Vibrating Tube Flow Meter Multiphase Error Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inline measuring devices struggle with accurately measuring flow parameters like mass flow, density, and viscosity in multiphase media due to non-reproducible fluctuations and measurement errors caused by inhomogeneous media, such as gas entrainment or solid particles, leading to significant inaccuracies and increased complexity and costs in measurement systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a combination of inline measuring devices with vibrating measuring tubes and pressure-difference measuring devices, where the transfer function is adapted based on real-time pressure differences and measurement signals to accurately determine flow parameters, reducing measurement errors and system complexity by using conventional devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional inline measuring devices with vibrating measuring tubes are used to measure flow parameters in multiphase media, then measurement signals can be obtained, but the measurements suffer from non-reproducible fluctuations and significant inaccuracies due to inhomogeneous media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the vibrating measuring tube by adapting the transfer function based on real-time pressure differences and measurement signals. This allows the measurement system to compensate for the effects of inhomogeneous media by dynamically adjusting measurement parameters, thereby improving both accuracy and reproducibility in multiphase flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where pressure differences are continuously measured and used to adapt the transfer function for flow parameter calculation. This closed-loop approach compensates for disturbances caused by inhomogeneous media, improving measurement reliability and precision by continuously correcting for environmental variations
2Reliability
If measurement systems are designed to handle multiphase media accurately, then measurement reliability improves, but system complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the inline measuring device universal by enabling it to accurately measure flow parameters in both single-phase and multiphase media through transfer function adaptation. The same hardware platform handles multiple measurement scenarios by dynamically adjusting its measurement approach based on detected pressure differences and signal characteristics, avoiding the need for separate specialized systems
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs self-calibration and self-adjustment by using its own measurement signals and pressure difference data to adapt the transfer function. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain high reliability in varying conditions without requiring external calibration equipment or complex manual adjustments
3Measurement precision
If transfer function adaptation is implemented using real-time pressure differences and measurement signals, then measurement accuracy improves to less than 5% error, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the transfer function relationship between pressure differences and flow parameters before actual measurement. This pre-characterization allows the system to quickly adapt to changing conditions through simple parameter adjustments rather than complex real-time calculations, reducing processing complexity while maintaining high 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
The system achieves accurate measurement of flow parameters with less than 5% error in both single and multiphase media, reducing installation and maintenance costs while maintaining robustness and simplicity by leveraging conventional inline measuring devices and pressure-difference measuring devices.
Implementation Method 1
the measuring tube being joined into the course of the pipeline and being, especially, a measuring tube which vibrates, at least at times
Implementation Method 2
forces such as e.g. Coriolis forces corresponding with mass flow
Implementation Method 3
forces such as e.g. Coriolis forces corresponding with mass flow, inertial forces corresponding with density
Implementation Method 4
forces such as e.g. Coriolis forces corresponding with mass flow, inertial forces corresponding with density, or frictional forces corresponding with viscosity
Implementation Method 5
registering pressures effective in the medium, especially static pressures, for the repeated determining of a pressure difference prevailing in the flowing medium
Data Source
AI summary
For measuring a medium, the medium flows through at least one inline measuring device measuring tube joined into the course of a pipeline, especially a measuring tube which vibrates, at least at times. Using an inline measuring device sensor arrangement arranged on the measuring tube and/or in its vicinity and reacting, at least mediately, to changes of the at least one physical parameter of the medium, at least one measurement signal is produced, which is influenced by at least one physical parameter of the medium in the measuring tube. Additionally, pressures effective in the medium are registered, in order to determine repeatedly a pressure difference existing in the flowing medium at least in part along the at least one measuring tube. Taking into consideration a pressure difference currently determined for the flowing medium, as well as applying a transfer function, measured values of a first kind are produced, which represent, following in time one after the other, the at least one flow parameter to be measured for the medium. The transfer function determines, in such case, at least how the measured values of the first kind are generated under application of the pressure difference currently determined for the flowing medium. Taking into consideration the at least one measurement signal produced by means of the sensor arrangement of the inline measuring device, the transfer function is repeatedly adapted to the medium to be measured. The method serves especially for the measuring of media, which are, at least at times, present as two, or more, phases, of which at least one is a fluid phase.