Annulus Vortex Flowmeter for Subterranean Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole flowmeters for subterranean wells are fragile, complex, and obstructive, restricting flow and access, and often require multiple pressure sensors for accurate measurement, which can lead to measurement failures.
Innovation Solution
A flowmeter system that uses a vortex shedding device external to a tubular housing to create vortices, causing a responsive structure to vibrate, which is sensed by a single vibration sensor to measure fluid flow rate through an annulus without obstructing the flow passage or requiring multiple sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a venturi-type flowmeter is interconnected in a tubing string to measure flow rate, then flow rate measurement is enabled, but flow and access through the tubing string are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The flowmeter is extracted from the internal tubing string configuration and repositioned to measure flow in the annulus external to the tubing string. This allows the flowmeter to measure annular flow without obstructing the longitudinal flow passage through the tubular string, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and flow access.
2Measurement precision
If multiple pressure sensors are used to measure pressure at multiple positions in the flowmeter, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and fragility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement principle is extracted from internal pressure sensing within the tubing string to external vibration sensing in the annulus. The vortex responsive structure and vibration sensor detect flow-induced vibrations externally, eliminating the need for multiple internal pressure sensors and reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pressure sensing system is replaced with a vibration-based sensing system. Instead of using multiple pressure sensors to detect pressure differentials, the invention uses a vortex responsive structure that converts flow information into mechanical vibrations, which are then detected by a single vibration sensor, simplifying the overall system.
3Measurement precision
If a venturi flowmeter is installed in the tubing string, then flow rate measurement is achieved, but the flowmeter becomes obstructive to downhole operations
Solution Approach 1:
The flowmeter is relocated from the internal tubing string to the external annulus, extracting it from the path of longitudinal flow and operational access. This positioning allows the flowmeter to measure annular flow without creating obstructions to downhole operations or the tubular string itself.
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
Enables accurate and non-obstructive measurement of fluid flow rates in subterranean wells by using a single robust sensor, reducing the risk of measurement failures and maintaining access through the tubular string.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vortex shedding device, at least one vortex responsive structure which vibrates in response to vortices produced by the vortex shedding device
Implementation Method 2
at least one sensor which senses vibration of the structure and in response produces a signal indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An annulus vortex flowmeter for use in conjunction with a subterranean well. A flowmeter includes a housing, a vortex responsive structure which vibrates in response to vortices produced external to the housing and a sensor which senses vibration of the structure and produces a signal indicative of a flow rate. A method of measuring fluid flow rate between a tubular string and a zone intersected by a wellbore includes utilizing a flowmeter having a vortex shedding device external to a housing for interconnection in the tubular string, the flowmeter including a vortex responsive structure which vibrates in response to vortices produced by the vortex shedding device as the fluid flows through an annulus external to the housing, and a sensor which senses vibration of the structure and produces a signal indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid; and determining the flow rate based on the sensor signal.