Apparatus and method for accurately measuring flow of a multi-component mixture having scale buildup

A method for determining the flow rates of a fluid comprising a multi-component mixture and improving the accuracy of the determined flow rates comprising the following steps:

• a. determining the temperature and pressure of the multi-component mixture via a temperature measurement device and a pressure measurement device respectively;
• b. determining the fractions of the multi-component mixture via a fraction measurement device based on at least two measured physical properties of the multi-components mixture and knowledge of the same physical property of the individual components of the multi-component mixture;
• c. determining the velocity of the multi component mixture via a velocity measurement device;
• d. based on the result from step a-c, determining the flow rate of the individual component of the fluid;
• e. performing an electromagnetic measurement via a probe unit;
• f. calculating a statistical parameter related to the electromagnetic measurement via a computer;
• g. comparing said statistical parameter to an empirical derived threshold value corresponding to the value of the statistical parameter when only one of the component of the multi component mixture is present via the computer;
• h. determining a thickness of unwanted deposits on a pipe wall of a pipe via the computer using one of the following:
• a) measurement of phase or loss of an electromagnetic wave transmitted through a media within the pipe, b) measurement of the phase or loss of a reflected electromagnetic wave within the pipe, c) measurement of capacitance, measurement of resistance or d) measurement of speed of sound;
• and
• i. obtaining an improved flow rate determination of the individual components of said fluid from the result from steps a-d and step h.