An apparatus and method for measuring wet gas using a Coriolis flow meter is provided. An apparatus embodiment includes a Coriolis meter, a DP meter, and a processing unit. The processing unit is in communication with the Coriolis and DP meters, and a memory storing instructions. The executed instructions cause the processing unit to: a) measure a density of the fluid flow using the Coriolis meter; b) determine a measure of gas wetness of the fluid flow using the measured density, an expected gas density value, and an equation of state model; c) determine a differential pressure measurement across the Coriolis meter; d) determine an over-reading of the differential pressure measurement; e) determine a mass flow rate of gas using the determined over-reading; and f) determine a mass flow rate of liquid.
G01F 1/34 - Mesure du débit volumétrique ou du débit massique d'un fluide ou d'un matériau solide fluent, dans laquelle le fluide passe à travers un compteur par un écoulement continu en utilisant des effets mécaniques en mesurant la pression ou la différence de pression
G01F 1/66 - Mesure du débit volumétrique ou du débit massique d'un fluide ou d'un matériau solide fluent, dans laquelle le fluide passe à travers un compteur par un écoulement continu en mesurant la fréquence, le déphasage, le temps de propagation d'ondes électromagnétiques ou d'autres types d'ondes, p.ex. en utilisant des débitmètres à ultrasons
G01F 1/74 - Dispositifs pour la mesure du débit d'un matériau fluide ou du débit d'un matériau solide fluent en suspension dans un autre fluide
G01F 1/84 - Débitmètres massiques du type Coriolis ou gyroscopique
G01F 15/02 - Compensation ou correction des variations de pression, de poids spécifique ou de température
2.
SPEED OF SOUND AND CONVECTIVE VELOCITY AUGMENTED CORIOLIS METERS WITH DRIVE GAIN LIMIT LOGIC
A system and method for sensing a process fluid is provided. The method includes: a) using a Coriolis meter (CM) having a flow tube to determine a CM mass flow value, a CM density value, and a drive gain signal; b) using a sensor array having a plurality of sensors configured to sense a characteristic of the process fluid that convects with the process fluid through the flow tube, and produce sensor signals representative of the process fluid characteristic convecting with the process fluid, and a sensor array processing unit in communication with the sensor array to determine a convective velocity of the process fluid; and c) reporting a first mass flow rate of the process fluid as measured by the CM or a second mass flow rate using the convective velocity and the CM density value based on the drive gain signal relative to a predetermined drive gain threshold.
An apparatus for use with a Coriolis meter is provided. The apparatus includes an array of strain-based sensors, a filtering module, and a processing unit. The sensor array is configured for sensing a meter flow tube. The array is configured for mounting on the flow tube. The sensors are configured to produce sensor signals representative of strain within the flow tube. The processing unit controls the sensor array to produce the sensor signals representative of the strain within the flow tube. The strain includes a first portion associated with the flow tube vibrating at a resonant frequency of the flow tube and a second portion associated with a fluid flow passing through the flow tube. The filtering module filters the sensor signals to remove a sensor signal portion representative of the strain associated with the flow tube vibrating at the resonant frequency of the flow tube.
G01F 1/20 - Mesure du débit volumétrique ou du débit massique d'un fluide ou d'un matériau solide fluent, dans laquelle le fluide passe à travers un compteur par un écoulement continu en utilisant des effets mécaniques par détection des effets dynamiques de l’écoulement
G01F 1/84 - Débitmètres massiques du type Coriolis ou gyroscopique
4.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DECREASING VIBRATIONAL SENSITIVITY OF STRAIN-BASED MEASUREMENTS OF FLUID FLOW PARAMETERS FOR A FLUID FLOW WITHIN A CONDUIT
An apparatus and method of decreasing vibrational sensitivity of strain based measurements of fluid flow parameters for a fluid flow in a conduit is provided. The method includes using at least one vibrational sensor to sense a conduit to determine vibrational characteristics of the conduit, determining a predominant elastic axis using the measured vibrational characteristics, and securing a strain sensor array to an outer surface of the conduit, the strain sensor array having a plurality of strain sensors disposed at different axial positions of the conduit, the strain sensor array secured to the outer surface of the conduit at a position so that the strain sensor array is oriented substantially symmetric to the determined predominant elastic axis.
