Gas Bypass Wedge Meter for Accurate Liquid Flow With Entrained Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wedge meters provide unreliable flow measurements when dealing with mixed fluids, particularly due to the presence of gas void fractions, which affect the accuracy of the measurements.
Innovation Solution
A gas bypass system is integrated into the meter, which separates gas from the liquid using a flow straightening section and routes the gas past a wedge restriction, allowing for accurate monitoring of differential pressure to determine the volumetric flow rate of the liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wedge meter is used to measure fluid flow, then flow measurement capability is provided, but measurement reliability deteriorates when gas is present in the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The flow measurement system is segmented into separate gas and liquid measurement paths. The gas bypass channel separates gas from the liquid flow, allowing the wedge restriction to measure only liquid flow while gas is routed through a separate path, eliminating the interference of gas void fractions on measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A gas bypass channel acts as an intermediary element that diverts gas away from the liquid flow path. This intermediary channel allows gas to be separated and routed separately, preventing gas from affecting the differential pressure measurement across the wedge restriction while maintaining overall flow measurement capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If gas is present in the liquid flow, then mixed fluid flow occurs, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to gas void fractions
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system segments the mixed fluid flow into separate gas and liquid components. The gas bypass channel creates a distinct path for gas while the main flow path with the wedge restriction measures liquid flow, allowing the system to handle mixed fluids adaptively while maintaining measurement precision by measuring each phase separately
Solution Approach 2:
Gas is extracted from the liquid flow path through the gas bypass channel. By removing gas void fractions from the measurement path of the wedge restriction, the system maintains measurement accuracy for liquid flow while still being able to handle mixed fluid flows adaptively
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 system ensures reliable and accurate monitoring of liquid flow by maintaining consistent differential pressure measurements, even in the presence of gas, by separating and bypassing gas through a conduit, thereby improving the accuracy of flow parameter determination.
Implementation Method 1
A wedge or other restriction extending into the internal flow passage... enable monitoring of a differential pressure across the restriction. The differential pressure can be used to determine the desired flow parameter, e.g. volumetric flow.
Implementation Method 2
The system facilitates separation of gas from the liquid and utilizes a gas bypass. The gas bypass routes the separated gas past the restriction, e.g. wedge, before directing the gas back into the fluid flow path.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique facilitates fluid flow measurement by providing a meter able to accurately monitor fluid flow of a liquid even if gas is present in the liquid. The meter may comprise a tubing with an internal flow passage and a wedge or other restriction extending into the internal flow passage. A first port is located upstream of the restriction and a second port is located downstream of the restriction to enable monitoring of a differential pressure across the restriction. The differential pressure can be used to determine the desired flow parameter, e.g. volumetric flow. The system facilitates separation of gas from the liquid and utilizes a gas bypass. The gas bypass routes the separated gas past the restriction, e.g. wedge, before directing the gas back into the fluid flow path.