Patent Description:
The present disclosure is generally related to material metering and more particularly is related to a non-linear ultrasound method for quantitative detection of materials, including liquid, gas, and/or plasma.

Material level detection, identification and flow measurements are important for variety industries. For example, within the fossil fuel processing industry, it is often critical to ensure the correct level of fluid within the storage tank to avoid overfills. One type of fluid flow measurement is fluid metering, which is the measurement of a precise quantity of moving fluid in a specified time period to provide an accurate flow rate of the fluid. Fluid metering is used in a variety of industries which require the monitoring of fluids, including the chemical industry, fossil fuel (oil and gas) processing, and manufacturing. For example, within the fossil fuel processing industry, it is often critical to ensure that the correct amounts and types of materials held in storage vessels or moved through pipelines are precisely combined.

A variety of fluid level detection devices and techniques exist today. Most of these devices are invasive, in that, in order to detect an accurate fill level or an accurate flow of the fluid, these devices must be deployed inside the tank or pipeline. This makes them problematic to service and maintain. For example, mechanical flow meters, which utilize impellers, typically operate by measuring a fluid flow using an arrangement of moving parts, either by passing isolated, known volumes of a fluid through a series of gears or chambers, e.g., through positive displacement, or by means of a spinning turbine or rotor. Mechanical flow meters are generally accurate, in part, due to the ability to accurately measure the number of revolutions of the mechanical components which are used to estimate total volume flow over a short period of time. However, mechanical flow meters must be installed into the pipe subsystem and repair requires shut down of the pipeline, which is highly inefficient and expensive.

Acoustic time-of-flight flow meters are also conventionally used. These devices measure the difference in velocity in two opposite directions on a pipe and then calculate a difference therebetween, where the difference can be used to indicate the speed of material flowing through the pipe. Then, the calculated speed at which the material is traveling can be used, along with the size of the pipe and other parameters to determine volume flow. These conventional acoustic flow meters, however, are often not accurate enough for many industries, including many applications in the fossil fuel industry.

For fluids stored in tanks, tank fill level sensors can be used to determine a quantity of the fluid. These types of sensors may generally include either radar-based sensors which measure from the top down to the fluid surface, or embedded sensor wires and tubes which are mounted inside the tank. Fill level sensors are not highly accurate for a variety of reasons. Fluids expand and contract with temperature and most fill level sensors do not account for how temperature changes in the liquid affect a fill level. Moreover, fill level sensors must be installed inside tanks or other vessels which makes them problematic to service and maintain. <CIT> is a document illustrating the state of the art concerning apparatus to determine a quantity of fuel remaining in a reservoir.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the deficiencies and inadequacies.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system for determining a mass of a quantity of fluid. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. A vessel having a determinable size contains a quantity of fluid. A first acoustic sensor and a second acoustic sensor are provided. The second acoustic sensor is located along a bottom wall of the vessel, and the second acoustic sensor measures a fill level of the fluid in the vessel. A temperature sensor measures a temperature of the fluid within the vessel. The first acoustic sensor is located along a wall of the vessel and a fluid identity of fluid is determined by the first acoustic sensor. A computerized device in communication with the first and second acoustic sensors and the temperature sensor. A processor of the computerized device calculates a density of the fluid using the temperature and the fluid identity of the fluid and a mass of the quantity of fluid using a determined size of the vessel, the determined fill level and the fluid density.

A preferential embodiment is disclosed according to claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a method for determining a mass of a quantity of fluid. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: holding the quantity of fluid within a vessel having a determinable size; determining a fill level of the quantity of fluid in the vessel with an acoustic signal transmitted into the vessel by a second acoustic sensor located along a bottom wall of the vessel; sensing a temperature of the quantity of fluid within the vessel with a temperature sensor; determining a fluid identity of the quantity of fluid by a first acoustic sensor, which is located along a wall of the vessel; and calculating, with a processor of a computerized device, a density of the fluid using the temperature and the fluid identity of the fluid and calculating a mass of the quantity of fluid using a determined size of the vessel, the determined fill level and the fluid density.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for determining fluid identification, fluid level and fluid flow by mass. In accordance with this disclosure, the term "material" may be understood to include liquids, gasses, plasmas, or similar materials, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system and method can be used to determine the mass of a quantity of fluid in a vessel. In another embodiment not part of the claimed invention, the system and method can be used to determine the flow rate of a fluid in a pipe using a determined mass of the fluid. The present disclosure may be used to detect the type of the material without physical contact to the material and without chemical analysis. The techniques may utilize non-linear ultrasound which is used to detect the quantitative properties of the material. Other embodiments of the present disclosure can be used where physical contact to the material is made and without chemical analysis. Other embodiments not part of the claimed invention may be used to detect or monitor the structural health of a container or vessel containing a fluid, such that a crack, corrosion, or other structural characteristic of the container can be detected.

