Method to measure flow line return fluid density and flow rate
AssigneesFSI International, Inc., Mezurx Pty Ltd
InventorsChristian Singfield, Catalin D. Ivan, Mark Morgan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Generally, the present invention is directed to the in situ measurement of fluid density and/or flow rate in tubular conduits, wherein such measurement comprises measuring dynamic fluid level and/or load (weight) in a region of the conduit and correlating these measurements of the fluid with a density and/or flow rate. Such measurements are typically directed toward drilling fluids transported within the tubular conduits—particularly the return flow, wherein the fluid comprises extraneous material (e.g., cuttings, etc.) which can alter the density and flow rate of the drilling fluid.
Claims24
A method for determining flow rate of a fluid flowing through a tubular conduit, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) measuring the fluid level of the fluid flowing within the tubular conduit;
- b) characterizing the inner wall geometry of the tubular conduit;
- and
- c) combining the measured fluid level and the characterized inner wall geometry to determine the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the tubular conduit.
A method for determining flow rate and density of a return drilling fluid flowing through a tubular conduit, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) measuring, within a section of the tubular conduit, the fluid level of the fluid to determine a dynamic volume for the fluid flowing through said section;
- b) correlating the dynamic volume so determined with a flow rate via calibration methods;
- c) measuring, at any instant, the weight of fluid flowing through said section of the tubular conduit;
- and
- d) combining the measured fluid weight with the determined dynamic volume to determine the density of the fluid flowing through the tubular conduit.
An apparatus for determining, in situ, flow rate and density of a fluid through a tubular conduit, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a measuring region of the tubular conduit that is substantially isolatable from other regions of the tubular conduit in a gravimetric sense;
- b) one or more detectors operable for detecting fluid level within the measuring region of the tubular conduit;
- and
- c) one or more load cells operable for measuring load and for ascertaining fluid weight within the measuring region of the tubular conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.