Adjustable Orifice Flow Meter for Wide-Range Pressure Differential Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meters in oil and gas operations lack control over fluid flow characteristics and are unable to accurately measure flow rates due to unpredictable changes in hydrocarbon fluid composition, necessitating multiple flow meters with different orifices, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A variable orifice flow meter system with a housing, movable plates, and a controller that adjusts the orifice size based on upstream pressure readings to achieve a predetermined pressure differential for accurate flow rate estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow meters with different orifices are employed to measure different flow rates, then measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single flow meter with a dynamically adjustable orifice that can change its opening size based on detected flow rate conditions. The orifice includes a movable element that shifts position to alter the opening area, allowing the same device to adapt to different flow rate ranges, thereby replacing the need for multiple fixed-orifice flow meters.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter is designed with universal measurement capability across multiple flow rate ranges by incorporating an adjustable orifice mechanism. A single device can measure both low and high flow rates by modifying the orifice opening size, making it a multi-functional instrument that eliminates the need for multiple specialized flow meters.
2Device complexity
If a fixed orifice size is used in the flow meter, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates under varying flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice is designed with a movable component that can dynamically adjust its opening size in response to detected flow rate conditions. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the orifice maintains an optimal opening size for accurate measurement across varying flow conditions, preventing measurement precision deterioration that would occur with a fixed orifice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the orifice opening size based on flow rate conditions. By adjusting the orifice opening parameter dynamically, the system maintains optimal measurement precision across different flow regimes, rather than relying on a single fixed parameter that would compromise accuracy under varying conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the orifice size is increased to measure higher flow rates, then measurement range is improved, but pressure differential decreases below threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice opening size is dynamically adjusted based on the detected flow rate. When high flow rates are detected, the orifice opens wider to accommodate the flow while maintaining a sufficient pressure differential by optimizing the opening size. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to measure high flow rates without sacrificing the minimum pressure differential required for accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orifice opening parameter in response to flow rate conditions. By optimally setting the opening size parameter for each flow regime, the system maintains the necessary pressure differential even when measuring high flow rates, thus expanding the measurement range without compromising measurement capability.
4Measurement precision
If the orifice size is decreased to maintain pressure differential, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice opening size is dynamically adjusted based on the detected flow rate conditions. When low flow rates are detected, the orifice closes to a smaller opening size to maintain the necessary pressure differential for accurate measurement. When higher flow rates are detected, the orifice opens wider to expand the measurement range. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain measurement precision across a broad range of flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimally adjusts the orifice opening parameter according to flow rate conditions. By changing the opening size parameter dynamically, the system maintains sufficient pressure differential for precise measurement at low flow rates while also being capable of measuring higher flow rates, thus achieving both measurement precision and broad measurement range.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures accurate flow rate measurement by automatically adjusting the orifice size to maintain a sufficient pressure differential, enhancing measurement precision and reducing the need for multiple flow meters.
Implementation Method 1
determine fluid flow by measuring a pressure loss across a pipe restriction
Implementation Method 2
By applying Bernoulli's Equation, which indicates that the speed of a fluid increases as its pressure decreases
Data Source
AI summary
A variable orifice flow meter system includes a housing defining a flow passage and at least one plate extending into the flow passage and defining an orifice. The at least one plate is movably supported such that a size of the orifice may be adjusted. Upstream and downstream pressure sensors may measure fluid pressures upstream and downstream of the orifice and a drive mechanism may move the at least one plate. A controller may instruct the drive mechanism to move the at least one the plate such that a predetermined orifice size is defined in response to detecting an upstream pressure within a predetermined pressure range, determine a pressure differential across the orifice and calculate a flow rate through the flow passage based on the pressure differential when the pressure differential meets a predetermined threshold.