Shaped Waveform Acoustic Interrogation for Multiphase Fluid Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring multiphase fluids, such as magnetic flow meters and acoustic tomography, are complex, error-prone, and impractical for regular use due to their inability to accurately measure three-phase measurements without separating components, leading to significant cost and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus and method using shaped waveform interrogation, which involves transmitting and receiving acoustic waves with predetermined frequency content and duration to determine properties of multiphase materials non-invasively, allowing for accurate measurement of gas volume fraction and composition without the need for deconvolution or complex signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic measurements use high frequency (1 MHz or above) transducers, then the wavelength is of the same order of magnitude as gas bubbles, but the signal is strongly scattered making measurements complicated and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter from conventional high frequency (1 MHz or above) to low frequency (below 1 MHz, typically 20-500 kHz). This parameter change increases the wavelength to be much larger than gas bubble dimensions, fundamentally reducing scattering effects and eliminating the need for complex deconvolution signal processing while maintaining measurement accuracy
2Measurement precision
If acoustic tomography uses high frequency ultrasonic transducer pairs arranged along the circumference, then gas content can be measured in a horizontal plane, but the system becomes complicated, computationally intensive, and error prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex circumferential transducer array arrangement from the acoustic tomography system. By using only one or two transducers with low frequency waves, the system removes the computationally intensive reconstruction algorithms and error-prone multi-point measurements while retaining the ability to measure gas content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter to below 1 MHz, which increases the wavelength to be much larger than gas bubbles. This parameter change allows accurate gas content measurement with simplified transducer arrangements, eliminating the need for complex circumferential arrays and computational reconstruction
3Adaptability or versatility
If Doppler measurements are used for multiphase fluids, then gas density must not be too high, but the measurement is limited and not applicable to all multiphase regimes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter to low frequency (below 1 MHz), which increases the wavelength to be much larger than gas bubbles. This enables the measurement system to handle high gas density conditions and various multiphase regimes (bubble flow, slug flow, churn flow, annular flow) that were not suitable for conventional high frequency Doppler measurements
4Measurement precision
If conventional acoustic waves are used with duration greater than bubble transit time, then individual bubbles affect the measurement, but it is not possible to integrate results for accurate gas volume fraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter to low frequency (below 1 MHz), which increases the wavelength to be much larger than gas bubbles. This parameter change allows the use of longer duration acoustic waves without individual bubble interference, enabling proper signal integration for accurate gas volume fraction measurement
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 efficient, accurate, and cost-effective measurement of multiphase fluid properties, reducing equipment costs and operational complexity while providing real-time monitoring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, from one or more transmitting transducers through a multiphase material, to one or more receiving transducers, an acoustic wave having a shaped waveform
Implementation Method 2
an acoustic wave having a shaped waveform and comprising predetermined frequency content, a duration of the acoustic wave being less than a threshold duration
Data Source
AI summary
Described are an apparatus, computer program product, and associated methods for shaped waveform acoustic interrogation of substances and materials to determine one or more properties of the materials or substances. In some embodiments, a shaped waveform is formed by summing two or more different waveforms and an acoustic wave is generated according to the shaped waveform. The acoustic wave is transmitted by one or more transmitting transducers through the substance or material and received by one or more receiving transducers. The shaped waveform acoustic wave can have a duration or a period that is less than about 20 μs and can comprise predetermined frequency content. Characteristics of the shaped waveform acoustic wave, as received at the receiving transducer(s), including characteristics such as amplitude, frequency, time of flight, etc., can be associated with said one or more properties of the substance or material to provide for real-time monitoring of these properties.