Multiphase Flow Monitoring via Sensor Autocorrelation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well logging systems face challenges in accurately measuring and monitoring the flow of multiphase fluids in boreholes, particularly in determining the flow rates and properties of different phases due to variations in temperature, pressure, and composition, which affects the precision of geological formation analysis.
Innovation Solution
A measurement system comprising a tool with multiple sensors and an analysis unit that performs autocorrelation operations on collected data, using techniques like time evolved factor analysis, to determine the properties and flow rates of fluid phases, and optionally employs a fluid stream perturbing device to enhance measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional well logging systems are used to measure multiphase fluid flow, then the system structure is relatively simple, but the measurement precision of flow rates and fluid properties deteriorates due to temperature, pressure, and composition variations
Solution Approach 1:
The tool divides the measurement function into multiple specialized sensors distributed along the tool body, each sensitive to different fluid phases or properties. This segmentation allows precise measurement of complex multiphase flows by collecting data from multiple points and phases simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple sensors beyond the minimum single sensor needed, with each sensor providing partial measurement information. The collective data from these excessive sensors enables comprehensive fluid characterization and accurate flow rate determination despite the added complexity, as the redundant measurements compensate for environmental variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are used to measure all fluid phases, then the measurement capability improves, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis unit performs multiple functions: it processes data from all sensors, identifies different fluid phases, calculates flow rates, and compensates for environmental effects. This multi-functionality consolidates the complexity into a single processing unit that handles diverse measurement tasks, allowing the system to detect all fluid phases while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis unit acts as an intermediary between the multiple sensors and the final measurements. It processes raw sensor data, applies autocorrelation techniques, and produces refined flow rate measurements. This intermediary processing layer manages the complexity of multiple sensors by transforming their combined output into accurate, interpretable results.
3Measurement precision
If autocorrelation operations are performed on collected measurements, then the precision of flow rate determination improves, but the processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs autocorrelation operations on the collected sensor measurements to identify repeating patterns and determine flow rates more precisely. By applying this computational technique, the system extracts accurate flow information from the raw data, improving measurement precision despite the additional processing time required for the autocorrelation calculations.
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
The system provides stable and precise measurements of volumetric and mass flow rates of fluid phases, enabling better characterization of fluid flow and properties, even in complex multiphase environments, improving the accuracy of geological formation analysis.
Implementation Method 1
An autocorrelation operation is performed on the collected measurements such that a factor of fluctuation per unit time is matched to a respective phase of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
an autocorrelation operation is performed on the collected measurements such that a factor of fluctuation per unit time is matched to each respective phase of the fluid, with an option to induce a perturbation in the fluid stream
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to monitor flow of single and multiple phase fluids. Sensors of a tool can be dispersed along the tool to collect measurements to be processed using an autocorrelation operation on the collected measurements to provide information relative to the phases of the fluid. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.