It is well known that the density of a material varies with temperature and pressure. This variation is typically small for liquids, but it has been observed that fluid tank levels increase and decrease noticeably with nothing other than temperature changes. Increasing the pressure on a material decreases the volume of the material and thus increases its density. Increasing the temperature of a material (with a few exceptions) decreases its density by increasing its volume. Thus, due to the effect on a material's volume that temperature and pressure can have, determining the mass of a material provides a higher accuracy on the specific quantity of that material. Determining the mass of a material serves several other benefits as well. Materials are sold around the world by weight. While changes in temperature result in changes in pressure and/or volume of a material, the mass of a material does not change due to changes in temperature, pressure, or density. Thus, determining the mass of a material may provide a more accurate way to measure or confirm the quantity of material during a commercial transaction.

The subject disclosure is directed to the use of material metering to determine product flow rates of material by using acoustics, which in turn, can be used to determine changes in mass of material being transferred. The result is that the ability to provide highly accurate measurements of material flow rate by calculating the change in mass of the material on a periodic basis, e.g., at predetermined time intervals over a historic time period. For example, using acoustics to measure the mass of the material stored inside a tank or container every ten seconds can be used to provide the net change in material over a specific period, e.g., one minute, which can indicate a flow rate of the product leaving or entering the tank or pipe.

<FIG> is an illustration of a system <NUM> for determining a mass of a quantity of fluid material in a vessel, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The system <NUM> for determining the mass of the quantity of fluid, which may be referred to herein simply as 'system <NUM>' may be attached to the wall <NUM> of a vessel <NUM> containing the fluid <NUM>. A first acoustic sensor <NUM> is located along a wall <NUM> of the vessel <NUM>. A second acoustic sensor <NUM> is located along a bottom wall <NUM> of the vessel <NUM>, wherein the second acoustic sensor <NUM> measures a fill level of the fluid <NUM> in the vessel <NUM>. A temperature sensor <NUM> is located on, near, or within the vessel <NUM>, wherein the temperature sensor <NUM> measures a temperature of the fluid <NUM>.

It is desirable to determine the mass of the fluid <NUM> because the mass is a highly accurate parameter to determine other characteristics of the fluid <NUM>, such as a flow rate of fluid <NUM> out of or in to the vessel <NUM>, such as through an outlet or inlet pipe <NUM>. Within the chemical and fossil fuel industry, mass is considered the most accurate means of material measurement, easily surpassing volume or a measured quantity, such as liters, gallons, or barrels. Indeed, tanker shipments of petroleum products are measured in metric tons not by the barrel.

In operation, the system <NUM> may be used with a quantity of fluid <NUM> where the specific fluid type is either known or unknown. For example, the vessel <NUM> may be filled with a fluid <NUM> which is specifically known to be a certain chemical or substance, or the type of fluid <NUM> within the vessel <NUM> may be unknown. If the fluid type is unknown, the first acoustic sensor <NUM> may be capable of accurately identifying the liquid material using known acoustic metrics which are temperature-compensated against a database to identify the specific liquid type.

Once the fluid <NUM> is identified, or if it is previously known, the second acoustic sensor <NUM> which is positioned on a bottom wall <NUM> of the vessel <NUM> may be used to determine an extremely accurate fill level measurement. In other words, the height of the upper surface of the fluid <NUM> within the vessel <NUM> can be determined here. Then, using this determined fill level and engineering information from the vessel <NUM>, e.g., a strapping table which identifies a volumetric quantity of fluid at certain heights or fill levels of the vessel <NUM>, the exact volume of the fluid <NUM> can be determined. The temperature of the fluid <NUM> may be taken into consideration at this step, which may be achieved through direct temperature measurement, e.g., from the temperature sensor <NUM>, or from ambient temperature calculation or other techniques. With the type of fluid <NUM> material identified, the height of the upper surface of the fluid <NUM> in the vessel <NUM> and the temperature of fluid <NUM> may be used to calculate mass.

While it is possible to utilize the acoustic sensor <NUM> positioned on the bottom wall <NUM> of the vessel <NUM> to determine the fill level of the fluid <NUM> within the vessel <NUM>, it may also be possible to utilize one or more acoustic sensors in other locations on the vessel <NUM> to determine the fluid <NUM> fill level. For example, a plurality of acoustic sensors <NUM> may be positioned on the exterior of the vessel <NUM> in positions along the lower sidewall <NUM>. These sensors <NUM> may be oriented at varying angles relative to the height of the vessel <NUM>. For instance, in one example, five or more sensors <NUM> may be used with orientations of varying angles, such as <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, and <NUM>°, such that each sensor <NUM> is positioned to identify the fill level at a particular height in the vessel <NUM>. In another example, sensors <NUM> may be positioned at spaced distances along the vertical sidewall of the vessel <NUM>, such that each sensor <NUM> can determine when the fill level of the fluid <NUM> has moved below the height of the sensor <NUM>, respectively, which can be used to identify fluid <NUM> fill level within the vessel <NUM>. Any number of sensors in any positions and with any orientations may be used, all combinations of which are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. It may be advantageous to utilize a single acoustic sensor <NUM> positioned on the bottom wall <NUM> of the vessel <NUM>, due to efficiency and lower material expense, but vessels <NUM> which do not allow access to their bottom walls <NUM>, such as those sitting on the ground surface, may be used with the other configurations of sensors to accurately determine a fluid <NUM> fill level.

