Monitoring Particles in a Fluid Stream
First Claim
1. An apparatus for monitoring particles in a fluid stream, comprising:
- a body portion; and
a detector element that is acoustically decoupled from the body portion, the detector element comprising;
a target surface;
a sample acoustic sensor that is acoustically coupled to the target surface, the sample acoustic sensor being arranged to provide a first signal which varies in dependence upon acoustic noise generated by impacts of particles and fluid on the target surface; and
a corrosion sensor arranged to provide a second signal which varies in dependence upon corrosion and/or erosion of the target surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is described an apparatus for monitoring particles in a fluid stream, comprising a body portion and a detector element that is acoustically decoupled from the body portion. The detector element comprises a target surface, a sample acoustic sensor and a corrosion sensor. The sample acoustic sensor is acoustically coupled to the target surface and is arranged to provide a first signal, which varies in dependence upon acoustic noise generated by impacts of particles and fluid on the target surface. The corrosion sensor is arranged to provide a second signal, which varies in dependence upon corrosion and/or erosion of the target surface. A corresponding method of monitoring particles in a fluid stream is also described. The method and apparatus are suitable for monitoring sand in oil and gas production flow streams.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for monitoring particles in a fluid stream, comprising:
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a body portion; and a detector element that is acoustically decoupled from the body portion, the detector element comprising; a target surface; a sample acoustic sensor that is acoustically coupled to the target surface, the sample acoustic sensor being arranged to provide a first signal which varies in dependence upon acoustic noise generated by impacts of particles and fluid on the target surface; and a corrosion sensor arranged to provide a second signal which varies in dependence upon corrosion and/or erosion of the target surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24)
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18. A method of monitoring particles in a fluid stream, comprising:
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providing an apparatus having a body portion and a detector element, the detector element being acoustically decoupled from the body portion, and the detector element having a target surface; measuring acoustic noise generated by impacts of particles and fluid on the target surface; and measuring corrosion and/or erosion of the target surface. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification