Multiphase Flow Meter Using Radiation Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measuring flow rates and phase fractions of multiphase fluids in wells is complex due to the presence of water, oil, and gas, and existing methods either require separation or are prone to errors from detector response drifts and energy spectrum mixing.
Innovation Solution
A multiphase flow meter system that uses electromagnetic radiation to measure attenuation coefficients, combined with a physical model of the detector response, to calculate phase fractions and flow rates without separation, compensating for detector errors and energy spectrum mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional separator systems are used to determine flow rates of multiphase fluids, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical separator systems with electromagnetic radiation-based measurement. Instead of physically separating phases through mechanical means, the invention uses gamma ray or X-ray attenuation measurements to determine phase fractions and flow rates directly, eliminating the need for complex separator hardware while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The invention measures different parameters (radiation attenuation coefficients at multiple energy levels) to derive phase fractions. By changing the measurement approach from mechanical separation to electromagnetic parameter measurement, the system achieves accurate flow rate determination without complex device structure
2Device complexity
If multiphase flow meters are used to measure flow rates without separation, then device size and complexity are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to detector response drifts and energy spectrum mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration to establish the relationship between radiation attenuation and phase fractions before actual measurement. This preliminary action creates reference data that compensates for detector response characteristics, ensuring accurate measurements without requiring complex real-time correction mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses multiple energy levels (excessive measurement parameters) to determine phase fractions. By measuring attenuation at more energy levels than the minimum required, the system creates redundant data that enables sophisticated algorithms to separate and correct for detector response drifts and energy spectrum mixing effects
Solution Approach 3:
The patent implements algorithms that continuously process measurement data and adjust for detector response variations. This feedback mechanism uses the measured energy spectrum information to correct for drifts and mixing effects, maintaining measurement precision in the simplified device configuration
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
Accurately determines phase fractions and flow rates of multiphase fluids by measuring electromagnetic radiation attenuation and using a physical model to correct for detector response variations, providing reliable data for fluid characterization.
Implementation Method 1
a detector (16) of electromagnetic radiation... The scintillation crystal (92) receives the radiation (54) transmitted through the fluid (52)
Implementation Method 2
measuring electromagnetic radiation attenuation... The energy spectrum of the received radiation is then measured... attenuation coefficients
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for inferring incident count rates of electromagnetic energy at a detector is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting electromagnetic radiation through a fluid and receiving a portion of the electromagnetic radiation at a detector. The method also includes measuring the energy spectrum of the portion of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector and using the measured energy spectrum and a physical model of detector response to electromagnetic radiation to infer incident count rates for discrete energy levels of the portion of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.