Patent Description:
Vibrating sensors, such as for example, vibrating densitometers and Coriolis flowmeters are generally known, and are used to measure mass flow and other information for materials flowing through a conduit in the flowmeter. Exemplary Coriolis flowmeters are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> et al. These flowmeters have one or more conduits of a straight or curved configuration. Each conduit configuration in a Coriolis mass flowmeter, for example, has a set of natural vibration modes, which may be of simple bending, torsional, or coupled type. Each conduit can be driven to oscillate at a preferred mode.

Material flows into the flowmeter from a connected pipeline on the inlet side of the flowmeter, is directed through the conduit(s), and exits the flowmeter through the outlet side of the flowmeter. The natural vibration modes of the vibrating system are defined in part by the combined mass of the conduits and the material flowing within the conduits.

When there is no-flow through the flowmeter, a driving force applied to the conduit(s) causes all points along the conduit(s) to oscillate with identical phase or a small "zero offset", which is a time delay measured at zero flow. As material begins to flow through the flowmeter, Coriolis forces cause each point along the conduit(s) to have a different phase. For example, the phase at the inlet end of the flowmeter lags the phase at the centralized driver position, while the phase at the outlet leads the phase at the centralized driver position. Pickoffs on the conduit(s) produce sinusoidal signals representative of the motion of the conduit(s). Signals output from the pickoffs are processed to determine the time delay between the pickoffs. The time delay between the two or more pickoffs is proportional to the mass flow rate of material flowing through the conduit(s).

Meter electronics connected to the driver generate a drive signal to operate the driver and determine a mass flow rate and other properties of a material from signals received from the pickoffs. The driver may comprise one of many well-known arrangements; however, a magnet and an opposing drive coil have received great success in the flowmeter industry. An alternating current is passed to the drive coil for vibrating the conduit(s) at a desired flow tube amplitude and frequency. It is also known in the art to provide the pickoffs as a magnet and coil arrangement very similar to the driver arrangement. However, while the driver receives a current which induces a motion, the pickoffs can use the motion provided by the driver to induce a voltage.

Vapor pressure is an important property in applications which handle flow and storage of volatile fluids such as gasoline, natural gas liquids, and liquid petroleum gas. Vapor pressure provides an indication of how volatile fluids may perform during handling, and further indicates conditions under which bubbles will likely form and pressure will likely build. As such, vapor pressure measurement of volatile fluids increases safety and prevents damage to transport vessels and infrastructure. For example, if the vapor pressure of a fluid is too high, cavitation during pumping and transfer operations may occur. Furthermore, vessel or process line vapor pressure may potentially rise beyond safe levels due to temperature changes. It is therefore often required that vapor pressure be known prior to storage and transport.

In many applications it is desired to also know the concentrations of components in a multi-component fluid. This may require additional equipment and/or laboratory samples. For example, <CIT> discloses an apparatus for carrying out the gas sampling and temperature and pressure measurements for determining concentrations of compounds in a gas mixture. On-site measurement is more reliable, as it obviates the need for the periodic sampling and fully eliminates the risk of fluid property changes between the time of sample collection and laboratory assay. Furthermore, safety is improved by having real-time measurements, as unsafe conditions may be remedied immediately. Additionally, money is saved, as regulatory enforcement may be conducted via simple on-site checks, wherein inspection and enforcement decisions may be made with little delay or process cessation. Accordingly, it is desirable to determine the concentrations of the components in the multi-component fluid by using vapor pressures of the fluid.

A system for using a vapor pressure to determine a concentration of a component in a multi-component fluid is provided. According to the invention, the system comprises an electronics communicatively coupled to a transducer configured to sense a multi-component fluid. The electronics is configured to determine a first vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a first component of the multi-component fluid, determine a second vapor pressure, the second vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a second component of the multi-component fluid, determine a multi-component vapor pressure, the multi-component vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid, and determine a concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure, wherein the determination of a multi-component vapor pressure is based on a gain of a drive signal provided to the transducer, the transducer being a meter assembly of a vibratory meter.

A method of using a vapor pressure to determine a concentration of a component in a multi-component fluid is provided. According to the invention, the method comprises determining a first vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a first component of the multi-component fluid, determining a second vapor pressure, the second vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a second component of the multi-component fluid, using a transducer having the multi-component fluid to determine a multi-component vapor pressure, the multi-component vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid, and determining a concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure, wherein the determination of a multi-component vapor pressure is based on a gain of a drive signal provided to the transducer, the transducer being a meter assembly of a vibratory meter.

According to an aspect, a system (<NUM>) for using a vapor pressure to determine a concentration of a component in a multi-component fluid comprises an electronics (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to a transducer (<NUM>) configured to sense a multi-component fluid. The electronics (<NUM>) is configured to determine a first vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a first component of the multi-component fluid, determine a second vapor pressure, the second vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a second component of the multi-component fluid, determine a multi-component vapor pressure, the multi-component vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid, and determine a concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure, wherein the determination of a multi-component vapor pressure is based on a gain of a drive signal provided to the transducer, the transducer being a meter assembly of a vibratory meter.

Preferably, the electronics (<NUM>) being configured to determine the concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure comprises the electronics (<NUM>) being configured to use equations: <MAT> and <MAT> where:.

Preferably, the electronics (<NUM>) being configured to determine a concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure comprises the electronics (<NUM>) being configured to determine the concentrations of the first component, the second component, and a third component using equations: <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> and <MAT> where:.

Preferably, the electronics (<NUM>) is further configured to determine a density of the multi-component fluid in the transducer (<NUM>) based on sensor signals provided by the transducer (<NUM>).

Preferably, the electronics (<NUM>) is further configured to determine a true vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid based on a static pressure of the multi-component fluid in the transducer (<NUM>).

