Multi-channel flow meter and flow measurement method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a multi-channel metering flowmeter, including a flow channel seat and a shell wrapped around the flow channel seat, a plurality of metering channels are provided in the flow channel seat, and two channel interfaces are provided on the shell, the two channel interfaces are respectively facing the two ends of the flow channel seat, and the two ends of any metering channel are respectively docked with the two channel interfaces and kept in communication so as to be activated, a switching handle is fixedly connected to the flow channel seat, the switching handle passes out of the shell, and a plurality of positioning connection positions are provided on the outer wall of the shell, the positioning connection positions are synchronously activated with the metering channels, and the switching handle maintains a relatively fixed connection relationship with the activated positioning connection positions. The notice also discloses a flow metering method. The significant effect of the present invention is that metering channels with different parameters can be autonomously switched along with the life cycle of the oil and gas field, so that it can match the different requirements for metering channels before, during and after mining, thereby significantly reducing the production and use costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to petroleum engineering production equipment, in particular to a metering device used in petroleum engineering. Background Art

[0002] During the entire life cycle of an oil and gas well, its oil and gas production will gradually decrease with the increase of years. In order to obtain better production measurement results, it is generally necessary to configure different flow meters at different stages, which leads to increased costs.

[0003] The essential difference between different flow meters is the different parameters of the metering channels. It is obviously not economical to replace the flow meter several times just for this reason. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a flow meter that can autonomously switch metering channels throughout the entire life cycle of an oil and gas well, making it applicable to the pre-, mid-, and late stages of production, thereby significantly reducing production costs. The main technical solutions adopted are as follows:

[0005] A multi-channel metering flowmeter comprises a flow channel seat and a shell wrapped around the flow channel seat, wherein the inner cavity wall of the shell matches and fits with the outer wall of the flow channel seat;

[0006] The flow channel seat is cylindrical, and a plurality of metering channels are provided in the flow channel seat. Both ends of the metering channels respectively pass through the flow channel seat, and both ends of the metering channels respectively open at both end surfaces of the flow channel seat. The center lines of the metering channels are parallel to the center line of the flow channel seat, and all the metering channels are distributed circumferentially around the center line of the flow channel seat.

[0007] Two channel interfaces are provided on the housing, and the two channel interfaces are respectively facing the two ends of the flow channel seat. The two ends of any metering channel are respectively docked with the two channel interfaces and maintained in communication so as to be activated. A seal is matched at the docking point between the metering channel and the channel interface;

[0008] A switching handle is fixedly connected to the flow channel seat, and a clearance opening is provided on the housing. The switching handle passes outward through the clearance opening. The switching handle can drive the flow channel seat to rotate in the housing so that different metering channels are connected to the channel interface;

[0009] A plurality of positioning connection positions are provided on the outer wall of the shell, and the positioning connection positions correspond to the metering channels one by one. The positioning connection positions are activated synchronously with the metering channels, and the switching handle maintains a relatively fixed connection relationship with the activated positioning connection positions, so that the activated metering channel maintains a relatively fixed relationship with the two channel interfaces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the positioning handle 4 on the housing 2;

[0012] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the end face of the end cover 22;

[0013] Figure 4 for Figure 3 AA` cross-sectional view;

[0014] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A top view of

[0015] Figure 6 for Figure 5 BB` cross-sectional view;

[0016] Figure 7 for Figure 6 An enlarged view of part i;

[0017] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the flow channel seat 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0019] like Figures 1-8 As shown, a multi-channel metering flowmeter includes a flow channel seat 1 and a shell 2 wrapped around the flow channel seat 1, wherein the inner cavity wall of the shell 2 matches and fits with the outer wall of the flow channel seat 1;

[0020] The flow channel seat 1 is cylindrical, and a plurality of metering channels 1a are provided in the flow channel seat 1. The two ends of the metering channels 1a respectively pass through the flow channel seat 1, and the two ends of the metering channels 1a respectively open at the two end surfaces of the flow channel seat 1. The center lines of the metering channels 1a are parallel to the center line of the flow channel seat 1, and all the metering channels 1a are distributed circumferentially around the center line of the flow channel seat 1; the center line of each metering channel 1a has the same distance from the center line of the flow channel seat 1;

[0021] Two channel interfaces 2a are provided on the shell 2, and the two channel interfaces 2a are respectively facing the two ends of the flow channel seat 1. The two ends of any metering channel 1a are respectively docked with the two channel interfaces 2a and maintained in communication so as to be activated. A seal is matched at the docking point between the metering channel 1a and the channel interface 2a. Specifically, an annular sealing groove is respectively provided on the end face of each flow channel seat 1 around the opening of the metering channel 1a, and an O-ring is provided in the annular sealing groove.

