Passive Wireless Pressure Gradient Measurement System for Fluid Flow Analysis

Using distributed MEMS pressure sensors to measure small flow rates in high resistance fluidic channels is fraught with challenges far beyond the performance of the pressure sensing element. In a typical core-flood experiment, which may last several months, flow-induced pressure gradients are generated in porous rock core samples wrapped in a polymer sheath. Measuring these pressure gradients along the flow path requires high resolution pressure measurement while contending with difficult test conditions such as large bias pressures (up to 20 bar) and temperatures (up to 125 °C), as well as the presence of corrosive fluids. This work is directed at a system for using passive wireless inductive-capacitive (LC) pressure sensors that are distributed along the flow path to measure the pressure gradient. The sensors are wirelessly interrogated with readout electronics placed exterior to the polymer sheath for continuous monitoring of experiments. Using microfabricated pressure sensors that are smaller than ø15 × 3.0 mm³, an LC sensor design model for minimizing pressure resolution, accounting for sensor packaging and environmental artifacts is investigated and experimentally validated. A test setup, built to provide fluid-flow pressure differentials to LC sensors with conditions that mimic placement of the sensors within the wall of the sheath, is used to test the system. Experimental results show the microsystem operating over full-scale pressure range of 20,700 mbar and temperatures up to 125 °C, while achieving pressure resolution of <1 mbar, and resolving gradients of 10-30 mL/min, which are typical in core-flood experiments.