If the identity of the fluid <NUM> material type in the vessel <NUM> cannot be determined, the density of the fluid <NUM> can be sensed and determined, and it is possible to calculate the actual mass of the specific fluid <NUM> based on the sensed and determined density, volume and temperature of the fluid. Using this information, it is then possible to accurately calculate the mass of the fluid <NUM> at a specific point in time.

The calculations completed by the system <NUM> may be processed with a computerized device <NUM> in communication with the first acoustic sensor <NUM>, the second acoustic sensor <NUM>, and the temperature sensor <NUM>. To determine the flow of the fluid <NUM> by mass, the processor of the computerized device <NUM> may calculate the mass of the fluid <NUM> at two or more times, or at predetermined time intervals, based on at least the sensed fill level provided by acoustic sensor <NUM> and the temperature from temperature sensor <NUM>. The computerized device <NUM> may receive the sensed information via signals <NUM> from the sensors, which may be wired, wireless, or any combination thereof. The computerized device <NUM> may be a hand-held computing device such as a tablet computer, a smart phone, a reader, a laptop, or a stationary computing device, or any other electronic device capable of receiving the signals and calculating the data points using algorithms and processing. The computerized device <NUM> may include a display screen or GUI which provides relevant information to a human user, or it may be interconnected with another computing device through a network or the Internet to transfer the relevant information elsewhere.

It is also noted that the system <NUM> can be implemented on vessel <NUM> without intrusion. The first and second acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM> need only be adhered to the outside of the vessel <NUM> and the temperature sensor <NUM> can be located outside or inside the vessel in a convenient position for sensing temperature of the fluid <NUM>. The vessel <NUM> does not need to be emptied or otherwise opened in order to configure the system <NUM>. Where a vessel <NUM> is a double-walled vessel, such as shown in <FIG>, the first and second acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may be located on an exterior surface of the vessel <NUM>, or external to an interior surface of the inner sidewall 16A, e.g., in a gap between the inner sidewall 16A and the outer sidewall 16B. The temperature sensor <NUM> may be placed through the inner and/or outer sidewalls 16A, 16B, e.g., in a position extending from exterior of the vessel <NUM> to the interior of the vessel <NUM>, such that it can maintain good temperature readings on the fluid <NUM> within the vessel <NUM>. In other examples, the temperature sensor <NUM> could be positioned in other locations and would not necessarily need to be in contact with the fluid <NUM> or the vessel <NUM>. All types of temperature sensors <NUM> can be used, including infrared temperature sensors, thermistors, other temperature sensing devices, or any combination thereof. Of course, it is also possible for the first and second acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the temperature sensor <NUM> to be mounted within a vessel <NUM> if it is desired.

In one of many alternative configurations not part of the claimed invention, it may be possible to use multiple acoustic sensors to determine the flow rate of fluid <NUM> within a vessel <NUM>, in particular, a vessel <NUM> designed or intended for the transportation of fluid <NUM>, such as a pipe, pipeline, or similar fluid-transporting vessel <NUM>. Similar to the configuration described relative to <FIG>, the exact flow rates may be determined by mass of fluid. <FIG> is an illustration of a system <NUM> for determining a flow rate for a quantity of fluid within a pipe <NUM>, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Indeed, <FIG> illustrates the system <NUM> with a pipe <NUM>, which is a vessel which contains and transports the quantity of fluid <NUM>. A first acoustic sensor <NUM> is located along a wall <NUM> of the pipe <NUM>, or in a similar position, such as substantially on a wall <NUM> of the pipe <NUM>. A second acoustic sensor <NUM> is located along the pipe <NUM> at a specified or known distance from first sensor <NUM>. A differential time of flight or similar calculation of the fluid <NUM> in the pipe <NUM> may be determined using readings of the first acoustic sensor <NUM> and the second acoustic sensor <NUM>. The differential time of flight may then be used to determine the velocity flow of fluid <NUM>.

