Modular Multiphase Flow Meter System with Adjustable Throat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiphase flow meters require time-consuming and expensive procedures to switch between different flow-range ratings, making them inefficient for testing various hydrocarbon wells with varying production flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A modular multiphase flow meter system with selectively connectable modules and extensible flow connectors, allowing rapid adjustment and combination of multiphase flow meters with different throat sizes to accommodate varying flow rates, increasing the turn-down ratio and enabling efficient fluid characterization without interrupting production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If different multiphase flow meters with different flow-range ratings are selected for different wells, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal flow meter system with a adjustable throat that can adapt to different flow ranges. The throat size can be changed to match different well production rates, allowing a single flow meter to replace multiple specialized units. This multi-functional design maintains measurement precision across varying flow conditions while eliminating the complexity of managing multiple different flow meters.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter incorporates a dynamically adjustable throat configuration that can be modified during operation or between measurements. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the flow meter to adapt its geometry to match the specific flow range requirements of different wells, maintaining optimal measurement precision without requiring complete system replacement or complex reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiphase flow meters are switched to accommodate different flow ranges, then adaptability is improved, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter features a dynamically adjustable throat that can be rapidly reconfigured for different flow ranges. This dynamic capability allows operators to adapt the flow meter to new wells with varying production rates without time-consuming replacement procedures, significantly reducing the loss of time associated with switching between different flow meters.
Solution Approach 2:
By designing a universal flow meter with adjustable throat configuration, the system achieves high adaptability to different flow ranges using a single unit. This eliminates the need to switch between multiple specialized flow meters, thereby reducing both time consumption and operational costs while maintaining full versatility across different well conditions.
3Device complexity
If a single flow meter is used for all flow ranges, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic throat adjustment mechanism that allows a single flow meter to optimize its geometry for different flow ranges. This dynamic adaptation maintains high measurement precision across varying conditions while preserving system simplicity, avoiding the need for multiple specialized flow meters or complex selection procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal flow meter design with adjustable throat configuration enables a single device to accurately measure across all flow ranges. This multi-functional capability maintains measurement precision equivalent to specialized flow meters while significantly reducing device complexity and the operational burden of managing multiple units.
4Device complexity
If flow meters with limited turn-down ratio are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying flow rates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter incorporates a dynamic throat adjustment capability that enables rapid adaptation to varying flow rates. This dynamic feature extends the turn-down ratio significantly, allowing the flow meter to accurately measure from high to low flow rates while maintaining relatively simple design principles, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique facilitates evaluation of a fluid, such as a fluid produced from a well. The technique utilizes a modular and mobile system for testing flows of fluid which may comprise mixtures of constituents. A modular flow meter system comprises a plurality of modules which each have a multiphase flow meter coupled into a flow circuit. The flow circuits of the plurality of modules are selectively connectable to each other via flow connectors. Additionally, portions of the flow circuits may be selectively opened and closed to enable controlled routing of the fluid being tested through the desired multiphase flow meter or meters.