[0022] The two channel interfaces 2a are respectively connected to a connecting pipe 7, which is welded and fixed to the corresponding channel interface 2a. The connecting pipe 7 extends outward along the axial direction of the activated metering channel 1a, and the free end of the connecting pipe 7 is provided with a docking flange; the docking flange is used to connect the entire device to the pipeline;

[0023] The metering channel 1a includes a small hole segment, two large hole segments, and two frustum transition segments connected by a common centerline. The small hole segment is located between the two large hole segments. Both ends of the small hole segment are connected to the two large hole segments through the frustum transition segments. The large end of the frustum transition segment is connected to the large hole segment. The large end of the frustum transition segment is connected to the small hole segment. One of the large hole segments forms an inlet segment, and the other large hole segment forms an outlet segment.

[0024] The number of the metering channels 1a is at least two, and may be three, four, etc., mainly determined according to demand, and the specification parameters of each metering channel 1a are different. More specifically, the diameter of the inlet section of each metering channel 1a is equal; the diameter of the outlet section of each metering channel 1a is equal; the diameter of the small mouth section of each metering channel 1a is different; the axial length of the frustum transition section of each metering channel 1a is different;

[0025] A switching handle 3 is fixedly connected to the flow channel seat 1, and a clearance opening is provided on the housing 2. The switching handle 3 passes through the clearance opening outward. The switching handle 3 can drive the flow channel seat 1 to rotate in the housing 2, so that different metering channels 1a are connected to the channel interface 2a;

[0026] Several positioning connection positions are provided on the outer wall of the shell 2, and the positioning connection positions correspond one-to-one to the metering channels 1a. The positioning connection positions are activated synchronously with the metering channels 1a, and the switching handle 3 maintains a relatively fixed connection relationship with the activated positioning connection positions, so that the activated metering channels 1a maintain a relatively fixed relationship with the two channel interfaces 2a.

[0027] A more optimized technical solution is: the switching handle 3 is connected to the center position of any end surface of the flow channel seat 1, and the switching handle 3 passes through the housing 2 along the center line direction of the flow channel seat 1;

[0028] The extended end of the switching handle 3 is connected to a positioning handle 4, a connection hole is provided at the positioning connection position, and the positioning handle 4 is bolted to the activated positioning connection position;

[0029] The positioning handle 4 includes a handle rod 41, a handle support 42, a movable hoop 43 and a fixed hoop 44. The handle support 42 is fixed to the positioning connection position by bolts, and the fixed hoop 44 is fixed to the handle support 42. The movable hoop 43 and the fixed hoop 44 are tightened by bolts. The handle rod 41 is perpendicular to the switching handle 3, one end of the handle rod 41 is fixedly connected to the switching handle 3, and the other end of the handle rod 41 is fixedly arranged between the movable hoop 43 and the fixed hoop 44.

[0030] Two pairs of pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups 5 are respectively provided on the flow channel seat 1 corresponding to each of the metering channels 1a. The two pairs of pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups 5 are arranged along the axial direction of the corresponding metering channel 1a.

[0031] The pressure measurement and drainage hole group 5 includes a radial drainage hole 51 and two oblique drainage holes 52. The radial drainage hole 51 is arranged along the radial direction of the flow channel seat 1.

[0032] The centerline of the radial drainage hole 51 is perpendicular to and intersects with the centerline of the corresponding metering channel 1a. The centerline of the oblique drainage hole 52 is perpendicular to and intersects with the centerline of the corresponding metering channel 1a. The two oblique drainage holes 52 are axially symmetrically distributed about the radial drainage hole 51. The radial drainage hole 51 and the two oblique drainage holes 52 are located at the same axial position of the corresponding metering channel 1a. The two oblique drainage holes 52 can balance and stabilize the pressure of the fluid discharged from the radial drainage hole 51. The inner ends of the radial drainage hole 51 and the two oblique drainage holes 52 are respectively connected to the corresponding metering channel 1a.