Preferably, the electronics (<NUM>) is a meter electronics (<NUM>).

According to an aspect, a method of using a vapor pressure to determine a concentration of a component in a multi-component fluid comprises determining a first vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a first component of the multi-component fluid, determining a second vapor pressure, the second vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a second component of the multi-component fluid, using a transducer having the multi-component fluid to determine a multi-component vapor pressure, the multi-component vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid, and determining a concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure, wherein the determination of a multi-component vapor pressure is based on a gain of a drive signal provided to the transducer, the transducer being a meter assembly of a vibratory meter.

Preferably, determining the concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure comprises using equations: <MAT> and <MAT> where:.

Preferably, determining the concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure comprises determining the concentrations of the first component, the second component, and a third component using equations: <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> and <MAT> where:.

Preferably, the method further comprises determining a density of the multi-component fluid in the transducer based on sensor signals provided by the transducer.

Preferably, the method further comprises determining a true vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid based on a static pressure of the multi-component fluid in the transducer.

<FIG> and the following description depict specific examples to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of embodiments of using vapor pressure to determine concentrations of components in a multi-component fluid. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall within the scope of the present description. As a result, the embodiments described below are not limited to the specific examples described below, but only by the claims.

<FIG> shows a vibratory meter <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the vibratory meter <NUM> comprises a meter assembly <NUM> and meter electronics <NUM>. The meter assembly <NUM> responds to mass flow rate and density of a process material. The meter electronics <NUM> is connected to the meter assembly <NUM> via leads <NUM> to provide density, mass flow rate, temperature information over path <NUM>, and/or other information.

The meter assembly <NUM> includes a pair of manifolds <NUM> and <NUM>', flanges <NUM> and <NUM>' having flange necks <NUM> and <NUM>', a pair of parallel conduits <NUM> and <NUM>', driver <NUM>, resistive temperature detector (RTD) <NUM>, and a pair of pickoff sensors <NUM> and 170r. Conduits <NUM> and <NUM>' have two essentially straight inlet legs <NUM>, <NUM>' and outlet legs <NUM>, <NUM>', which converge towards each other at conduit mounting blocks <NUM> and <NUM>'. The conduits <NUM>, <NUM>' bend at two symmetrical locations along their length and are essentially parallel throughout their length. Brace bars <NUM> and <NUM>' serve to define the axis W and W' about which each conduit <NUM>, <NUM>' oscillates. The legs <NUM>, <NUM>' and <NUM>, <NUM>' of the conduits <NUM>, <NUM>' are fixedly attached to conduit mounting blocks <NUM> and <NUM>' and these blocks, in turn, are fixedly attached to manifolds <NUM> and <NUM>'. This provides a continuous closed material path through meter assembly <NUM>.

When flanges <NUM> and <NUM>', having holes <NUM> and <NUM>' are connected, via inlet end <NUM> and outlet end <NUM>' into a process line (not shown) which carries the process material that is being measured, material enters inlet end <NUM> of the meter through an orifice <NUM> in the flange <NUM> and is conducted through the manifold <NUM> to the conduit mounting block <NUM> having a surface <NUM>. Within the manifold <NUM> the material is divided and routed through the conduits <NUM>, <NUM>'. Upon exiting the conduits <NUM>, <NUM>', the process material is recombined in a single stream within the mounting block <NUM>' having a surface <NUM>' and the manifold <NUM>' and is thereafter routed to outlet end <NUM>' connected by the flange <NUM>' having holes <NUM>' to the process line (not shown).

The conduits <NUM>, <NUM>' are selected and appropriately mounted to the conduit mounting blocks <NUM>, <NUM>' so as to have substantially the same mass distribution, moments of inertia and Young's modulus about bending axes W--W and W'--W', respectively. These bending axes go through the brace bars <NUM>, <NUM>'. Inasmuch as the Young's modulus of the conduits change with temperature, and this change affects the calculation of flow and density, RTD <NUM> is mounted to conduit <NUM>' to continuously measure the temperature of the conduit <NUM>'. The temperature of the conduit <NUM>' and hence the voltage appearing across the RTD <NUM> for a given current passing therethrough is governed by the temperature of the material passing through the conduit <NUM>'. The temperature dependent voltage appearing across the RTD <NUM> is used in a well-known method by the meter electronics <NUM> to compensate for the change in elastic modulus of the conduits <NUM>, <NUM>' due to any changes in conduit temperature. The RTD <NUM> is connected to the meter electronics <NUM> by lead <NUM>.

Both of the conduits <NUM>, <NUM>' are driven by driver <NUM> in opposite directions about their respective bending axes W and W' and at what is termed the first out-of-phase bending mode of the flow meter. This driver <NUM> may comprise any one of many well-known arrangements, such as a magnet mounted to the conduit <NUM>' and an opposing coil mounted to the conduit <NUM> and through which an alternating current is passed for vibrating both conduits <NUM>, <NUM>'. A suitable drive signal is applied by the meter electronics <NUM>, via lead <NUM>, to the driver <NUM>.

The meter electronics <NUM> receives the RTD temperature signal on lead <NUM>, and the left and right sensor signals appearing on leads <NUM> carrying the left and right sensor signals <NUM>, 165r, respectively. The meter electronics <NUM> produces the drive signal appearing on lead <NUM> to driver <NUM> and vibrate conduits <NUM>, <NUM>'. The meter electronics <NUM> processes the left and right sensor signals and the RTD signal to compute the mass flow rate and the density of the material passing through meter assembly <NUM>. This information, along with other information, is applied by meter electronics <NUM> over path <NUM> as a signal.

