Brillouin Scattering Fiber Optic Multiphase Flowmeter
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Solution Overview
Problem
In oil and gas production, determining flow parameters of multiphasic fluid flows, such as gas, oil, and water, is challenging due to the complexity of measuring individual component flow rates effectively, which is crucial for controlling and regulating production processes.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing optical fibers with zinc dicyanoaurate gratings and Brillouin frequency shift technology, combined with AI, to sense strain and temperature along the fibers, enabling the determination of volumetric flow rates and component identification in multiphasic flows by correlating Brillouin scattering with strain and temperature measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flow measurement methods are used for multiphasic flows, then the measurement process becomes complex and difficult, but the ability to determine individual component flow rates remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical flow measurement systems with an optical-based Brillouin scattering system. Optical fibers with zinc dicyanoaurate gratings are used to sense strain and temperature, which are then correlated with flow rates through AI processing. This substitution of mechanical sensing with optical sensing reduces device complexity while improving measurement precision for multiphasic flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters (strain and temperature) induced by fluid flow to determine flow rates. By measuring strain and temperature variations along the optical fiber and correlating them with flow characteristics, the system achieves accurate flow rate determination without complex mechanical components.
2Measurement precision
If Brillouin scattering technology is used to measure strain and temperature, then measurement sensitivity and resolution are improved, but the system requires complex optical components and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses zinc dicyanoaurate as an intermediary material distributed within the optical fiber core. This material acts as a grating that enhances Brillouin scattering effects, enabling sensitive strain and temperature measurements. The intermediary material allows the system to achieve high measurement precision while managing optical system complexity through material-based enhancement rather than complex optical component arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex optical processing systems with AI-based data processing. Instead of using complex optical hardware to directly measure flow parameters, the system uses AI algorithms to process the electrical signals obtained from heterodyne detection and correlate them with flow rates, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If AI-based processing is used to determine flow rates from strain and temperature data, then the accuracy of component flow rate determination is improved, but the computational complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs AI systems that automatically process and interpret the complex relationships between strain, temperature, and flow rate data without requiring manual intervention or complex external processing systems. The AI model self-learns the correlations from the sensor data and autonomously determines component flow rates, reducing the need for additional complex processing hardware or manual analysis.
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 approach allows for accurate and simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature, improving the resolution and sensitivity of flow parameter determination, thereby enhancing the ability to control and regulate multiphasic fluid flows in oil and gas production.
Implementation Method 1
The laser beam may enter a first end of the optical fibers, and the laser beam may be scattered to create a Brillouin scattered wave from a portion of the laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a heterodyne detector that compares the Brillouin scattered wave to a local oscillator to generate a Brillouin frequency shift
Implementation Method 3
a grating formed of zinc dicyanoaurate distributed within the core
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for detecting components of a multiphasic flow are disclosed. A flowmeter may include a plurality of optical fibers disposed across a fluid flow. The optical fibers may generate backscattering of a portion of a laser beam transmitted along the optical fibers. The backscattering may be produced by a grating formed by zinc dicyanoaurate formed in each of the optical fibers. Heterodyne detection may be used to determine a Brillouin frequency shift that is used to determine strain and temperature measurements at different locations along the optical fibers. Artificial Intelligence uses the strain and temperature measurements to determine a flow regime of the fluid flow and flow rates of components forming the fluid flow.