[0033] The angle between the center line of the radial drainage hole 51 and the center line of the oblique drainage hole 52 is 45°;

[0034] A pressure stabilizing groove 1b is provided on the outer wall of the flow channel seat 1 corresponding to each pair of the pressure measuring and drainage hole groups 5, and the outer ends of the radial drainage hole 51 and the two oblique drainage holes 52 are respectively opened at the bottom surface of the pressure stabilizing groove 1b;

[0035] The housing 2 is provided with two pressure-inducing holes 2b, which correspond one-to-one to the two pairs of pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups 5 of the activated metering channel 1a, and the inner ends of the pressure-inducing holes 2b are connected to the corresponding pressure-stabilizing grooves 1b;

[0036] A pair of the pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups 5 are connected to the small hole section to form a high-pressure drainage hole group; another pair of the pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups 5 are connected to the large hole section located at the inlet section to form a low-pressure drainage hole group; the high-pressure drainage hole group of each metering channel 1a is located at the same axial position of the flow channel seat 1; the low-pressure drainage hole group of each metering channel 1a is located at a different axial position of the flow channel seat 1; this will result in the axial distance L between the two pairs of the pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups 5 being unequal, and attention should be paid to the size when setting the pressure-stabilizing groove 1b so that the pressure-stabilizing groove 1b of each metering channel 1a can be connected to the corresponding pressure-inducing hole 2b;

[0037] Three axial seals are further provided outside the flow channel seat 1. The three seals are sequentially distributed along the axial direction of the flow channel seat 1 to form the first, second, and third axial seals. The first axial seal is close to the inlet section, and the third axial seal is close to the outlet section. All the low-pressure drainage hole groups are located between the first and second axial seals; all the high-pressure drainage hole groups are located between the second and third axial seals.

[0038] The pressure-stabilizing groove 1b is arched, the bottom of the pressure-stabilizing groove 1b is flat, the groove wall of the pressure-stabilizing groove 1b is fan-shaped, the groove bottom extension direction of the pressure-stabilizing groove 1b is perpendicular to the center line of the flow channel seat 1, the groove bottom surface of the pressure-stabilizing groove 1b is perpendicular to the center line of the corresponding radial drainage hole 51, and the groove bottom center of the pressure-stabilizing groove 1b is located on the center line of the corresponding radial drainage hole 51.

[0039] During long-term use, the fluid (especially crude oil) may seep from the pressure-stabilizing tank 1b into between the flow channel seat 1 and the shell 2, and flow into other metering channels 1a to be activated, causing impurities such as sand, gravel, and asphalt to exist in the metering channels 1a to be activated. Two cleaning ports 2c can be passed through the shell 2, and the two cleaning ports 2c are respectively facing the two ends of the flow channel seat 1. The two cleaning ports 2c are respectively docked with and connected to the two ends of any one of the metering channels 1a to be activated, and sealing covers 6 are respectively provided on the two cleaning ports 2c, and sealing members are provided between the sealing covers 6 and the cleaning ports 2c.

[0040] When it is necessary to switch the metering channel 1a, first open the sealing cover 6, connect the metering channel 1a to be activated with the cleaning port 2c for cleaning, then plug the sealing cover 6 and switch the metering channel 1a to be activated into place.

[0041] The housing 2 includes a barrel body 21 and an end cover 22. The end cover 22 is buckled on the open end of the barrel body 21. The end cover 22 is connected to the open end of the barrel body 21 by bolts.

[0042] One of the channel interfaces 2a is opened on the end cover 22, and the other channel interface 2a is opened at the bottom of the barrel body 21;

[0043] One of the cleaning openings 2c is opened on the end cover 22 , and the other cleaning opening 2c is opened at the bottom of the barrel body 21 .

[0044] Example 2:

[0045] A flow measurement method is performed according to the following steps:

[0046] Step 1: Build the multi-channel metering flowmeter in Example 1, and make the center line of the metering channel 1a vertical, with the lower end of the metering channel 1a as the inlet and the upper end of the metering channel 1a as the outlet;

[0047] Step 2: Connect the multi-channel metering flowmeter to the pipeline, introduce the fluid to be measured into the activated metering channel 1a, and lead the fluid drawn out from the two pressure-inducing holes 2b through the pipeline to the differential pressure gauge, and use the differential pressure gauge to measure the pressure difference Δp between the two groups of pressure-testing and drainage holes 5;

[0048] Step 3: Calculate the static pressure difference Δp1 between the two pressure measuring and drainage hole groups 5 according to the following formula;

[0049] △p1=ρ*g*h;

[0050] ρ is the density of the fluid;

[0051] g is the acceleration due to gravity;

[0052] h is the height difference between the two pairs of pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups 5. When placed vertically, h is equal to the axial distance L between the two pairs of pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups 5.