G01F 1/66 - Mesure du débit volumétrique ou du débit massique d'un fluide ou d'un matériau solide fluent, dans laquelle le fluide passe à travers un compteur par un écoulement continu en mesurant la fréquence, le déphasage, le temps de propagation d'ondes électromagnétiques ou d'autres types d'ondes, p.ex. en utilisant des débitmètres à ultrasons
G01F 15/18 - Supports ou moyens de raccordement pour les compteurs
5.
TIME-ACCURATE CFD ENHANCED INTERPRETATION OF STRAIN-BASED FLOW MEASUREMENT
A system for measuring a velocity or volumetric fluid flow rate of a fluid flow passing within a pipe includes a SONAR flow meter configured to determine a measured velocity or volumetric rate of a fluid flow passing within a pipe. The system further includes a CFD analysis device configured to produce a simulated velocity or volumetric rate of the fluid flow passing within the pipe. The system further includes a processing unit in communication with the CFD analysis device and the SONAR flow meter. The processing unit is configured to produce at least one error function based on the measured velocity or volumetric fluid flow rate and the simulated velocity or volumetric fluid flow rate, and is configured to determine an adjusted velocity or volumetric fluid flow rate using the at least one error function and the measured velocity or volumetric fluid flow rate.
G01F 1/20 - Mesure du débit volumétrique ou du débit massique d'un fluide ou d'un matériau solide fluent, dans laquelle le fluide passe à travers un compteur par un écoulement continu en utilisant des effets mécaniques par détection des effets dynamiques de l’écoulement
6.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING FLUID FLOW PARAMETERS
An apparatus for measuring a parameter of a fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a sensing device and a processing unit. The sensing device has a sensor array that includes at least one first macro fiber composite (MFC) strain sensor disposed at a first axial position, and at least one second MFC strain sensor disposed at a second axial position. The first axial position and the second axial position are spaced apart from one another. The at least one first MFC strain sensor and the at least one second MFC strain sensor are both configured to produce signals representative of pressure variations of the fluid flow passing within the pipe. The processing unit is configured to receive the signals from the sensor array and measure one or more fluid flow parameters based on the signals.
G01F 1/34 - Mesure du débit volumétrique ou du débit massique d'un fluide ou d'un matériau solide fluent, dans laquelle le fluide passe à travers un compteur par un écoulement continu en utilisant des effets mécaniques en mesurant la pression ou la différence de pression
G01N 29/024 - Analyse de fluides en mesurant la vitesse de propagation ou le temps de propagation des ondes acoustiques
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a obtaining a first plurality of signals associated with a fluid flow in a pipe, processing, by a processor, the first plurality of signals to obtain a first plot of power associated with first vortices in the fluid flow and a flow rate of the fluid flow in the pipe over a first flow rate range, determining, by the processor, that a maximum value of the power in the first plot corresponds to a maximum value of the flow rate included in the first flow rate range or that the power is increasing as a function of the flow rate towards an end of the first plot, and based on said determining, multiplying, by the processor, values of the first flow rate range to obtain a second flow rate range.
An apparatus and method for sensing a fluid flow passing within a pipe, which fluid flow comprises at least a first fluid phase. The apparatus includes a flow meter having an array of sensors and at least one processing unit, which flow meter is adapted to sense the fluid flow passing within the pipe as it travels past the array of sensors and produce signals indicative of the presence of vortical structures convecting with the fluid flow. The at least one processing unit is adapted to: (a) produce a k-? plot using the signals indicative of the presence of vortical structures convecting with the fluid flow, and determine a k-? plot quality parameter that indicates the presence or absence of a second fluid phase within a fluid flow passing within a pipe; or (b) determine a shape factor parameter indicative of a presence or absence of a second fluid phase within a fluid flow passing within a pipe; or (c) both (a) and (b).
