	US 12,455,181 B2
	Measurement of bulk flow velocity and mixture sound speed using an array of dynamic pressure sensors
Vijay Ramakrishnan, Houston, TX (US); Alejandro Vera, Houston, TX (US); Muhammad Arsalan, Dhahran (SA); and Sakethraman Mahalingam, Aberdeen (GB)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Apr. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/306,013.
Prior Publication US 2024/0353248 A1, Oct. 24, 2024
Int. Cl. G01F 1/74 (2006.01); G01F 1/7082 (2022.01); G01N 29/024 (2006.01)

CPC G01F 1/74 (2013.01) [G01F 1/7082 (2013.01); G01N 29/024 (2013.01); G01N 2291/02836 (2013.01)]

17 Claims

1. A method, comprising the steps:

obtaining a plurality of pressure signals from a plurality of pressure sensors that are helically disposed about a pipe that conveys a multi-phase fluid, the plurality of pressure sensors having both a non-zero angular and a non-zero axial spacing, wherein each pressure sensor in the plurality of pressure sensors comprises a diaphragm for sensing pressure, wherein the diaphragm of each pressure sensor is aligned with an inner wall of the pipe such that each pressure sensor is flush-mounted on the inner wall of the pipe;

classifying, using the plurality of pressure signals, a first pressure event as a flow eddie and classifying, using the plurality of pressure signals, a second pressure event as a sound wave, wherein a time scale of the sound wave is shorter than a time scale of the flow eddie;

determining, using the plurality of pressure signals, a first time-of-flight corresponding to the first pressure event;

determining, using the plurality of pressure signals, a second time-of-flight corresponding to the second pressure event;

determining, using the first time-of-flight, a bulk velocity of the multi-phase fluid;

determining, using the second time-of-flight, a velocity of the sound wave;

determining, a direction of the second pressure event relative to the first pressure event;

determining, using the bulk velocity and the second time-of-flight, a mixture speed of sound of the multi-phase fluid by biasing the velocity of the sound wave with the bulk velocity based on the direction;

obtaining, with a temperature sensor disposed on the pipe, a temperature of the multi-phase fluid;

obtaining, with a salinity sensor disposed on the pipe, a salinity of the multi-phase fluid;

obtaining, with a water-liquid ratio sensor disposed on the pipe, a water-liquid ratio of the multi-phase fluid;

determining, using a pressure and the temperature of the multi-phase fluid, the mixture speed of sound, and the water-liquid ratio, an apparent mixture density of the multiphase fluid;

determining, using the salinity, the pressure, and the temperature, phase densities for oil, water, and gas in the multi-phase fluid; and

determining the flow rate of oil, water, and gas in the multi-phase fluid based on the apparent mixture density, the phase densities for oil, water, and gas, and the bulk velocity.