Downhole densitometer
US6378364B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2009/006
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A measurement device is provided that determines fluid properties from vibration frequencies of a sample cavity and a reference cavity. In one embodiment, the measurement device includes a sample flow tube, a reference flow tube, vibration sources and detectors mounted on the tubes, and a measurement module. The sample flow tube receives a flow of sample fluid for characterization. The reference flow tube is filled with a reference fluid having well-characterized properties. The measurement module employs the vibration sources to generate vibrations in both tubes. The measurement module combines the signals from the vibration detectors on the tubes to determine properties of the sample fluid, such as density, viscosity, compressibility, water fraction, and bubble size. The measurement module may further detect certain flow patterns such as slug flow, for example. To measure the sample fluid density, the measurement module determines the difference between resonance frequencies of the sample flow tube and the reference flow tube. The density can then be calculated according to a formula. Other fluid properties may be determined from the sample tube's resonance peak amplitude, peak w…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.