Asymmetrical Inlet Manifold for Multiphase Flow Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiphase flowmeters face challenges in accurately measuring liquid flow rates and water liquid ratios, especially when the gas fraction of the fluid is high, leading to low accuracy in determining these parameters.
Innovation Solution
The configuration of an inlet manifold with asymmetrical flowlines, where one flowline is oriented coaxially with the inlet and the other is non-coaxial and vertically displaced, encourages liquid-rich fluid to flow through one path and gas-rich fluid through another, allowing for separate measurement and improved accuracy of liquid and gas flow rates and water liquid ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single flowline is used for multiphase flow measurement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of liquid flow rate and water liquid ratio deteriorates when gas fraction is high
Solution Approach 1:
The single multiphase flow is segmented into two separate flowlines (first and second flowlines) with different orientations. The first flowline (coaxial) preferentially transports liquid-rich phases while the second flowline (non-coaxial) preferentially transports gas-rich phases. This segmentation allows each flowline to be optimized for measuring specific phase fractions, thereby improving liquid flow rate and water liquid ratio measurement precision even when overall gas fraction is high.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetrical flowline configuration where the first flowline is oriented coaxially with the inlet and the second flowline is oriented non-coaxially and vertically displaced. This asymmetrical arrangement creates different flow dynamics and phase distribution patterns in each flowline, enabling the system to capture phase fraction information that would be lost in a symmetrical single-flowline configuration, thus improving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If asymmetrical flowlines are implemented to improve measurement accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet manifold is segmented into multiple outlet ports with different orientations (coaxial and non-coaxial). Each outlet port connects to a dedicated flowline that preferentially transports specific phases. This segmentation of the manifold structure enables simultaneous measurement of different phase fractions through multiple flow paths, improving water liquid ratio measurement while keeping the added complexity manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical displacement as an additional dimension in the flowline configuration. The second flowline is vertically displaced relative to the first flowline, creating a three-dimensional asymmetrical arrangement. This dimensional change exploits gravitational effects and flow dynamics in multiple spatial dimensions to enhance phase separation and improve measurement accuracy without requiring complex mechanical moving parts.
3Reliability
If phase separation is encouraged through asymmetrical configuration, then the reliability of fluid characteristics determination improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex flow path configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetrical flowline configuration enables the system to self-separate phases based on flow dynamics and gravity without requiring external control mechanisms. The coaxial and non-coaxial orientations automatically direct liquid-rich and gas-rich phases into different flowlines, respectively. This self-service phase separation improves the reliability of fluid characteristics determination while minimizing operational complexity, as no active control or complex flow path switching is needed.
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
This configuration reduces combined uncertainty in gas, liquid, and water liquid ratio measurements, enhancing the accuracy of fluid characteristics determination by promoting phase separation based on momentum and gravity.
Implementation Method 1
encourages liquid-rich fluid to flow through one path and gas-rich fluid through another, allowing for separate measurement and improved accuracy of liquid and gas flow rates and water liquid ratios
Implementation Method 2
promoting phase separation based on momentum and gravity
Data Source
AI summary
Multiphase flowmeters and related methods having asymmetrical flow therethrough are disclosed. An example method includes configuring an inlet manifold, a first flowline, and a second flowline to decrease a gas fraction in a first fluid flow through the first flowline and increase a gas fraction in a second fluid flow through the second flow line; flowing the first fluid flow through the first flowline and flowing the second fluid flow through the second flow line; and determining at least one of 1) a first water liquid ratio of the first fluid flow through the first flowline; 2) a first liquid flow rate of the first fluid flow through the first flow line; or 3) a first gas flow rate of the first fluid flow through the first flow line.