Noninvasive Ultrasonic Multiphase Fluid Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the composition and flow of multiphase fluids (e.g., oil, water, gas) in pipes require multiple instruments, are invasive, and face limitations such as severe constraints and maintenance issues, especially when dealing with gas presence and fluid continuity.
Innovation Solution
A noninvasive system using ultrasonic transducers and signal processing techniques to measure multiple parameters of multiphase fluids, including sound speed, attenuation, flow rate, and gas volume, without diverting the fluid from its principal path, employing frequency chirp signals and Doppler measurements for accurate composition and flow analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple separate instruments are used to measure different fluid parameters, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (acoustic velocity, attenuation, flow rate, gas volume fraction) into a single integrated system using ultrasonic transducers. Multiple sensors are mounted on the exterior of a single pipe section, allowing simultaneous measurement of various fluid parameters without requiring separate instruments for each measurement type.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic measurement system performs multiple functions using the same hardware platform. The same transducer array can measure acoustic velocity for composition determination, attenuation for fluid identification, flow rate through time-delay techniques, and gas volume fraction through signal strength analysis, making the system universally applicable for comprehensive multiphase fluid characterization.
2Measurement precision
If invasive measurement techniques are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but maintenance requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe wall serves as an intermediary medium between the external ultrasonic transducers and the multiphase fluid. The transducers are mounted on the exterior of the pipe, using the pipe wall as a transmission path to deliver ultrasonic energy into the fluid and receive returning signals, thereby eliminating the need for direct contact with the fluid while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical contact measurement techniques with non-contact ultrasonic acoustic field-based measurements. Instead of physically inserting sensors into the fluid stream, the system uses acoustic waves transmitted through the pipe wall to interact with the fluid, substituting mechanical intrusion with field-based sensing.
3Measurement precision
If traditional flow measurement devices are used, then flow rate measurement is achieved, but the ability to identify mass percentages of oil, gas, and water is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system segments the fluid composition analysis by measuring different acoustic parameters that correspond to different phase properties. Acoustic velocity provides information about fluid composition, attenuation characteristics identify fluid types, and signal strength variations quantify gas volume fraction, allowing separate characterization of oil, water, and gas phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic measurement system simultaneously provides both flow rate measurement and detailed phase composition information. By analyzing multiple acoustic parameters (velocity, attenuation, signal strength) from the same measurement setup, the system delivers comprehensive fluid characterization including mass percentages of different phases, which traditional flowmeters cannot provide.
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 independent, accurate, and efficient measurement of multiphase fluid parameters, reducing the need for multiple instruments and invasive procedures, and effectively handling fluids with gas presence, providing reliable data for fluid composition and flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
a first transmitting transducer in ultrasonic communication with the outside surface of the pipe; a first receiving transducer in ultrasonic communication with the outside surface of the pipe
Implementation Method 2
the chirp signal passes through the multiphase fluid
Implementation Method 3
a fourth receiving transducer in ultrasonic communication with the outside surface of the pipe disposed in the vicinity of the fourth transmitting transducer at the same position along the axis of the pipe as the fourth transmitting transducer for receiving a Doppler shifted second fixed frequency signal resulting from reflection from gas bubbles
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system and method for permitting multiple independent measurements of several physical parameters of multiphase fluids flowing through pipes are described. Multiple acoustic transducers are placed in acoustic communication with or attached to the outside surface of a section of existing spool (metal pipe), typically less than 3 feet in length, for noninvasive measurements. Sound speed, sound attenuation, fluid density, fluid flow, container wall resonance characteristics, and Doppler measurements for gas volume fraction may be measured simultaneously by the system. Temperature measurements are made using a temperature sensor for oil-cut correction.