Subsea Flow Meter Assembly Pressure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea flow meters face challenges in providing precise and reliable flow rate measurements across a wide range of flow rates, particularly in high-pressure subsea environments, and often require complex and unreliable sensor configurations.
Innovation Solution
A subsea flow meter assembly with at least four measuring ports and two sensor assemblies, each capable of measuring differential and absolute pressures, along with evaluation units to determine flow rates, is designed to improve accuracy and reliability by reducing connections and providing redundancy, while maintaining a compact and cost-efficient design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are arranged at different locations in the production system to measure flow, then flow rate can be determined, but the device complexity and number of connections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (differential pressure measurement and absolute pressure measurement) into a single integrated flow meter assembly mounted on one pipe section. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate sensor assemblies and connections required, while still enabling accurate flow rate determination through the combination of differential pressure measurements (for flow calculation) and absolute pressure measurements (for compensation and accuracy).
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it measures differential pressure across the flow metering element, measures absolute pressure at the same location, and uses both measurements to determine flow rate with high accuracy. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement systems at different locations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are arranged at different locations to provide flow measurements, then flow rate can be calculated, but the reliability decreases due to more connection points
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating both differential pressure sensors and absolute pressure sensors into a single integrated assembly mounted on one pipe section, the patent reduces the total number of connection points between pipe sections. Fewer connections mean fewer potential failure points, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining the ability to perform accurate flow rate measurements through combined differential and absolute pressure data.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact flow meter design is provided, then installation space is reduced, but measurement precision across the whole flow rate range may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The compact flow meter assembly achieves full measurement capability by integrating both differential pressure measurement and absolute pressure measurement functions into a single unit. The differential pressure measurements provide flow rate information, while the absolute pressure measurements enable compensation for pressure-dependent effects, ensuring accurate measurements across the entire flow rate range despite the compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging multiple measurement functions into a single compact assembly, the patent achieves space-efficient installation without sacrificing measurement precision. The integrated design allows all necessary sensors (differential pressure and absolute pressure) to be co-located, maintaining measurement accuracy across the full flow rate range while reducing the overall volume and installation footprint.
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 and reliable flow rate measurements with reduced complexity and connections, allowing for independent flow rate determination even if one sensor assembly fails, and is suitable for high-pressure subsea environments.
Implementation Method 1
A first sensor assembly (20) is configured to measure at least a differential pressure between the first and second measuring ports (11, 12)
Implementation Method 2
is further configured to measure an absolute pressure at the first, the second or at both measuring ports (11, 12)
Implementation Method 3
The evaluation unit (55, 65) is configured to determine a flow rate of a flow of medium through the pipe section (101) based on the pressure measurements
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea flow meter assembly includes a pipe section extending in an axial direction and providing a flow path for a medium. At least four measuring ports are provided at different locations in the pipe section. A first assembly measures at least a differential pressure between a first and second ports and an absolute pressure at one of the ports. A second assembly measures a differential pressure between a third and a fourth ports, and an absolute pressure at one of the ports. A first measuring unit is used to take measurements of the differential pressure and the absolute pressure via the first sensor assembly. A second measuring unit is used to take measurements of the differential pressure and the absolute pressure via the second sensor assembly. An evaluation unit of each determines a flow rate of a flow of medium through the pipe section based on the measurements.