Multi-channel flow tube for multiphase Coriolis measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coriolis flow meters face challenges in accurately measuring multiphase flow due to error mechanisms like fluid decoupling, velocity of sound effects, and asymmetric damping, which are difficult to compensate without specific knowledge of parameters such as bubble size, void fraction, liquid viscosity, and pressure, and also suffer from reduced sensitivity due to low Reynolds numbers and flow profile effects.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel flow tube design with two or more fluid channels surrounded by a tube wall, forming a single integral structure, which is vibrated by a driver to deform in the same direction, allowing for improved measurement accuracy by reducing compressibility, decoupling, and flow profile effects, and enhancing pressure containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a single large-diameter flow tube is used, then pressure containment is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to flow profile effects and reduced sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The flow tube is segmented into multiple smaller-diameter channels (e.g., four channels) within a single tube structure. This segmentation maintains the external dimensions needed for pressure containment while creating internal flow paths with smaller diameters that reduce flow profile effects and improve measurement sensitivity for multiphase flow
2Device complexity
If traditional single-channel flow tubes are used, then device complexity is low, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to fluid decoupling, velocity of sound effects, and asymmetric damping in multiphase flow
Solution Approach 1:
The flow tube is divided into multiple independent channels that can be configured to reduce specific error mechanisms. The segmented structure allows fluid decoupling between channels, reduces velocity of sound effects through smaller channel diameters, and minimizes asymmetric damping by providing multiple flow paths
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple channels are nested within a single tube wall structure, with channels arranged in a compact configuration (e.g., 2x2 grid). This nesting approach achieves the benefits of multiple channels while maintaining a compact external footprint and integrated structure
3Stress or pressure
If larger meters with thicker tube walls are used, then pressure containment is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to smaller tube length to tube diameter ratio
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the internal flow path into multiple smaller channels while maintaining the external tube dimensions for pressure containment, the effective tube diameter for flow measurement purposes is reduced. This increases the tube length to tube diameter ratio within the same physical constraints, improving measurement accuracy
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 multi-channel flow tube design improves measurement accuracy and pressure containment, reducing errors associated with multiphase flow measurements and enabling precise determination of gas void fraction, mass, and volume flow rates, while being less expensive and simpler to manufacture than traditional multiphase technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a driver coupled to the multi-channel flow tube. The driver is configured to vibrate the multi-channel flow tube
Implementation Method 2
The two or more fluid channels and tube wall are configured to deform in a same direction as the single integral structure in response to a drive signal applied to the driver
Implementation Method 3
As material begins to flow through the conduit(s), Coriolis forces cause each point along the conduit(s) to have a different phase
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 6
AI summary
A vibratory meter (5) including a multi-channel flow tube (130) is provided. The vibratory meter (5) includes a meter electronics (20) and a meter assembly (10) communicatively coupled to the meter electronics (20). The meter assembly (10) includes the multi-channel flow tube (130, 330, 430, 530) comprising two or more fluid channels (132, 332, 432, 532) surrounded by a tube wall (134, 334, 434, 534). The two or more fluid channels (132, 332, 432, 532) and tube wall (134, 334, 434, 534) comprise a single integral structure. A driver (180) is coupled to the multi-channel flow tube (130, 330, 430, 530). The driver (180) is configured to vibrate the multi-channel flow tube (130, 330, 430, 530). The two or more fluid channels (132, 332, 432, 532) and tube wall (134, 334, 434, 534) are configured to deform in the same direction as the single integral structure in response to a drive signal applied to the driver (180).