A mass flow rate measurement ṁ can be generated according to the equation: <MAT> The Δt term comprises an operationally-derived (i.e., measured) time delay value comprising the time delay existing between the pick-off sensor signals, such as where the time delay is due to Coriolis effects related to mass flow rate through the vibratory meter <NUM>. The measured Δt term ultimately determines the mass flow rate of the flow material as it flows through the vibratory meter <NUM>. The Δt<NUM> term comprises a time delay at zero flow calibration constant. The Δt<NUM> term is typically determined at the factory and programmed into the vibratory meter <NUM>. The time delay at zero flow Δt<NUM> term will not change, even where flow conditions are changing. The flow calibration factor FCF is proportional to the stiffness of the vibratory meter <NUM>.

Assuming an incompressible liquid under steady conditions, the rate at which mass enters a control volume (e.g., a pipe) at an inlet (ṁ<NUM>) equals the rate at which it leaves at an outlet (ṁ<NUM>). This principle that the inlet mass flow rate (ṁ<NUM>) must be equal to the outlet mass flow rate (ṁ<NUM>) is illustrated by equation [<NUM>] below. Moving from the inlet to the outlet, the mass flow rate is conserved at each point along the pipe. However, there may be a reduction in a flow area midway between the inlet and the outlet. This reduction in the flow area requires that the velocity of the fluid increase (v↑) to maintain the same mass flow rate and obey conservation of mass principles. <MAT> where:.

Additionally, the total pressure in a flow system is equal to the sum of both the dynamic pressure and the static pressure: <MAT> The dynamic pressure Pdynamic may be defined as: <MAT> where the terms ρ and v are defined above with respect to equation [<NUM>].

Assuming steady, incompressible, inviscid, irrotational flow, the Bernoulli equation gives: <MAT> Where P refers to the static pressure and the ρgz term accounts for hydrostatic head due to elevation changes. More specifically, g is a gravitational constant and z is a height. The viscous portion of pressure drop can be handled with a separate loss term in the Bernoulli equation. <MAT> where;.

The below equation [<NUM>] is a version of the Bernoulli equation that accounts for frictional losses associated with traveling through a pipe. As fluid travels through the pipe, the fluid dissipates energy and the pressure drops across a given length of pipe. This loss in pressure is unrecoverable because energy from the fluid has been consumed through frictional losses. Accordingly, the following equation may account for this loss: <MAT>.

This relationship can be applied to the exemplary pipe described above with reference to equation [<NUM>]. When the fluid moves from the inlet to midway between the inlet and the outlet, there is a change in velocity to conserve the mass flow rate. Therefore, in maintaining the relationship shown in equation [<NUM>], the dynamic pressure <MAT> increases, causing the static pressure to decrease. As the fluid moves to the outlet from midway between the inlet and outlet, the static pressure is recovered through the same principles. That is, moving to the outlet from midway between the inlet and the outlet, the flow area is increased; therefore, the fluid velocity is decreased, causing the dynamic pressure to decrease while recovering part of the initial static pressure. However, the static pressure at the outlet will be lower due to unrecoverable viscous losses.

This can cause the static pressures at the inlet and outlet to be greater than a vapor pressure of the fluid, while a static pressure between the inlet and outlet is less than the vapor pressure of the fluid. As a result, although the static pressures at the inlet and the outlet are both greater than the vapor pressure of the fluid, flashing or outgassing may still occur in the pipe. Additionally, a vibratory meter, such as a Coriolis meter, may be inserted into a pipeline that has a diameter that is different than a diameter of a conduit or conduits in the vibratory meter. As a result, when outgassing is detected in the vibratory meter, the pressure measured in the pipeline may not be a vapor pressure of the fluid in the vibratory meter.

<FIG> is a block diagram of the meter electronics <NUM> of vibratory meter <NUM>. In operation, the vibratory meter <NUM> provides various measurement values that may be outputted including one or more of a measured or averaged value of mass flow rate, volume flow rate, individual flow component mass and volume flow rates, and total flow rate, including, for example, both volume and mass flow of individual flow components.

The vibratory meter <NUM> generates a vibrational response. The vibrational response is received and processed by the meter electronics <NUM> to generate one or more fluid measurement values. The values can be monitored, recorded, saved, totaled, and/or output. The meter electronics <NUM> includes an interface <NUM>, a processing system <NUM> in communication with the interface <NUM>, and a storage system <NUM> in communication with the processing system <NUM>. Although these components are shown as distinct blocks, it should be understood that the meter electronics <NUM> can be comprised of various combinations of integrated and/or discrete components.

The interface <NUM> is configured to communicate with the meter assembly <NUM> of the vibratory meter <NUM>. The interface <NUM> may be configured to couple to the leads <NUM> (see <FIG>) and exchange signals with the driver <NUM>, pickoff sensors <NUM> and 170r, and RTDs <NUM>, for example. The interface <NUM> may be further configured to communicate over the communication path <NUM>, such as to external devices.

The processing system <NUM> can comprise any manner of processing system. The processing system <NUM> is configured to retrieve and execute stored routines in order to operate the vibratory meter <NUM>. The storage system <NUM> can store routines including a flowmeter routine <NUM>, a valve control routine <NUM>, a drive gain routine <NUM>, and a vapor pressure routine <NUM>. The storage system <NUM> can store measurements, received values, working values, and other information. In some embodiments, the storage system stores a mass flow (m) <NUM>, a density (ρ) <NUM>, a density threshold <NUM>, a viscosity (µ) <NUM>, a temperature (T) <NUM>, a pressure <NUM>, a drive gain <NUM>, a drive gain threshold <NUM>, a gas entrainment threshold <NUM>, a gas entrainment fraction <NUM>, and any other variables known in the art. The routines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise any signal noted and those other variables known in the art. Other measurement/processing routines are contemplated and are within the scope of the description and claims.

