RU2772621C1 - Device and method for ultrasonic measurement of flow rate and fluid flow rate - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: flow rate measuring devices.

SUBSTANCE: device (100) for measuring the flow rate and fluid flow rate in a plurality of flows (103), in dedicated channels (104) contains a housing (102), ultrasonic transducers (105), means for directing ultrasonic waves along an acoustic path (107) crossing part of the channels (104), means (108) for calculating the flow rate and flow rate of the fluid using the generated electrical signals. A method for measuring the flow rate is also proposed.

EFFECT: increased accuracy of measurements.

18 cl, 17 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to the field of ultrasonic measurement of the flow parameters of a fluid medium flowing through a pipeline. In particular, the invention can be used to measure the flow rate of fluids such as oil, gas, water, or combinations thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices for measuring the velocity of fluids are known from the prior art.

The solutions known from the prior art have disadvantages caused by the presence of turbulent flow in the measurement zone, as a result of which the measurement accuracy is reduced.

To reduce the effect of flow turbulence in the measurement zone, it is recommended to mount the flow meter in straight sections without changing the cross section for 5…10 pipe diameters before and after the flow meter. However, the presence of such large straight sections requires significant material costs and the allocation of additional space for the arrangement of such straight sections. Moreover, the accuracy of maintaining straightness throughout this area must also be observed. On pipelines of small diameters, straightness is in most cases provided automatically. But with an increase in the diameter of the pipeline, it becomes more and more difficult to maintain and control the necessary straightness. Also, the measurement accuracy of the flow meter is affected by low-frequency periodic oscillations associated with hydrostatic head fluctuations, for example, oscillations due to the presence of vortex flow movements during the passage of curved sections.

Also, to reduce the effect of flow turbulence in the measurement zone, smooth out fluctuations in the fluid flow rate caused by periodic vortices breaking off from various poorly streamlined elements of the flowmeter body (for example, the pipeline inlet into the body, the pipeline outlet, changes in diameters inside the pipeline, the presence of irregularities in the manufacture of the body ), and transverse flows, the flowmeters provide for the presence of means for equalizing the inlet flow, installed in front of the measuring tool, i.e. to the measuring area.

The solution RU 2019139464 is known from the prior art, which provides for the presence of means for leveling the inlet flow installed in front of the measuring means, such as a honeycomb or a deturbulent grid. These tools will improve the velocity field and reduce the slopes and degrees of turbulence in the flow.

Also, decision RU 2735416 presents an embodiment in which the inlet chamber is provided with a means for equalizing the inlet flow, such as honeycomb 2 in the form of a grid with cells of a square or hexagonal shape, installed up to the measurement zone along the body axis. This tool will improve the velocity field and reduce the slopes and degrees of turbulence in the flow.

However, it should be noted that the installation of such means that equalize the inlet flow up to the measurement zone will not allow to exclude the influence of badly streamlined elements inside the flowmeter body (for example, the transition of the pipeline inside the body, the transition of the flowmeter body into the pipeline, changes in diameters inside the flowmeter body, the presence of process holes in the flowmeter body, the presence of irregularities in the manufacture of the body) on the measurement results due to the fact that it is impossible to predict the behavior of the fluid inside the flowmeter body after the alignment means.

In order to overcome the above disadvantages, a device is proposed for measuring the flow rate and flow rate of a fluid passing in the main flow direction, containing a housing, a means for dividing the fluid flow into a plurality of flows, each of the plurality of flows passing in a dedicated channel located in the housing at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers installed in the housing and designed to generate and receive ultrasonic waves crossing the channels, and to generate electrical signals in response to receiving ultrasonic waves; means for directing ultrasonic waves along an acoustic path crossing at least a portion of the channels; means for calculating the flow rate and flow rate of the fluid using the generated electrical signals.

Also provided is a method for measuring the flow rate and flow rate of a fluid flowing in the main flow direction, in which the fluid is passed through the device and a reading of the measurement of the fluid flow rate and fluid flow rate is provided.

The claimed solution makes it possible to eliminate the influence of poorly streamlined elements inside the flowmeter body on the measurement results due to the fact that the fluid medium in the measurement zone inside the flowmeter body will consist of multiple flows, each of which will pass in a dedicated channel of a smaller diameter than the main pipeline, and the straightness of such channels can be ensured during the production of the flowmeter.

