Swirling Flow Constriction for Gas-Liquid Mixture Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining gas and liquid flow rates in gas-liquid fluid mixtures, such as the Schlumberger's Vx™ system, face accuracy degradation at high gas volume fractions (GVF) above 90%, making it difficult to determine liquid phase properties accurately.
Innovation Solution
Inducing swirling flow in a constriction region, such as a Venturi, to separate the liquid and gas phases, enhancing centrifugal acceleration and allowing for more precise measurement of liquid properties like density and sound velocity through the formation of an annular liquid layer on the conduit wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flow measurement methods are used, then gas and liquid flow rates can be measured, but measurement accuracy degrades at high gas volume fractions above 90%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gas-liquid mixture into separate phases by inducing swirling flow in a constriction region. The swirl separates the liquid phase from the gas phase, allowing liquid properties to be measured independently without gas interference. This segmentation resolves the measurement accuracy degradation that occurs at high GVF in conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a local region with different flow characteristics by introducing a constriction region with swirling flow. In this specific local area, the liquid phase is concentrated and separated from gas, creating favorable local conditions for accurate liquid property measurements despite high overall gas volume fraction in the mixture.
2Measurement precision
If swirling flow is induced in a constriction region, then liquid and gas phases are separated improving liquid property measurement, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flow separation function with the existing conduit structure by introducing a constriction region and swirl-inducing elements into the flow path. This integration achieves phase separation without requiring completely separate measurement systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still improving measurement accuracy.
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 improves the accuracy of liquid property measurements by increasing liquid hold-up and reducing gas entrainment, particularly at high GVF, enabling more reliable ultrasonic measurements and better determination of the oil/water ratio.
Implementation Method 1
inducing the mixture to exhibit swirling flow in the first constriction region, thereby separating the liquid from the gas
Implementation Method 2
The swirling flow causes the liquid of the mixture to be displaced to the wall of the conduit
Implementation Method 3
Swirling flow in the constriction region will have increased centrifugal acceleration relative to swirling flow outside the constriction region
Implementation Method 4
the thickness of the liquid layer and/or velocity of the liquid in the layer can also be measured, for example ultrasonically
Implementation Method 5
using e.g. pulsed Doppler ultrasound
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided for investigating a gas-liquid fluid mixture as it is conveyed in a conduit having a first constriction region providing a reduced conduit cross section. The method and system include inducing the mixture to exhibit swirling flow in the first constriction region, thereby separating the liquid from the gas, and determining one or more properties of the fluid in the first constriction region.