Flow Conditioner With Concentric Rings For Pipe Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate and repeatable fluid flow measurements in oil and gas pipelines are hindered by the presence of elbows, tees, and other assemblies that distort the fluid flow profile, making it difficult to achieve a fully developed flow profile necessary for precise measurement.
Innovation Solution
A flow conditioner comprising a disk with concentric rings of holes of varying lengths, where the central hole is recessed and the inner and outer rings have holes that define fluid passages of unequal lengths, designed based on computational fluid dynamics to correct the flow profile and reduce swirl, with optional flange connections for easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If long lengths of straight pipe are used to achieve fully developed flow profile, then measurement accuracy is improved, but installation cost and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flow conditioner segments the flow correction function into multiple concentric rings of holes with different diameters and patterns. Each ring segment addresses specific aspects of flow distortion at different radial positions, collectively achieving full flow profile development in a compact device rather than requiring long straight pipe sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow conditioner acts as an intermediary device placed between the distorted flow source (elbows, tees, valves) and the flow meter. It mediates the transition from asymmetric, unstable flow to fully developed flow profile, eliminating the need for long straight pipe sections while ensuring accurate measurements.
2Ease of manufacture
If flow conditioners with uniform hole patterns are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but flow profile correction effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow conditioner implements local quality by varying the hole pattern across different concentric rings. Each ring has specifically tailored hole diameters, spacing, and distributions optimized for its radial position in the pipe. This local customization of hole patterns maximizes flow correction effectiveness at each radial zone while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility.
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 flow conditioner ensures a stable, fully developed flow profile, enhancing the accuracy and repeatability of fluid flow measurements by reducing swirl and distortion, as demonstrated by a 90% swirl reduction and 30 dB noise reduction in sound levels.
Implementation Method 1
The perforations or holes in the flow conditioner cause the fluid flow to be redistributed such that it forms a fully developed flow profile
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow conditioner includes a single disk having a first side and a second side; an outer ring comprising a plurality of holes, wherein the holes extend from the outer ring to the first side of said disk; at least one inner ring recessed from the outer ring, said at least one inner ring comprising a plurality of holes, wherein the holes extend from the at least one inner ring to the first side of said disk; and a central hole recessed from the at least one inner ring. The plurality of holes in the outer ring and in the at least one inner ring provide fluid passages of unequal length from a first side of the flow conditioner to a second side of the flow conditioner.