Multicomponent Fluid Density Measurement Using Multi-Mode Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibrating fluid meters, such as Coriolis mass flow meters, face significant accuracy degradation when measuring multicomponent fluids containing both compressible and incompressible components, particularly due to decoupling effects from entrained gas bubbles, which lead to incorrect density measurements and inaccurate determination of individual component flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves measuring the density of a multicomponent fluid at two different states, adjusting the fluid's density using a density adjustor to maintain the same mass proportion of components, and using Coriolis flow meters to determine fluid characteristics, allowing for accurate measurement of incompressible and compressible components' properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vibrating fluid meter is used to measure multicomponent fluids with entrained gas bubbles, then the meter can handle a wider range of fluid types, but the measurement accuracy is significantly degraded due to decoupling effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multicomponent fluid measurement problem into separate measurements of the liquid phase and gas phase properties. By using multiple vibration modes (at least two different vibration modes are measured), the system can independently determine liquid density, gas volume fraction, and mixture density, thereby resolving the decoupling effect caused by gas bubbles while maintaining versatility in measuring various multicomponent fluids.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gas bubbles are present in the flow material, then the fluid can be measured as a mixture, but larger bubbles decouple from the liquid and move independently, adversely affecting the vibrational response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration at multiple modes to differentiate between liquid and gas phases. By exciting the flow tube in at least two different vibration modes and measuring the corresponding vibrational responses, the system can distinguish between coupled liquid-gas motion and independent gas bubble motion, thereby maintaining reliability in the presence of gas bubbles while preserving mixture measurement capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bubble size varies with fluid velocity and pressure, then the measurement conditions change dynamically, but this causes variations in the natural or resonant frequency of the flow meter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a dynamic measurement approach by continuously monitoring multiple vibration modes and using these measurements to calculate liquid density and gas volume fraction in real-time. This dynamic adaptation to changing bubble sizes and flow conditions eliminates frequency variation errors, allowing the system to handle variable flow conditions while maintaining precision through continuous multi-mode vibration measurement and calculation.
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
This approach enables precise determination of fluid characteristics, including volume fractions and flow rates of individual components, by compensating for decoupling and compressibility errors, thereby improving measurement accuracy in multicomponent fluids.
Implementation Method 1
Vibrating fluid sensors, such as Coriolis mass flow meters and vibrating densitometers typically operate by detecting motion of a vibrating conduit that contains a flowing material
Implementation Method 2
Excitation is typically provided by an actuator, e.g., an electromechanical device, such as a voice coil-type driver, that perturbs the conduit in a periodic fashion
Implementation Method 3
a density adjustor in fluid communication with the pipeline and the first sensor assembly, configured to adjust a density of the multicomponent fluid from a first density state to at least a second density state by adjusting a pressure and/or a temperature of the multicomponent fluid
Implementation Method 4
a density adjustor in fluid communication with the pipeline and the first sensor assembly, configured to adjust a density of the multicomponent fluid from a first density state to at least a second density state by adjusting a pressure and/or a temperature of the multicomponent fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for determining fluid characteristics of a multicomponent fluid is provided. The method includes a step of measuring a first density, ρ1, of a multicomponent fluid comprising one or more incompressible components and one or more compressible components at a first density state. The method further includes a step of adjusting the multicomponent fluid from the first density state to a second density state. A second density, ρ2, of the multicomponent fluid is then measured at the second density state and one or more fluid characteristics of at least one of the compressible components or the incompressible components are determined.