Methodology and apparatus for distinguishing single phase fluid flows from multiphase fluid flows using a flow meter

US10704939B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Expro Meters, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Michael Sapack · Southbury, US
• Patrick Curry · Glastonbury, US
• David G. Bellemore · Trumbull, US
• Charles Winston · Glastonbury, US
• Edward Beeloo · Ellington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 28, 2015
• Grant date: Jul 7, 2020
• Expiry date: Jul 28, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01F1/74
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus and method for sensing a fluid flow passing within a pipe, which fluid flow comprises at least a first fluid phase. The apparatus includes a flow meter having an array of sensors and at least one processing unit, which flow meter is adapted to sense the fluid flow passing within the pipe as it travels past the array of sensors and produce signals indicative of the presence of vortical structures convecting with the fluid flow. The at least one processing unit is adapted to: (a) produce a k-ω plot using the signals indicative of the presence of vortical structures convecting with the fluid flow, and determine a k-ω plot quality parameter that indicates the presence or absence of a second fluid phase within a fluid flow passing within a pipe; or (b) determine a shape factor parameter indicative of a presence or absence of a second fluid phase within a fluid flow passing within a pipe; or (c) both (a) and (b).