Method and system for measuring multiphase flow using multiple pressure differentials

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:874178

Fincke, James R ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

An improved method and system for measuring a multiphase flow in a pressure flow meter. An extended throat venturi is used and pressure of the multiphase flow is measured at three or more positions in the venturi, which define two or more pressure differentials in the flow conduit. The differential pressures are then used to calculate the mass flow of the gas phase, the total mass flow, and the liquid phase. The method for determining the mass flow of the high void fraction fluid flow and the gas flow includes certain steps. The first step is calculating a gas density for the gas flow. The next two steps are finding a normalized gas mass flow rate through the venturi and computing a gas mass flow rate. The following step is estimating the gas velocity in the venturi tube throat. The next step is calculating the pressure drop experienced by the gas-phase due to work performed by the gas phase in accelerating the liquid phase between the upstream pressure measuring point and the pressure measuring point in the venturi throat. Another step is estimating the liquid velocity in the venturi throat using the calculated pressure drop experienced by the gas-phase due to work performed by the gas phase. Then the friction is computed between the liquid phase and a wall in the venturi tube. Finally, the total mass flow rate based on measured pressure in the venturi throat is calculated, and the mass flow rate of the liquid phase is calculated from the difference of the total mass flow rate and the gas mass flow rate.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): US 6332111
• OSTI ID: 874178
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
measuring
multiphase
flow
multiple
pressure
differentials
improved
meter
extended
throat
venturi
measured
positions
define
conduit
differential
pressures
calculate
mass
gas
phase
total
liquid
determining
void
fraction
fluid
steps
step
calculating
density
finding
normalized
rate
computing
following
estimating
velocity
tube
drop
experienced
gas-phase
due
performed
accelerating
upstream
calculated
friction
computed
wall
finally
based
difference
fluid flow
flow rate
liquid phase
gas flow
pressure differential
gas velocity
phase flow
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