Fluid parameter measurement in pipes using acoustic pressures
First Claim
1. A method for measuring the phase fraction of the constituents in a fluid mixture in a conduit, comprising:
- displacing at least three sensors along the length of the conduit;
measuring a naturally occurring pressure variation in the fluid at each of the sensors to produce a pressure variation signal; and
computing the phase fractions of the constituents in the fluid mixture using the pressure variation signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
At least one parameter of at least one fluid in a pipe is measured using a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors placed at predetermined axial locations along the pipe 12. The pressure sensors provide acoustic pressure signals, which are provided to a signal processing system that determines the speed of sound amix of the fluid (or mixture) in the pipe 12 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques. Numerous spatial array processing techniques may be employed to determine the speed of sound amix. The speed of sound amix is provided to another logic system that calculates the percent composition of the mixture, e.g., water fraction, or any other parameter of the mixture or fluid which is related to the sound speed amix. The signal processing system may also determine the Mach number Mx of the fluid. The acoustic pressure signals measured are lower frequency (and longer wavelength) signals than those used for ultrasonic flow meters, and thus are more tolerant to inhomogeneities in the flow. No external source is required and thus may operate using passive listening. The invention will work with arbitrary sensor spacing and with as few as two sensors if certain information is known about the acoustic properties of the system.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for measuring the phase fraction of the constituents in a fluid mixture in a conduit, comprising:
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displacing at least three sensors along the length of the conduit;
measuring a naturally occurring pressure variation in the fluid at each of the sensors to produce a pressure variation signal; and
computing the phase fractions of the constituents in the fluid mixture using the pressure variation signals. - 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. An apparatus for measuring the phase fraction of the constituents in a fluid mixture in a conduit, comprising:
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at least three sensors disposed along the length of the conduit, each producing a pressure variation signal indicative of a naturally occurring pressure variation in the fluid mixture; and
at least one signal processor for computing the phase fraction of the constituents in the fluid mixture using the pressure variation signals. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification