Multiphase Flow Measurement Using Partial Separation and Momentum Meters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiphase flow measurement technologies face challenges in accurately measuring two-phase and three-phase flow rates without requiring dissimilar momentum meters, perfect separation, or costly rotary equipment, and struggle with errors caused by changes in fluid properties and flow patterns.
Innovation Solution
The use of ordinary flow meters for partial separation of multiphase fluid flow into mostly liquid and gas streams, combined with intelligent regression and classification algorithms to adjust coefficients and equations, and the implementation of momentum meters with additional measurements on a combined leg to ensure orthogonality and real-time reporting, eliminating the need for perfect separation and costly equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dissimilar momentum meters are used to measure multiphase flow, then measurement independence is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial separation instead of complete separation, using a separator that divides multiphase flow into mostly-gas stream and mostly-liquid stream rather than achieving perfect separation. This partial action allows using similar momentum meters while still obtaining sufficiently independent measurements to solve for unknown phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the same type of momentum meter (Venturi meter) for multiple measurement functions - measuring mostly-gas stream, mostly-liquid stream, and combined un-separated stream. This universal application of similar meters simplifies manufacturing while providing enough independent equations through different measurement configurations.
2Measurement precision
If perfect separation is implemented to measure gas and liquid streams separately, then measurement accuracy is improved, but separation device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately uses partial separation rather than perfect separation. The separator is designed to create mostly-gas and mostly-liquid streams that are sufficiently separated for accurate measurement without requiring the large size and high cost of perfect separation devices. This partial action achieves the measurement goal with reduced device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from requiring perfect separation (100% efficiency) to partial separation (mainly gas and mainly liquid streams). By accepting and working with partial separation parameters, the system achieves accurate measurements without the excessive size and cost of perfect separation equipment.
3Reliability
If rotary equipment or pumps are added to achieve better separation, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses passive separation without rotary equipment or pumps. The separator relies on the natural flow dynamics and density differences of the multiphase stream to achieve partial separation into mostly-gas and mostly-liquid streams. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional power-consuming moving parts while maintaining sufficient separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the unnecessary components (rotary equipment, pumps) from the separation system. By removing these power-consuming elements and using only passive separation based on flow dynamics and density differences, the system achieves reliable separation efficiency without additional energy consumption or device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If flow meters operate outside their calibrated range due to changing fluid properties, then adaptability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an iterative process that incorporates feedback from all three measurements (mostly-gas stream, mostly-liquid stream, and combined un-separated stream) to continuously adjust and solve for the correct flow rates of individual phases. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing fluid properties and flow patterns while maintaining measurement accuracy through intelligent regression and classification algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic measurement system that adapts to changing conditions through iterative calculation. The system continuously adjusts its interpretation of meter readings based on the combined measurement from the un-separated stream, allowing it to handle varying fluid densities, viscosities, and flow patterns while maintaining accuracy even when individual meters operate outside their original calibrated ranges.
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 improves the accuracy and rangeability of multiphase measurement performance across varying flow regimes, reduces errors, and allows for real-time measurement without relying on average density values, while avoiding convergence towards spurious solutions and maintaining accuracy under low separation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
momentum meters (e.g. Venturi meters) measure the integral of fluid momentums (liquid and gas), and therefore are less sensitive to the homogeneity of the fluid stream. Momentum meters are also very accurate since the measurement is based on the differential pressure.
Implementation Method 2
momentum meters (e.g. Venturi meters) measure the integral of fluid momentums
Implementation Method 3
The invention uses partial separation into mostly liquid and mostly gas streams measuring each leg separately
Data Source
AI summary
A method for correcting measurements of conventional flow meters is provided. Using prior determination of fundamental behavior parameters, flow meter measurements are iteratively calculated to improve their accuracy and eliminate the need for dissimilar momentum meters or moving parts in multiphase flow metering. In some applications, corrections to meter readings are made by using an algorithm having a generic model for the entire system and validating the converged solution against realistic bounds on fluid properties.