Patent ID: 8229686

Claim:
A method for determining a flow rate for a component of a gravitationally stratified two-phase fluid flow within a substantially horizontally extending pipe section, comprising the steps of: providing a first flow meter located at a gravitational top portion of the pipe section; providing a second flow meter located at a gravitational bottom portion of the pipe section; determining a gas component velocity value by sensing fluid flow traveling in the gravitational top portion of the pipe section using the first flow meter, and determining a liquid component velocity value by sensing fluid traveling in the gravitational bottom portion of the pipe section using the second flow meter, wherein the gravitational top and gravitational bottom portions of the pipe are substantially axially aligned with one another; determining a density of the two-phase fluid flow within the pipe section using a density meter, and creating a measured fluid density value representative of the two-phase fluid flow; and determining a flow rate value for at least one of the liquid component of the fluid flow and the gas component of the fluid flow within the pipe section, using the measured fluid density and the respective determined liquid component velocity and gas component velocity.