WO2013157980A1 - Multi-phase flow meter - Google Patents

Multi-phase flow meter Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013157980A1
WO2013157980A1 PCT/RU2012/000307 RU2012000307W WO2013157980A1 WO 2013157980 A1 WO2013157980 A1 WO 2013157980A1 RU 2012000307 W RU2012000307 W RU 2012000307W WO 2013157980 A1 WO2013157980 A1 WO 2013157980A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tubing
section
flow meter
undercut
wall part
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/RU2012/000307
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Daria Alexandrovna MUSTAFINA
Stepan Alexandrovich Polikhov
Sergey Pavlovich SOTSKIY
Original Assignee
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens Aktiengesellschaft filed Critical Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority to RU2014146313/28A priority Critical patent/RU2589354C2/en
Priority to PCT/RU2012/000307 priority patent/WO2013157980A1/en
Publication of WO2013157980A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013157980A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/74—Devices for measuring flow of a fluid or flow of a fluent solid material in suspension in another fluid
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a multi-phase flow meter according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • volumetric flow as well as phase composition of the fluid needs to be determined.
  • Volumetric flow can be detected by conventional flow rate detectors, e.g. by recording the pressure drop in a Venturi tube.
  • phase composition it is known to employ X-ray absorption, utilizing the fact that gas and liquid phases usually exhibit different absorption coefficients. By measuring X-ray or gamma absorption at at least two different wavelengths, the ratio of the individual phases can therefore be determined.
  • a flow meter based on this technique is known from the US 6 265 713 B 1.
  • a multi-phase X-ray flow meter comprises a first detection means for measuring a volumetric flow rate of a multi-phase fluid within a tubing section and a second detection means for determining an X-ray absorption of the fluid within the tubing section at at least two distinct wavelengths.
  • a tubing section wall comprises a circumferential undercut located upstream of the first and second detection means. Liquid films formed upstream of the tubing section can be stripped from the wall at the undercut, so that the liquid phase rejoins the main fluid stream in the area of the tubing used for detection, thereby reducing inaccuracies due to incorrectly determined phase ratios within the flow.
  • the fluid dead zone created by the undercut helps to prevent the reformation of the liquid film for a considerable section of the tubing, so that a film-free state over the whole detection area can be assured.
  • the undercut forms an acute-angled edge with a first tubing wall part upstream of the undercut.
  • the presence of such a sharp edge facilitates film disruption and the formation of liquid droplets, which can be carried away by the main fluid stream.
  • tubing constricts itself upstream from the undercut, directing and concentrating the liquid film towards the edge and assisting the breakdown of the film.
  • the second tubing wall part is substantially parallel to a undercut wall part immediately extending from the edge.
  • the first tubing wall part is inclined outwardly from the tubing center at an angle less than the second tubing wall section. Droplets being freed from the film at the edge of the first tubing wall part in the direction of the flow are thereby directed towards the tubing center, prolonging the reattachment of droplets to the tubing wall and making the section usable for flow rate measurement longer.
  • Fig. 1 a schematic perspective representation of tubing usable in an exemplary embodiment of a flow meter according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 a close-up view of a tubing wall edge delimiting a detection section of the tubing according to Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 a cross-section view of the tubing wall edge according to Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 a cross-section view of a tubing wall edge with an alternative geometry.
  • tubing 10 is provided, consisting of a wide section 12 and a narrower section 14 downstream of the wide section 12 in the direction 16 of the fluid flow.
  • the tubing wall 18 forms an undercut 20 and a sharp edge 22.
  • Liquid film may occur at the walls of the section 12.
  • Wall 18, wall 24, edge 22 and undercut 20 are aimed to detach the liquid film and the further break down.
  • this liquid film On reaching first the edge between wall 18 and 24 and then edge 22, this liquid film is disrupted and forms droplets which are carried away within the main fluid stream.
  • the tubing wall 18 in the narrow section downstream of the edge 22 is therefore largely free of adhering liquids. This allows for a precise determination of fluid phase composition within the narrow section by means of X-ray absorption spectroscopy at two different wavelengths.
  • Fig., 3 shows the geometry of the tubing wall 18 surrounding the edge 22 in greater detail.
  • the part of the tubing wall 18 forming the undercut 20 encloses an acute angle ⁇ with a first tubing wall part 24 running parallel to the main axis of the tubing 10.
  • the tubing wall part 24 is followed by a second tubing wall part 26, which runs roughly parallel to the undercut wall 28 immediately connected to the edge 22. and encloses an angle a with the first tubing wall part 24, which roughly equals ⁇ .
  • the inclination of the second tubing wall part 26 helps to direct the liquid film adhering to the tubing wall towards the center of the tubing 10. After said film breaks down at the edge 22, the undercut 20 prevents reformation of the film over a considerable length of the narrow section 14.
  • Fig..4 shows an alternative geometry of the edge part of the tubing 10. It differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 in that the first tubing wall part 24 is not parallel to the tubing main axis, but rather inclined outwardly against the flow direction 16 by an angle ⁇ , which is smaller than the angle a between the first 24 and the second tubing wall part 26. This imparts an additional momentum towards the tubing center on the droplets forming at the edge 22, thereby prolonging reattachment of said droplets to the tubing wall.
  • ⁇ which is smaller than the angle a between the first 24 and the second tubing wall part 26.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Analysing Materials By The Use Of Radiation (AREA)
  • Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-phase X-ray flow meter comprising a first detection means for measuring a volumetric flow rate of a multi-phase fluid within a tubing section and a second detection means for determining an X-ray absorption of the fluid within the tubing section at at least two distinct wavelengths. According to the invention, a tubing section wall (18) comprises a circumferential undercut (20) located upstream of the first and second detection means, thereby allowing for the breakdown of wall-adhering liquid films downstream of the undercut, providing improved phase composition detection.

