Patent ID: 7133786
Filing Date: 2006-11-07
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. A method for measuring flow rate of a fluid within a conduit, independent of flow regime, the fluid having a plurality components where at least one of the plurality of components is capable of existing in an oil continuous phase emulsion in the conduit, the method comprising: a. measuring four separate fluid electrical properties using a plurality of sensors; b. outputting the measured fluid electrical properties to a calculator; c. optimizing accuracy of the measured fluid electrical property signals; d. determining a dispersed phase fluid velocity by cross-correlating a first periodic signal from a first pair of sensors with a second periodic signal from a second pair sensors; e. determining a free gas slug velocity by cross-correlating a periodic signal from a third pair of sensors with a periodic signal from a fourth pair of sensors; f. determining a water cut, at a first predetermined period of time, using a first predetermined mathematical relationship between the measured fluid electrical property signals and fraction of water in a dispersed phase; g. determining a dispersed gas fraction, at a second predetermined period of time, using a second predetermined mathematical relationship between the measured fluid electrical property signals; h. determining a dispersed water fraction, at a third predetermined period of time, using a third predetermined mathematical relationship between the determined dispersed gas fraction and the determined water cut; i. determining a free gas fraction, at a fourth predetermined period of time, using a fourth predetermined mathematical relationship between the measured fluid electrical property signals; j. determining, at a fifth predetermined period of time, a fraction of time in which fluid flow is in slug flow; k. determining a fluid component volumetric flow rate using a fifth predetermined mathematical relationship between the component phase fractions, the fraction of time the fluid is in slug flow, and a predetermined conduit characteristic; and l. outputting the fluid component volumetric flow rate to at least one of a calculator, a computer, a display and a printer.