Removable Magnetic Resonance Flow Meter for Tubular Fluid Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current measurement devices for determining fluid parameters in tubulars are cumbersome and expensive due to their permanent fixture design, making it difficult to obtain accurate measurements at multiple locations or branches in the oil and gas industry.

Innovation Solution

A removable apparatus that includes a primary magnetic field source, transmitter, receiver, and processor, allowing for the estimation of fluid parameters by aligning nuclei with a primary magnetic field and detecting signals responsive to excitation signals, with the ability to be coupled to various locations on the tubular.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement devices are built into the tubular as permanent fixtures, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid parameter measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement device is divided into separate modular components including a magnetic field source, transmitter, receiver, and processor that can be independently attached to the tubular. This segmentation allows the device to maintain measurement precision while reducing overall complexity and enabling reuse at different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a static permanent fixture to a dynamic removable apparatus that can be attached and detached at various locations along the tubular. This dynamic design maintains measurement capability while reducing device complexity through standardized attachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple measurement devices are installed at different locations, then measurement coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement location flexibilityVSAvoiddevice installation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single standardized measurement apparatus design can be used at multiple different locations along the tubular through standardized attachment mechanisms. This universality eliminates the need to manufacture and install separate dedicated devices at each location, reducing overall manufacturing cost and installation complexity while maintaining measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating unique permanent fixtures for each location, the same modular measurement device can be replicated and repositioned at different locations using standardized attachment methods, reducing manufacturing costs and enabling flexible measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If permanent measurement fixtures are used, then measurement reliability is improved, but ease of operation and repositionability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement consistencyVSAvoiddevice repositionability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates standardized attachment and detachment mechanisms that allow reliable measurement operations while enabling easy repositioning at different locations. The dynamic design maintains measurement reliability through consistent coupling to the tubular while significantly improving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 accurate and cost-effective estimation of fluid parameters at multiple locations, minimizing the need for multiple measurement devices and reducing operational expenses by providing a portable solution for fluid parameter measurement.

Implementation Method 1

a source of a primary magnetic field coupled to the tubular and configured to induce the primary magnetic field in the fluid to align nuclei of the fluid in the tubular along the primary magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field alignment: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a transmitter configured to transmit an excitation signal into the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic excitation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a receiver configured to detect a signal from the aligned nuclei responsive to the excitation signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNuclear magnetic resonance signal detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9121550B2Apparatus of a magnetic resonance multiphase flow meter

Publication Date: 2015.09.01 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of a fluid flowing in a tubular is disclosed. A source of a primary magnetic field is coupled to the tubular and is configured to induce the primary magnetic field in the fluid to align nuclei of the fluid in the tubular along the primary magnetic field. A transmitter transmits an excitation signal into the fluid. A receiver detects a signal from the aligned nuclei responsive to the excitation signal. A processor estimates the parameter of the fluid from the detected signal. The source of the primary magnetic field is removable from the tubular. A coil may induce a secondary magnetic field to either enhance the strength of the primary magnetic field in the tubular or substantially cancel the primary magnetic field in the tubular, for example, to reduce particle build-up in the tubular.