As can be appreciated, more or fewer values may be stored in the storage system <NUM>. For example, a vapor pressure may be determined without using the viscosity <NUM>. For example, estimate viscosity based on a pressure drop, or a function relating friction as a function of flow rate. However, the viscosity <NUM> may be used to calculate a Reynolds number which can then be used to determine a friction factor. The Reynolds number and friction factor can be employed to determine a viscous pressure drop in a conduit, such as the conduits <NUM>, <NUM>' described above with reference to <FIG>. As can be appreciated, the Reynolds number may not necessarily be employed.

The flowmeter routine <NUM> can produce and store fluid quantifications and flow measurements. These values can comprise substantially instantaneous measurement values or can comprise totalized or accumulated values. For example, the flowmeter routine <NUM> can generate mass flow measurements and store them in the mass flow <NUM> storage of the storage system <NUM>, for example. The flowmeter routine <NUM> can generate density <NUM> measurements and store them in the density <NUM> storage, for example. The mass flow <NUM> and density <NUM> values are determined from the vibrational response, as previously discussed and as known in the art. The mass flow and other measurements can comprise a substantially instantaneous value, can comprise a sample, can comprise an averaged value over a time interval, or can comprise an accumulated value over a time interval. The time interval may be chosen to correspond to a block of time during which certain fluid conditions are detected, for example a liquid-only fluid state, or alternatively, a fluid state including liquids and entrained gas. In addition, other mass and volume flow and related quantifications are contemplated and are within the scope of the description and claims.

A drive gain threshold <NUM> may be used to distinguish between periods of flow, no flow, a monophasic/biphasic boundary (where a fluid phase change occurs), and gas entrainment/mixed-phase flow. Similarly, a density threshold <NUM> applied to the density reading <NUM> may also be used, separately or together with the drive gain, to distinguish gas entrainment/mixed-phase flow. Drive gain <NUM> may be utilized as a metric for the sensitivity of the vibratory meter's <NUM> conduit vibration to the presence of fluids of disparate densities, such as liquid and gas phases, for example, without limitation.

As used herein, the term drive gain refers to a measure of the amount of power needed to drive the flow tubes to specified amplitude, although any suitable definition may be employed. For example, the term drive gain may, in some embodiments, refer to drive current, pickoff voltage, or any signal measured or derived that indicates the amount of power needed to drive the flow conduits <NUM>, <NUM>' at a particular amplitude. The drive gain may be used to detect multi-phase flow by utilizing characteristics of the drive gain, such as, for example, noise levels, standard deviation of signals, damping-related measurements, and any other means known in the art to detect mixed-phase flow. These metrics may be compared across the pick-off sensors <NUM> and 170r to detect a mixed-phase flow.

<FIG> shows a graph <NUM> illustrating a relationship between a drive gain and a gas-liquid ratio that can be used to determine a vapor pressure using a vapor pressure meter factor. As shown in <FIG>, the graph <NUM> includes an average void fraction axis <NUM> and a drive gain axis <NUM>. The average void fraction axis <NUM> and the drive gain axis <NUM> are incremented in percentages, although any suitable units and/or ratios may be employed.

The graph <NUM> includes plots <NUM> that are relationships between drive gains and gas-liquid ratios for various flow rates. As shown, the gas-liquid ratio is an average void fraction value of the plots <NUM>, although any suitable gas-liquid ratio, such as a gas volume fraction ("GVF") or a gas entrainment fraction, may be employed, and may be based on volume, cross-sectional area, or the like. As can be appreciated, the plots <NUM> are similar despite being associated with different flow rates. Also shown is a drive gain threshold line <NUM> that intersects with the plots <NUM> at about <NUM> percent average void fraction, which may be a reference average void fraction 330a that corresponds to a <NUM>% drive gain. Also shown is a true vapor pressure drive gain <NUM>, which is about <NUM>%. The true vapor pressure drive gain <NUM> corresponds to the fluid in the meter assembly that has a static pressure at which a fluid phase change occurs and has a gas-liquid ratio of zero.

As can be seen, the plots <NUM> vary from a drive gain of about <NUM> percent to drive gain of about <NUM> percent over a range of average void fractions from <NUM> percent to about <NUM> percent. As can be appreciated, a relatively small change in the average void fraction results in a significant change in the drive gain. This relatively small change can ensure that the onset of vapor formation can be accurately detected with the drive gain.

Although the drive gain of <NUM>% is shown as corresponding to an average void fraction of <NUM> percent, the correspondence may be specific to a process. For example, the drive gain of <NUM>% may correspond to other average void fractions in other process fluids and conditions. Different fluids may have different vapor pressures and therefore onset of vapor formation for the fluids may occur at different flow rates. That is, a fluid with a relatively low vapor pressure will vaporize at higher flow rates and a fluid with relatively high vapor pressure may vaporize at lower flow rates.

As can also be appreciated, the drive gain threshold line <NUM> may be at alternative/other drive gains. However, it may be beneficial to have the drive gain at <NUM>% to eliminate false detections of entrainment/mixed phase flow while also ensuring that the onset of vapor formation is correctly detected.

Also, the plots <NUM> employ a drive gain, but other signals may be used, such as a measured density, or the like. The measured density may increase or decrease due to the presence of voids in the fluid. For example, the measured density may, counterintuitively, increase due to voids in relatively high frequency vibratory meters because of a velocity-of-sound effect. In relatively low frequency meters, the measured density may decrease due to the density of the voids being less than the fluid. These and other signals may be used alone or in combination to detect the presence of the vapor in the meter assembly.

As discussed above, the <NUM> percent average void fraction value may be the reference average void fraction 330a that corresponds to the <NUM> percent drive gain value, which may be where the drive gain threshold line <NUM> intersects with the drive gain axis <NUM>. Accordingly, when a measured drive gain is at <NUM> percent for a fluid in a meter assembly, such as the meter assembly <NUM> described above, then an average void fraction of the fluid may be about <NUM> percent. The void fraction of about <NUM> percent may correspond to a pressure of the fluid due to gas present in the fluid. For example, the void fraction of about <NUM> percent may correspond to, for example, a static pressure value.

Due to the previously determined relationship between the drive gain, or other signal, such as density, and the reference average void fraction 330a, which may be a reference gas-liquid ratio, a vapor pressure value may be associated with a vapor pressure meter factor. For example, the meter assembly may be vibrated while a static pressure is increased or decreased until a fluid phase change is detected. A vapor pressure value may then be determined from the static pressure, as will be described in more detail in the following with reference to <FIG>. The determined vapor pressure value may correspond to, for example, the static pressure at the drive gain threshold line <NUM>. This determined vapor pressure value may be adjusted by the vapor pressure meter factor to correspond to the true vapor pressure drive gain <NUM>, which is where a phase change occurs, or the monophasic/biphasic boundary is encountered. Accordingly, although the presence of gas in the fluid may be detected at a static pressure that is different than the true vapor pressure of the fluid, the true vapor pressure value may nevertheless be determined.

Using the reference average void fraction 330a as an example, the static pressure in the meter assembly may be reduced until the drive gain reaches <NUM> percent, thereby indicating that the fluid in the meter assembly has an average void fraction of <NUM> percent. A processing system, such as the processing system <NUM> described above, may determine that the fluid began to vaporize at a static pressure that is, for example, proportionally higher than the static pressure corresponding to the <NUM> percent drive gain. For example, a true vapor pressure value may be associated with a drive gain of about <NUM>%. As can be appreciated, due to uncertainties involved in calculating the static pressure (e.g., errors from a pressure sensor, flow rate measurement errors, etc.) a true vapor pressure may be proportionally lower than the calculated static pressure that is associated with the <NUM>% drive gain. True vapor pressure corresponds to a static pressure of the fluid where a fluid phase change occurs, but the gas-liquid ratio is zero.

Thus, the measured drive gain can be used to detect gas, yet still may result in a highly accurate true vapor pressure value. With more particularity, at the instant that outgassing first occurs, with a few tiny bubbles present, drive gain may not increase past the drive gain threshold line <NUM> for detection. A dynamic pressure may be increased by, for example, a pump that continues to increase a flow rate until the static pressure drops such that drive gain passes the drive gain threshold line <NUM>. Depending on the application, this calculated static pressure (e.g., an uncorrected vapor pressure) could be corrected (e.g., adjusted - decreased or increased) by a vapor pressure meter factor of, for example, <NUM> psi or <NUM> kPa, to account for the delay in detecting the fluid phase change. That is, the vapor pressure meter factor could be determined and applied to the uncorrected vapor pressure measurement as a function of drive gain to account for the difference in the drive gain at which the gas is detected and the true vapor pressure so as to detect tiny amounts of gas.

Referring to <FIG> by way of example, the measured drive gain of <NUM> percent may correspond to a static pressure of the fluid in the meter assembly that is, for example, <NUM> psi or <NUM> kPa less than a static pressure corresponding to the drive gain associated with the true vapor pressure. Accordingly, the vibratory meter <NUM>, or meter electronics <NUM>, or any suitable electronics, can determine that the vapor pressure meter factor is <NUM> psi or <NUM> kPa and add this value from the static pressure associated with the <NUM> percent drive gain. As a result, the vibratory meter <NUM> may accurately detect the phase change of the fluid and, therefore, also accurately determine a vapor pressure of the fluid using the drive gain.

However, other means of detecting the phase change may be employed that do not use a drive gain. For example, the phase change may be detected by acoustic measurement, x-ray-based measurements, optical measurements, etc. Also, combinations of the above implementations could be considered. For example, a bypass line that extends vertically in a loop with acoustic and/or optical measurements distributed vertically to determine where the gas first outgasses. This height would then provide the needed input to calculate a vapor pressure of the fluid in the vibratory meter <NUM>, as the following explains.

<FIG> shows a graph <NUM> illustrating how a static pressure of a fluid in a vibratory meter may be used to determine a vapor pressure. As shown in <FIG>, graph <NUM> includes a position axis <NUM> and a static pressure axis <NUM>. The position axis <NUM> is not shown with any particular units of length, but could be in units of inches, although any suitable unit may be employed. The static pressure axis <NUM> is in units of pounds-per-square inch (psi), although any suitable unit may be employed. The position axis <NUM> ranges from an inlet ("IN") to an outlet ("OUT") of the vibratory meter.

Accordingly, the position from IN to OUT may correspond to fluid in, for example, the meter assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In this example, the region from IN to about A may correspond to a portion of the meter assembly <NUM> between the flange <NUM> to the conduit mounting block <NUM>. The region from about A to about G may correspond to the conduits <NUM>, <NUM>' between the mounting blocks <NUM>, <NUM>'. The region from G to OUT may correspond to the portion of the meter assembly <NUM> from the mounting block <NUM>' to the flange <NUM>'. Accordingly, the fluid in the meter assembly <NUM> (e.g., in the position ranging from IN to OUT) may not include fluid in, for example, the pipeline in which the meter assembly <NUM> is inserted. The fluid in the meter assembly <NUM> may be the fluid in the conduits <NUM>, <NUM>'.

The graph <NUM> also includes a zero dynamic pressure plot <NUM> and a dynamic pressure change plot <NUM>. The zero dynamic pressure plot <NUM> shows no change in the dynamic pressure - the pressure is assumed to decrease linearly from an inlet to an outlet of a vibratory meter. The dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> may represent an actual pressure in the vibratory meter inserted into the pipeline wherein the diameter of the conduit or conduits of the vibratory meter is less than the diameter of the pipeline. An exemplary vibratory meter <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, although any suitable vibratory meter may be employed. Accordingly, the fluid in the meter assembly, such as the meter assembly <NUM> described above, may have a reduced static pressure due to an increase in dynamic pressure. Also shown is a vapor pressure line <NUM> representing a vapor pressure of the fluid in the vibratory meter.

The dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> includes a static pressure drop section 440a, a viscous loss section 440b, and a static pressure increase section 440c. The dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> also includes a minimum static pressure 440d. The static pressure drop section 440a may be due to an increase in fluid velocity causing a corresponding increase in the dynamic pressure of this section of the vibratory meter. The viscous loss section 440b may correspond to a constant diameter portion of the conduit or conduits in the vibratory meter. Accordingly, the viscous loss section 440b may not reflect an increase in fluid velocity and, therefore, may not reflect an increase in a dynamic pressure. The static pressure increase section 440c may be due to a decrease in fluid velocity and, therefore, the static pressure decrease during the static pressure drop section 440a may be recovered. The static pressure drop section 440a and the static pressure increase section 440c may be static pressure changes in the meter assembly.

The portion of the dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> lying below the vapor pressure line <NUM>, which includes the minimum static pressure 440d, may correspond to positions (e.g., from about position E to slightly after position G) where a fluid phase change occurs in a fluid in a meter assembly, such as the meter assembly <NUM> described above. As can be seen in <FIG>, the minimum static pressure 440d is below the vapor pressure line <NUM>. This indicates that the dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> may be shifted upwards by increasing the static pressure of the fluid in the meter assembly. However, if the static pressure were to be increased by about <NUM> psi or <NUM> kPa so as to shift the dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> up until the minimum static pressure 440d lies on the vapor pressure line <NUM>, a fluid phase change may be detected. Because the static pressure is increased, gas or vapor in the fluid in the meter assembly may become a liquid. Conversely, if the dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> were above the vapor pressure line <NUM> and the static pressure of the fluid in the meter assembly were decreased until the minimum static pressure 440d lies on the vapor pressure line, then the fluid phase change may be the formation of gas or vapor in the fluid.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the viscous loss section 440b decreases from a static pressure of about <NUM> psi or <NUM> kPa at position A to a static pressure of about <NUM> psi or <NUM> kPa at position G. As can be appreciated, the static pressure of about <NUM> psi or <NUM> kPa at the position G is less than the vapor pressure line <NUM>, which is about <NUM> psi or <NUM> kPa. As a result, even though the static pressures at the inlet and outlet are greater than the vapor pressure line <NUM>, the fluid in the vibratory meter may still flash or outgas.

Accordingly, the static pressure at the inlet and outlet do not directly correspond to the vapor pressure of the fluid. In other words, the vapor pressure of the fluid may not be directly determined from a static pressure of the fluid in the pipeline or external of the meter assembly. The static pressure in the meter assembly <NUM> or, more specifically, the conduits <NUM>, <NUM>', can be accurately determined by, for example, using the pressure measurements at the inlet and the outlet and inputting the dimensions of the vibratory meter <NUM> (e.g., diameter and length of the conduit <NUM>, <NUM>'). However, to accurately determine the vapor pressure, a phase change in the fluid in the vibratory meter <NUM> may need to be induced, which may be caused by varying the static pressure of the fluid in the vibratory meter <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a system <NUM> for determining a vapor pressure of a fluid. As shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> is a bypass that includes a bypass inlet and a bypass outlet that are coupled to a pipeline <NUM>. The system <NUM> includes a pump <NUM> in fluid communication with an outlet of a vibratory meter <NUM>, illustrated as a Coriolis meter, and the bypass outlet. An inlet pressure sensor <NUM> is in fluid communication with an inlet of the vibratory meter <NUM> and the bypass inlet. An outlet pressure sensor <NUM> is disposed between the outlet of the vibratory meter <NUM> and the pump <NUM> and is configured to measure a static pressure of the fluid at the outlet of the vibratory meter <NUM>. A flow control device <NUM>, which is shown as a valve, is disposed between the bypass inlet and the inlet pressure sensor <NUM>.

The pump <NUM> may be any suitable pump that can, for example, increase a velocity of the fluid in the vibratory meter <NUM>. The pump <NUM> may, for example, include a variable frequency drive. The variable frequency drive may allow the pump <NUM> to control a fluid velocity of the fluid in the system <NUM>. For example, the variable frequency drive may increase the fluid velocity of the fluid through the vibratory meter <NUM>, although the fluid velocity may be increased by any suitable pump. By increasing the fluid velocity, the pump <NUM> can increase a dynamic pressure of the fluid in the vibratory meter <NUM> by increasing the fluid velocity.

Accordingly, the static pressure of the fluid in the vibratory meter <NUM> may decrease. By way of illustration, with reference to <FIG>, the pump <NUM> may cause the dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> to shift downward. Accordingly, although not shown in <FIG>, should the dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> be above the vapor pressure line <NUM>, the pump <NUM> may induce flashing or outgassing by causing the dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> to shift downward. Similarly, by shifting the dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> up to or above the vapor pressure line <NUM>, gas or vapor in the fluid may become a liquid.

The inlet pressure sensor <NUM> and the outlet pressure sensor <NUM> may be any suitable pressure sensor configured to measure any pressure of the fluid. For example, the inlet pressure sensor <NUM> and the outlet pressure sensor <NUM> may measure a static pressure of the fluid in the system <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, the inlet pressure sensor <NUM> and the outlet pressure sensor <NUM> may measure a total pressure of the fluid in the system <NUM>. In one example, a dynamic pressure of the fluid may be determined by taking a difference between the total pressure and the static pressure of the fluid in the system <NUM> according to equation [<NUM>] above. For example, the inlet pressure sensor <NUM> may measure the total pressure and the static pressure of the fluid proximate to, or at, an inlet of the vibratory meter <NUM>. The inlet pressure sensor <NUM> and/or the meter electronics <NUM> in the vibratory meter <NUM> may determine the dynamic pressure at the inlet of the vibratory meter <NUM>.

