Multi-Phase Metering of Fluid Flows
First Claim
1. A multi-phase flow meter having a flow conduit leading from an inlet to an outlet and comprising:
- a variable inlet restriction anda variable outlet restriction for controlling the flow of fluid from the inlet, through the inlet restriction and then through the outlet restriction and to exit the multi-phase flow meter from the outlet,a pressure sensor and a flow meter, located between the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction,the flow meter further comprising a controller adapted to receive data from the pressure sensor and the flow meter, and to adjust the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction in accordance with at least one program;
wherein in accordance with the at least one program the controller is arranged to adjust one of the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction such that the fluid pressure between them adopts a first pressure, then to further adjust the restriction such that the fluid pressure between the restrictions adopts a second and different pressure, and to record the first pressure, the second pressure, and the fluid flow rates at the first pressure and at the second pressure;
whilst adjusting the other of the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction so that the total flow restriction imposed by the inlet and outlet restrictions is maintained at a substantially constant level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-phase flow meter includes a flow conduit leading from an inlet to an outlet and including a variable inlet restriction, a variable outlet restriction, a pressure sensor and a volumetric flow meter, located between the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction. The flow meter further includes a controller adapted to receive data from the pressure sensor and the volumetric flow meter, and to adjust the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction in accordance with at least one program. The program causes the controller to adjust one of the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A multi-phase flow meter having a flow conduit leading from an inlet to an outlet and comprising:
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a variable inlet restriction and a variable outlet restriction for controlling the flow of fluid from the inlet, through the inlet restriction and then through the outlet restriction and to exit the multi-phase flow meter from the outlet, a pressure sensor and a flow meter, located between the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction, the flow meter further comprising a controller adapted to receive data from the pressure sensor and the flow meter, and to adjust the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction in accordance with at least one program; wherein in accordance with the at least one program the controller is arranged to adjust one of the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction such that the fluid pressure between them adopts a first pressure, then to further adjust the restriction such that the fluid pressure between the restrictions adopts a second and different pressure, and to record the first pressure, the second pressure, and the fluid flow rates at the first pressure and at the second pressure; whilst adjusting the other of the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction so that the total flow restriction imposed by the inlet and outlet restrictions is maintained at a substantially constant level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A multi-phase flow meter having an inlet and an outlet, including a flow conduit wherein is located a variable inlet restriction and a variable outlet restriction for controlling the flow of fluid from the inlet, through the inlet restriction and then through the outlet restriction and to exit the multi-phase flow meter from the outlet, and a control arrangement adapted to vary the restrictions in concert so as to maintain a set pressure in the flow conduit outside at least one of the inlet and the outlet restrictions while varying the pressure in the flow conduit between the inlet and the outlet restrictions, further comprising a pressure sensor and a flow meter located between the variable inlet restriction and the variable outlet restriction for measuring the varying pressure and the resulting flow rates.
Specification