Method for recording multi-phase flows through a transport system

A method for determining the composition and flow conditions of a medium flowing through a transport system comprising,

• a) causing acoustic energy signals to be generated and propagated by the flowing medium by
• (i) forming a structural detail through which the medium must flow,
• (ii) disposing the structural detail in the transport system to change the cross-sectional flow area of the medium in the transport system at the structural detail,
• (iii) forming the structural detail to create turbulence and/or cavitation in the medium when the medium passes through the structural detail, thereby causing acoustic energy signals to be generated and propagated in the structural detail,
• b) detecting broad band acoustic energy signals generated and propagated in the structural detail, including converting the detected acoustic signals into corresponding electrical signals by using a broad band signal converter as an acoustic sensor to sense and convert the acoustic signals,
• c) locating the acoustic sensor outside the transport system,
• d) conditioning the electrical signals, and
• e) processing and analyzing the electrical signals through signal spectrum analysis to provide interpretable information on composition and flow condition parameters related to the medium passing through the structural detail.