Method of fluid rheology characterization and apparatus therefor

A method for measuring rheological properties of a fluid flow having entrained acoustic reflectors, wherein the method comprises:

• transmitting an acoustic signal into the fluid flow;
• receiving acoustic reflections from the entrained acoustic reflectors;
• determining a Doppler shift of reflections in a plurality of time windows corresponding to a plurality of sampling regions in the fluid flow;
• processing the Doppler shifts associated with sampling regions to determine one or more rheological properties of the fluid flow;
• and
• measuring, a pressure drop experienced by the fluid flow.

An apparatus for determining one or more properties of a fluid flow having entrained acoustic reflection sources, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a transmitter configurable to transmit an acoustic signal into the fluid flow;
• a receiver configurable to receive reflections of the acoustic signal from the entrained acoustic reflection sources;
• and
• an electronic module coupled to the transmitter and receiver, and configured to provide a pulsed high frequency signal to the transmitter and to determine a velocity vs. position profile of the fluid flow, wherein the electronic nodule includes:
• a pulse signal generator configured to generate a pulse signal;
• a sinusoidal signal generator configured to generate a sinusoidal signal;
• and
• a transmission gate coupled to the pulse signal generator and the sinusoidal signal generator and configured to combine the pulse signal with the sinusoidal signal to produce the pulsed high frequency signal.

An apparatus for determining one or more properties of a fluid flow having entrained acoustic reflection sources, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a transmitter configurable to transmit an acoustic signal into the fluid flow;
• a receiver configurable to receive reflections of the acoustic signal from the entrained acoustic reflection sources;
• an electronic module coupled to the transmitter and receiver, and configured to provide a pulsed high frequency signal to the transmitter and to determine a velocity vs. position profile of the fluid flow;
• and
• one or more pressure sensors configured to determine a pressure drop experienced by the fluid flow, wherein the electronic module is coupled to the one or more pressure sensors and configured to calculate a shear stress on the fluid flow.

An apparatus for determining one or more properties of a fluid flow having entrained acoustic reflection sources, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a transmitter configurable to transmit an acoustic signal into the fluid flow;
• a receiver configurable to receive reflections of the acoustic signal from the entrained acoustic reflection sources;
• and
• an electronic module coupled to the transmitter and receivers, and configured to provide a pulsed high frequency signal to the transmitter and to determine a velocity vs. position profile of the fluid flow,
• wherein the fluid flow is turbulent.

An apparatus for determining one or more properties of a fluid flow having entrained acoustic reflection sources, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a transmitter configurable to transmit an acoustic signal into the fluid flow;
• a receiver configurable to receive reflections of the acoustic signal from the entrained acoustic reflection sources;
• and
• an electronic module coupled to the transmitter and receiver, and configured to provide a pulsed high frequency signal lo the transmitter and to determine a velocity vs. position profile of the fluid flow,
• wherein the fluid flow has a Reynolds number greater than 2300.

An apparatus for determining one or more properties of a fluid flow having entrained acoustic reflection sources, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a transmitter configurable to transmit an acoustic signal into the fluid flow;
• a receiver configurable to receive reflections of the acoustic signal from the entrained acoustic reflection sources;
• and
• an electronic module coupled to the transmitter and receiver, and configured to provide a pulsed high frequency signal to the transmitter and to determine a velocity vs. position profile of the fluid flow,
• wherein the fluid flow is tubular shear flow.