Pressure Balanced Ultrasonic Flowmeter for High-Pressure Low-Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meters are unable to provide accurate measurements at high pressures and low flow rates, which is a challenge in chemical-injection management systems used for resource extraction and enhancement in wells.
Innovation Solution
A low flow ultrasonic flow meter is designed with ultrasonic transducers that rapidly switch between sending and receiving ultrasonic waves, combined with a pressure balancing system and acoustic damping to accurately measure low flow rates under high pressures, using materials like polyether ether ketone (PEEK) for acoustic isolation and a pressure balancing mechanism to maintain equilibrium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing flow meters are used, then they can measure flow rates, but they cannot provide accurate measurements at high pressures and low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter is divided into separate functional components: ultrasonic transducers for measurement, pressure balancing mechanisms for pressure management, and acoustic damping materials for noise reduction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling accurate low flow rate measurements at high pressures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using ultrasonic frequencies that can penetrate high-pressure environments and by adjusting the pressure balancing mechanism to maintain equilibrium across a wide pressure range (0-50,000 psi). This allows the flow meter to accurately measure flow rates from 0.01 to 1000 liters/hour across varying pressure conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If pressure balancing system is added, then high pressure operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure balancing system uses a bellows mechanism that automatically equalizes pressure between the measurement chamber and the external environment. This passive pressure balancing approach eliminates the need for complex active pressure control systems while enabling operation from 0 to 50,000 psi
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows acts as an intermediary component between the high-pressure environment and the sensitive ultrasonic transducers. It transfers pressure information mechanically while isolating the transducers from direct high-pressure exposure, simplifying the overall system design
3Measurement precision
If acoustic damping is implemented, then measurement accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses PEEK (polyether ether ketone) material as an acoustic damping layer that is both acoustically effective and easy to manufacture. The PEEK coating or lining can be applied as a thin film or shell inside the measurement chamber, providing acoustic isolation without requiring complex manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter combines PEEK material with the ultrasonic transducer housing and pressure balancing components. PEEK provides both structural integrity and acoustic damping properties, eliminating the need for separate acoustic isolation components and simplifying manufacturing
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 solution enables accurate measurement of low flow rates as low as 0.01 liters/hour at pressures up to 50,000 psi, improving the operational range and reliability of chemical-injection management systems in resource extraction.
Implementation Method 1
A low flow ultrasonic flow meter measures low flow rates, while operating under high-pressure conditions
Implementation Method 2
ultrasonic transducers that rapidly switch between sending and receiving ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 3
The chamber is pressure balanced with the conduit, thereby protecting the ultrasonic transducers
Implementation Method 4
acoustic damping to accurately measure low flow rates under high pressures, using materials like polyether ether ketone (PEEK) for acoustic isolation
Data Source
AI summary
A system, including an ultrasonic flow meter with a conduit including a conduit wall and configured to flow a fluid, an housing disposed about the conduit to define a fluid chamber about the conduit, wherein the conduit facilitates fluid flow into the fluid chamber and through the ultrasonic flow meter and a first ultrasonic transducer disposed in the fluid chamber.