Gas Pipeline Phase-Behavior Analysis for Liquid-Compensated Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of liquid in gas pipelines leads to inaccuracies in gas flow measurement, affecting revenue determination and requiring costly and complex metering solutions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing fluid composition and pipe operation information, combined with phase behavior models, to determine liquid quantity and correct gas flow rates by analyzing fluid composition, temperature, and pressure, enabling accurate gas flow measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional metering solutions are used to measure gas flow in pipelines with liquid presence, then measurement coverage is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to over/under reading caused by liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical metering devices with a computational system that uses phase behavior models, fluid composition data, and operating conditions to calculate and correct gas flow rates. This substitution eliminates the mechanical complexity of specialized wet gas meters while achieving accurate measurement through thermodynamic calculations and digital processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement approach by using phase behavior parameters (temperature, pressure, fluid composition) to determine liquid quantity and correct gas flow rates. Instead of directly measuring two-phase flow with complex mechanical devices, the system uses thermodynamic parameter analysis to infer liquid content and apply corrections to standard gas flow measurements.
2Measurement precision
If phase behavior models are used to determine liquid quantity and correct gas flow rates, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and computational requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standard industrial sensors (temperature, pressure, composition) that serve multiple functions: they provide input data for phase behavior calculations, monitor operating conditions, and enable various types of flow corrections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized single-purpose devices, balancing accuracy with manageable system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If liquid quantity is determined using fluid composition and operating characteristics, then liquid detection accuracy improves, but loss of time increases due to multiple measurement and calculation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations by continuously monitoring fluid composition and operating conditions, maintaining ready-to-use phase behavior data and correction factors. This allows the liquid quantity determination to be executed quickly when needed, as the computational framework is already established and data streams are continuously available, reducing the effective processing time.
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
Provides a cost-effective and accurate method to detect and quantify liquid presence, correcting gas flow measurements, enhancing accuracy and reducing installation and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
determination of phase in the pipe based on the breakdown of the fluid components in the pipe by number and/or mass, the temperature, and the static pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid composition inside a pipe and operating condition (e.g., temperature, pressure) inside the pipe are used to determine liquid quantity in the pipe. The liquid quantity in the pipe is used to determine whether liquid is present in the pipe. If liquid is present in the pipe, over/under reading of gas flow in the pipe may occur, and the over/under reading of gas flow in the pipe is used to correct gas flow rate measurement in the pipe. Liquid flow rate may also be determined.