Non-intrusive detection of pipe parameters using selected guided acoustic wave modes

A method for measuring a parameter relating to a pipe using guided acoustic wave modes, comprising:

• receiving, at a computing system, data corresponding to an acoustic signal;
• wherein the data are obtained by transmitting an excitation pulse at a specified frequency and detecting the resulting acoustic signal using at least one acoustic transducer attached to an outer surface of a wall of a pipe;
• and wherein the specified frequency is within a range of 10 kilohertz (kHz) to 2 megahertz (MHz);
• analyzing, via the computing system, the data to identify guided acoustic wave modes within the acoustic signal;
• wherein the guided acoustic wave modes comprise a circumferential shear horizontal (C-SH) acoustic wave mode that travels within the wall of the pipe and at least one of:
• a circumferential Lamb type (C-LT) acoustic wave mode that travels within a near-surface region of the wall of the pipe;
• or
• a cavity (CA) acoustic wave mode that travels within a cavity of the pipe;
• and
• determining, via the computing system, a measurement for at least one parameter relating to the pipe based on the identified guided acoustic wave modes;
• wherein the at least one parameter comprises at least one of a multiphase flow condition, a liquid level, a volume fraction of water, oil, and/or gas, an amount of solids deposition, an identification of solids, or a flow rate within the pipe;
• and wherein determining the measurement comprises:
• calibrating the measurement using the C-SH acoustic wave mode;
• and
• determining the measurement based on a phase velocity and/or an amplitude of the at least one of the C-LT acoustic wave mode or the CA acoustic wave mode.