Fast Piezoelectric Leaf Cell Admittance for Multiphase Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors for in-situ downhole fluid identification in oil and gas wells struggle to simultaneously and congruently measure multiple fluid properties, such as density and sound speed, due to the requirement for a priori knowledge of fluid densities, limiting their applicability to surface systems where such data is available.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric leaf cell sensor with Rhodonea conformal mapping geometry that uses a self-formed Helmholtz acoustic cavity response to measure fluid properties independently of deployment method, enabling simultaneous and congruent measurement of fluid density and sound speed through dynamic acoustic behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing sensors are used for in-situ downhole fluid identification, then fluid density measurement is possible, but simultaneous and congruent measurement of multiple fluid properties (density and sound speed) cannot be achieved due to requirement for a priori knowledge of fluid densities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a piezoelectric leaf cell sensor that utilizes mechanical vibration at resonant frequencies to measure both fluid density and sound speed simultaneously. The sensor vibrates the leaf cell structure, and by measuring the resonant frequency and damping characteristics, both fluid properties can be determined without requiring a priori knowledge of fluid densities, resolving the technical contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using multiple resonant frequency modes of the piezoelectric leaf cell. By measuring at different resonant frequencies and analyzing the frequency response characteristics, the system can independently determine both fluid density and sound speed, eliminating the dependency on a priori fluid density information and enabling simultaneous congruent measurement
2Measurement precision
If traditional admittance measurement methods are used for piezoelectric sensor arrays, then fluid property measurement is possible, but measurement rate is slow due to sequential single-frequency excitation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous multi-frequency excitation of the piezoelectric leaf cell sensor simultaneously, rather than sequential single-frequency measurements. This continuous parallel measurement approach maintains measurement precision while dramatically increasing the measurement rate, as all frequency components are measured at once rather than in sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a broadband excitation signal containing multiple frequencies simultaneously to the piezoelectric sensor before measurement begins. This preliminary multi-frequency excitation enables the system to capture the complete frequency response in a single measurement window, eliminating the need for repeated sequential measurements and thereby increasing productivity while maintaining 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
Enables real-time, in-situ discrimination of bulk fluid properties, enhancing the capability to detect and measure multiphase fluid compositions in wellbores with improved measurement rates and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
one or more piezoelectric radial components connected to a circumferential component
Implementation Method 2
uses a self-formed Helmholtz acoustic cavity response to measure fluid properties independently of deployment method
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for fluid measurement is disclosed. The apparatus includes a leaf cell sensor having one or more piezoelectric radial components connected to a circumferential component, a first electrode positioned on a distal face of at least one radial component, a second electrode positioned on a proximal face of the at least one radial component, a voltage source having a negative terminal and a positive terminal, the negative terminal being connected to the first electrode and the positive terminal being connected to the second electrode, an electric current measurement device connected to the first and second electrode to measure current flowing between the first and second electrode, and a processor of a computing device that determines, from the measured current, one or more properties of the fluid, where the voltage source couples electrical energy into the one or more piezoelectric radial components at multiple frequencies concurrently.