In one example, the calculation of the velocity of the material may be determined as follows. The first acoustic sensor <NUM>, i.e., transducer, generates a signal that is received by the second acoustic sensor <NUM> on the pipe <NUM>. The time taken for the signal to travel from the first acoustic sensor <NUM> to the second acoustic sensor <NUM> is known as the Time of Flight (ToF). Then the second acoustic sensor <NUM> generates a signal which is received from the first acoustic sensor <NUM> and the difference between the two ToF's is taken as a measure of the velocity of the flow of the material in the pipe <NUM>. From the first acoustic sensor <NUM> to the second acoustic sensor <NUM>, from the known density of the fluid <NUM> in the pipe <NUM>, the flow of the material can be calculated: <MAT> Where Dtr is the distance between the first and second acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM>. Depending on the configuration, this can be equal to the diameter of the pipe <NUM> or the least distance the signal between will travel between both transducers. Usp is the temperature compensated speed of sound in the material flowing through the pipeline: <MAT> <MAT> Where Usp<NUM> = (Usp - V) and Usp<NUM> = (Usp + V), where (V) is the velocity of the material. The velocity can be calculated when the acoustic sensors are on the same side of the pipe <NUM>, in which case, the distance and the component of the speed accounting for the angle of the path the signal travels between the two acoustic sensors and the back wall of the pipe is calculated. ΔToF = ( ToF<NUM> - ToF<NUM>) is the time difference between ToF<NUM> and ToF<NUM> <MAT> Rearranging the above equation for velocity, V of the velocity of the material in the pipeline () can be derived from the following equation.

It is noted that the differential time of flight may be calculated both in a bidirectional manner and/or in a unidirectional manner. For a bidirectional calculation, the differential time of flight of the fluid <NUM> may be calculated based on readings of the first and second acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM> in two directions of the pipe <NUM>, for example, in both linear forward and backward directions along a flow of the pipe <NUM>. For a unidirectional calculation, the differential time of flight may be calculated by measuring a time of flight in one direction of the pipe <NUM> and comparing it to an imputed or calculated time of flight based on an acoustic wave velocity of the fluid in a stationary state. As opposed to directly measuring this imputed value of the fluid in a stationary state, this value may be achieved using the fluid <NUM> material identity and the temperature to derive or lookup the imputed time of flight based on the wave velocity. Then, the wave velocity is applied to the distance between the two acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM> to derive a calculated stationary time of flight. In this way, the time of flight in one direction may be effectively compared to the expected acoustic wave through the fluid <NUM> when it is in a static or non-moving position within the pipe <NUM>.

A temperature sensor <NUM> is positioned with pipe <NUM>, wherein the temperature sensor <NUM> senses a temperature of the fluid <NUM>. While a temperature sensor <NUM> in physical contact with the pipe <NUM> may be used, the temperature of the fluid <NUM> in the pipe <NUM> may also be provided by alternative methods, including temperature sensing devices which would not necessarily need to be in contact with the fluid <NUM> or the pipe <NUM>. All types of temperature sensors <NUM> can be used, including infrared temperature sensors, thermistors, other temperature sensing devices, or any combination thereof.

In addition, multiple calculations can be done during specific time intervals which can be used to determine the flow rate of the fluid <NUM> during fluctuations in actual flow rates over longer periods of time interval measurements. As a simple example, a straight <NUM> (<NUM> foot) radius pipe has a known diesel (<NUM>/m<NUM> or <NUM> lb/ft<NUM> density at <NUM>° C) flowing at <NUM>/s (<NUM> ft/s). The area of the pipe is <NUM><NUM> (<NUM> ft<NUM>), leading to a flow volume of <NUM><NUM>/s (<NUM> ft<NUM>/s). Multiplying the flow volume by the density provides the mass of the diesel flowing through the pipe at <NUM>/s (<NUM> lb/s). If at the next measurement the velocity changed to <NUM>/s (<NUM> ft/s), then the mass of the diesel flowing through the pipe would be an increase to <NUM>/s (<NUM> Ibis). These calculations can be performed at specific time intervals to identify the changes or fluctuations between the time intervals, which in turn, can be used to determine flow rates over a longer period of time.

These mass-flow measurements may be taken periodically, from every few seconds to every hour, or any other time period. The changes in these mass-flow rates over an extended period of time, which measure the varying amounts of fluid <NUM> flowing through the pipe <NUM>, provide an accurate normalized calculation of material flow rate by mass. From this information, highly accurate and standardized fluid volume flows, e.g., cubic meter per hour, etc., and fluid mass flows, e.g., kilogram per hour, etc., can be identified.

Moreover, the system <NUM> can be used to determine the fluid temperature, fluid identity and specific information as to density and mass of the fluid <NUM> in real-time or substantially real-time, which provides a substantial improvement over other metering devices which do not operate in real-time. It is also noted that the system <NUM> can be implemented on pipe <NUM> without intrusion. The first and second acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM> need only be attached to the outside of the pipe <NUM> and the temperature sensor <NUM> can be located in a convenient position for sensing temperature. The pipe <NUM> does not need to be emptied or otherwise opened in order to configure the system <NUM>.

