Vibratory Flow Meter Bubble Size Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coriolis mass flow meters face significant accuracy degradation when measuring multiphase flows containing entrained gas, as gas bubbles affect the vibrational response and density measurements, leading to fluctuations in natural frequency and slippage issues.
Innovation Solution
A vibratory flow meter with a bubble vibration sensor that generates a bubble measurement signal to determine bubble size, allowing for accurate determination of flow characteristics and generating an alarm if the bubble size exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby correcting for entrained gas effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a Coriolis flow meter is used to measure aerated fluids or fluids including entrained gas, then the meter can potentially be used in oil and gas well multiphase flow measurement, but the accuracy of the meter is significantly degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bubble detection system as an intermediary component that detects the presence and characteristics of gas bubbles in the flow. This intermediary system provides information about the entrained gas that is then used to correct the flow measurement, allowing the Coriolis meter to maintain accuracy when measuring multiphase flows that would otherwise degrade measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the bubble detection system continuously monitors the flow for entrained gas and provides real-time correction signals to the flow measurement system. This feedback loop enables the meter to dynamically adjust for the presence of bubbles, maintaining measurement accuracy across varying flow conditions and gas content levels
2Adaptability or versatility
If gas bubbles are present in the flow material, then the meter can handle various flow conditions, but fluctuations in natural frequency and slippage issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble detection system serves as an intermediary that identifies and characterizes gas bubbles before they can significantly disrupt the vibrational response. By detecting bubbles early and providing correction data, the system maintains the reliability of the flow measurement despite the presence of entrained gas that would otherwise cause frequency fluctuations and slippage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and accounting for bubble presence before the bubbles can cause significant measurement errors. The bubble detection system operates continuously to identify gas entrainment early, allowing the measurement system to compensate for bubble effects before they degrade measurement reliability
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 accurate measurement of flow characteristics in the presence of entrained gas, improving density and mass flow rate measurements by accounting for bubble size and decoupling effects, and prompting adjustments to maintain measurement tolerance.
Implementation Method 1
a bubble vibration sensor configured to generate a bubble measurement signal for the flow material
Implementation Method 2
a flow meter assembly configured to generate a vibrational response for the flow material
Data Source
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AI summary
A vibratory flow meter (100) for correcting for entrained gas in a flow material is provided. The vibratory flow meter (100) comprises a flow meter assembly (10) configured to generate a vibrational response for the flow material, a bubble size sensor (50) configured to generate a bubble measurement signal for the flow material, and meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and to the bubble size sensor (50). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive the vibrational response and the bubble measurement signal, determine a bubble size of bubbles in the flow material using at least the bubble measurement signal, determine one or more flow characteristics of the flow material using at least the vibrational response and the bubble size.