Calibration Tube for Multiphase Flowmeter Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multiphase flowmeters face challenges in accurately calibrating gas volumetric fraction, water cut, and densities of gas and oil phases, particularly in non-ideal flow conditions and when dealing with fluids of different acoustic impedances.
Innovation Solution
An automated calibration device comprising a vertically placed tube with valves, temperature and pressure sensors, and three pairs of ultrasound transducers (bottom/transversal, top/transversal, and longitudinal) measures ultrasound velocities in water, gas, and the multiphase mixture, allowing for the calculation of phase volumes and acoustic impedances to calibrate the flowmeter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional calibration methods are used for multiphase flowmeters, then the calibration process is simple, but the measurement precision of gas volumetric fraction, water cut, and densities is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration tube is divided into multiple sections with different cross-sectional areas (first section with area A1, second section with area A2). This segmentation allows for separate calibration of different flow regimes and phase distributions, improving measurement precision for gas volumetric fraction and water cut by capturing different flow patterns independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the calibration process by positioning ultrasound transducers at different heights and orientations (horizontal and vertical pairs). This multi-dimensional transducer arrangement enables measurement of phase distribution in both horizontal and vertical planes, significantly improving the precision of gas volumetric fraction and density measurements.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasound transducers are used to measure phase velocities, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple transducer pairs
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound transducers serve multiple functions: they measure phase velocities, determine phase distributions, calculate densities, and characterize flow patterns. By making the transducers multi-functional, the invention improves measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware performs multiple measurement tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple transducer pairs (horizontal pair and vertical pair) are combined in a single calibration device, allowing simultaneous measurement of different phase velocities and distributions. This merging of measurement capabilities into one integrated system improves overall measurement accuracy while avoiding the complexity of separate independent measurement systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the calibration device handles non-ideal flow conditions, then the adaptability improves, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to flow regime variability
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration device is designed to handle dynamic flow conditions by using the segmented tube structure that can accommodate different flow regimes (bubble flow, slug flow, annular flow). The ability to adapt to varying flow patterns while maintaining measurement capability improves versatility without sacrificing precision, as each flow regime can be characterized by its specific velocity patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention measures and utilizes changes in ultrasound velocity parameters to characterize different flow regimes and phase distributions. By monitoring velocity parameter variations in response to changing flow conditions, the system maintains measurement precision across a range of non-ideal flow conditions while adapting to the specific flow pattern present.
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
The solution enables precise determination of gas and oil fractions, water cut, and densities, improving the accuracy of multiphase flow measurements by separating and analyzing the phases effectively, even when they have different acoustic impedances.
Implementation Method 1
three ultrasound transducers positioned at one or more specific locations in or around the tube
Implementation Method 2
measuring an ultrasound velocity in the water, measuring the ultrasound velocity in the gas, and measuring the ultrasound velocity in the mixture
Data Source
AI summary
An automated calibration device that comprises a tube for trapping a multiphase sample between three ultrasound (US) transducer pairs wherein each of the three transducer pairs is positioned to measure a different fraction of the multiphase sample.