Patent ID: 9134160
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. An online multi-phase flow meter, comprising: an inlet pipe; an exit outlet pipe; a single vertical cylindrical gas separation unit connected at an upper portion on a first side to the inlet pipe, wherein the bottom surface of the cylindrical gas separation unit is positively inclined from the first side to a second side, which is opposite to the first side of the cylindrical gas separation unit; an upper outlet pipe disposed on the top of the cylindrical gas separation unit at the second side, wherein upper outlet pipe comprises a gas flow meter and a one way valve, and wherein the gas flow meter is upstream from the one way valve; a first lower outlet pipe disposed on the bottom of the cylindrical gas separation unit on the second side, wherein the first lower outlet pipe comprises a vertical portion comprising a solenoid valve, a horizontal portion, an inverted U-shaped portion comprising a liquid flow meter and a water cut meter, wherein the vertical portion is connected to the bottom of the cylindrical gas separation unit and is upstream of the horizontal portion, the horizontal portion is upstream of the inverted U-shaped portion, and the liquid flow meter is disposed upstream of the water cut meter in the inverted U-shaped portion; a second lower outlet pipe disposed on the bottom of the cylindrical gas separation unit on the first side, wherein the second lower outlet pipe comprises a drain valve; a T-shaped junction formed between the upper outlet pipe and the first lower outlet pipe and the exit pipe outlet, wherein the T-shaped junction is downstream from the one way valve, and a data acquisition system comprising a microprocessor, which collects data from the gas flow meter, the liquid flow meter, and the water cut meter; and an electronic controller, which controls the solenoid valve and maintains a minimum level of liquid inside the cylindrical gas separation unit, wherein the cylindrical gas separation unit comprises a perforated plate, a slotted plate connected to the top inner surface of the cylindrical gas separation unit, a float ball valve system disposed under the upper outlet pipe and between the slotted plate and the second side of the cylindrical gas separation unit, and a density sensor that communicates with the solenoid valve via the electronic controller, wherein the perforated plate comprises inclined plates.