Moreover, the proposed solution will eliminate the use of long straight sections, and, accordingly, reduce material costs and reduce the required space for arranging straight sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the description, a device is proposed for measuring the flow rate and flow rate of a fluid passing in the main flow direction, containing a housing, a means for dividing the fluid flow into a plurality of flows, each of the plurality of flows passing in a dedicated channel located in the housing along at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers installed in the housing and designed to generate and receive ultrasonic waves crossing the channels, and to generate electrical signals in response to receiving ultrasonic waves; means for directing ultrasonic waves along an acoustic path crossing at least a portion of the channels; means for calculating the flow rate and flow rate of the fluid using the generated electrical signals. A method is also provided which uses the above device to measure the speed and flow rate of a fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1A-1G illustrate an embodiment in which separation of the main fluid flow is accomplished by a plurality of tubes arranged parallel to the main flow direction and secured inside the body of the flow rate and flow rate measuring device.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment in which separation of the main fluid flow in the body is accomplished by means of a pair of orifice plates perpendicular to the main flow, each of which opens into a tube connecting the holes in the plates.

Fig. 3A-3C show an embodiment in which the separation of the main fluid flow is achieved by means of through holes made parallel to the main flow direction in the solid body of the device for measuring the flow rate and flow rate of the fluid.

On FIG. 4A-4C illustrate an embodiment that uses a pair of openings in a housing, a plurality of holes in a plurality of channels, and a plurality of reflective surfaces to guide ultrasonic waves along an acoustic path.

FIG. 5A-5C are schematic representations of embodiments of tube openings and reflective surfaces.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

On FIG. 1A-1G are schematic representations of a measuring device (100) for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a conduit in the main flow direction (101) indicated by the arrow. The measuring device includes a body (102) connected to the pipeline, made in the form of any body of rotation, preferably, the body can be an elongated cylinder. The housing can be produced by any method known in the art, such as welding, forging or stamping from a steel sheet.

Means for dividing the fluid flow into a plurality of flows (103) are located in the housing, each of the plurality of flows passes in a channel (104) dedicated to it.

A plurality of tubes (111) installed parallel to the main flow direction (101) and fixed inside the housing (102) can act as a means for dividing the fluid flow into a plurality of flows, it is also possible to attach the tubes to each other. The cross-sectional areas of each of the plurality of tubes may be the same - FIG. 1E. The cross sections of the tubes may have various shapes, such as round, oval, square, hexagon, or combinations thereof. Embodiments are possible in which the cross-sectional areas of each of the plurality of tubes may not be the same - FIG. 1F.

Also possible is the variant in Fig. 1D, in which the tube (111) is further divided into a plurality of smaller channels, for example, a plurality of other tubes (111') are fixed inside the tube (111), in this case a through hole is provided that passes through the walls of the tube (111) and at least least through part of the walls of the tubes (111'), to ensure the passage of ultrasonic waves through the tubes (111). In this and other embodiments, the implementation of ultrasonic waves do not have to pass through each of the tubes (111').

Since the flow goes through all channels at the same speed, it is enough to measure the flow speed only in some of the channels with a certain error and confirm this error on a calibration stand.

In addition, the presence of channels in the measurement zone will reduce the effect of external acoustic interference, as well as ensure multiple passage of the acoustic signal through the flow and eliminate the effect of lateral reflection of waves on the measurement accuracy. In this case, the repeated passage of ultrasonic waves through a plurality of tubes will improve the measurement accuracy.

In order to measure the flow rate and flow rate of the fluid, the device (100) contains at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers (105), spaced apart along the flow, and designed to measure the flow rate of the fluid passing through at least part of the plurality of channels (104) mounted on the outside of the housing (102). At least one pair of ultrasonic transducers (105) is designed to generate and receive ultrasonic waves passing through a plurality of channels (104), and to generate electrical signals in response to receiving ultrasonic waves, which is sent for processing to a means (108) for calculating the speed flow and flow rate of the fluid using the generated electrical signals. Means (108) is a processing unit implemented in hardware or software, or combinations thereof.

At least one pair of ultrasonic transducers (105) can be spaced apart along the flow and installed in the same plane on one side of the housing (102) - FIG. 1A, 1B, or mounted on opposite planes on both sides of the housing (102), FIG. 1C, 1E).

Each of the pair of ultrasonic transducers (105) has a radiating surface (114) substantially aligned with the inner surface of the housing (102) and parallel to the axis of the housing, FIG. 4C.

