Coriolis Meter Electronics Multi-Phase Mass Fraction Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art Coriolis flow meters struggle to accurately and quickly determine the mass fraction of individual components in multi-phase flows, particularly when dealing with entrained gases, due to errors in frequency determination and phase measurement, which are compounded and lead to inaccurate mass flow rate calculations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of meter electronics and methods that process frequency responses to isolate gas and fluid frequency components, calculate overall and gas densities, and determine void fraction, allowing for the computation of mass fraction by multiplying the void fraction with the ratio of gas density to overall density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior art frequency determination methods are used to measure multi-phase flow, then the measurement process is simple, but the determination of mass fraction is inaccurate due to compounded errors in frequency and phase measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency response into distinct gas frequency components and fluid frequency components using spectral analysis. By separating the mixed frequency response into individual component frequencies, the system can independently analyze each phase's contribution, thereby improving mass fraction determination accuracy without requiring complex direct measurement of mixed signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that acts as a mediator between the raw frequency response and the final mass fraction calculation. This intermediary system performs spectral analysis, identifies frequency components, and separates gas and fluid contributions, thereby decoupling the measurement process from the compounded errors that would otherwise propagate directly to the mass fraction result.
2Measurement precision
If prior art methods determine phase difference using determined pickoff frequency, then the process is straightforward, but errors in frequency determination are compounded in phase determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency response into distinct gas frequency components and fluid frequency components using spectral analysis. By separating the mixed frequency response into individual component frequencies, the system can independently analyze each phase's contribution, thereby improving mass fraction determination accuracy without requiring complex direct measurement of mixed signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that acts as a mediator between the raw frequency response and the final mass fraction calculation. This intermediary system performs spectral analysis, identifies frequency components, and separates gas and fluid contributions, thereby decoupling the measurement process from the compounded errors that would otherwise propagate directly to the mass fraction result.
3Adaptability or versatility
If prior art flowmeters are designed for stable uniform flow material, then the device structure is simple, but the flowmeter cannot accurately track or determine pickoff sensor frequency during multi-phase flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic frequency analysis system that continuously adapts to changing flow conditions in multi-phase flows. Instead of relying on fixed frequency assumptions, the system performs real-time spectral analysis to identify and track gas and fluid frequency components as they vary with flow conditions, enabling accurate measurement despite the dynamic and unstable nature of multi-phase flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from a single fixed frequency value to a spectrum of frequency components. By analyzing the frequency spectrum and identifying multiple frequency peaks corresponding to different phases, the system can distinguish between gas and fluid frequencies even when they shift due to changing flow conditions, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy across varying multi-phase flow states.
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 enables faster and more accurate determination of mass flow rates and densities, reducing errors and providing reliable measurements of mass fractions in multi-phase flows, with frequency and phase differences calculated independently of each other, resulting in improved accuracy and reduced processing time.
Implementation Method 1
When there is no material flowing through the flow meter, all points along a flow tube oscillate with an identical phase. As a material begins to flow through the flow tube, Coriolis accelerations cause each point along the flow tube to have a different phase with respect to other points along the flow tube.
Implementation Method 2
The vibrational modes of the material filled systems are defined in part by the combined mass of the flow tubes and the material within the flow tubes. A driver applies a force to the flow tube. The force causes the flow tube to oscillate.
Data Source
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AI summary
Meter electronics (20) for determining a mass fraction of flow components in a flow material flowing is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) include an interface (201) for receiving a frequency response of the flow material and a processing system (203). The processing system (203) receives the frequency response from the interface (201) and breaks out the frequency response into at least a gas frequency component and a fluid frequency component. The processing system (203) determines an overall density from the frequency response and determines a gas density from the gas frequency component. The processing system (203) determines the void fraction of gas from the frequency response and one or more of the gas frequency component and the fluid frequency component. The processing system (203) determines the mass fraction from the void fraction of gas multiplied by a ratio of the gas density divided by the overall density.