The calculations completed by the system <NUM> may be processed with a computerized device <NUM> in communication with the acoustic sensor <NUM>, which determines the identity of the fluid material, and with other acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, as well as the temperature sensor <NUM>. To determine the flow rate by mass of the fluid <NUM>, the processor of the computerized device <NUM> may calculate the flow rate by mass of the fluid <NUM> at predetermined time intervals based on the sensed and determined volume flow rate and fluid density. The computerized device <NUM> may receive the sensed information via signals <NUM> from the sensors, which may be wired, wireless, or any combination thereof. The computerized device <NUM> may be a hand-held computing device such as a tablet computer, a smart phone, a reader, a laptop, a stationary computing device, any other electronic device or service capable of receiving the signals and calculating the data points using algorithms and processing. The computerized device <NUM> may include a display screen or GUI which provides relevant information to a human user, or it may be interconnected with another computing device through a network, the Internet or cloud service to transfer the relevant information elsewhere.

The system <NUM> described relative to <FIG> may have a variety of uses in a variety of different industries and settings. These may include use in chemical industry or the fossil fuel industry to determine material type based on mass, and/or to determine a flow rate of that material within a vessel or pipe. The system may also find uses in environmental analysis, with recreational items, such as swimming pools, or in other settings. One specific use for the system <NUM> is with injection units used in the fossil fuel industry. An injection unit may be used to inject a quantity of fluid chemical additives into a petroleum pipeline to protect the pipes in the pipeline against corrosion or for another purpose. The amount of chemical injected may be small, compared to the relative volume of the petroleum in the pipe, but it is often critical to inject the correct amount. Thus, it is imperative to know the exact injection flow rate of the fluid chemical into the pipeline.

<FIG> is an illustration of a system for determining the mass of a quantity of fluid 14A for metering a flow rate of the quantity of fluid 14A to be injected into a pipe <NUM> using an injection system, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure not part of the claimed invention. <FIG> is an image of an injection system using the system <NUM>, in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure not part of the claimed invention. <FIG> illustrates the system <NUM> depicted and described relative to <FIG>, which has a vessel <NUM> containing the quantity of fluid 14A. A first acoustic sensor <NUM> is located along a sidewall <NUM> of the vessel <NUM>, and identifies the fluid material. A second acoustic sensor <NUM> is located along a bottom wall <NUM> of the vessel <NUM>, wherein the second acoustic sensor <NUM> senses a fill level of the quantity of fluid 14A in the vessel <NUM>. A temperature sensor <NUM> is located proximate to the vessel <NUM>, wherein the temperature sensor <NUM> senses a temperature of the quantity of fluid 14A.

As shown in <FIG>, the quantity of fluid 14A, which in this example is a fluid chemical, may be housed within the vessel <NUM> which is connected to the pipeline <NUM> through a network of pipes <NUM>, where the fluid chemical 14A is pumped from the vessel <NUM> with a fluid pump <NUM>. The pipeline <NUM> may have a quantity of other fluid <NUM>, such as fossil fuels or another fluid, depending on the design and use of the pipeline. The system <NUM> may be used in a variety of ways to accurately inject the fluid chemical 14A into the pipe <NUM>. For example, as discussed relative to <FIG>, the first acoustic sensor <NUM> may sense a material type of the fluid chemical 14A in the vessel <NUM>, while the second acoustic sensor <NUM> may sense a fill level of the fluid chemical 14A. As the fluid chemical 14A is dispensed via the pipes <NUM> and pump <NUM>, calculations may be performed by the computerized device <NUM> sent via signals <NUM> at varying periods of time or intervals to determine the fill level at each time period. These calculations can then be used to determine the flow rate of the chemical fluid 14A from the vessel <NUM>, which in turn, can be used to control the pump <NUM> to dispense the fluid chemical 14A into the pipe <NUM> at the desired rate.

In another example, the acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> positioned on or proximate to the pipe <NUM> may be used to determine the flow rate of the fluid <NUM> through the pipe <NUM> using the technique discussed previously relative to <FIG>, e.g., using the acoustic sensor <NUM>, which determines the fluid identity, and using first and second acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, which are used to determine the flow rate, along with the temperature sensor <NUM>. When the flow rate of the fluid <NUM> through the pipe <NUM> is determined, the system <NUM> may control the pump <NUM> to dispense a portion of the fluid chemical 14A from the vessel <NUM> into the pipe <NUM>. If the flow rate of the fluid <NUM> within the pipe <NUM> changes or fluctuates, the system <NUM> may be able to adjust the flow rate of the chemical fluid 14A from the vessel through the pipes <NUM> and into the pipe <NUM>, thereby accurately controlling a metering of the flow rate of the fluid chemical 14A into the pipe <NUM>. In this way, the system can dynamically control the injection of the fluid chemical 14A into the pipe <NUM> to ensure that the desired quantity of fluid chemical 14A is being injected, despite fluctuations in flow rate of the fluid <NUM> within the pipe <NUM>.

