Multi-phase fluid flow measurement apparatus and method

US5869771A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Alberta Research Council Inc. · CA

Inventors

• Varagur S. V. Rajan · Sherwood Park, CA
• Rodney K. Ridley · Edmonton, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 23, 1996
• Grant date: Feb 9, 1999
• Expiry date: Oct 23, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N9/04
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus and a method for characterizing the flow of a multi-phase fluid. The apparatus is comprised of: a conduit having a first end and a second end, for flowing the fluid from the first to the second ends, and a first point and a second point located between the first and second ends; a mixer for mixing the fluid as it flows from the first to the second ends such that the fluid is substantially homogeneous at the first point and such that the substantial homogeneity of the fluid is maintained between the first and second points; and means for determining at least one of a volumetric flow rate of the substantially homogeneous fluid at a first location in the conduit between the first and second points and a density of the substantially homogeneous fluid at a second location between the first and second points. The method is comprised of the steps of: mixing the fluid as it flows from the first to the second ends of the conduit such that the fluid is substantially homogeneous at the first point and such that the substantial homogeneity of the fluid is maintained between the first and second points; and determining at least one of the volumetric flow rate of th…