Multiphase Flow Metering via Pressure-Regulated Isolation Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multiphase flow metering systems in the oil and gas industry face challenges in accurately measuring the relative amounts of oil, water, and gas due to limitations in sensitivity across varying flow regimes, reliance on invasive and hazardous radiation sources, and difficulties in differentiating between oil and gas phases, leading to inaccurate and unreliable measurements.
Innovation Solution
A novel method that diverts multiphase flow into a sample volume while maintaining upstream pressure, allowing for proportional capture of phase flow rates, which are then determined by adjusting downstream resistance to match pre-diverted conditions, enabling accurate measurement of phase-specific flow rates without the need for invasive elements or hazardous radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gamma densitometry is used to measure volume fraction of constituent phases, then measurement accuracy is improved, but safety risks increase due to ionizing radiation and measurement time increases due to longer integration periods required for higher accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the hazardous radiation source from the measurement system. Instead of using gamma densitometry with ionizing radiation, the invention employs electrical impedance measurement with injected electrical signals, completely eliminating the safety risks associated with radioactive sources while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physical radiation-based measurement system with an electrical field-based system. By substituting gamma radiation with electrical impedance measurement, the invention achieves phase fraction measurement without the harmful effects of ionizing radiation, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and safety
2Measurement precision
If gamma densitometry is used to measure volume fraction, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases due to longer integration periods required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the slow integration-based gamma densitometry system with a rapid electrical impedance measurement system. By using electrical signals to probe the multiphase flow, the invention achieves accurate phase fraction measurements instantaneously without requiring long integration periods, thus resolving the time-accuracy tradeoff
3Loss of time
If electrical impedance measurement is used to infer volume fraction, then measurement time is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to inability to differentiate between oil and gas phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using multiple electrical impedance measurements at different frequencies or locations within the flow. By measuring impedance characteristics at various points and frequencies, the system can distinguish between oil and gas phases based on their different electrical properties, thereby achieving both rapid measurement and accurate phase differentiation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using multiple electrical impedance measurements with varying frequencies or electrode configurations. This allows the system to exploit differences in electrical properties between phases, enabling accurate differentiation between oil and gas while maintaining rapid measurement capability
4Adaptability or versatility
If flow regime changes occur in the pipe, then flow dynamics adapt, but measurement accuracy deteriorates because measurement techniques are calibrated for only one flow regime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that functions accurately across multiple flow regimes. By using electrical impedance measurement with multiple frequencies and/or locations, the invention develops a calibration-independent approach that maintains measurement accuracy whether the flow is stratified, dispersed, or annular, thus achieving both adaptability and precision
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 allows for accurate measurement of phase-specific flow rates across a wide range of flow regimes, reducing errors from flow fluctuations and eliminating the need for hazardous radiation, providing a more reliable and efficient method for optimizing hydrocarbon production.
Implementation Method 1
The fluidic isolation chamber expands volumetrically in response to fluid pressure when multiphase production fluid is diverted through the diverted flow segment
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for measuring phase flow rates of a multiphase production fluid are provided where a fluidic isolation chamber expands volumetrically in response to fluid pressure from a diverted multiphase production fluid. A pressure-regulating actuator regulates fluid pressure upstream of the fluidic isolation chamber and an upstream fluidic pressure sensor generates an upstream fluidic pressure signal. A fluidic control and analysis unit is configured to communicate with the upstream pressure sensor and the isolation chamber actuator to maintain fluidic pressure upstream of the fluidic isolation chamber as the multiphase production fluid is diverted to the fluidic isolation chamber. The unit generates a total flow rate QTOT as a function of chamber filling time and volumetric expansion and communicates with the fluidic phase detector to generate a relative occupancy indicator I for a target phase of the multiphase production fluid in the fluidic isolation chamber. A flow rate QP for the target phase is generated as a function of the total flow rate QTOT and the relative occupancy indicator I.