In a third example, the flow rates of the fluid 14A within the vessel <NUM> or within the pipe <NUM> and the flow rate of the fluid <NUM> within the pipe <NUM> may be determined, such that the pump can be dynamically controlled to continually adjust the rate of injection of the fluid chemical 14A into the pipe <NUM>, and the level of fluid chemical 14A can be monitored to ensure it is not inadvertently depleted. Any combination of these examples may be used to detect the flow rates of fluids 14A, <NUM> or otherwise control a metering device, such as the pump <NUM>, to inject or transport one fluid to another.

Similar to <FIG>, the calculations in <FIG> completed by the system <NUM> may be processed with one or more computerized devices <NUM> in communication with the acoustic sensor <NUM>, which determines the identity of the fluid material in either the vessel <NUM> or the pipe <NUM>, the acoustic sensor <NUM> which determines the fill level of the fluid 14A in the vessel <NUM>, and with other acoustic sensors <NUM>, <NUM> which determine flow rate in the pipe, as well as the temperature sensors <NUM>, <NUM>. While two computerized devices <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG>, any number of computerized devices <NUM> may be used. The one or more computerized devices <NUM> may receive the sensed information via signals <NUM> from the sensors, which may be wired, wireless, or any combination thereof. The one or more computerized devices <NUM> may be a hand-held computing device such as a tablet computer, a smart phone, a reader, a laptop, a stationary computing device, any other electronic device or service capable of receiving the signals and calculating the data points using algorithms and processing. The one or more computerized devices <NUM> may include a display screen or GUI which provides relevant information to a human user, or it may be interconnected with another computing device through a network, the Internet or cloud service to transfer the relevant information elsewhere.

One of the many benefits of the system <NUM> is that it can be used on existing fluid infrastructure without significant alterations. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the skid-mounted injection unit may be used in a remote location where petroleum is stored and/or piped through an underground pipe <NUM>. In these types of locations, it is often not possible to access the pipe <NUM> (shown in broken lines) because it is buried or otherwise not easily accessible. The skid-mounted injection unit may be placed over the pipe <NUM> such that the chemical additive can be injected at the appropriate location along the pipeline. An electrical power supply may not exist at this remote location, so a solar power source <NUM> and battery <NUM> may be used to power the pump <NUM> which controls injection of the fluid chemical into the pipe <NUM>. The system <NUM> has low power requirements which can easily be met with the existing solar power source on injection units. Additionally, the sensors of the system <NUM> can easily be integrated into the existing liquid vessels of injection units, either through retrofit or original manufacture. It is noted, of course, that the system <NUM> can be used with other petroleum fluid vessels, including tankers, railcars, etc..

The present disclosure can also provide benefits to fluid flow monitoring in situations where the flow rate of a fluid through a pipe changes. <FIG> is an illustration of a system for detecting changes in a flow rate for a quantity of fluid <NUM> from a vessel <NUM>, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an illustration of a system for detecting changes in a flow rate for a quantity of fluid <NUM> in a pipe <NUM>, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in both <FIG>, the system <NUM> may be implemented as a substantially unitary metering device which is positionable around an inlet or outlet pipe 12A of the vessel <NUM> (<FIG>) or around a pipe <NUM> of a pipeline or another fluid delivery system (<FIG>) to monitor for fluid movement. Once any movement of the fluid <NUM>, <NUM> is detected, the system <NUM> would measure flow rates. The system <NUM> may also identify the type of fluid material, if desired, such that complete records of all fluid <NUM>, <NUM> flows by volume and mass as well as the actual material type can be determined. In both <FIG>, if fluid <NUM>, <NUM> is not flowing in pipe 12A, <NUM>, the system <NUM> can ping the first and second acoustic sensors <NUM> and <NUM> periodically to determine when the fluid flow starts. The system <NUM> may be programmed to ping as needed to determine when the flow of fluid <NUM>, <NUM> stops. The opposite may also be achieved, i.e., where there is an existing flow in the pipe 12A, <NUM> and the system <NUM> determines when a fluid flow stops. The ability of system <NUM> to determine when flow of fluid <NUM>, <NUM> starts and stops provides additional accuracy in measuring the mass of fluid passing through pipe 12A, <NUM>. Additionally, it is noted that the system <NUM> may be capable of bi-directional flowrate detection, vessel mass balance capacity, and totalizations in both directions of flow.

As can be understood, the system <NUM> described herein and related apparatuses and methods may provide substantial benefits to metering flow rates of fluids. To name a few of these benefits, the system can be used to accurately measure fluid transfers from or into tanks, containers or vessels to produce accurate total product movement. The system <NUM> can also be used to accurately produce custodial transfer documentation of fluid materials between third parties. The system <NUM> is also capable of being used to accurately identify leaks of liquid material from a tank, container or vessel, as well as accurately monitor inventory liquid materials stored in a tank, container or vessel.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating a method of metering a fluid, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understood as representing modules, segments, portions of code, or steps that include one or more instructions for implementing specific logical functions in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the present disclosure in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure.