A method and system for managing one or more hydrocarbon producing well sites is provided. The well site includes a hydrocarbon material flow passing through a pipe. The system includes a clamp-on flow meter and a control station. The clamp-on flow meter is operable to produce output indicative of at least one characteristic of the hydrocarbon material flowing through the pipe at the well site. The control station is separately located from the well site. The control station includes at least one processor adapted to receive the output from the clamp-on flow meter. The processor is adapted to determine one or more characteristics of the hydrocarbon material flow at each well site using a flow compositional model.
A method and system for in situ calibrating a flow metering system to monitor fluid flow in a pipe from a well is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) measuring a first characteristic of the fluid flow exiting the well using a DP flow meter during a dry gas period, and producing an first output data representative of the first characteristic; b) measuring a second characteristic of the fluid flow exiting the well using a SONAR flow meter time during the dry gas period, and producing a second output data representative of the second characteristic; c) determining a dry gas offset between the DP flow meter and the SONAR flow meter based on the first output data and the second output data; and d) calibrating the flow metering system using the dry gas offset.
A method and apparatus for sensing a fluid flow within a pipe is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing an ultrasonic sensor having a transmitter operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through the first pipe wall, the fluid flow disposed within the pipe, and the second pipe wall, and a receiver operable to receive the transmitted signal after the signal has passed through the pipe walls and fluid flow; b) disposing the transmitter adjacent the first wall and the receiver adjacent the second wall; c) disposing at least one acoustic member between at least one of the transmitter and the first wall, and the receiver and the second wall, which acoustic member has acoustic properties such that the combined respective member and pipe wall have half wave resonant frequencies that substantially match the half wave resonant frequencies of the opposite wall, or opposite wall and respective member; and d) sensing the fluid flow through the pipe walls and structure using the ultrasonic sensor.
12.
ULTRASONIC FLUID FLOW METER HOUSING WITH ACOUSTICALLY MATCHED BASE
A device for sensing fluid flow within a pipe, which pipe has a pipe wall, is provided. The device includes a sensor housing and a fluid flow meter. The sensor housing includes at least one pressure vessel enclosure and hardware for mounting the enclosure on an exterior surface of the pipe wall. The enclosure includes a base, side walls, and a cap. The enclosure base has a pipe-side surface that mates with the exterior surface of the pipe wall. The enclosure base and the pipe wall have substantially similar resonant frequencies and acoustic impedance. The sensor housing is adapted to be attached to the pipe wall such that the pipe-side surface of the base is mated with the exterior surface of the pipe wall. The fluid flow meter includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensors disposed within the at least one pressure vessel enclosure. Each sensor has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitters are adapted to transmit signals at one or more frequencies, including frequencies that are substantially equal to the resonant frequencies of the base and pipe wall.
13.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING MULTIPHASE FLUID FLOW
A method and apparatus for monitoring multiphase fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided. The method in-cludes the steps of: a) providing a flow pressure value and a flow temperature value for the multiphase fluid flow within the pipe; b) providing a fluid flowmeter operable to be attached to an exterior of the pipe, the flowmeter including a spatial array of at least two sensors disposed at different axial positions along the pipe, which flowmeter is adapted to produce flow velocity signals in-dicative of a velocity of the fluid flow traveling within the pipe; c) providing a processor adapted to include an equation of state model for the pressure, volume, and temperature properties for the multiphase fluid flow, and further adapted to receive composi-tion data values for the multiphase fluid flow, the flow pressure value, and the flow temperature value, and the flow velocity sig-nals from the flowmeter; and d) determining a volumetric flow rate of one or both the gas phase and liquid phase of the fluid flow.