Description

MULTI-PHASE FLOW METER
DESCRIPTION
The invention relates to a multi-phase flow meter according to the preamble of claim 1.
To determine an exact mass flow rate of multiphasic fluids such as oil/water/gas mixtures in pipelines, volumetric flow as well as phase composition of the fluid needs to be determined. Volumetric flow can be detected by conventional flow rate detectors, e.g. by recording the pressure drop in a Venturi tube.
To measure phase composition, it is known to employ X-ray absorption, utilizing the fact that gas and liquid phases usually exhibit different absorption coefficients. By measuring X-ray or gamma absorption at at least two different wavelengths, the ratio of the individual phases can therefore be determined. One example for a flow meter based on this technique is known from the US 6 265 713 B 1.
One problem hampering exact flow rate measurements lies in the flow properties of multi-phase mixtures within pipes. In particular, the liquid phase tends to form a film along the pipe wall which moves with a speed different from the main flow. The presence of such liquid film can impede the determination of phase ratios and thereby lead to imprecise flow measurements.
It is therefore the objective of the present invention to provide a multi-phase flow meter according to the preamble of claim 1 which allows for improved measurement accuracy.
This objective is reached by a flow meter according to claim 1.
A multi-phase X-ray flow meter according to the invention comprises a first detection means for measuring a volumetric flow rate of a multi-phase fluid within a tubing section and a second detection means for determining an X-ray absorption of the fluid within the tubing section at at least two distinct wavelengths.
In order to avoid liquid film formation, a tubing section wall comprises a circumferential undercut located upstream of the first and second detection means. Liquid films formed upstream of the tubing section can be stripped from the wall at the undercut, so that the liquid phase rejoins the main fluid stream in the area of the tubing used for detection, thereby reducing inaccuracies due to incorrectly determined phase ratios within the flow. The fluid dead zone created by the undercut helps to prevent the reformation of the liquid film for a considerable section of the tubing, so that a film-free state over the whole detection area can be assured.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the undercut forms an acute-angled edge with a first tubing wall part upstream of the undercut. The presence of such a sharp edge facilitates film disruption and the formation of liquid droplets, which can be carried away by the main fluid stream.
It is further advantageous to provide a second tubing wall part upstream of the first tubing wall section which is inclined outwardly from the tubing center in a direction opposite to the flow direction. In other words, the tubing constricts itself upstream from the undercut, directing and concentrating the liquid film towards the edge and assisting the breakdown of the film.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the second tubing wall part is substantially parallel to a undercut wall part immediately extending from the edge. Such a geometry aids in film breakdown and assures a sufficiently long film-free tubing section for proper detection of the phase ratio.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first tubing wall part is inclined outwardly from the tubing center at an angle less than the second tubing wall section. Droplets being freed from the film at the edge of the first tubing wall part in the direction of the flow are thereby directed towards the tubing center, prolonging the reattachment of droplets to the tubing wall and making the section usable for flow rate measurement longer.
In the following part, the invention and its preferred embodiments will be explained with reference to the drawings, which show in:
Fig. 1 a schematic perspective representation of tubing usable in an exemplary embodiment of a flow meter according to the invention;
Fig. 2 a close-up view of a tubing wall edge delimiting a detection section of the tubing according to Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 a cross-section view of the tubing wall edge according to Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 a cross-section view of a tubing wall edge with an alternative geometry.
To allow for the precise determination of mass flow within a pipeline transporting an oil/water/gas-mixture, tubing 10 is provided, consisting of a wide section 12 and a narrower section 14 downstream of the wide section 12 in the direction 16 of the fluid flow.
At the boundary between the sections 12, 14, the tubing wall 18 forms an undercut 20 and a sharp edge 22. Liquid film may occur at the walls of the section 12. Wall 18, wall 24, edge 22 and undercut 20 are aimed to detach the liquid film and the further break down. On reaching first the edge between wall 18 and 24 and then edge 22, this liquid film is disrupted and forms droplets which are carried away within the main fluid stream. The tubing wall 18 in the narrow section downstream of the edge 22 is therefore largely free of adhering liquids. This allows for a precise determination of fluid phase composition within the narrow section by means of X-ray absorption spectroscopy at two different wavelengths.
Fig., 3 shows the geometry of the tubing wall 18 surrounding the edge 22 in greater detail. The part of the tubing wall 18 forming the undercut 20 encloses an acute angle β with a first tubing wall part 24 running parallel to the main axis of the tubing 10. Upstream, the tubing wall part 24 is followed by a second tubing wall part 26, which runs roughly parallel to the undercut wall 28 immediately connected to the edge 22. and encloses an angle a with the first tubing wall part 24, which roughly equals β.
The inclination of the second tubing wall part 26 helps to direct the liquid film adhering to the tubing wall towards the center of the tubing 10. After said film breaks down at the edge 22, the undercut 20 prevents reformation of the film over a considerable length of the narrow section 14.
Fig..4 shows an alternative geometry of the edge part of the tubing 10. It differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 in that the first tubing wall part 24 is not parallel to the tubing main axis, but rather inclined outwardly against the flow direction 16 by an angle γ, which is smaller than the angle a between the first 24 and the second tubing wall part 26. This imparts an additional momentum towards the tubing center on the droplets forming at the edge 22, thereby prolonging reattachment of said droplets to the tubing wall. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
10 tubing
12 wide section
14 narrow section
16 flow direction
18 tubing wall
20 undercut
22 edge
24 tubing wall part
26 tubing wall part
28 undercut wall part

