Flow Velocity Meter with Flow-Disturbing Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measuring flow profiles in subterranean wells is challenging due to the need for accurate and efficient detection of fluid flow velocity, particularly in environments where conventional methods face interference from noise sources and limitations in acoustic coupling.
Innovation Solution
A distributed flow velocity meter with a distributed acoustic sensor acoustically coupled to a fluid-contact surface featuring a flow-disturbing surface texture, which generates a unique acoustic signature that can be directly measured, bypassing the fluid and enhancing signal dominance over other noise sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional acoustic sensing methods are used to measure fluid flow velocity, then the measurement can be performed in subterranean wells, but the measurement precision is degraded due to noise interference and limitations in acoustic coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow-disturbing surface texture as an intermediary element that generates a unique acoustic signature when fluid flows over it. This textured surface acts as a mediator between the fluid and the acoustic sensor, creating a detectable acoustic signal that is directly related to fluid velocity while being distinguishable from background noise sources in the subterranean well environment
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-disturbing surface texture generates mechanical vibrations in the fluid as it flows over the textured surface. These vibrations create a characteristic acoustic signature that can be detected by the acoustic sensor, allowing velocity measurement through the vibration-induced acoustic signal rather than relying on direct acoustic coupling through the fluid
2Reliability
If acoustic sensors are directly coupled to fluid-contact surfaces, then acoustic signals can be detected, but the acoustic coupling is insufficient due to fluid interference
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-disturbing surface texture serves as an intermediary that converts fluid flow into a distinct acoustic signature. Instead of relying on direct acoustic coupling through the fluid (which is degraded by fluid interference), the textured surface mediates the interaction by generating a reliable acoustic signal that is mechanically coupled to the surface and can be detected with higher reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional acoustic coupling mechanism (which relies on acoustic wave propagation through the fluid) with a mechanical vibration-based mechanism. The flow-disturbing surface texture converts fluid flow into mechanical vibrations that generate a detectable acoustic signature, substituting the direct acoustic coupling path with a mechanically-induced acoustic signal path that is less susceptible to fluid interference
3Measurement precision
If flow-disturbing surface texture is added to enhance acoustic signature, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-disturbing surface texture applies local quality modification to specific regions of the fluid-contact surface. Rather than altering the entire system, the textured pattern is applied locally to the surface areas where fluid flow interaction occurs, creating the necessary acoustic signature enhancement while maintaining simplicity in other parts of the device
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface parameter (surface roughness or texture pattern) of the fluid-contact surface to optimize acoustic signature generation. By modifying the surface texture parameters (such as pattern geometry, spacing, or depth), the system achieves improved measurement accuracy through enhanced acoustic signal generation without requiring fundamental changes to the overall device structure
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 solution provides a more direct and efficient acoustic coupling, resulting in a consistent and accurate measurement of fluid flow velocity with reduced noise interference and ease of implementation, suitable for both production and injection operations in subterranean wells.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the fluid to flow along and in contact with at least the part of the fluid-contact surface that is provided with the flow-disturbing surface texture, thereby emitting acoustic flow noise which is picked up by the distributed sensing element as a distributed acoustic signal
Implementation Method 2
The acoustic energy is detected with an optical distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system
Data Source
AI summary
A flow velocity meter, for measuring flow velocity of a fluid, has a distributed acoustic sensor along aq longitudinal direction, which has a distributed sensing element. The distributed sensing element is acoustically coupled to a distributed fluid-contact surface via a distributed acoustic path extending between the distributed fluid-contact surface and the distributed sensing element. Moreover the distributed acoustic path is fully bypassing the fluid. At least a part of the fluid-contact surface is provided with a flow-disturbing surface texture having a surface relief with a pre-determined pattern in said longitudinal direction. Acoustic flow noise, emitted as a result of the fluid flowing along and in contact with the flow-disturbing surface texture, is picked up by the distributed sensing element as a distributed acoustic signal.