Multiphase Flow Imaging for Phase Rates and Pipe Deposits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiphase flow meters struggle to accurately measure flow rates of individual phases and visualize the flow regime while coping with high gas void fractions and water-cuts, and fail to account for pipe wall deposits, leading to inaccurate measurements and computational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A THz imaging system combined with an online flow conditioner and ultrasonic array imaging, utilizing THz cameras and ultrasonic sensors to measure flow rates and visualize multiphase flows, with the ability to handle high and low gas void fractions and water-cuts, and measure pipe wall deposits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) or Magnetic Induction Tomography (MIT) systems are used for multiphase flow measurement, then flow visualization and measurement capability is improved, but computation time becomes excessive and image quality is degraded by smoothness constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/computational image reconstruction systems (ECT/MIT tomography algorithms) with a simpler optical detection system using laser sheets and cameras. This substitution eliminates the need for excessive computation while maintaining measurement accuracy, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and computation time.
2Measurement precision
If Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) or Magnetic Induction Tomography (MIT) systems are used for multiphase flow measurement, then flow visualization capability is improved, but image quality is degraded due to smoothness constraint of tomography algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes tomography-based image reconstruction with direct optical imaging using laser sheets and cameras. This eliminates the smoothness constraint inherent in tomography algorithms, providing accurate flow visualization without image quality degradation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional tomography systems are used, then multiphase flow measurement capability is improved, but small size phases (sub mm-order droplets in wet gas flow) cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple laser sheets oriented at different angles to illuminate the flow from multiple dimensions. This multi-dimensional illumination approach enables detection of small droplets that would be missed by single-plane tomography, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and small phase detection.
4Measurement precision
If ultrasonic phased array sensors are used for multiphase flow measurement, then measurement accuracy for liquid-liquid flows is improved, but the system becomes impractical for gas-liquid-gas flows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal optical measurement system using laser sheets and cameras that can measure both liquid-liquid and gas-liquid-gas flows with a single setup. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for different measurement systems for different flow types, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and adaptability.
5Device complexity
If sampling methods are used to reduce measurement complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy is compromised due to fluid property changes and unrepresentative sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sampling systems with non-intrusive optical measurement using laser sheets and cameras. This substitution maintains measurement accuracy by avoiding fluid extraction and property changes while keeping the device relatively simple.
6Reliability
If flow conditioners are added to generate specific flow regimes, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and pressure loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses non-intrusive optical measurement that does not require mechanical flow conditioners to create specific flow regimes. The laser sheet and camera system can measure various flow patterns (bubbly, slug, annular) as they naturally occur, eliminating the need for additional conditioning devices and associated complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an imaging system for measuring flow rates of the individual phases of a multiphase flow and for providing images of the multiphase flow, wherein the imaging system is adapted to also measure the thickness of deposits on the internal wall of a pipe, and to a method for analyzing a multiphase flow flowing through a pipe using the imaging system.