Patent ID: 7962293
Filing Date: 2011-06-14
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for determining a level of stratification of a multiphase fluid flow passing through a pipe, the apparatus comprising: a flow meter operable to determine a flow velocity of the multiphase fluid flow passing through a first radial region of the pipe; at least one sensor array having a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor within the array is spaced apart from the other sensors within the array and is disposed at an axial location along the pipe different from the axial location of each other sensor within the array, and wherein each of the sensors in the array is operable to produce signals indicative of pressure created by coherent structures convecting with the fluid flow along a second radial region of the pipe, wherein the second radial region is above the first radial region; and a signal processor operable to determine from the signals a flow velocity of a portion of the multiphase fluid flow passing within the second radial region of the pipe, and to compare the flow velocity from the first radial region and flow velocity from the second radial region to determine information indicative of the stratification of the multiphase fluid flow.