A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of fluid flow within a piping system is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) determining a measured velocity of the fluid flow within the piping system using a fluid flow meter; b) determining a measured difference in pressure value within the fluid flow using a differential pressure meter; c) selecting an estimated Reynolds number of the fluid flow; d) determining a calculated difference in pressure value using a model which relates the calculated difference in pressure value to the measured velocity and the estimated Reynolds number of the fluid flow; e) determining a degree of inaccuracy of the estimated Reynolds number using the measured difference in pressure and the calculated difference in pressure; and f) iteratively adjusting the estimated Reynolds number, determining the calculated difference in pressure, and determining the degree of inaccuracy using the adjusted Reynolds number, until the degree of inaccuracy is within an acceptable range.
G01F 1/34 - Mesure du débit volumétrique ou du débit massique d'un fluide ou d'un matériau solide fluent, dans laquelle le fluide passe à travers un compteur par un écoulement continu en utilisant des effets mécaniques en mesurant la pression ou la différence de pression
G01F 15/02 - Compensation ou correction des variations de pression, de poids spécifique ou de température
G01N 11/08 - Recherche des propriétés d'écoulement des matériaux, p.ex. la viscosité, la plasticité; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant les propriétés d'écoulement en mesurant l'écoulement du matériau à travers un passage étroit, p.ex. un tube, une ouverture en mesurant la pression nécessaire à la production d'un écoulement connu
15.
APPARATUS FOR ATTENUATING ULTRASONIC WAVES PROPAGATING WITHIN A PIPE WALL
A damping device for a fluid flow meter is provided. The fluid flow meter is mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a wall in a direction substantially normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe. The transmitted signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at one or more frequencies. The damping device includes a tuned body attachable to the pipe wall at one or more contact points. The body has one or more resonant structural modes, each with a natural frequency, which natural frequencies are closely matched to the one or more frequencies of the secondary signals. The body is operable to dissipate energy upon excitation by the secondary signals.
An apparatus and method for determining the water cut value of a multiphase fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The device includes a sequestering structure disposed within the pipe, a transmitting device, a receiving device, and a processing device. The sequestering structure at least partially defines a sensing passage within the pipe, which passage has a gap extending substantially normal to a direction of fluid flow within the pipe. The sensing passage is oriented to sequester an amount of a liquid component of the multi-phase fluid sufficient to form a continuous liquid body extending across the gap of the sensing passage. The transmitting device is operable to transmit a signal through the liquid across the gap of the sensing passage. The receiving device is operable to receive the signal after it has traversed the liquid within the sensing passage, and create sensor data. The processing device is in communication with at least the receiving device to receive and process the sensor data to determine the water cut value of the liquid.
A damping device for a fluid flow meter mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe is provided. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a pipe wall in a direction normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe, which signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at a frequency. The damping device includes a base and a plurality of tines. The base is conformable to an exterior surface of the pipe wall, and has a pipe-side surface and a tine-side surface. The plurality of tines is attached to the base and extends outwardly from the tine-side surface. Each tine is spaced apart from an adjacent tine by a tine-to-tine distance that is less than the wavelength of the secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially propagating within the pipe wall.
18.
CLAMP-ON APPARATUS FOR MEASURING A FLUID FLOW THAT INCLUDES A PROTECTIVE SENSOR HOUSING
An apparatus for measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, sealant, and an array of at least two ultrasonic sensors. The housing is operable to be mounted on the exterior surface of the pipe. The housing has at least one pocket extending between a pipe-side surface and an outer surface. The pipe-side surface mates with the exterior surface of the pipe. The sealant is disposed between the pipe exterior surface and the housing pipe-side surface. The sealant forms a seal around the pocket when the housing is mounted on the exterior surface of the pipe. The array of ultrasonic sensor units are disposed within the at least one pocket. Each sensor unit includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitters are operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through the fluid flow within the pipe. The receivers are operable to receive signals from the transmitters.
19.
A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A COMPOSITIONAL MEASUREMENT OF A MIXTURE HAVING ENTRAINED GAS
A method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The fluid flow may include one or more liquid component bodies and one or more gas component bodies, which bodies occupy a sub-stantial cross-sectional area of the pipe when passing a location in the pipe. The method includes, and the apparatus includes ele-ments operable to perform, the steps of: 1) transmitting a signal into the fluid flow at the location within the pipe, and receiving the signal after it has traversed at least a portion of the fluid flow; 2) determining a time of flight of the signal traversing the fluid flow; 3) determining the presence of a liquid component body at the location in the pipe, using the determined time of flight; and 4) determining at least one characteristic of the fluid using fluid data generated if the liquid component body is present at the loca-tion.
