Flowline Temperature Model Benchmarking via Acoustic Time-of-Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature models used in flowline environments are often inaccurate, leading to incorrect calculations of acoustic velocity and subsequent inaccuracies in locating flowline features such as depositions, leaks, or blockages using acoustic detection techniques.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that employs acoustic detection techniques in conjunction with known flowline features of fixed location to benchmark existing temperature models. This involves introducing a pressure wave into the flowline, collecting pressure data from reflected waves, calculating the expected and actual time of flight, and using the actual time of flight to calculate an actual pressure wave velocity, which is then used to correct the temperature model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing temperature models are used to determine acoustic velocity, then the process remains simple and requires no direct temperature measurement, but the accuracy of flowline feature location calculations deteriorates due to model inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses acoustic time-of-flight measurements to create feedback loops that compare predicted versus actual wave travel times. This feedback is used to iteratively adjust and refine the temperature model, improving accuracy without requiring direct temperature sensors throughout the entire flowline. The feedback mechanism allows the model to self-correct based on acoustic measurement data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical temperature measurement systems with an acoustic-based indirect measurement system. Instead of installing physical temperature sensors throughout the flowline, the system uses acoustic waves and their time-of-flight characteristics to infer temperature distribution, thereby avoiding the complexity of direct thermal measurement infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If direct temperature measurement of the flowline is performed, then temperature model accuracy improves, but the complexity and cost of the measurement system increases significantly due to flowline length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure temperature effects. Instead of directly measuring temperature with physical sensors along the flowline, the system uses acoustic time-of-flight as a mediator that reflects temperature variations without requiring direct thermal contact or extensive sensor infrastructure throughout the flowline.
Solution Approach 2:
The system substitutes direct mechanical/physical temperature sensing with acoustic measurement techniques. By using the time-of-flight of acoustic waves, the system infers temperature information without deploying complex direct temperature measurement hardware throughout the entire flowline, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Reliability
If acoustic detection is used for flowline feature location, then the capability to detect depositions, leaks, and blockages is provided, but the accuracy of location calculations deteriorates due to temperature-induced acoustic velocity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the acoustic velocity parameter based on temperature variations. By continuously updating the acoustic velocity calculation using temperature data from the improved model, the system compensates for temperature-induced variations and maintains accurate feature location calculations throughout the flowline, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection capability and location precision.
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 proposed solution improves the accuracy of flowline anomaly location predictions by correcting temperature model inaccuracies, leading to more precise calculations of acoustic velocity and feature location.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic detection techniques operate by introducing an acoustic (pressure) wave into a flowline and detecting a reflected wave resulting from contact of the introduced pressure wave with a deposition, leak, blockage, transient object, or other feature present in the flowline
Implementation Method 2
the acoustic velocity of the pressure wave within the flowline, which can be affected by changes in temperature along the length of the flowline
Data Source
AI summary
A system for benchmarking a flowline temperature model using acoustic detection techniques is disclosed. A predicted velocity of a pressure wave introduced into the flowline by an acoustic detection subsystem can be determined using temperature data from a known temperature model, and an expected time of flight of the pressure wave to a flowline target feature can be calculated using the predicted velocity. An actual time of flight of the pressure wave to the target feature can also be observed from received pressure data, and when the system detects a difference between the actual and predicted times of flight, an actual pressure wave velocity may be calculated based on the actual time of flight. A corrected temperature value corresponding to the actual pressure wave velocity may be subsequently calculated, and the known temperature model can be revised by substituting the corrected temperature value for the predicted temperature value.