Coriolis Flow Meter with Electrical Permittivity Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flow meters face challenges in accurately measuring fluid properties, especially in multiphase fluids, due to requirements for specific installation conditions, potential intrusion into the fluid path, and the need for recalibration or replacement when fluid composition changes, leading to inaccurate mass flow and density measurements.

Innovation Solution

A system integrating an electromagnetic permittivity measurement with a Coriolis-type flow meter, using non-metallic conduits and sensors to measure electrical permittivity and inertial responses, allowing for simultaneous characterization of fluid properties like mass flow rate, density, and viscosity, while accommodating varying fluid compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional flow meters are used to measure fluid properties, then flow measurement can be performed, but measurement precision deteriorates when fluid composition changes requiring recalibration or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid property measurement accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to varying fluid compositions

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures multiple fluid parameters simultaneously (density, electrical permittivity, viscosity) using different physical principles. By monitoring changes in these parameters, the system adapts to varying fluid compositions without requiring recalibration or replacement, maintaining measurement precision across different fluid types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The flow meter integrates multiple measurement functions into a single device: Coriolis effect-based density and flow measurement, electrical permittivity sensing for composition detection, and viscosity measurement. This multi-functional approach enables the system to handle various fluid compositions universally without requiring separate instruments or recalibration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If conventional flow meters are installed, then flow measurement is possible, but device complexity increases due to requirements for specific installation conditions and potential intrusion into fluid path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow measurement accuracyVSAvoidinstallation requirements and fluid path intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines electrical permittivity sensing electrodes with the Coriolis flow meter structure, integrating composition detection capabilities into the existing flow measurement device. This merging eliminates the need for separate installation of additional sensors and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional flow meters measure multiphase fluids, then flow quantification is attempted, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate mass flow and density measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebulk fluid movement quantificationVSAvoidmass flow and density measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces traditional mechanical measurement approaches with electromagnetic field-based electrical permittivity sensing. This substitution enables accurate detection of fluid composition and phase distribution in multiphase flows, improving mass flow and density measurement precision without the limitations of mechanical sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides accurate and adaptable flow measurements across a range of fluid densities and compositions, reducing the need for frequent recalibration and replacement, and enhancing measurement precision by combining electrical permittivity and inertial data.

Implementation Method 1

a driver coupled to the conduit. The driver is configured for inducing an oscillation in the conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

two or more accelerometers coupled to the conduit. The two or more accelerometers are configured for measuring displacement of the conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial force: Inertia

Implementation Method 3

an electrical permittivity sensor coupled to the conduit. The electrical permittivity sensor is configured for measuring electrical permittivity of the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical permittivity: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentEP4139637B1Systems and methods for fluid flow measurement

Publication Date: 2024.11.20 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3h

AI summary

An example system is configured for determining properties of a fluid in a conduit. The system includes a mass flow meter including a hollow conduit having an inlet, an outlet, and a wall. The conduit is for conducting the fluid. The system includes a driver coupled to the conduit. The driver is configured for inducing an oscillation in the conduit. The system includes two or more accelerometers coupled to the conduit. The two or more accelerometers are configured for measuring displacement of the conduit. The system includes an electrical permittivity sensor coupled to the conduit. The electrical permittivity sensor is configured for measuring electrical permittivity of the fluid.