The flow control device <NUM> may increase the fluid velocity of the fluid in the system <NUM> when the flow control device <NUM>'s position is moved from a partially closed position to a fully open position. For example, by decreasing flow restriction of the system <NUM> at the inlet of the vibratory meter <NUM>, the velocity of the fluid may increase in accordance with equation [<NUM>] above. This can shift the dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> down so as to induce flashing or outgassing. Conversely, the flow control device <NUM> can reduce the fluid velocity of the fluid in the system <NUM> thereby shifting the dynamic pressure change plot <NUM> up, thereby causing gas or vapors to condense.

As the flow control device <NUM> is opened, the fluid velocity will increase, but so will a static pressure at the vibratory meter <NUM> inlet, and vice versa. The combination of the flow control device <NUM> with the pump <NUM> may provide a preferred process condition by partially closing the flow control device <NUM> (e.g., to restrict a flow and lower pressure downstream of the flow control device <NUM>) and increasing pump speed (e.g., increasing flow rate) to obtain a desirably lower static pressure and higher velocity.

Although the static pressure of the fluid in the vibratory meter <NUM>, or, more particularly, the meter assembly <NUM> in the vibratory meter <NUM>, may be varied by using the pump <NUM> or the flow control device <NUM>, or a combination of both, described above, other means of varying the static pressure may be employed. For example, a height z of the vibratory meter <NUM> may be varied. To reduce the static pressure of the fluid in the vibratory meter <NUM>, the height z may be increased. To increase the static pressure of the fluid in the vibratory meter <NUM>, the height z may be decreased. The height z of the vibratory meter <NUM> may be varied by any suitable means, such as a motorized lift between the vibratory meter <NUM> and the pipeline <NUM> and bellows between the vibratory meter <NUM>, for example, the flow control device <NUM> and the pump <NUM>. Other means may be employed, as well as a combination of various means (e.g., the pump <NUM>, flow control device <NUM>, and/or the motorized lift).

For example, if the flow rate through a bypass is sufficient, a pump may not necessarily be employed. Only the flow control device <NUM> may be used. The flow control device <NUM> may be installed in other locations, such as downstream of the vibratory meter <NUM>. Alternatively, the flow control device <NUM> may not be employed, such as where the pump <NUM> and/or motorized lift is used. In another alternative example, the meter may be installed in the main line, rather than a bypass. Additionally, or alternatively, only a single pressure sensor may be employed. For example, only the outlet pressure sensor <NUM> may be employed. The inlet and/or outlet pressure sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may be located at alternative locations. The outlet pressure sensor <NUM> and its location may be beneficial because the static pressure at the location of the outlet pressure sensor <NUM> may substantially stabilize with respect to fluid velocity once the fluid in the meter assembly <NUM> is at the vapor pressure. That is, any additional increase in the fluid velocity may not cause a substantial decrease in the static pressure measured by the outlet pressure sensor <NUM>.

Additional information can be inferred from the vapor pressure measurement. For example, if the flowing liquid is a mixture of two or more pure substances, the vapor pressure can be used to estimate liquid phase concentrations of the pure components (i.e. component volume or mass fractions) using Dalton's and Raoult's Laws. Correlations for standard hydrocarbons or other fluids could be put in the transmitter and added as a feature, similar to current concentration measurement curves. Additionally, the concentration of salt, or other non-volatile solutions can be determined. These concepts are explained in the following:
Dalton's law of additive pressures, as expressed in equation [<NUM>], states that the total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases, Pm, is equal to the sum of the pressures exerted by each component of the mixture, Pi, if each component existed separately at the same temperature and volume as the mixture.

At the low pressures expected in the system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the behavior of the gases can be assumed to approach ideal gas behavior where Dalton's law best predicts the behavior of gas mixtures.

Raoult's law, as expressed in equation [<NUM>], states that the partial pressure of each component, Pi, of an ideal mixture of liquids is equal to the vapor pressure of the pure component, Pi*, multiplied by its mole fraction in the liquid mixture or two-component fluid, xi. <MAT> Using the above equations and reference vapor pressure tables for pure components, the liquid concentrations for an ideal binary or two-component fluid can be obtained: <MAT> where:.

As can be appreciated, due to the multi-component fluid being a binary or two-component fluid, the first mole fraction x<NUM> is equal to unity minus the second mole fraction x<NUM>: <NUM> - x<NUM>. The following example illustrates the use of the measured vapor pressure to determine the liquid concentrations of a binary mixture.

A liquid mixture of Benzene (B) and Toluene (T) flows through a process pipeline at <NUM>. A portion of the liquid flows through a bypass line where the vapor pressure will be determined using a system like the one proposed in this disclosure. The static pressure in the bypass system drops until the Coriolis meter detects the formation of gas bubbles. The measured vapor pressure at this point is <NUM> kPa. The following illustrates how to determine the liquid concentration of each component.

A first step may be to find the vapor pressure of the pure components at <NUM>. This info can be found in the literature: <MAT>. The next step is to use Dalton's and Raoult's laws to relate the measured vapor pressure to liquid concentrations: <MAT>.

Using a simple root finder, the mole fraction for Benzene can be solved for: xB = <NUM>. Since xB + xT = <NUM> it follows that xT = <NUM>.

The density measurement and the vapor pressure measurement can be combined to result in more equations and therefore be able to solve for more unknown components. Normally, if base densities of the pure compounds are known as a function of temperature, then the concentration software can accurately determine the volume fraction of up to two components. However, with the addition of the vapor pressure information described above, three components can be differentiated, with component volume or mass fractions of each provided.

