Patent ID: 7903782
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for determining fractional amounts of each phase of a multiple phase fluid, comprising: an x-ray generator configured to output x-rays by accelerating electrons into a target material; a sample chamber configured to admit therein a sample of fluid for analysis and disposed in a radiation path of an output from the x-ray generator; a filter disposed in the radiation path between the output of the x-ray generator and a radiation input of the sample chamber; a first radiation detector positioned in the radiation path from the sample chamber after radiation has passed through the sample chamber, the first radiation detector being configured to detect x-rays in selected energy ranges that have passed through the sample chamber; and a means for determining fractional volumes of gas, oil and water from the detected x-rays; and wherein a maximum thickness of the filter is about 250 microns and a material of the filter comprises molybdenum so as to optimize resolution of radiation detected by the first radiation detector to changes in volume fraction of oil and water in the fluid sample when a gas volume fraction thereof is between about 90 to 100 percent.