Flow rate and rheology measurement with enhanced accuracy at low flow rates
OwnerPaul R. NORTHAM, Morgan M. PRUITT +1inventors
InventorsPaul R. NORTHAM, Morgan M. PRUITT, Chad WUEST
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Abstract
A flow measurement apparatus for use with a subterranean well can include a main flow passage, a pressure relief valve connected in the main flow passage, a bypass flow passage having an inlet connected to the main flow passage upstream of the pressure relief valve, and an outlet connected to the main flow passage downstream of the pressure relief valve, and a mass flowmeter connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A method can include connecting a flow measurement apparatus in a well system, and closing a pressure relief valve of the apparatus in response to a flow rate in the main flow passage being less than a predetermined flow rate level.
Claims20
A flow measurement apparatus for use with a subterranean well, the flow measurement apparatus comprising:
- a main flow passage;
- a pressure relief valve connected in the main flow passage;
- a bypass flow passage having an inlet connected to the main flow passage upstream of the pressure relief valve, and an outlet connected to the main flow passage downstream of the pressure relief valve;
- and
- a mass flowmeter connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet.
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A method for use with a subterranean well, the method comprising:
- connecting a flow measurement apparatus in a well system, the flow measurement apparatus comprising:
- a main flow passage;
- a pressure relief valve connected in the main flow passage;
- a bypass flow passage having an inlet connected to the main flow passage upstream of the pressure relief valve, and an outlet connected to the main flow passage downstream of the pressure relief valve;
- and
- a mass flowmeter connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet;
- and
- closing the pressure relief valve in response to a flow rate in the main flow passage being less than a predetermined flow rate level.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.