The use of a transducer with a wide radiation pattern of the acoustic emitter will make it possible to combine the radiating surface of the ultrasonic transducer with the inner surface of the housing. This alignment of the surfaces will reduce the risk of contamination of the transducer compared to mounting the transducer at an angle that forms a dimple. This design has a simpler technology for installing the transducer in a hole made at a right angle.

Also, the device (100) for measuring the flow rate and flow rate of the fluid is provided with means for directing ultrasonic waves along an acoustic path (107) passing between at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers (105) and through a plurality of channels (104).

As a means for directing ultrasonic waves along the acoustic path (107), at least a pair of holes (106) in the housing (102) is used, combined with at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers (105), and ultrasonic waves pass through the holes (106) inside the body (102) and out of the body (102). Through holes (109) through tubes (111) are used to direct ultrasonic waves inside the housing (102).

Also, a combination of reflective surfaces (110) mounted on the inner surface of the housing can be used to direct ultrasonic waves - FIG. 1A, 1F and/or a combination of reflective surfaces (112) mounted on the outer surface of the tubes, FIG. 4B. In FIG. 1F shows an embodiment in which the acoustic path has two reflections within the enclosure, FIG. 1G, there are four reflections inside the cabinet, with the acoustic path profile being a "five-pointed star".

The reflective surface (110), (112) may be a plate for receiving and directing ultrasonic waves along an acoustic path. Also, a concave curved surface can be provided in the plate, or the plate itself can be a concave curved surface, for receiving and focusing on the receiving transducer and directing ultrasonic waves along the acoustic path. The concave curved surface will make it possible to focus the diverging ultrasonic waves from one transducer and direct them to another transducer with an increase in signal power, Fig. 5C.

The plate can be attached by one of welding, adhesive, detachable connection, or integrated with the tube and formed during the production of the tube.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the means for dividing a fluid flow into a plurality of flows, which is a pair of plates (201) installed at the inlet to the housing (102) and at the outlet of the housing (102), perpendicular to the main direction of flow (101), and each of the plates (201) contains a plurality of holes (202), each of which opens into a tube (203) fixed in the hole (202), as a result, a plurality of tubes (203) pass inside the housing (102) between the plates (201).

In FIG. 3A-3B is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the invention in which the housing (102) is solid and the means for dividing the fluid flow into a plurality of flows is a plurality of through holes (301) made parallel to the main flow direction (101) in a solid housing (102 ). Also, in this embodiment, holes (302) are provided in the solid housing (102) along the acoustic path (107). Such an embodiment does not provide for reflective surfaces.

In FIG. 3C shows an embodiment in which the solid body (102) together with the through holes (301) is molded, the ultrasonic transducers (105) are mounted on the outside of the body (102). In this embodiment, holes (302) are provided in the solid housing (102) along the acoustic path (107). The acoustic path (107) passes through the hole (302) from the ultrasonic transducer (105) through the hole (106) in the outer part of the housing (102) to the through hole (301), then again through the inner part of the housing (102) towards another through hole (301), or towards the hole (106) in the outer part of the housing (102) of another ultrasonic transducer (105). In this case, the installation\formation of reflective surfaces (113) on the inner wall of the channel is provided.

On FIG. 4A-4C are schematic representations of embodiments of means for directing ultrasonic waves along an acoustic path (107).

On FIG. 4A shows an embodiment with holes (106) in the body (102) and holes (109) in the tube (111), in which case the acoustic path passes only through the holes (106), (109).

In FIG. 4B shows an embodiment with holes (106) in the housing (102) and holes (109) in the tube (111), as well as the presence of reflective surfaces (112) installed on the outer surface of the tubes (111), in this case the acoustic path passes inside the housing through holes (106), and is guided inside the housing along the acoustic path through holes (109) and reflective surfaces (112) installed on the outer surface of the tubes (111).

In FIG. 4C shows an embodiment with holes (106) in the body (102) and holes (109) in the tube (111), as well as reflective surfaces (110) mounted on the inner surface of the body (102), in this case the acoustic path passes through the holes (106), (109), and is guided inside the housing along the acoustic path by means of reflective surfaces (110), while there are two reflections inside the housing, an arrangement with more reflections is possible.

In FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of the opening (109) in the tube (111), which is preferably elliptical, with the major axis A-B of the ellipse pointing in a direction parallel to the main flow direction (101). This shape of the hole is due to the fact that the ultrasonic waves passing through the fluid flow will be carried away by the flow, as a result of which the measurement readings will be distorted. Thus, at a flow velocity of 40 m/s and an acoustic path length of 0.5 m, the ultrasonic wave will be carried away by 0.05 m. It is also possible to make the hole (109) in the form of a hole elongated along the flow.

Making the hole in the form of an ellipse will reduce the influence of the drift of ultrasonic waves by the flow and obtain more accurate measurements.

In FIG. 5B shows an embodiment of the arrangement of reflective surfaces, which are made in the form of concave plates, such an implementation will additionally improve the focusing of ultrasonic waves on the receiving transducer.

Also, the reflective surface may be formed by forming a concave surface on the inner surface of the housing, for example, by milling or by manufacturing.

In FIG. 5C is an isometric view of an embodiment of a plate-like reflective surface.

Also provided is a method for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing in the main flow direction, in which the fluid is passed through a device for measuring the speed and flow rate of the fluid flow and gives a reading of the measurement of the fluid flow rate.

Claims (18)

1. A device (100) for measuring the flow rate and flow rate of a fluid passing in the main direction of flow (101), containing a housing (102), a means for dividing the fluid flow into multiple streams (103), each of the multiple streams passing into dedicated channel (104) located in the housing (102); at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers (105) installed in the housing (102) and designed to generate and receive ultrasonic waves crossing the channels (104) and to generate electrical signals in response to receiving ultrasonic waves; means for directing ultrasonic waves along an acoustic path (107) crossing at least a portion of the channels (104); means (108) for calculating the flow rate and flow rate of the fluid using the generated electrical signals. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the channel is further divided into a plurality of channels. 3. The device according to claim 1, in which the cross-sectional areas of the channels are not the same. 4. The device according to claim 1, in which the cross-sectional areas of the channels are the same. 5. The apparatus of claim. 1, wherein each ultrasonic transducer has a radiating surface (114) substantially aligned with the inner surface of the housing (102) and parallel to the axis of the housing. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for dividing the fluid flow into a plurality of flows is a plurality of pipes (111) installed parallel to the main flow direction (101) and fixed inside the housing (102). 7. The device according to claim 1, in which the means for dividing the fluid flow into multiple flows is at least a pair of plates (201) installed at the inlet to the housing and at the outlet of the housing, perpendicular to the main flow direction, each of the plates (201) contains holes (202), each of which opens into a tube (203) connecting holes (202) in plates (201). 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the body (102) is solid and the means for dividing the fluid flow into multiple flows is a plurality of through holes (301) made parallel to the main flow direction in the solid body. 9. Device according to claim 1, in which the means for directing ultrasonic waves along the acoustic path (107) is at least a pair of holes (106) in the body (102) and a set of holes (109) in the channels (104). 10. The device according to claim 1, in which the means for directing ultrasonic waves along the acoustic path (107) is at least a pair of holes (106) in the body (102), a set of holes (109) in the channels (104) and a set of reflective surfaces (110) installed on the inner surface of the housing. 11. The device according to claim 1, in which the means for directing ultrasonic waves along the acoustic path is one selected from the group containing: at least a pair of holes (106) in the body (102), a set of holes (109) in the channels ( 104), a set of reflective surfaces (110) on the inner surface of the housing/a set of reflective surfaces (111) on the outer surface of the channel, a set of reflective surfaces (113) on the inner surface of the channel, or combinations thereof. 12. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 9-11, in which the openings in the channels are made in the form of an ellipse, the major axis of which is directed in a direction parallel to the main flow direction, or in the form of a rectangle, elongated in a direction parallel to the main flow direction, or combinations thereof. 13. The device according to claim 10 or 11, in which the reflective surface is a plate designed to receive and guide ultrasonic waves along an acoustic path. 14. The device according to claim 13, in which the plate is provided with a concave curved surface for receiving, focusing and directing ultrasonic waves along an acoustic path. 15. The device according to claim 14, in which the plate is attached by one of: welding, glue, collapsible connection. 16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the plate is integrated with the channel and is formed during the manufacture of the channel. 17. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the reflective surface (110) is a concave surface integrated with the housing surface. 18. A method for measuring the flow rate and flow rate of a fluid flowing in the main flow direction, in which the fluid is passed through the device according to claim 1 and a measurement reading of the fluid flow rate and fluid flow rate is provided.

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