Magnetic Resonance Flow Measurement for Multi-Phase Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the flow regime and velocity profiles of complex fluids in the oil industry are invasive, destructive, and limited in their ability to handle high flow rates, as they rely on average flow-rate measurements and struggle with bi-directional flows, especially in harsh climatic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A Magnetic Resonance (MR) based method and apparatus that measures the velocity profile and proportions of complex fluids in real-time using longitudinal relaxation properties, spatial encoding of flow velocities, and a combination of prepolarization and excitation/detection pulse sequences, allowing for non-invasive, non-destructive analysis of bi-directional flows in production pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive measurement methods are used to measure flow regime and velocity profiles, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical measurement systems with a magnetic resonance-based non-invasive system. The MR apparatus uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to measure velocity profiles and flow regimes without physical contact with the fluid, eliminating the need for intrusive sensors or sampling systems while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic resonance as an intermediary mechanism to indirectly measure flow parameters. Instead of directly measuring fluid flow with mechanical sensors, the system uses the magnetic properties of fluid molecules and their interaction with magnetic fields to infer velocity profiles and flow regime characteristics non-invasively.
2Device complexity
If average flow-rate measurements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates for complex multi-phase fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement of average flow rate into multiple component measurements. Instead of measuring only the average flow rate of the entire multi-phase fluid, the system separately measures the velocity profiles and flow rates of individual phases (e.g., oil, water, gas) using magnetic resonance techniques, then combines these segmented measurements to provide comprehensive flow characterization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional average flow rate measurement to multi-dimensional flow characterization. By measuring velocity profiles across different spatial locations and separating signals from different phases based on their magnetic properties, the system obtains a comprehensive picture of flow dynamics that goes beyond simple average flow rate.
3Productivity
If conventional measurement methods are used for high flow rates, then productivity is maintained, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters and physical principles used for high flow rate measurements. By using magnetic resonance techniques that can handle high velocities without mechanical contact, and by adjusting measurement parameters such as pulse sequences and magnetic field strengths, the system maintains measurement reliability even at high fluid transport rates where conventional methods fail.
4Ease of operation
If non-invasive measurement methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a non-invasive magnetic resonance system that maintains high measurement precision. The MR apparatus uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to accurately measure velocity profiles without physical contact, combining ease of operation with high precision through sophisticated signal processing and magnetic field manipulation.
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
Enables precise, real-time measurement of flow rates and proportions of complex fluids, including bi-directional flows, in a non-invasive and non-destructive manner, overcoming limitations of existing technologies by providing detailed velocity profiles and improved accuracy across varying flow conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The circulating fluid comes into a region of pre-polarization to codify the component or phase whose relative proportion in the fluid and velocity profile is to be measured or analyzed. For that purpose we use the properties of longitudinal relaxation—characterized by T1—of each component of the fluid, the media speed of the fluid and the length of such magnetic field.
Implementation Method 2
a region in which a transversal (and if not, a longitudinal) magnetic field has been generated, which also has a field gradient—properly designed according to the symmetry of the velocity profile to be measured—that can be reoriented in order to obtain different projections of the spins density of the previously selected components and their relative speed.
Implementation Method 3
an adequate excitation/detection pulse sequence measures and characterizes the flow regime by the following sequence: The spatial selection of a volume element located inside the exciting coil is made by a resonant radiofrequency soft pulse.
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance based apparatus capable of measuring, without using time-of-flight measurements, flow regimes of multi-phase fluids in a pipe, comprises a magnetic resonance module through which the fluid phases flow, wherein the magnetic resonance module includes a radiofrequency coil for transmitting and detecting a signal and means for generating inside the module a homogenous constant magnetic field Bx that is thermally compensated and a transverse magnetic field gradient Gx that is superposed on Bx; and at least one pre-polarization module through which the fluid phases flow before entering the magnetic resonance module.