Non-intrusive multiphase flow meter
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorEspen S. Johansen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide methods, apparatus, and systems for determining void fractions of individual phase components of a multiphase mixture. The void fractions may be determined based on measured parameters of the mixture as a whole, such as differential pressure, bulk velocity of the mixture and speed of sound in the mixture. According to some embodiments, the mixture parameters may be measured using non-intrusive fiber optic based sensors. Various other parameters may also be derived from the void fractions, such as individual phase flow rates, liquid holdup and watercut parameters (for oil and gas mixtures).
Claims36
A method for determining one or more volumetric fractions of individual phases of a multiphase mixture flowing through a pipe, comprising:
- measuring one or more parameters collectively indicative of a density of the mixture, comprising:
- measuring a differential pressure between two locations along the pipe;
- and
- measuring a bulk velocity of the mixture;
- measuring a speed of sound in the mixture;
- determining a density of the mixture comprising determining the density based on the measured differential pressure and the measured bulk velocity and estimating an amount of frictional loss based on the bulk velocity;
- and
- using control circuitry to determine a volumetric phase fraction for one or more of the individual phases based on the one or more parameters collectively indicative of the mixture density and the measured speed of sound in the mixture.
A method for determining one or more volumetric fractions of individual phases of a multiphase mixture flowing through a pipe, comprising:
- measuring a differential pressure between at least two vertically displaced locations along the pipe;
- measuring a bulk velocity of the mixture and speed of sound in the mixture;
- determining a density of the mixture based on the measured differential pressure and measured bulk velocity of the mixture comprising estimating an amount of frictional loss based on the measured bulk velocity of the mixture;
- and
- using control circuitry to determine a volumetric phase fraction for one or more of the individual phases based on the measured differential pressure, measured bulk velocity of the mixture and measured speed of sound in the mixture.
A method for determining one or more volumetric fractions of individual phases of a multiphase mixture flowing through a pipe, comprising:
- measuring a differential pressure between at least two vertically displaced locations along the pipe;
- measuring a bulk velocity of the mixture and speed of sound in the mixture;
- determining a density of the mixture based on the measured differential pressure and measured bulk velocity of the mixture;
- and
- using control circuitry to determine a volumetric phase fraction for one or more of the individual phases based on the measured differential pressure, measured bulk velocity of the mixture and measured speed of sound in the mixture, comprising determining the volumetric phase fraction for one of the individual phases as a function of the determined density of the mixture, estimated density of the individual phases, and estimated speed of sound in the individual phases.
A method for determining one or more volumetric fractions of individual phase components of a multiphase mixture flowing through a pipe, comprising:
- measuring a temperature and pressure of the mixture at one or more locations;
- estimating densities and speeds of sound for the individual phase components based on the measured temperature and pressure of the mixture;
- measuring a differential pressure between at least two vertically displaced locations along the pipe;
- measuring a bulk velocity of the mixture and speed of sound in the mixture;
- and
- using control circuitry to determine a volumetric phase fraction for one or more of the individual phase components based on the estimated densities and speeds of sound for the individual phase components, the measured differential pressure, the measured bulk velocity of the mixture, and the measured speed of sound in the mixture.
An apparatus for measuring a volumetric phase fraction of one or more phases of a multiphase mixture in a pipe, comprising:
- a means for sensing differential pressure at two or more vertically displaced locations along the pipe;
- a velocity sensor for sensing a bulk velocity of the mixture;
- a speed of sound sensor for sensing a speed of sound in the mixture;
- control circuitry adapted to determine a volumetric phase fraction of at least one of the phases based on one or more signals received from the means for sensing differential pressure, the velocity sensor, and the speed of sound sensor;
- and
- at least one temperature sensor, wherein the control circuitry is further adapted to determine a speed of sound and density of each of the phases based on one or more signals received from the temperature sensor and an absolute pressure sensor.
An apparatus for measuring a volumetric fraction of one or more phase components of a multiphase mixture in a pipe, comprising
- an absolute pressure sensor;
- a temperature sensor;
- a means for sensing differential pressure at two or more vertically displaced locations along the pipe;
- a velocity sensor for sensing a bulk velocity of the mixture;
- a speed of sound sensor for sensing a speed of sound in the mixture;
- and
- control circuitry configured to estimate individual phase densities and speeds of sound based on signals received from the absolute pressure sensor and temperature sensor, and to determine a volumetric fraction of at least one of the phase components based on one or more signals received from the means for sensing differential pressure, the velocity sensor, and the speed of sound sensor, and the estimated individual phase densities and speeds of sound.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.