G01N 29/024 - Analyse de fluides en mesurant la vitesse de propagation ou le temps de propagation des ondes acoustiques
G01N 29/22 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi d'ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores; Visualisation de l'intérieur d'objets par transmission d'ondes ultrasonores ou sonores à travers l'objet - Détails
G01N 29/44 - Traitement du signal de réponse détecté
A method for measuring the thickness of a pipe wall is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) emitting ultrasonic signals into the pipe wall at one or more frequencies below 1 MHz and receiving reflected ultrasonic signals, and providing a sensor signal representative of the received reflected signals, including a first received reflected signal and a second received reflected signal; 2) providing a first model signal representative of the first received reflected signal and a second model signal representative of the second received reflected signal; 3) correlating the received reflected signals to the model signals, including varying a time delay between the model signals, until the model signals separated by the time delay substantially agree with the received reflected signals; and 4) determining the thickness of the pipe wall using the time delay.
A method and apparatus for measuring wetness of a gas flow within a conduit is provided that includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, a sonar based flowmeter, and a processing device. The first pressure sensor is operable to sense the pressure of the gas flow within the conduit at a first position. The second pressure sensor is operable to sense the pressure of the gas flow within the conduit at a second position. The second position is located downstream of the first position an amount sufficient that the gas flow experiences a pressure drop. The sonar based flowmeter is configured to determine a volumetric flow rate of the gas flow. The processing device is in communication with the first and second pressure sensors and the sonar based flowmeter. The processing device is adapted to determine a difference in the pressure sensed by the first and second pressure sensors, and to determine the wetness of the gas flow using the difference in pressure and the volumetric flow rate.
A method and apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of a fluid flowing through an internal passage of an elongated body is provided. The internal passage is disposed between a first wall and a second wall, and the first wall and the second wall each include an interior surface and an exterior surface. The method includes the steps of providing an array of at least two ultrasonic sensor units, operating the sensor units to transmit ultrasonic signals at one or more frequencies substantially coincident with at least one frequency at which the transmitted ultrasonic signals resonate within the first wall, receiving the ultrasonic signals with the sensor units, and processing the received ultrasonic signals to measure the at least one parameter of fluid flow within the internal passage.
A method and apparatus for damping an ultrasonic signal propagating in the wall of a pipe (104), the apparatus including at least one damping structure (132) for securing at least one sensor to the wall of the pipe, wherein the at least one sensor includes a transmitter component (122) and a receiver component (124) for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal, wherein the at least one damping structure is associated with the outer wall of the pipe for damping the ultrasonic signal propagating within the wall of the pipe and a processor that defines a convective ridge in the k-ω plane in response to the ultrasonic signals, and determines the slope of at least a portion of the convective ridge to determine the flow velocity of the fluid.
G01D 3/028 - Dispositions pour la mesure prévues pour les objets particuliers indiqués dans les sous-groupes du présent groupe pour atténuer les influences indésirables, p.ex. température, pression
G01F 1/712 - Mesure du temps de parcours d'une distance déterminée utilisant des moyens de détection à autocorrélation ou à intercorrélation
24.
AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING A PARAMETER OF A MULTIPHASE FLOW
An apparatus is provided that determines a characteristic of a multiphase fluid, such as an aerated oil and water fluid, flowing within a pipe. The apparatus includes a fluid flow meter, a water cut meter, and a density meter, wherein the density meter determines the density of the fluid flow to determine the gas volume (or void) fraction of the multiphase fluid flow. The output signal of each of the meters is provided to a multiphase flow model to provide a plurality of multiphase parameters, such as phase fraction, volumetric flow, mass flow of each of the phases of the multiphase mixture, optimized for various flow conditions. Each of the meters may be secured to the outer surface of the pipe using various means, such a clamping means.
