Multi-Phase Fluid Salinity Measurement via Broadband Impedance Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-phase flow metering systems struggle to accurately determine salinity in multi-phase fluids across all frequency ranges, especially in fluids with substantial lossy media, as existing methods often rely on conductive loss terms and ignore dielectric loss terms, leading to erroneous results.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that emit electromagnetic waves of various frequencies to measure transmitted or reflected waves, determining intermediate parameters like conductance, susceptance, and complex permittivity to accurately calculate salinity, accounting for both conductive and dielectric loss terms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase difference methodologies are used to determine salinity, then accurate results are obtained in limited cases (low dielectric losses), but measurement precision deteriorates in multi-phase fluids with substantial dielectric losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from phase difference (frequency-specific) to broadband impedance spectroscopy parameters (real and imaginary parts of permittivity across multiple frequencies). This allows the system to adapt to different fluid types by capturing frequency-dependent dielectric behavior, resolving the contradiction between accuracy in specific cases and versatility across all fluid types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-frequency phase difference measurements to multi-frequency impedance spectroscopy, adding the frequency dimension to the measurement. By measuring across a spectrum of frequencies and analyzing both real and imaginary parts of permittivity, the system gains the ability to distinguish between conductive and dielectric losses, enabling accurate salinity measurement across all fluid types.
2Device complexity
If only conductive loss term is considered in permittivity determination, then simplified calculation is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates at higher frequencies where dielectric loss term becomes significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from considering only the conductive loss term to simultaneously considering both conductive and dielectric loss terms through broadband impedance spectroscopy. By measuring impedance across multiple frequencies and separating the real and imaginary parts of permittivity, the system accurately captures frequency-dependent dielectric behavior without excessive complexity, using systematic data collection and analysis methods.
3Ease of operation
If single-frequency measurement is used, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to capture frequency-dependent dielectric behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the frequency dimension to measurements by implementing broadband impedance spectroscopy across multiple frequencies. This allows the system to capture frequency-dependent dielectric behavior while maintaining operational simplicity through automated multi-frequency scanning and systematic data analysis, resolving the contradiction between simplicity 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 enables precise salinity determination in multi-phase fluids, improving the accuracy of phase fraction measurements and preventing conduit corrosion by considering the complex permittivity and its frequency-dependent changes.
Implementation Method 1
exciting a sensing device to cause the sensing device to emit electromagnetic waves of one or more frequencies into a multi-phase fluid. The method also includes receiving at least one of transmitted or reflected electromagnetic waves from the multi-phase fluid.
Implementation Method 2
Presence of saline content leads to changes in the permittivity of the multi-phase fluid. Permittivity of water (∈rw) can be expressed as follows: ∈rw = ∈′r - j(∈′′r - σ/ω∈0)
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining salinity of multi-phase fluids in a conduit includes exciting a sensing device to cause emission of electromagnetic waves of one or more frequencies into the multi-phase fluid. The method includes receiving transmitted or reflected electromagnetic waves from the multi-phase fluid. Furthermore, the method includes determining an intermediate parameter from the received electromagnetic waves. The method also includes obtaining estimated values of a plurality of parameters from the intermediate parameter. The estimated values comprise at least one of an estimated value of conductance, an estimated value of susceptance, an estimated value of differential conductance, an estimated value of differential susceptance, an estimated value of a real part of complex permittivity, and an estimated value of an imaginary part of complex permittivity. Salinity of the fluid is determined based, at least in part, on the estimated values of the plurality of parameters.