Photon Quantum Mixed-Phase Flowmeter for Low-Flow Mass Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mixed-phase flowmeters are incapable of performing high-precision real-time mass flow rate measurement on low-flow-rate mixed-phase fluids at low-yield oil-gas wells, as they are designed for high-flow-rate measurements and face limitations in reducing the throat pipe section size.
Innovation Solution
A throttling-type photon quantum mixed-phase flowmeter that performs multi-energy-level photon quantum measurement at the inlet pipe section, using a photoelectric effect, Compton effect, and mass conservation principles to calculate the actual mass flow rate of each phase fluid medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the throat pipe section size is reduced to measure low-flow-rate mixed-phase fluid, then the measurement range can be extended to low-flow-rate, but the manufacturing precision and structural integrity become difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The flowmeter is divided into two functional sections: a large-diameter inlet pipe section for photon quantum measurement and a separate throat pipe section for flow rate calculation. This segmentation allows the measurement function to be decoupled from the flow constriction function, enabling accurate low-flow-rate measurement without requiring a small throat pipe section that would be difficult to manufacture with precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement in the throat pipe section with photon quantum measurement in the inlet pipe section. By using photon quantum detection to measure fluid properties upstream, the system eliminates the need for precise mechanical dimensional control in the throat pipe section while still achieving accurate low-flow-rate measurement through the combined use of photon quantum data and pressure differential calculations.
2Productivity
If conventional mixed-phase flowmeters are used for high-flow-rate measurement, then high-flow-rate measurement capability is achieved, but low-flow-rate measurement precision is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental measurement parameter from direct mechanical flow measurement to photon quantum-based measurement. By measuring photon quantum transmission quantities and using these to calculate mass flow rate through the Compton effect and photoelectric effect, the system achieves accurate measurement across the entire flow rate range including low-flow-rate conditions where conventional meters fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The flowmeter is designed with universal applicability to measure both high-flow-rate and low-flow-rate mixed-phase fluids using the same photon quantum measurement system. The multi-energy-level photon quantum source and probe system can detect fluid properties regardless of flow rate, making the device universally applicable from low-yield to high-yield oil-gas wells without requiring separate measurement systems.
3Measurement precision
If multi-energy-level photon quantum measurement is performed at the inlet pipe section, then low-flow-rate measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs photon quantum measurement at the inlet pipe section before the fluid enters the throat pipe section. This preliminary measurement of photon quantum transmission quantities allows the system to capture fluid properties upstream, where the flow conditions are more stable and easier to control, thereby improving measurement precision for low-flow-rate conditions without requiring complex modifications to the throat pipe section.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces photon quantum measurement as an intermediary method to indirectly determine mass flow rate. Instead of directly measuring flow rate mechanically (which would require complex precision), the system uses photon quantum transmission as an intermediary parameter that correlates with fluid density and composition, then calculates mass flow rate from these intermediate measurements combined with pressure differential data.
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
Enables high-precision real-time mass flow rate measurement of low-flow-rate mixed-phase fluids at low-yield oil-gas wells by directly calculating the mass flow rate of each phase fluid medium, overcoming limitations imposed by throat pipe section size.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-level photon quantum source arranged within the inlet pipe section and configured to emit photon quantum of at least three energy levels according to a preset photon quantum emission rate
Implementation Method 2
the photon quantum probe arranged opposite to the multi-level photon quantum source and configured to detect a photon quantum transmission quantity for each of the at least three energy levels
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a mixed-phase fluid mass flow measurement method and a throttling-type photon quantum mixed-phase flowmeter, after real-time acquisition of the actual pressure value, actual temperature value, and the actual photon quantum transmission quantity under the influence of the to-be-measured mixed-phase fluid for at least three photon quantum energy levels at the inlet pipe section of the throttling-type photon quantum mixed-phase flowmeter, and after the acquisition of the actual pressure difference between the inlet pipe section and the throat pipe section, the present disclosure will directly calculate the actual mass flow rate of the fluid media of each phase in the to-be-measured mixed-phase fluid based on the actual photon quantum transmission quantities for the at least three photon quantum energy levels, the photon quantum transmission quantity without medium, and the obtained actual pressure value, actual temperature value, and actual pressure difference.