Two-Stage Flow Meter for Multiphase Fluid Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flowmeters for measuring multiphase fluid flow in wellbores require periodic fluid sampling, which can lead to inaccuracies and interruptions in production, and struggle to accurately measure gas and water fractions without disrupting fluid transmission.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage flow meter method that estimates total fluid flow by measuring conditions within and at the exit of the flow meter, using differential pressure correction factors and empirically derived algorithms to calculate gas and water fractions, allowing for continuous and accurate measurement without sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If periodic fluid sampling is used to measure gas and water fractions, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates and production is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fluid sampling systems with acoustic measurement systems. Acoustic sensors measure the speed of sound through the multiphase flow to determine gas and water fractions continuously without physical sampling, thereby maintaining production continuity while achieving accurate measurement of phase compositions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to measure fluid properties. By measuring acoustic velocity through the multiphase flow, the system indirectly determines gas and water fractions without direct fluid contact or sampling, enabling continuous measurement without production interruption
2Loss of information
If periodic fluid sampling is implemented, then phase composition information is obtained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to sampling errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sampling with acoustic measurement to eliminate sampling errors. Acoustic velocity measurements provide direct information about phase composition without the inaccuracies introduced by physical sampling, separation, and analysis processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous acoustic measurement of phase composition rather than periodic sampling. This continuous measurement approach captures real-time phase fractions without the temporal discontinuities and errors associated with periodic sampling intervals
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 continuous, accurate measurement of multiphase fluid flow, including gas and water fractions, without interrupting production, by iteratively correcting flow estimates and using empirically derived algorithms to model fluid characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
measuring fluid conditions within the flow meter and the flow meter exit, calculating an initial estimated value of total fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
estimating a fluid gas volume fraction based on the flow meter exit pressure
Implementation Method 3
correcting the estimated fluid flow rate using an iterative regression technique thereby obtaining iterated flow values, continuing the regression technique until successive iterated flow values are within a set range
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-phase flow is estimated in a flow meter having a first and a second stage by empirically deriving an algorithm for the water and gas fractions, measuring pressures within the flow meter, and estimating a total mass flow rate based on the measured pressures. A corrected total mass flow rate is calculated using a liquid/gas slip correction technique. The oil fraction can be determined from the corrected total mass flow rate and gas and water fractions.