Claims

1. Multi-phase flow meter comprising a first detection means for measuring a volumetric flow rate of a multi-phase fluid within a tubing section and a second detection means for determining an X-ray or gamma ray absorption of the fluid within the tubing section at at least two distinct wavelengths,
characterized in that
a tubing section wall (18) comprises a circumferential undercut (20) located upstream of the first and second detection means.
2. Flow meter according to claim 1 ,
characterized in that the undercut (20) forms an acute-angled edge (22) with a first tubing wall part (24) upstream of the undercut (20).
3. Flow meter according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that a second tubing wall part (26) upstream of the first tubing wall (24) section is inclined outwardly from the tubing center opposite to the flow direction (16).
4. Flow meter according to claim 3,
characterized in that the second tubing wall part (26) is substantially parallel to a undercut wall part (28) immediately extending from the edge (22).
5. Flow meter according to claim 3 or 4,
characterized in that the first tubing wall part (24) is inclined outwardly from the tubing center at an angle less than the second tubing wall section (26).
6. Flow meter according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that the tubing cross-section is circular.
PCT/RU2012/000307 2012-04-19 2012-04-19 Multi-phase flow meter WO2013157980A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
RU2014146313/28A RU2589354C2 (en) 2012-04-19 2012-04-19 Multiphase flow meter
PCT/RU2012/000307 WO2013157980A1 (en) 2012-04-19 2012-04-19 Multi-phase flow meter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/RU2012/000307 WO2013157980A1 (en) 2012-04-19 2012-04-19 Multi-phase flow meter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013157980A1 true WO2013157980A1 (en) 2013-10-24

Family

ID=47215710

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/RU2012/000307 WO2013157980A1 (en) 2012-04-19 2012-04-19 Multi-phase flow meter

Country Status (2)

Country Link
RU (1) RU2589354C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2013157980A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0984250A1 (en) * 1998-09-02 2000-03-08 Daniel Industries, Inc., Ultrasonic 2-phase flow apparatus and method
US6265713B1 (en) 1997-05-30 2001-07-24 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Measurement flow section for oil well effluents and system including such a section

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2151203A (en) * 1935-12-23 1939-03-21 Hugh B Wilcox Fluid meter and method of measuring the rate of flow of fluids
US3514071A (en) * 1967-04-14 1970-05-26 United Aircraft Corp Shock pulse generator
US3469445A (en) * 1967-07-20 1969-09-30 United Aircraft Corp Gas flow measuring system
US3496771A (en) * 1968-03-04 1970-02-24 United Aircraft Corp Mass flow measuring device for a gaseous medium

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6265713B1 (en) 1997-05-30 2001-07-24 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Measurement flow section for oil well effluents and system including such a section
EP0984250A1 (en) * 1998-09-02 2000-03-08 Daniel Industries, Inc., Ultrasonic 2-phase flow apparatus and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2589354C2 (en) 2016-07-10
RU2014146313A (en) 2016-06-10

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