G01N 29/024 - Analyse de fluides en mesurant la vitesse de propagation ou le temps de propagation des ondes acoustiques
G01F 1/74 - Dispositifs pour la mesure du débit d'un matériau fluide ou du débit d'un matériau solide fluent en suspension dans un autre fluide
G01N 9/24 - Recherche du poids spécifique ou de la densité des matériaux; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant le poids spécifique ou la densité en observant la propagation de l'onde ou de la radiation des particules à travers le matériau
G01N 29/22 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi d'ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores; Visualisation de l'intérieur d'objets par transmission d'ondes ultrasonores ou sonores à travers l'objet - Détails
G01N 29/34 - Génération des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G01N 29/42 - Détection du signal de réponse par filtrage en fréquence
A method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a wet gas flow is provided, wherein the apparatus includes a differential pressure based flow meter configured to determine a first volumetric flow rate of the wet gas flow. Additionally, the apparatus includes a sonar based flow meter configured to determine a second volumetric flow rate of the wet gas flow. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a processing device communicated with at least one of the differential pressure base flow meter and the sonar based flow meter, wherein the processing device is configured to determine the parameter (e.g., wetness, volumetric gas flow rate, and volumetric liquid flow rate) of the wet gas flow using the first and second volumetric flow rates.
An apparatus for determining a characteristic of a fluid flow within a pipe is provided, wherein the apparatus includes a separating device for separating the fluid into a gas component and a liquid component and directing the gas component to flow within a gas leg portion of the pipe and the liquid component to flow within a liquid portion of the pipe. The apparatus includes a gas leg portion metering device for generating gas component data and a liquid leg portion metering device for generating liquid component data. Moreover, the apparatus includes a processing device communicated with at least one of the gas leg portion metering device and the liquid leg portion metering device, the processing device being configured to receive and process at least one of the gas component data and the liquid component data to generate fluid flow data responsive to a fluid flow characteristic.
G01F 15/08 - Séparateurs d'air ou de gaz en combinaison avec des compteurs de liquides; Séparateurs de liquide en combinaison avec des compteurs de gaz
G01F 1/74 - Dispositifs pour la mesure du débit d'un matériau fluide ou du débit d'un matériau solide fluent en suspension dans un autre fluide
27.
A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING A GAS/LIQUID SEPARATION PROCESS
A system and method for optimizing the gas/liquid separation process for a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided, wherein the method includes receiving a fluid flow having a liquid component and a gas component. The method further includes separating the liquid component from the gas component, wherein the liquid component is separated from the gas component via a separator device. The method also includes generating gas component data and liquid component data, wherein the gas component data is responsive to the liquid carry-over into the gas component and wherein the liquid component data is responsive to the gas carry-under into the liquid component. Furthermore, the method includes processing the gas component data and the liquid component data to generate apparatus optimization data.
G01F 15/08 - Séparateurs d'air ou de gaz en combinaison avec des compteurs de liquides; Séparateurs de liquide en combinaison avec des compteurs de gaz
G01F 1/74 - Dispositifs pour la mesure du débit d'un matériau fluide ou du débit d'un matériau solide fluent en suspension dans un autre fluide
28.
AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING A PARAMETER OF A MULTIPHASE FLOW
An apparatus for determining a characteristic of an aerated fluid flowing within a pipe is provided and includes at least one first sensing device associated with the pipe, such that the at least one first sensing device senses a low-frequency component of the aerated fluid flow and generates first sensor data responsive to the low-frequency component of the aerated fluid. At least one second sensing device is also included and is associated with the pipe such that the at least one second sensing device senses a high-frequency component of the aerated fluid flow and generates second sensor data responsive to the high-frequency component of the aerated fluid. Furthermore, a processing device is included and is communicated with the at least one first sensing device and the at least one second sensing device to receive and process the first sensor data and the second sensor data to generate fluid data.