Allowing for determination of liquid fraction of three component mixtures may increase the usable range of a concentration measurement or net oil computer. The additional equations needed for three components are defined below, where φ refers to the volume fraction of each component and ρ is the density of each component, along with the measured density. <MAT> <MAT> By way of example, the following equation shows how the above Dalton's and Raoult's laws can be used to determine a concentration of at least one component in a multi-component fluid, the multi-component fluid being a three-component fluid. <MAT> where:.

The mole fractions of the three components x<NUM>, x<NUM>, x<NUM> may necessarily add up to one: <MAT> In addition, the mole fractions of the three components x<NUM>, x<NUM>, x<NUM> respectively multiplied by their molecular weight must sum to the molecular weight of the three-component fluid: <MAT> where:.

Additionally, an inverse of the density of the three-component fluid may be equal to a sum of ratios of a mass fraction and a density of each of the components in the three-component fluid: <MAT> where:.

As can be appreciated, there are seven equations and seven unknowns and therefore, the concentrations of each component may be determined.

Even in mixtures with only two components, the vapor pressure measurement of the binary mixture can be used by itself to calculate the component fractions of the mixture; this would be particularly useful in cases where the densities of the pure components are equal, but their vapor pressures are different. Alternatively, the vapor pressure of a binary mixture could be used to provide a secondary check for the density-based algorithms, even when the densities of the pure components are different.

<FIG> shows a method <NUM> of using a vapor pressure to determine a concentration of a component in a multi-component fluid. As shown in <FIG>, in step <NUM>, the method <NUM> determines a first vapor pressure. The first vapor pressure is a vapor pressure of a first component of the multi-component fluid. In step <NUM>, the method determines a second vapor pressure. The second vapor pressure is a vapor pressure of a second component of the multi-component fluid. In step <NUM>, the method determines a multi-component vapor pressure. The multi-component vapor pressure is a vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid. The multi-component vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid may be a sum of the pressures exerted by each component in the multi-component fluid. The method <NUM>, in step <NUM>, determines a concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure.

In step <NUM>, the method <NUM> can determine the concentration of the first or the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure using above equation [<NUM>] as well as a mole fraction relationship of x<NUM>+ x<NUM> = <NUM>. For a three-component fluid, the method <NUM> can determine the concentration of the first component, second component, and/or third component by using equations [<NUM>]-[<NUM>] above.

The method <NUM> may also include additional steps. For example, the method <NUM> may determine a density of the multi-component fluid in the transducer based on sensor signals provided by the transducer. For example, the density may be determined by measuring a frequency, such as a resonant frequency, of the transducer and using a correlation between the frequency and a density value to determine the density of the multi-component fluid. The method <NUM> may also further determine a true vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid based on a static pressure of the multi-component fluid in the transducer. The vapor pressure may be determined based on a gain of the drive signal provided to the transducer. The transducer may be the meter assembly of a vibratory meter, although any suitable transducer may be employed, as the following explains.

<FIG> shows a system <NUM> for using a vapor pressure to determine a concentration of a multi-component fluid. As shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> is comprised of an electronics <NUM> and a transducer <NUM>. The electronics <NUM> may be configured to determine a vapor pressure of a multi-component fluid. For example, the electronics <NUM> may be configured to determine a first and a second vapor pressure, the first and second vapor pressure being vapor pressures respectively of a first component and a second component of the multi-component fluid. The electronics <NUM> may also be configured to determine a multi-component vapor pressure, where the multi-component vapor pressure is a vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid. The electronics <NUM> uses the vapor pressures to determine a concentration of the multi-component fluid. The electronics <NUM> is configured to determine a concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure.

The electronics <NUM> may also be configured to determine a density of the multi-component fluid. The density of the multi-component fluid may be equal to the sum of each density multiplied by the volume fraction of each component. For example, for a three-component fluid, the density of the three-component fluid may be equal to the sum of products of a respective density and volume fraction of the components in the three-component fluid. The inverse of the density of the multi-component fluid may be equal to a sum of respective mass fractions and densities of components in a multi-component fluid. For example, for a three-component fluid, the inverse of the density may be determined according to above equation [<NUM>].

The above describes the vibratory meter <NUM>, in particular the meter electronics <NUM>, and method <NUM>, and system <NUM> using a vapor pressure to determine a concentration of a component in a multi-component fluid. The concentration of the component may be determined using measurements provided by only the vibratory meter <NUM>, although additional measurements may be made, such as the static pressure measurements described with reference to <FIG>. As a result, information provided by the meter electronics <NUM> may include not only mass flow rates and density, but also concentrations of components in the multi-component fluid. The field of vibratory meters is improved because measurement capabilities of the vibratory meters are improved. Fields that employ vibratory meters are also improved because the number of measurement devices required to obtain the concentrations of components in a multi-component fluid may be reduced, thereby saving costs. In addition, the information may be provided in real time and in situ thereby ensuring that the data accurately represents the multi-component fluid being measured.

The detailed descriptions of the above embodiments are not exhaustive descriptions of all embodiments contemplated by the inventors to be within the scope of the present description.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for using a vapor pressure to determine a concentration of a component in a multi-component fluid, the system (<NUM>) comprising:
an electronics (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to a transducer (<NUM>) configured to sense a multi-component fluid, the electronics (<NUM>) being configured to:
determine a first vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a first component of the multi-component fluid;
determine a second vapor pressure, the second vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a second component of the multi-component fluid;
determine a multi-component vapor pressure, the multi-component vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid, based on a gain of a drive signal provided to the transducer (<NUM>), the transducer (<NUM>) being a meter assembly (<NUM>) of a vibratory meter (<NUM>); and
determine a concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure.