Determination of steam quality using an orifice meter

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1967

OSTI ID:6302252

Palm, J W; Anderson, W H; Kirkpatrick, J W

Steam generators used to inject steam into petroleum reservoirs are designed to produce wet steam, usually about 85% quality. For economical operation the steam quality should be continuously monitored; this can be done with an orifice meter. The method uses the flow rate of water to the generator as measured independently (such as by a positive displacement meter) in addition to data for flow of the generator effluent through an orifice. Steam quality measurement by orifice meter as used in thermal oil recovery projects has been described in the literature. However, the calculation method used in the past gives inaccurate results. An improved calculation method has been tested which gives accurate results over a wide range of steam quality. The method should be applicable from 10-100% quality and over a pressure range of 0 to about 2,000 psig. To obtain satisfactory data, the pipe size should be selected so that G/p is equal to or greater than 100, where G is the mass flow rate of gas plus water in lb/ (hr) (sq ft), and p is the pressure in psia.

• OSTI ID: 6302252
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
BOILERS
CONTROL
DESIGN
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLOW RATE
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HIGH PRESSURE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OIL WELLS
OPENINGS
ORIFICES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
QUALITY CONTROL
RECOVERY
STEAM
STEAM GENERATORS
STEAM INJECTION
STEAM QUALITY
TESTING
THERMAL RECOVERY
VAPOR GENERATORS
WATER
WELLS