Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for a total and individual flow measurement of a multi-phase gas/liquid medium with wide range of gas to liquid ratio provides high accuracy and tolerance of hydraulic and mechanical disturbances. The flow meter sensing element includes a hollow pendulum having two oscillators symmetrically positioned about its first portion and second portion. Non-fading oscillations of the pendulum provided by these oscillators are maintained constant at resonant frequency by the control unit by adjusting the amount of energy supplied to both oscillators regardless of the disturbances caused by Coriolis forces from the flowing medium. The total flow is computed based on the difference in the electrical energy supplied to both oscillators. Detection of the 'zero drift' is based on the sum of electrical currents supplied to both oscillators. In one embodiment, the shape of the pendulum is straight. In another embodiments, a plurality of parallel pendulums are assembled together and in one plane to increase the flow capacity of the flow meter. In yet another embodiment, a pair of pendulums are forming a 'tuning fork'. The apparatus allows for accurate measurements of the total and individual flow rates of a multi-component medium such as gas-oil-water mixtures coming out of an oil well.

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First Claim