[0053] Step 4: Calculate the fluid flow rate Q according to the following formula;

[0054]

[0055] C is the outflow coefficient;

[0056] E is the progressive speed coefficient;

[0057] d is the diameter of the small hole segment;

[0058] ε is the stream expansion coefficient;

[0059] ρ is the density of the fluid.

[0060] Beneficial effect: By adopting the technical solution of the present invention, metering channels with different parameters can be switched autonomously along the life cycle of the oil and gas field, so as to match the different requirements for metering channels before, during and after exploitation, thereby significantly reducing the production and use costs.

[0061] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Under the guidance of the present invention, ordinary technicians in this field can make various similar expressions without violating the purpose and claims of the present invention. Such changes fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-channel flow meter, characterized in that: It comprises a flow channel seat (1) and a shell (2) wrapped around the flow channel seat (1), wherein the inner cavity wall of the shell (2) matches and fits with the outer wall of the flow channel seat (1); The flow channel seat (1) is cylindrical, and a plurality of metering channels (1a) are provided in the flow channel seat (1), the two ends of the metering channels (1a) respectively pass through the flow channel seat (1), the two ends of the metering channels (1a) respectively open at the two end faces of the flow channel seat (1), the center lines of the metering channels (1a) are parallel to the center line of the flow channel seat (1), and all the metering channels (1a) are distributed circumferentially around the center line of the flow channel seat (1); Two channel interfaces (2a) are provided on the housing (2), the two channel interfaces (2a) respectively facing the two ends of the flow channel seat (1), and the two ends of any metering channel (1a) are respectively docked with the two channel interfaces (2a) and maintained in communication, thereby being activated, and a sealing member is matched at the docking point between the metering channel (1a) and the channel interface (2a); A switching handle (3) is fixedly connected to the flow channel seat (1), and a clearance opening is provided on the housing (2). The switching handle (3) passes through the clearance opening outward, and the switching handle (3) can drive the flow channel seat (1) to rotate in the housing (2), so that different metering channels (1a) are connected to the channel interface (2a); A plurality of positioning connection positions are provided on the outer wall of the housing (2), the positioning connection positions corresponding to the metering channels (1a) one by one, the positioning connection positions being activated synchronously with the metering channels (1a), and the switching handle (3) maintaining a relatively fixed connection relationship with the activated positioning connection positions, so that the activated metering channel (1a) maintains a relatively fixed relationship with the two channel interfaces (2a); Two pairs of pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups (5) are respectively provided on the flow channel seat (1) corresponding to each of the metering channels (1a), and the two pairs of pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups (5) are arranged along the axial direction of the corresponding metering channel (1a); The pressure measurement drainage hole group (5) comprises a radial drainage hole (51) and two oblique drainage holes (52), wherein the radial drainage hole (51) is arranged along the radial direction of the flow channel seat (1); The center line of the radial drainage hole (51) is perpendicular to and intersects with the center line of the corresponding metering channel (1a); the center line of the oblique drainage hole (52) is perpendicular to and intersects with the center line of the corresponding metering channel (1a); the two oblique drainage holes (52) are axially symmetrically distributed with respect to the radial drainage hole (51); the radial drainage hole (51) and the two oblique drainage holes (52) are located at the same axial position of the corresponding metering channel (1a); The inner ends of the radial drainage hole (51) and the two oblique drainage holes (52) are respectively connected to the corresponding metering channels (1a); The included angle between the center line of the radial drainage hole (51) and the center line of the oblique drainage hole (52) is 45°; A pressure stabilizing groove (1b) is provided on the outer wall of the flow channel seat (1) corresponding to each pair of the pressure measuring and drainage hole groups (5), and the outer ends of the radial drainage hole (51) and the two oblique drainage holes (52) are respectively opened at the bottom surface of the pressure stabilizing groove (1b); Two pressure-inducing holes (2b) are passed through the shell (2), and the two pressure-inducing holes (2b) correspond one-to-one to the two pairs of pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups (5) of the activated metering channel (1a), and the inner ends of the pressure-inducing holes (2b) are communicated with the corresponding pressure-stabilizing grooves (1b); The metering channel (1a) comprises a small hole section and two large hole sections connected by a common center line, the small hole section is located between the two large hole sections, and both ends of the small hole section are respectively connected to the two large hole sections, one large hole section forms an inlet section, and the other large hole section forms an outlet section, a pair of the pressure measuring and drainage hole groups (5) are connected to the small hole section, and another pair of the pressure measuring and drainage hole groups (5) are connected to the large hole section located at the inlet section.