A method and apparatus for measuring the size and distribution of particles within a multiphase fluid flowing within a pipe is provided, wherein the apparatus includes at least one metering device for determining at least ore of the mixture density of the fluid, the flow rate of the fluid and the dispersion of the fluid, wherein the at least one metering device generates meter data responsive to at least one of the mixture density of the fluid, the flaw rate of the fluid and the dispersion of the fluid and a processing device communicated with the at least one metering device, wherein the processing device receives and processes the meter data to generate fluid information responsive to the size and distribution of the particles within the fluid.
A method and apparatus for measuring the size and distribution of particles within a multiphase fluid flowing within a pipe is provided, wherein the apparatus includes at least one metering device for determining at least one of the mixture density of the fluid, the flow rate of the fluid and the dispersion of the fluid, wherein the at least one metering device generates meter data responsive to at least one of the mixture density of the fluid, the flow rate of the fluid and the dispersion of the fluid and a processing device communicated with the at least one metering device, wherein the processing device receives and processes the meter data to generate fluid information responsive to the size and distribution of the particles within the fluid.
31.
AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A DENSITY MEASUREMENT AUGMENTED FOR ENTRAINED GAS
A flow measuring system combines a density measuring device and a device for measuring the speed of sound (SOS) propagating through the fluid flow and/or for determining the gas volume fraction (GVF) of the flow. The GVF meter measures acoustic pressures propagating through the fluids to measure the speed of sound .alpha.mixpropagating through the fluid to calculate at least gas volume fraction of the fluid and/or SOS. In response to the measured density and gas volume fraction, a processing unit determines the density of non-gaseous component of an aerated fluid flow. For three phase fluid flows, the processing unit can determine the phase fraction of the non-gaseous components of the fluid flow. The gas volume fraction (GVF) meter may include a sensing device having a plurality of strain-based or pressure sensors spaced axially along the pipe for measuring the acoustic pressures propagating through the flow.
A flow measuring system provides at least one of a compensated mass flow rate measurement and a compensated density measurement. The flow measuring system includes a gas volume fraction meter in combination with a coriolis meter. The GVF meter measures acoustic pressures propagating through the fluids to measure the speed of sound amix propagating through the fluid to calculate at least gas volume fraction of the fluid and/or the reduced natural frequency. For determining an improved density for the coriolis meter, the calculated gas volume fraction and/or reduced frequency is provided to a processing unit. The improved density is a function of the measured natural frequency and at least one of the determined GVF, reduced frequency and speed of sound, or any combination thereof. The GVF meter may include a sensing device having a plurality of strain-based or pressure sensors for measuring the acoustic pressures propagating through the flow.
A dual function flow measurement apparatus is provided that combines the functionality of an apparatus that measures the speed of sound propagating through a fluid flowing within a pipe, and measures pressures disturbances (e.g. vortical disturbances or eddies) moving with a fluid to determine respective parameters of the flow propagating through a pipe. The apparatus includes a sensing device that includes an array of pressure sensors used to measure the acoustic and convective pressure variations in the flow to determine desired parameters. The measurement apparatus includes a processing unit the processes serially or in parallel the pressure signals provided by the sensing array to provide output signals indicative of a parameter of the fluid flow relating to the velocity of the flow and the speed of sound propagating through the flow, respectively.
A configurable multi-function flow measurement apparatus is provided that can selectably function to measure the speed of sound propagating through a fluid flowing within a pipe and/or to measure pressures disturbances (e.g. vortical disturbances or eddies) moving with a fluid to determine respective parameters of the flow propagating through a pipe and detects the health of an industrial process. The configurable flow measurement device can also be selectable to function as a system diagnostic meter that provides a diagnostic signal indicative of the health of the industrial process, namely health of pumps, valves, motors and other devices in an industrial flow loop. The apparatus includes a sensing device that includes an array of strained-based or pressure sensors used to measure the acoustic and convective pressure variations in the flow to determine desired parameters. In response to a remote or local configuration signal, a control logic selects the desired function of the flow measurement apparatus.
brevets
