Wet Gas Flow Measurement Using Electromagnetic Phase Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-phase flow meters for wet gas in the petroleum industry fail to provide accurate, reliable, and non-intrusive measurements of oil, water, and gas flow rates, especially in harsh environments, due to uncertainties in gas density and permittivity, leading to significant measurement errors and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine flow rates by measuring temperature and pressure, using electromagnetic loss or phase measurements, calculating statistical parameters, and comparing them to empirical thresholds to correct for gas properties, allowing for accurate measurement of individual components in wet gas mixtures with changing gas properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional three-phase flow meters are used for wet gas measurement, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to uncertainties in gas density and permittivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of gas density and permittivity using electromagnetic sensors before these parameters are used in the main flow measurement calculation. This preliminary action allows the system to adapt to changing gas properties and maintain measurement accuracy despite compositional variations in the wet gas stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors gas properties using electromagnetic measurements and feeds this information back to correct the flow measurement calculations in real-time. This feedback mechanism compensates for uncertainties in gas density and permittivity, maintaining both accuracy and reliability of the measurement.
2Productivity
If test separators are used for well monitoring, then flow measurement is achieved, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to production loss and long measurement time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical test separator system with an electromagnetic measurement system that operates inline with the flow. This substitution eliminates the need to divert and stabilize flow in a separate separator, enabling continuous real-time measurement without production loss and dramatically reducing measurement time.
3Device complexity
If density-based liquid fraction measurement is used, then flow rate calculation is simplified, but measurement accuracy deteriorates when gas density changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses electromagnetic sensors to continuously measure gas density and permittivity, providing real-time feedback that corrects the liquid fraction calculations. This feedback loop maintains measurement precision even when gas density changes, while the overall method remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts measurement parameters based on detected changes in gas properties. By monitoring electromagnetic characteristics and adapting the measurement model accordingly, the system maintains accuracy across varying gas densities without requiring complex fixed-parameter systems.
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 approach enables high-accuracy, non-intrusive measurement of wet gas flow rates with reduced pressure drop and compact installation, capable of handling changing gas properties, thereby improving measurement reliability and reducing operational errors.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic loss or phase measurement is performed
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the flow rates of a fluid comprising a multi-component mixture of a gas and at least one liquid in a pipe, the method comprising the following steps: a. The temperature and pressure of the multi-component mixture is determined, b. the fractions of the multi-component mixture is determined based on at least two measured physical properties of the multi-components mixture and knowledge of the same physical property of the individual components of the multi-component mixture, c. the velocity of the multi component mixture is determined, d. based on the result from step a-c, the flow rate of the individual component of the fluid is determined, characterized by a method for determining the physical properties of at least one of the components of the multi-component mixture where e. an electromagnetic loss or phase measurement is performed, f. a statistical parameter related to the electromagnetic measurement is calculated, g. the said statistical parameter is compared to an empirical derived threshold value corresponding to the value of the statistical parameter when only one of the component of the multi component mixture is present, and h. the said physical properties of said fluid is determined if the statistical parameter exceeds the threshold value for the said component and used in step b-d to provide an improved value of the fractions, velocity and flow rate of the individual components of the multi-component mixture. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.