Venturi Flowmeter Dynamic Constriction for Multiphase Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flowmeters face challenges in accurately measuring flow rates of crude oil mixtures containing oil, gas, water, and debris due to their limited dynamic range and performance issues in multiphase environments, leading to periodic measurements that disrupt operations and result in production decline and estimation errors.
Innovation Solution
A Venturi flowmeter with a dynamically variable effective constriction ratio is introduced, featuring a device within the chamber that moves in response to the multiphase medium, altering the constriction ratio based on pressure and position data to accurately measure flow rates across a wide range of flow rates, using sensors and a processor to determine flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single-phase flowmeters are used in multiphase environments, then flow rate measurement can be performed, but the device experiences twisting, movement, wear, clogging, and performance issues leading to limited service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically variable effective constriction ratio where the chamber diameter adjusts in response to multiphase flow conditions. The device includes a movable component that changes the effective constriction ratio based on flow rate, allowing the flowmeter to adapt to varying flow conditions and maintain measurement accuracy across a wide range of flow rates while reducing wear and performance degradation in multiphase environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional single-phase flowmeters are used across wide flow rate ranges, then measurement can be performed, but performance issues occur when flow rate varies over wide range during short intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The flowmeter dynamically adjusts the effective constriction ratio in response to flow conditions, enabling accurate measurement across a wide range of flow rates. The movable component responds to pressure differential and flow characteristics, allowing the device to maintain measurement precision from low to high flow rates without the performance degradation that occurs with fixed constriction ratio flowmeters.
3Measurement precision
If periodic measurements are performed using test separators, then flow rate can be measured, but normal operations are disrupted and production decline occurs between measurement periods
Solution Approach 1:
The flowmeter enables continuous measurement of multiphase flow rates without requiring periodic interruption of production. The device is installed in-line and continuously monitors flow rate, eliminating the need to rotate separators between wells and maintaining continuous production operations while providing ongoing accurate measurement data.
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 precise and continuous measurement of multiphase flow rates, improving accuracy and reducing production decline by adapting to varying flow conditions, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional flowmeters.
Implementation Method 1
a device within the chamber that moves in response to the multiphase medium, varying an effective constriction ratio between an effective diameter of the chamber and a diameter of one of the inlet or the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor to determine pressure data associated with the fluid mixture in the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A flowmeter may include an inlet configured to couple to a first conduit to receive a flow of a multiphase medium, an outlet configured to couple to a second conduit to deliver the multiphase medium, and a chamber extending between the inlet and the outlet and providing a flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The flowmeter may include a device within the chamber. The device may be configured to move in response to the multiphase medium to dynamically vary an effective constriction ratio of the flow path. The flowmeter may include a circuit configured to determine a flow rate of the multiphase medium based on the effective constriction ratio.