Volume meter system
AssigneeTexaco Inc.
InventorsGregory J. Hatton, David A. Helms, Michael G. Durrett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system determines the relative amounts of phases in multiphase flow, typically the liquid (or gas) fraction of a stream in two-phase flow. More particularly, the system quickly and reliably determines the liquid (or gas) fraction of a flowing two-phase stream, such as a process stream commonly found in chemical processing or in petroleum production operations. The system yields accurate results regardless of the exact flow regime under which the two-phase stream is flowing.
Claims8
An apparatus for determining relative volumes of phases in a multiphase fluid flow under any one of a number of commonly encountered flow regimes through a pipe, comprising:
- (a) a radiation source located outside the pipe capable of emitting radiation beams toward and through the pipe;
- (b) collimating means for collimating the radiation beams toward the pipe;
- (c) attenuation means located in the path of the radiation beams and having a shape optimized to compensate for the pipe geometry and for the possible existence of any one of a number of commonly encountered flow regimes in the pipe;
- (d) detecting means located on the pipe opposite the radiation source for sensing the gamma radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.