2. The multi-channel flow meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The center line of each metering channel (1a) has the same distance from the center line of the flow channel seat (1); The switching handle (3) is connected to the center position of any end surface of the flow channel seat (1), and the switching handle (3) passes through the housing (2) along the center line direction of the flow channel seat (1).

3. The multi-channel metering flowmeter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The extended end of the switching handle (3) is connected to a positioning handle (4), a connection hole is provided at the positioning connection position, and the positioning handle (4) is bolted to the activated positioning connection position; The positioning handle (4) comprises a handle bar (41), a handle support (42), a movable hoop (43) and a fixed hoop (44); the handle support (42) is fixed to the positioning connection position by bolts; the fixed hoop (44) is fixed to the handle support (42); the movable hoop (43) and the fixed hoop (44) are connected and tightened by bolts; the handle bar (41) is perpendicular to the switching handle (3); one end of the handle bar (41) is fixedly connected to the switching handle (3); the other end of the handle bar (41) is fixedly arranged between the movable hoop (43) and the fixed hoop (44).

4. The multi-channel flow meter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pressure-stabilizing groove (1b) is in an arched shape, the groove bottom of the pressure-stabilizing groove (1b) is a plane, the groove wall of the pressure-stabilizing groove (1b) is in a fan shape, the groove bottom extension direction of the pressure-stabilizing groove (1b) is perpendicular to the center line of the flow channel seat (1), the groove bottom surface of the pressure-stabilizing groove (1b) is perpendicular to the center line of the corresponding radial drainage hole (51), and the groove bottom center of the pressure-stabilizing groove (1b) is located on the center line of the corresponding radial drainage hole (51).

5. The multi-channel flow meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two cleaning ports (2c) are also provided on the housing (2), the two cleaning ports (2c) respectively facing the two ends of the flow channel seat (1), the two cleaning ports (2c) respectively docking with and communicating with the two ends of any metering channel (1a) to be activated, and sealing covers (6) are respectively provided on the two cleaning ports (2c), and a sealing member is provided between the sealing cover (6) and the cleaning port (2c).

6. The multi-channel flow meter according to claim 5, characterized in that: The shell (2) comprises a barrel (21) and an end cover (22), wherein the end cover (22) is buckled onto the open end of the barrel (21), and the end cover (22) is connected to the open end of the barrel (21) via bolts; One of the channel interfaces (2a) is opened on the end cover (22), and the other channel interface (2a) is opened on the bottom of the barrel body (21); One of the cleaning openings (2c) is opened on the end cover (22), and the other cleaning opening (2c) is opened at the bottom of the barrel body (21).

7. The multi-channel flow meter according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that: The two channel interfaces (2a) are respectively connected to a connecting pipe (7), the connecting pipe (7) extending outward along the axial direction of the activated metering channel (1a), and a docking flange is provided at the free end of the connecting pipe (7).

8. A flow measurement method, characterized in that Follow these steps: Step 1: construct the multi-channel metering flowmeter as claimed in claim 5, and make the center line of the metering channel (1a) vertical, the lower end of the metering channel (1a) being the inlet, and the upper end of the metering channel (1a) being the outlet; Step 2: Connect the multi-channel metering flowmeter to the pipeline, introduce the fluid to be measured into the activated metering channel (1a), and lead the fluid drawn out from the two pressure-inducing holes (2b) to the differential pressure gauge through the pipeline, and use the differential pressure gauge to measure the pressure difference Δp between the two pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups (5); Step 3: Calculate the static pressure difference △p1 between the two pressure measuring and drainage hole groups (5) according to the following formula; △p1=ρ*g*h; ρ is the density of the fluid; g is the acceleration due to gravity; h is the height difference between the two teams of pressure-measuring and drainage hole groups (5); Step 4: Calculate the fluid flow rate Q according to the following formula; ； C is the outflow coefficient; E is the progressive speed coefficient; d is the diameter of the small hole segment; ε is the stream expansion coefficient; ρ is the density of the fluid.

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