Browsing by Author "Igwilo, Kevin"

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    A proposed simpilfied technique for accurate calculation of flared gas volume: Case study of an oil and gas processing plant in Niger Delta
    (Society of Scientific Research, 2015) Igwilo, Kevin; Abonyi, Chukwunonoso; Umeh, Ebuka
    A simplified technique for an accurate calculation of flared gas volume has been established. Although the regulatory agencies in the oil and gas industry has placed some financial and cost measures to minimize the amount of standard cubic feet of gas flared per day by operating companies yet some operators and contractors could not keep an accurate measurement on the actual amount of gas flare from their production facilities. These shortcomings are partially caused due to lack of technologies, equipment malfunctions, equipment inefficiencies, human resource deficiencies. However, gas flaring is by no means a simple measurement process on its own. This is primarily due to the large variations in conditions often found in a flare stack. Measurement difficulties could also arise through the flare type based on changes in the flow profile and Reynolds number caused by variation in the physical properties of the gases and errors due to installation effects. From the aforementioned points, it is clear that the accurate measurement of the flared gas is a rigorous and complex process with several challenges to be considered. This paper presents a technique for measuring flared gas volume based on PVs (pressure valves) present in process plants. A similar approach has been applied in South Pars gas development projects in Iran; utilizing the design information in PVs datasheet as well as actual plant data for opening percentage values which have been utilized from plant Distributed Control System (DCS ) and PIMS ( Plant Integrated Management System) via excel and visual basic.5 However, in this study, a new/robust software program that has the ability of extracting data from the plant DCS and PIMS server has been developed using Java, correlation used by this software was generated using Hysys for a particular process plant model in Niger-Delta and the correlation was regressed using excel. An iteration time-step of 1440 minutes has been chosen for greater accuracy. Features of this program include flexibility, less run-time error, user friendly, less memory space and real-time. Assumptions made during these calculations were stated clearly in this paper. Key inputs to this program are valve percentage openings per minute. Key outputs are average percentage opening per day and amount of flared per day in million standard cubic feet (MMscf).
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    Challenges and prospects of converting Nigeria illegal refineries to modular refineries
    (2019) Mamudu, Angela; Okoro, Emeka; Igwilo, Kevin; Olabode, Oluwasanmi; Elehinafe, Francis; Odunlami, Olayemi
    The sub-optimum conditions of Nigeria conventional refineries remains a drastic setback since all other industries are intertwined with its outputs. It is noted that amidst all other glaring contributing factors as listed in the study, insufficient large capital funds on the part of private investors and vandalization of pipelines seems to be conspicuous. The stolen crude oil got from the pipelines serve as the beginning point for illegal refining. Asides the issue of quality control of products, their sub-standard operation also affects Nigerians environmentally and economically. The more the Government invest time and resources to stop their operation; the more they spring up like mushrooms. This paper reflects the authors view on achieving a win-win scenario. The upgrading of existing illegal refineries at strategic locations within the country to standard modular refineries seems to be a more feasible and friendly approach. The issue of channeling of intermediate products can be solved through the introduction of clusters, where final products of one become raw material for the other. Intermediate products can also be channeled to Government owned conventional refineries for further processing. From analysis, it is deduced that overall design capacities from clusters have optimum effect on the intermediate environment in terms of meeting demand. Extensive operational training on crude oil refining will help buttress the point while Transfer of Knowledge from official vendors to Nigerian Engineers on how to fabricate modular refining units locally will also help to reduce overall cost.
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    Gas process system emepirical tool for predicting hydrate formation
    (U. P., 2018) Okoro, Emeka Emmanuel; Ekeinde, Evelyn Bose; Igwilo, Kevin; Dosunmu, Adewale
    The rapid formation of gas hydrates, promoted by typical high pressure/ low temperature operating conditions in deep water installations, is considered one of the most difficult problems with flow assurance. Understanding the conditions for the formation of hydrates is necessary to overcome the problems associated with hydrates. Ideally, the conditions for the formation of gas hydrates are determined experimentally in the laboratory; but this data is not always available. Therefore, corre￾lation is used to determine the conditions for gas hydrate formation. Several models have been proposed that require more complex and longer computations to predict the conditions for the formation of gas hydrate over the years. In this study, it is crucial to develop a reliable and easy-to￾use method for oil and gas practitioners’. The proposed correlation extends over a wide range of pressure (2000 to 25000kPa) and molecular weights (16 to 27). Consistent and accurate results of the proposed pressure range, temperature, and molecular weight are presented. Statistical error analysis is used to appraise the efficiency and accuracy of the correlation coefficient for estimating the formation of gas hydrate. This will guide designer and operator to select the optimal correlation for a particular application.
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    Offshore gas well flow and orifice metering system: An overview
    (U. P., 2017-12-18) Okoro, Emeka E.; Igwilo, Kevin; Mamudu, Angela; Onuh, Charles; Ekeinde, Bose Evelyn
    This research presents a concise account of offshore surface well test from objective, organization, to practical approach and in relation to orifice metering system of natural gas; against the perspective of regulatory standards. With reference to reliability, availability, affordability and including control measures governing the design, the orifice meter sometimes called a head loss flow meter is chosen most often because of its reputation in the oil and gas industry. Alternative metering system of natural gas, including robust and cost effective innovations within the industry which addressed some key limitations of orifice meter was examined. The advanced flow computer with transducers suited for orifice measurement installations is a cost effective electronic flow real time measurement system. It has telemetry features and improved accuracy under fluctuating flow conditions based on functional differential pressure root mean squared volume calculation principles. These new developments and their capabilities have reduced the market share of the mechanical orifice chart meters. Except that Electronic flow meters has environmental limitations; thus, the proven mechanical orifice metering systems are still an effective solution for many flow measurement applications.