24, has 2 compartments, which is typical for transporting oil, the operator will be prompted to enter a set point value for the target volume for each compartment, at which loading will be automatically ceased by control 38.

[0071] Referring now to FIG. 8, the operator is prompted to commence loading by pressing a “START” button. When the START button is pressed, the system opens the appropriate compartment valve of piping system 28, allowing flow into the selected compartment of the transport container. As the system begins the loading operation, control 38 will automatically determine total volume; average API; flow rate; and average temperature, during the loading operation and will compile those values and display them, continually updated, FIG. 14 is a table showing that data as compiled in the background. FIG. 8A is a graphical user interface (HMI) including graphical representations of load levels within the respective compartments of the transport container, and pertinent data determined and compiled during the loading operation according to the invention, including temperature, API, flow rate, gross observed volume (in barrels), gross standard volume (in barrels), net standard volume (in barrels), as well as percentage of BS&W (in barrels). This data is also compiled in the background as illustrated by FIG. 14.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a user interface screen for optional manual control to enable the operator to manually operate the front and rear compartment valves and the pump.

[0073] FIG. 10 is a user interface screen showing run information determined according to the invention. This information is computed and compiled automatically according to the invention and will include total volume, BS&W, average API, average temperature, and observed API and temperature from the initiation of the loading operation for reference. In this regard, if the average API determined by the invention differs significantly from observed API, the operator is alerted of a possible problem and can investigate, report, and/or correct any problems discovered.

[0074] In FIG. 11, a screen is shown including a high BS&W notification output capability of the system of the invention. The system has the capability for allowing the operator or other supervisory personnel to enter a threshold value for BS&W for the load being loaded. This value can be expressed as a percentage of the load or volume, or both. As an exemplary option, the system will automatically display a total value for barrels of oil loaded, and barrels of water and sediment (solids). In the background, the system automatically monitors running BS&W values determined from determinations of density of segments of the liquid of the flow, and compares those values to a set threshold value. A time threshold for BS&W out of limit can be set. The system can also be set to automatically output an audible and/or visual signal, such as an audible alarm and/or signal light, in the event the threshold value is exceeded, at any time, or for the set time period.

[0075] The system can also perform an automatic operation to return or segregate the high BS&W liquid. As an example, the quantity of BS&W in a tank to be unloaded is typically greatest at the bottom, which is the portion of the tank typically unloaded first. Whichever compartment of the transport container selected to be loaded first, that compartment will receive the initial BS&W from the bottom of the tank being unloaded. Subsequently, during the loading operation there may be little BS&W. However, that may not be the case. For instance, trapped or captured water or solids may be present elsewhere in a tank, or the bottom of a second tank may be loaded, so as to introduce more BS&W into the load to be transported.

[0076] If the above scenarios occur, and the incoming BS&W exceeds a set threshold value, the system can be programmed to automatically divert that flow to the other compartment designated for receiving BS&W. Typically, transport tanks are filled from the bottom, and therefore the BS&W will have a tendency to be located in the bottom region of the designated compartment. Now, if desired, that region of the designated compartment can be separately unloaded, including by being pumped back into the tank being unloaded if desired, so that the load to be transported will have higher quality, or at least be segregated, if it is elected to not pump back the BS&W. As noted above, the above described metrics of the load can be stored by the system of the invention, as well as outputted to a desired destination, such as supervisory personnel and/or customers, or the like.

[0077] As another scenario of operation that can be employed, the BS&W will tend to settle into the receiving compartment or container during loading, and after loading the system can be programmed to automatically remove a designated portion of the contents containing a higher concentration of the BS&W and return it to the sending container or direct it to another location. Because the apparatus and system of the invention determines BS&W in during the flow, that information can be determined during the removal and the removal flow can be automatically terminated when a set threshold value, e.g., percentage or concentration in the return flow, is reached. Thus, lower quality crude containing a higher percentage of BS&W can be automatically separated and segregated from the higher quality, if desired.

[0078] The meters 1, 22, as explained above are each operable to determine values representative of the density of the liquid flowing therethrough. Essentially, the sensing apparatus and data processing capabilities of the apparatus and processor enable the densities to be accurately determined for a portion or segment of the flow of the liquid, at very short time intervals, e.g., a few hundred milliseconds, which, for purposes of the invention can be expressed as segments or slices of the flow of the liquid through the meter 1 or 22. Solids are known to have a range of density values (typically expressed in kilograms/liter) that are less than a threshold value that will be less than the density values of the vast majority of grades of oil found in crude; water is known to have a range of density values greater than a threshold value greater than the density values for the pertinent grades of oil. Thus, the invention determines the densities for the segments of the flow on a time segment basis, on a continuing or ongoing basis, and compares the determined density values to a lower threshold value that will identify it as a solid, e.g., set between 0.64 and 0.70 kg/m.sup.3 for oil extracted from the Bakken fields of the US, and compares the density values to a higher threshold value that will identify it as water, e.g., set between 0.9 and 0.94 kg/m.sup.3 for Bakken oil, those segments that have densities between the threshold values will be identified as oil. Running totals of each category of density are then compiled. For example, because flow rate is also being measured, the categories are correlated to flow and compiled in barrels per some time period, e.g., per second, of flow.

[0079] It is desired to determine an average API value for the liquid periodically during the loading operation. API is a dimensionless value and can be calculated using the formulas set forth below. The term “Oil” represents a density value for oil as determined by the meter 1 or 22, and the term “Water” represents a density value for water as determined by the meter. Some government regulators require average API values to be recorded periodically for a load, and this is intended to comply with this requirement. The system of the invention averages the compiled density values for oil and water over predetermined intervals, here, 10 second time intervals, although it should be recognized that shorter or longer time intervals can be utilized. These average oil and water density values are then used to calculate average API for each of the predetermined intervals, on a continuous basis during the flow. The density averages are correlated for temperature for determining standard values. These average API values are then displayed on a running basis on the operator interface with associated average temperature values.

API=141.5/(Oil/Water)−131.5

API=141.5*(Oil/Water)−131.5

Oil*API=(141.5*Water/Oil)*Oil−131.5*Oil

Oil*API+131.5*Oil−141.5*Water−131.5*Oil+131.5*Oil

Oil*API+131.5*Oil=141.5*Water

OIl*(API+131.5)=141.5*Water

Oil*(API+131.5)/(API+131.5)=(141.5*Water)/(API+131.5)

Oil=(141.5*Water)/(API+131.5)

[Observed API−0.059175*(Observed Temp−60)]/[1+0.00045*(Observed Temp−60)] [0080] Observed Temp is in F

[0081] An exemplary method of loading a liquid from a first container into a second container according to the invention can comprise steps of:

[0082] generating a flow of the liquid through a conduit from the first container toward the second container while automatically

[0083] monitoring characteristics of sequential predetermined segments of the liquid of the flow or for a predetermined time segment of the flow, and determining values representative of densities of the predetermined segments of the flow, respectively;

[0084] comparing the values representative of the densities of each of the predetermined segments of the flow or the predetermined time period of the flow to at least one predetermined value to determine presence of at least one contaminant therein, respectively, and:

[0085] compiling a first running total of the values representative of the densities of the predetermined segments of the liquid of the flow or the predetermined time period of the flow determined to lack the presence of the at least one contaminant therein; and;

[0086] compiling a second running total of the values representative of the densities of the predetermined segments of the liquid of the flow or the predetermined time period of the flow determined to have the at least one contaminant therein.

[0087] Another exemplary method of loading a liquid from at least one stationary collection container proximate a production source of the liquid, into a bulk liquid transport container for transport of the liquid to another location, can comprise steps of:

[0088] generating an initial flow of the liquid through a conduit from the collection container toward the transport container;

and automatically

[0089] monitoring characteristics of the initial flow and determining at least one initial density value for the initial flow therefrom;

[0090] comparing the at least one initial density value for the initial flow to a value indicative of presence of a contaminant, and:

[0091] i. if the comparison is indicative of presence of the contaminant, then performing at least one of the following steps: [0092] a. outputting a signal; [0093] b. ceasing the loading; and [0094] c. returning the initial flow to the collection container or transferring the initial flow to another container;
and

[0095] ii. if the comparison is indicative of absence of the contaminant, then continuing the flow and the steps of monitoring and comparing, until either: [0096] a. expiration of a predetermined period of time; [0097] b. a predetermined amount of the liquid has been loaded, or

[0098] the liquid flow is absent for a predetermined period of time.

[0099] Still another method according to the invention of loading crude oil from at least one stationary collection container proximate a production source of the crude oil, into a bulk liquid transport container for transport of the crude oil to another location, comprises steps of:

[0100] providing a first value indicative of presence of a contaminant in the crude oil;

[0101] generating an initial flow of the crude oil through a conduit from the collection container toward the transport container;

and automatically

[0102] monitoring characteristics of the initial loading flow and determining at least one initial density value for the flow therefrom;

[0103] comparing the at least one initial density value to the value indicative of presence of a contaminant, and:

[0104] iii. if the comparison is indicative of presence of the contaminant, then performing at least one of the following steps: [0105] d. outputting a signal; [0106] e. ceasing the loading; and [0107] f. returning the initial flow to the collection container;
and

[0108] iv. if the comparison is indicative of absence of the contaminant, then continuing the flow and the steps of monitoring and comparing, until either: [0109] c. expiration of a predetermined period of time; [0110] d. a predetermined amount of the crude oil has been loaded, or

[0111] the flow is absent for a predetermined period of time.

[0112] FIG. 12 is a graphical representation of BS&W verses time determined according to the invention for a representative loading operation wherein a typical transport vehicle such as vehicle 24 described herein is loaded from a storage tank such as a tank 32. The BS&W is expressed as a percentage of the load as it is being loaded. Thus, as can be expected, the percentage BS&W is initially high due to settling of the water and sediments in the bottom of the tank being unloaded, the bottom being unloaded first. The percentage of BS&W rapidly tapers off to almost zero. This BS&W percentage is determined from the density values for the segments of the liquid of the flow outputted by the meter 1 or 22 and associated with a volume value (in barrels) derived from the flow rate. That is, since each determined density value represents a segment of time of the flow of some designated number of milliseconds, and the flow rate is known for that segment of time, the volume of the liquid at that density is calculated. In the graph of FIG. 12, the intervals displayed are 1 minute, so the volumes of segments of the flow identified by density as oil, and those identified as solids and water combined, are determined, and the percentage of the total comprising the BS&W displayed as shown. Because the BS&W is determined by control 38 on board vehicle 24 essentially in real time or near real time, if a BS&W value greater than a set value as a density or a percentage of total is detected, a signal or alarm can be automatically outputted and/or a predetermined action automatically taken, e.g., shut down flow, divert flow to a different location, e.g., other compartment, or separate location. In this manner, the BS&W over a set limit for the load can be segregated into a designated compartment, and can be offloaded in a special manner to preserve the remainder of the load at a lower BS&W level and thus higher quality. This graphical representation illustrates the advantage of more accurate data collection achieved by the continuous determining of the BS&W percentage during the entire loading operation, compared to presently used methods of industry wherein BS&W content can be measured from liquid samples are taken manually at intervals such as ¼. ½/and ¾ through the loading operation.

[0113] FIG. 13 is a graphical representation of flow rate and total volume (in barrels) verses time in one minute intervals determined by the system of the invention for a representative loading operation.

[0114] FIG. 14 is a table compiling flow rate in barrels per hour, total volume loaded in barrels, BS&W as a percentage of the volume, average temperature, API, an a volume totalizer value, all verses time at predetermined millisecond intervals, determined by the invention for a portion of another representative loading operation. Here, it can be observed that initial default values 1 and 0 are used for BS&W and temperature during the initial loading when the piping system is not yet filled with the liquid being loaded. The system can be programmed to ignore those values in the computations for the load so as to produce more accuracy.

[0115] In light of all the foregoing, it should thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that there has been shown and described an ONBOARD APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY DYNAMICALLY EVALUATING CHARACTERISTICS OF A NON-HOMOGENOUS LIQUID DURING LOADING AND UNLOADING OF A TRANSPORT CONTAINER. However, it should also be apparent that, within the principles and scope of the invention, many changes are possible and contemplated, including in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention. Thus, while the foregoing description and discussion addresses certain preferred embodiments or elements of the invention, it should further be understood that concepts of the invention, as based upon the foregoing description and discussion, may be readily incorporated into or employed in other embodiments and constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown, and all changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.