As shown by block <NUM>, acoustic metrics and temperature information are used to identify a specific fluid being measured. Once the fluid identity and temperature have been established, the acoustic velocity of the fluid is used to calculate the fluid level inside the vessel (block <NUM>). The fluid volume is determined using dimensional volume information of the vessel (block <NUM>). The density of the fluid is determined using the temperature and material identification (block <NUM>). The mass of the fluid within the vessel is accurately determined using the volume of fluid and the density of the fluid (block <NUM>). Periodic mass calculations of the fluid are made, whereby actual changes in fluid mass are determined, and whereby actual fluid flow rates, fully adjusted to temperate variations in material volume, are determined (block <NUM>).

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating a method of metering a fluid, in accordance with an example not part of the claimed invention. It should be noted that any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understood as representing modules, segments, portions of code, or steps that include one or more instructions for implementing specific logical functions in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the present disclosure in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure.

As shown by block <NUM>, acoustic metrics and temperature information are used to identify a specific fluid being measured. Once the fluid identity and temperature have been established, the acoustic flow velocity of the fluid is used to calculate the volume flow rate inside the pipe (block <NUM>). The fluid volume flow rate is determined using dimensional volume information of the pipe and calculated flow rate (block <NUM>). The density of the fluid is determined using the temperature and material identification (block <NUM>). The flow rate by mass of the fluid within the pipe is accurately determined using the volume flow of fluid, and the density of the fluid (block <NUM>). Periodic mass flow rate calculations of the fluid are made, whereby actual changes in fluid mass are determined, and whereby actual fluid flow rates, fully adjusted to temperate variations in material volume, are determined (block <NUM>).

While <FIG> primarily discuss the detection of the material mass and to determine a flow rate of the material, similar techniques can be used to detect structural characteristics of a container or vessel containing the fluid. <FIG> is an illustration <NUM> of a method of detecting structural characteristics of a vessel of <FIG>, in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure not part of the claimed invention. <FIG> is an illustration <NUM> of comprehensive signal processing techniques used with the method of detecting structural characteristics of the vessel <NUM> of <FIG>, in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure not part of the claimed invention.

Non-linear ultra-wide band acoustic/ultrasound signal is excited using linear/forward/reverse/exponential chirp. Apart from measuring absolute time-of-flight, differential time-of-flight is also recorded. Since sound waves are dispersive in nature, dispersion characteristics are used to determine temperature effects and localized structural health monitoring which mainly includes detection of corrosion, delamination, and cracks. To achieve high accuracy and reliability, received signal (either from same transducer in pulse-echo mode or from the second transducer in pitch-catch mode) is processed in data acquisition and processing system. Comprehensive signal processing, using multiple signal processing tools, can be used. Some of the key extracted features are absolute time-of-flight, differential time-of-flight, phase, magnitude, and frequency.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, together, the method and system disclosed in <FIG> may be used with the structural features disclosed in <FIG> to detect structural characteristics of a vessel <NUM>. For example, the vessel <NUM>, or other structural container capable of holding the fluid, may be constructed from parts which are conducting and non-conducting. The processing techniques utilize non-linear ultra-wide band acoustic/ultrasound signal which is excited using linear/forward/reverse/exponential chirp. Apart from measuring absolute time-of-flight, differential time-of-flight is also recorded. Since sound waves are dispersive in nature, dispersion characteristics are used to determine temperature effects and localized structural health monitoring of the vessel <NUM> itself. This may include the detection of corrosion, delamination, and cracks, among other structural characteristics which are desired to be monitored or detected. To achieve high accuracy and reliability, the received signal (either from same transducer in pulse-echo mode or from the second transducer in pitch-catch mode) is processed in data acquisition and processing system. <FIG> provides further details on the possible signal processing techniques, including more comprehensive signal processing using multiple signal processing tools. Some of the key extracted features are absolute time-of-flight, differential time-of-flight, phase, magnitude, and frequency.

