Detecting multiple phase flow in a conduit
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting multiple phase flow in a fluid-containing conduit, comprising:
- a. transmitting acoustic energy in a substantially transverse direction through such a conduit and the fluid therein,b. detecting whether there is a return echo, and generating an echo indication thereof, andc. determining from the echo indication whether there is single phase or multiple phase flow.
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Abstract
Multiple phase flow is detected and characterized in a fluid-containing conduit using a compressional wave acoustic transducer in the pulse-echo mode. The acoustic energy is transmitted in a transverse direction through the conduit and the returning echo is analyzed to determine if single or multiphase flow is present in the conduit.
3 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for detecting multiple phase flow in a fluid-containing conduit, comprising:
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a. transmitting acoustic energy in a substantially transverse direction through such a conduit and the fluid therein, b. detecting whether there is a return echo, and generating an echo indication thereof, and c. determining from the echo indication whether there is single phase or multiple phase flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for detecting multiple phase flow in a fluid-containing conduit, comprising:
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a. transmitting acoustic energy from a plurality of positions spaced around such a conduit substantially transversely through the conduit and the fluid therein, b. detecting from a plurality of those spaced positions whether there is a return echo, and generating a plurality of corresponding echo indications indicating whether a return echo was absent, was present, and when present, how strong or weak each echo was in accordance with a predetermined reference, c. determining from a plurality of the echo indications whether there is single phase or multiple phase flow, d. when multiple phase flow is determined, determining that the phases are; i. substantially separated and discrete when the echo indicator indicates that the echo has a baseline substantially free of indications, and ii. substantially diffused and mixed when the echo indicator indicates that the echo has a baseline on which noise is present, and e. determining, when a return echo is detected, whether the echo is from the opposite wall of the conduit or from an interface interiorly thereof, by determining that a detected echo is from such an interior interface when the echo is detected sooner than it would be had it been reflected from the opposite wall of the conduit, thereby indicating the presence of a separated and discrete phase.
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9. Apparatus for detecting multiple phase flow in a fluid-containing conduit, comprising:
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a. means for transmitting acoustic energy in a substantially transverse direction through such a conduit and the fluid therein, b. means for detecting whether there is a return echo, and for generating an echo indication thereof, and c. means for determining from said echo indication whether there is single phase or multiple phase flow. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for detecting multiple phase flow in a fluid-containing conduit, comprising:
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a. means for transmitting acoustic energy from a plurality of positions spaced around such a conduit substantially transversely through the conduit and the fluid therein, b. means for detecting from a plurality of said spaced positions whether there is a return echo, and generating a plurality of corresponding echo indications indicating whether a return echo was absent, was present, and, when present, how strong or weak each said echo was in accordance with a predetermined reference, c. means for determining from a plurality of said echo indications whether there is single phase or multiple phase flow, d. means, when multiple phase flow is determined, for determining that said phases are; i. substantially separated and discrete when said echo indicator indicates that the echo has a baseline substantially free of indications, and ii. substantially diffused and mixed when said echo indicator indicates that the echo has a baseline on which noise is present, and e. means for determining, when a return echo is detected, whether said echo is from the opposite wall of the conduit or from an interface interiorly thereof, by determining that a detected echo is from such an interior interface when said echo is detected sooner than it would be had it been reflected from the opposite wall of the conduit, thereby indicating the presence of a separated and discrete phase.
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Specification