Ultrasonic Gas Flow Meter Attenuation End Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas flow measurement equipment in custody transfer transactions along pipelines faces inaccuracies due to interference from ultrasonic waves generated by downstream equipment, which requires the use of elbows that increase the equipment footprint and complicate transportation.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic attenuation section with alternating, vertically oriented plates within the pipe is used to reflect and absorb ultrasonic waves, preventing them from interfering with the gas flow meter, eliminating the need for elbows and reducing the equipment footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If elbows are used for ultrasonic attenuation at the front and back end of the flow meter section, then ultrasonic waves are attenuated and measurement accuracy is improved, but the equipment footprint is widened and transportation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuation section is divided into multiple segments with alternating first and second plates spaced at different positions within the pipe. This segmentation allows the ultrasonic waves to be attenuated through multiple reflections between the plates rather than requiring a single large elbow structure, thereby reducing the overall equipment footprint while maintaining effective attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using elbows that extend the attenuation structure radially outward (increasing footprint area), the patent uses plates arranged axially within the pipe volume. This transitions the attenuation mechanism from a radial/directional approach to an axial/dimensional approach, reducing the equipment footprint while maintaining attenuation effectiveness through the pipe's internal volume.
2Measurement precision
If elbows are used for ultrasonic attenuation, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and transportation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuation section is divided into multiple segments with alternating first and second plates spaced at different positions within the pipe. This segmentation allows the ultrasonic waves to be attenuated through multiple reflections between the plates rather than requiring a single large elbow structure, thereby reducing the overall equipment footprint while maintaining effective attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using elbows that extend the attenuation structure radially outward (increasing footprint area), the patent uses plates arranged axially within the pipe volume. This transitions the attenuation mechanism from a radial/directional approach to an axial/dimensional approach, reducing the equipment footprint while maintaining attenuation effectiveness through the pipe's internal volume.
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 solution effectively attenuates ultrasonic waves, improving the accuracy of gas flow measurement while simplifying the equipment design and transportation by eliminating the need for elbows, thus reducing the financial impact of measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
the ultrasonic waves reflect off the plates, toward other plates or the pipe wall and not back to the ultrasonic gas flow meter
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic attenuation end treatment for use with an ultrasonic gas flow meter
Data Source
AI summary
An end treatment for use with an ultrasonic gas flow meter includes an attenuation section having a pipe extending in a longitudinal direction and containing alternating sets of laterally spaced and vertically oriented first and second solid wall plates located between an inlet end and an outlet end of the pipe. One plate includes a first end connected to an inside wall of the pipe and another plate includes a second end that extends past a longitudinal centerline of the pipe to define a gap between the end of the plate and a respective opposing inside wall of the pipe. As the gas traverses the plates by flowing through the gaps, the ultrasonic waves are prevented from reflecting back to the flow meter.