초록 ▼

A 3-phase flow meter comprises a pipeline containing pressure and temperature meters and a meter for measuring the density of the combined flow. A proportion of the flow is diverted through a separator which separates out the gas component from the liquid components. A density meter is provided to m

A 3-phase flow meter comprises a pipeline containing pressure and temperature meters and a meter for measuring the density of the combined flow. A proportion of the flow is diverted through a separator which separates out the gas component from the liquid components. A density meter is provided to measure the density of the combined liquid components. The outputs of the various meters are fed to a processing circuit which outputs the volumes and masses of the three phases.

대표청구항 ▼

A flow meter, suitable for location in a sub-sea environment, for continuously measuring the flow of each of up to three distinct fluid components, at least one being liquid and at least one other being gaseous, of a mixture flowing through a pipeline, and comprising: first sensing means operatively

A flow meter, suitable for location in a sub-sea environment, for continuously measuring the flow of each of up to three distinct fluid components, at least one being liquid and at least one other being gaseous, of a mixture flowing through a pipeline, and comprising: first sensing means operatively associated with said pipeline and producing continuous first signals representing the values, existing in the mixture, of parameters on which the total volume flow rate of the mixture is dependent, second sensing means operatively associated with said pipeline and producing a continuous second signal representing the density of the mixture in said pipeline, a pipe connected into said pipeline in order continuously to withdraw a fraction of said fluid mixture from the pipeline at the pipeline pressure, a continuous separator having an inlet connected to said pipe to receive said fraction of said fluid mixture at the pipeline pressure and first and second outlets, the separator being operative to separate any gaseous component from the non-gaseous component(s) of said mixture, any said gaseous component being supplied to said first outlet and said non-gaseous component(s) to said second outlet, third sensing means operatively associated with said separator adjacent said second outlet to produce a continuous third signal representing the combined density of the non-gaseous component(s) of the mixture, processing means operatively connected to said first, second and third sensing means for continuously receiving therefrom said first, second and third signals and operative to process them, together with known data on the density of each component, to produce outputs respectively representing the flow rate of each fluid component passed through said pipeline, and further pipe means connecting said two outlets of said separator into said pipeline whereby to feed back into said pipeline, at the pipeline pressure, any said gaseous component and said non-gaseous component(s).