As a working example, the use of ultrasonic guided waves for damage detection in pipes has been studied. Generally longitudinal (axial symmetric) modes are excited and detected by PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) transducers in transmission mode for this purpose. In most studies the change in the received signal strength with the extent of damage has been investigated while in this study the change in the phase, the time-of-flight (TOF) and differential time-of-flight of the propagating wave modes with the damage size is investigated. The cross-correlation technique is used to record the small changes in the TOF as the damage size varies in steel pipes. Dispersion curves are calculated to carefully identify the propagating wave modes. Differential TOF is recorded and compared for different propagating wave modes. Feature extraction techniques are used for extracting phase and time-frequency information. The main advantage of this approach is that unlike the recorded signal strength the TOF and the phase are extracted which are not affected by the bonding condition between the transducer and the pipe. Therefore, if the pipe is not damaged but the transducer-pipe bonding is deteriorated then although the received signal strength is altered the TOF and phase remain same avoiding the false positive alarms of damage. The goal is not only to detect the damage but also to quantify it, or in other words to estimate the damage size. The transient signals for pristine and damaged pipes were processed using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Wigner-Ville Distribution Transform (WVDT), S-Transform (ST) and Hilbert Huang Transform (HHT). It is demonstrated that the time-of-flight is sensitive to the size of the damage on the pipe wall. The instantaneous phase extracted by HHT can also be used for detecting the damage. For estimating the damage size the phase shift associated with the L(<NUM>,<NUM>) mode should be monitored after separating the L(<NUM>,<NUM>) mode from the L(<NUM>,<NUM>) mode by considering appropriate intrinsic mode function contributions. FFT, S-Transform and WVD Transform did not show any significant and consistent shift in the frequency and amplitude of the propagating waves for <NUM> diameter damage. However, noticeable change in the magnitude of the propagating wave was observed for <NUM> and <NUM> hole type damage. During in-situ pipe inspection the received signal amplitude drop can be also a result of the deterioration of the bonding between the sensors and the pipe. Therefore, instead of the received signal strength monitoring, it is recommended that the changes in TOF and the signal phase shift should be measured for pipe wall damage detection and monitoring, since these parameters are not affected by the bonding condition between the transducers and the pipe. The results show that it is possible to detect and quantify hole type defects in a pipe by monitoring the TOF variation and phase shifts of the appropriate guided wave modes.

In another example, the change in TOF due to corrosion in reinforcing steel bars was measured. The transient signals for non-corroded and corroded samples are processed using FFT, STFT, CWT, and ST. The TOF information is obtained from the ST and the cross-correlation technique. It was demonstrated that the TOF of the L(<NUM>,<NUM>) mode shows high sensitivity to the corrosion level in steel bars. FFT, STFT, CWT, and ST show significant changes in the amplitude of the propagating waves. Due to dispersive nature of propagating waves, it is better to use ST instead of FFT, STFT, and CWT for signal analysis. At higher frequencies, ST gives reliable results in the time domain, but some information related to the frequency is lost. Reduction in the amplitude of the recorded signal can be caused by corrosion as well as the deterioration of the mechanical bonding between the sensors and the specimens but such deterioration of bonding does not affect TOF. Therefore, TOF measurement is more reliable for quantitative measurement of corrosion level. L(<NUM>,<NUM>) mode is found to be very reliable for corrosion detection and monitoring its progress. The corrosion induced TOF variation obtained from the ST and cross-correlation matched well with each other and also closely matched with the theoretical dispersion curves. Calculated dispersion curves helped to identify the propagating guided wave mode used to monitor the corrosion level in reinforcing steel bars.

In a related embodiment not part of the claimed invention, non-linear ultrasound testing (characterization/evaluation) can also be used for measuring the strength of material. Materials can be isotropic and anisotropic (metals and non-metals). For example, additive materials within the manufacturing industry, such as the 3D printing industry, can use a combination of virgin powder and used powder which is left over from earlier build. It is known that material properties such as Modulus of Elasticity and density change due to changes in temperature, pressure and other factors. Therefore, structural integrity independent of geometry is directly related to how many times recycled powder can be reused. Similarly, strength of composite materials and concrete (included but not limited to conventional concrete, geopolymer concrete etc.) is also directly related to composition. In case of concrete, aggregate size, curing time, quality of cement, etc. can affect the strength. Accordingly, the strength and reliability of concrete during different stages of curing is successfully detected using non-linear ultrasound testing technique.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for determining a mass of a quantity of fluid, the system comprising:
a vessel (<NUM>) having a determinable size, the vessel (<NUM>) containing the quantity of fluid (<NUM>, 14A);
a first acoustic sensor (<NUM>) and a second acoustic sensor (<NUM>),
wherein the second acoustic sensor (<NUM>) is located along a bottom wall (<NUM>) of the vessel (<NUM>),
wherein the second acoustic sensor (<NUM>) measures a fill level of the fluid (<NUM>, 14A) in the vessel (<NUM>);
a temperature sensor (<NUM>) measures a temperature of the fluid (<NUM>, 14A) within the vessel (<NUM>);
characterized in that:
the first acoustic sensor (<NUM>) is located along a wall (<NUM>) of the vessel (<NUM>),
wherein a fluid identity of the fluid (<NUM>, 14A) is determined by the first acoustic sensor (<NUM>); and
a computerized device (<NUM>) in communication with the first and second acoustic sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the temperature sensor (<NUM>),
wherein a processor of the computerized device (<NUM>) calculates a density of the fluid using the temperature and the fluid identity of the fluid and a mass of the quantity of fluid (<NUM>, 14A) using a determined size of the vessel (<NUM>), the determined fill level, and the fluid density.