Patent ID: 9046399
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring a multiphase fluid flow passing within a pipe, which fluid flow includes a gas component, an oil component, and a water component, the method comprising the steps of: providing a flow pressure value and a flow temperature value for the fluid flow within the pipe; sensing the fluid flow with a fluid flow meter operable to be attached to an exterior of the pipe, the flow meter including a spatial array of at least two sensors disposed at different axial positions along the pipe, and producing flow velocity signals indicative of a velocity of the fluid flow passing within the pipe; selectively injecting at least one tracer into the fluid flow passing within the pipe, at a known injection flow rate and concentration; sensing a sample of the fluid flow for the at least one tracer, and producing tracer concentration signals indicative of the concentration of the at least one tracer in the fluid flow; determining one or more of a gas component flow rate, an oil component flow rate, and a water component flow rate, using one or more of the flow pressure value, the flow temperature value, the flow velocity signals, and the tracer concentration signals.