Exempt Gamma Source Multi-Phase Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-phase flow measurement devices in hydrocarbon production processes require high-activity gamma ray sources, which are costly and cumbersome to handle, and struggle to measure individual phase flow rates without separating phases.
Innovation Solution
The use of low-activity gamma-ray sources positioned externally to a fluid container, with a gamma-ray detector, to measure the attenuation of photons and determine the water-to-total liquid ratio and gas fraction, allowing for the calculation of volumetric flow rates of gas, water, and oil without disturbing the fluid flow, using a combination of gamma-ray and microwave measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-activity gamma ray sources are used for multi-phase flow measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activity parameter of the gamma ray source from high to low (exempt level), and compensates by optimizing the photon path length and geometry to maintain adequate signal strength for measurement while avoiding the complexities associated with high-activity sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional high-activity sources requiring heavy shielding and special handling to low-activity exempt sources that can be positioned more freely, effectively adding the dimension of operational flexibility while maintaining measurement capability through optimized detector geometry
2Measurement precision
If high-activity gamma ray sources are used, then photon count rate is improved, but cost and handling procedures become more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activity parameter to exempt levels and compensates for the reduced photon flux by optimizing the source-detector geometry and photon path length, achieving adequate count rates without the operational burdens of high-activity sources
3Measurement precision
If gamma ray sources and detectors are placed inside the fluid container, then measurement accuracy is improved, but fluid flow is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gamma ray source and detector from the fluid interior and positions them externally, taking the measurement apparatus out of the fluid flow path while maintaining measurement capability through optimized external geometry and photon path configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the container wall as an intermediary medium through which photons pass, optimizing the photon path to traverse the fluid phase while accounting for the wall material's attenuation properties to maintain measurement accuracy
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 accurate measurement of multi-phase fluid properties with simpler, smaller devices that are easier to handle, reducing costs and complexity while preserving fluid flow characteristics, and providing precise determination of phase flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
measure attenuation of gamma ray photons through such a fluid to indicate the fractions of water, oil, and gas in the flow
Implementation Method 2
measuring dielectric properties of the multi-phase fluid using the microwave transmitting antenna and the microwave receiving antenna
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for using exempt gamma photon sources to measure fluid properties are described herein. The gamma photon sources are used with detectors in an arrangement that provides a short photon path length between source and detector. Fluid measurement devices described herein have a fluid container defining an interior, an exempt gamma-ray source located outside the fluid container, and a gamma-ray detector located outside the fluid container, the exempt gamma photon source and the gamma-ray detector defining a photon path that traverses the interior of the fluid container along a non-diametric chord of the fluid container.