Gas Bypass Wedge Meter for Liquid Flow With Gas Void Fractions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wedge meters provide unreliable flow measurements when dealing with mixed fluids, particularly due to the presence of gas void fractions, which affect the accuracy of the measurements.
Innovation Solution
A gas bypass system is integrated into the meter, which separates gas from the liquid using a flow straightening section and routes the gas past a wedge restriction, allowing for accurate monitoring of differential pressure to determine liquid flow parameters, and reintroduces the gas back into the fluid flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wedge meter is used to measure flow in mixed fluids, then the meter can provide flow measurements for liquids, but the measurements become unreliable when gas is present in the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The flow measurement system is segmented into separate measurement paths: one for liquid (through the wedge restriction) and one for gas (through the bypass passage). This allows independent measurement of each phase, eliminating the interference that causes unreliable measurements in mixed fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas bypass passage acts as an intermediary path that allows gas to be routed separately from the liquid flow path. The bypass includes a gas outlet and gas inlet that create a dedicated channel for gas flow, preventing gas from interfering with the liquid measurement through the wedge restriction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gas is present in the liquid flow, then the fluid mixture can be transported, but the gas void fractions substantially affect the accuracy of the wedge meter measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into separate segments for liquid and gas phases. The wedge restriction measures liquid flow while the bypass passage measures gas flow independently, allowing the system to handle mixed fluids without gas void fractions affecting liquid measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas is extracted from the liquid flow path through the bypass system. The gas outlet connected to the bypass passage removes gas from the main flow, preventing gas from interfering with the wedge meter's liquid measurement function and eliminating the accuracy degradation caused by gas void fractions.
3Measurement precision
If a gas bypass system is added to separate gas from liquid, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas bypass system is merged with the existing wedge meter structure. The bypass passage, gas outlet, and gas inlet are integrated into the meter body, combining gas separation functionality with the liquid measurement system in a single unified device rather than adding separate external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The meter system is designed with multi-functionality: the main body handles liquid measurement through the wedge restriction while the integrated bypass system handles gas separation and measurement. This universal design allows a single device to accurately measure both liquid and gas phases without requiring multiple separate instruments.
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 enables reliable and accurate monitoring of liquid flow even in the presence of gas, providing consistent and precise differential pressure data for determining volumetric or mass flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
The system facilitates separation of gas from the liquid and utilizes a gas bypass
Implementation Method 2
A wedge meter has a tubular flow body and a smooth wedge-shaped restriction in the tubular flow body to create a pressure drop as fluid flows past the restriction
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique facilitates fluid flow measurement by providing a meter able to accurately monitor fluid flow of a liquid even if gas is present in the liquid. The meter may comprise a tubing with an internal flow passage and a wedge or other restriction extending into the internal flow passage. A first port is located upstream of the restriction and a second port is located downstream of the restriction to enable monitoring of a differential pressure across the restriction. The differential pressure can be used to determine the desired flow parameter, e.g. volumetric flow. The system facilitates separation of gas from the liquid and utilizes a gas bypass. The gas bypass routes the separated gas past the restriction, e.g. wedge, before directing the gas back into the fluid flow path.