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Void Fraction Measurement of Oil-Gas-Water Three-Phase Flow Using Mutually Perpendicular Ultrasonic Sensor
Weikai Ren1, An Zhao1, Ningde Jin1
1School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 19, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a mutually perpendicular ultrasonic sensor (MPUS) for accurately measuring void fraction in challenging oil-gas-water three-phase flows. The MPUS system demonstrated high accuracy, outperforming traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Multiphase flow dynamics
- Non-intrusive measurement techniques
- Ultrasonic sensing technology
Background:
- Measuring void fraction in oil-gas-water three-phase flow is complex due to intricate flow structures and interfacial effects.
- Existing methods often struggle with accuracy in these demanding conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel measurement technique for void fraction in oil-gas-water three-phase flow.
- To assess the performance of a mutually perpendicular ultrasonic sensor (MPUS) for this application.
Main Methods:
- Optimization of MPUS emission frequency and geometry using finite element method (FEM) analysis.
- Experimental validation in a 20 mm diameter vertical upward pipe simulating oil-gas-water flow.
- Development of void fraction prediction models for bubble, slug, and churn flow regimes.
Main Results:
- MPUS demonstrated favorable accuracy in void fraction measurement for oil-gas-water three-phase flow.
- An absolute average percentage error of 8.983% was achieved, surpassing the quick closing valves method.
- The sensor effectively captured responses across different flow patterns.
Conclusions:
- The mutually perpendicular ultrasonic sensor (MPUS) is a reliable and accurate tool for void fraction measurement in oil-gas-water three-phase flow.
- MPUS offers a significant improvement over conventional methods, providing satisfactory measurement capabilities.
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