Method for detecting scale inside conduit using properties of tube waves
AssigneeSeismos, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Moos, Saeed Rahimi-Aghdam, Eric M. Dunham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for characterizing fluid flow properties in a pipe includes measuring pressure of a fluid flowing in the pipe. A pressure of the fluid in the pipe is changed from a first pressure to a second pressure. The changing pressure is performed so as to induce tube waves in the pipe. Location along the pipe is determined of at least one of (i) magnitude of changes in internal diameter in the pipe, or (ii) fluid flow friction factor of the pipe from tube wave induced events in the measured pressure. In some embodiments, the changing pressure is performed by changing a flow rate of fluid in the pipe.
Claims18
A method for characterizing fluid flow properties in a pipe, comprising:
- measuring pressure of a fluid flowing in the pipe;
- changing a pressure of the fluid in the pipe from a first pressure to a second pressure, the changing pressure performed so as to induce tube waves in the pipe;
- determining location along the pipe of and at least one of (i) magnitude of changes in internal diameter in the pipe or (ii) fluid flow friction factor of the pipe;
- wherein the location is determined from measurements of a time between performing the pressure change and detection of a tube wave reflection caused by a change in the internal diameter;
- and
- wherein the magnitude or friction factor are determined from a rate of change of the measured pressure with respect to time between the changing the pressure and a responsive pressure change caused by a tube wave reflection in the pipe.
A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon logic operable to cause a programmable computer to perform actions comprising:
- accepting as input to the computer measurements of pressure of a fluid flowing in the pipe;
- continuing to accept measurement of pressure in the pipe after changing a pressure of the fluid in the pipe from a first pressure to a second pressure, the changing pressure performed so as to induce tube waves in the pipe;
- determining location along the pipe of and at least one of (i) magnitude of changes in internal diameter in the pipe, or (ii) fluid flow friction factor of the pipe;
- wherein the location is determined from measurements of a time between performing the pressure change and detection of a tube wave reflection caused by a change in the internal diameter;
- and
- wherein the magnitude or friction factor are determined from a rate of change of the measured pressure with respect to time between the changing the pressure and a responsive pressure change caused by a tube wave reflection in the pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.