초록 ▼

A system for characterizing the pressure, temperature, movement and flow patterns of a fluid under high pressure within a test cell. The test cell is lined internally with adjustable rock facings. Pressure is measured within the test cell using a device employing pressure-distortable optical fibers.

A system for characterizing the pressure, temperature, movement and flow patterns of a fluid under high pressure within a test cell. The test cell is lined internally with adjustable rock facings. Pressure is measured within the test cell using a device employing pressure-distortable optical fibers. Fluid velocity, flow direction, and filter-cake buildup are measured with laser Doppler velocimetry. The flow pattern of the fluid is viewed using corresponding arrays of transmitting and receiving optical fibers. Temperature of the fluid is estimated using a combination of thermal sensors. The pressure, velocity, viewing and temperature systems are integral to the rock facings of the test cell.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for viewing a fluid flow and estimating a temperature of the fluid disposed between two facings used for testing the fluid, the apparatus comprising: a first facing having a front surface and a rear surface; a second facing having a front surface and a rear surface, the second facing di

An apparatus for viewing a fluid flow and estimating a temperature of the fluid disposed between two facings used for testing the fluid, the apparatus comprising: a first facing having a front surface and a rear surface; a second facing having a front surface and a rear surface, the second facing disposable opposite and spaceable apart from the first facing wherein a gap is formed therebetween for containing the fluid; a light source for providing light; a plurality of transmitting fiber optic members, wherein a portion of each transmitting fiber optic member is supported within the first facing, each transmitting fiber optic member having a transmitting fiber input end disposed near the light source and a transmitting end, the transmitting end open to the front surface of the first facing; a plurality of receiving fiber optic members, wherein a portion of each receiving fiber optic member is supported within the second facing, each receiving fiber optic member having a receiving fiber output end and a receiving end, the receiving end open to the front surface of the second facing for receiving light transmitted from a corresponding and optically aligned transmitting end; light conversion means, connected to the receiving fiber output end, for converting light received by the receiving fiber optic members into electronic signals; signal receiving means, connected to the light conversion means, for receiving the electronic signals; signal processing means, connected to the signal receiving means, for processing the electronic signals; signal conversion means for converting the signals processed by the signal processing means into an image of the flow of the fluid; a first temperature sensor embedded in one of the facings in a first sensor position wherein the first temperature sensor is substantially flush with the front surface of the facing; a second temperature sensor embedded in the same facing as the first temperature sensor in a second sensor position which is aligned horizontally a first distance directly behind the first sensor position; a third temperature sensor embedded in the same facing as the first and second temperature sensors in a third sensor position which is aligned horizontally a second distance directly behind the second sensor position, said second distance being equal to said first distance, and wherein the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor are located in a substantially linear horizontal alignment within the facing and in a perpendicular direction with respect to an overall direction of the flow of fluid; signal detecting/converting means connected to each temperature sensor for detecting temperature signals from the temperature sensors and converting the temperature signals into data; and temperature outputting means for receiving the data and for outputting an estimated fluid temperature reading calculated from the data. A method for viewing a fluid flow and estimating a temperature of the fluid, the method comprising the steps of: providing a test cell the test cell having disposed therein: a first facing having a front surface and a rear surface and a plurality of transmitting fiber optic members, wherein at least a portion of each transmitting fiber optic member is supported within the first facing, each transmitting fiber optic member having a transmitting end open to the front surface of the first facing, a second facing having a front surface and a rear surface and a plurality of receiving fiber optic members, wherein at least a portion of each receiving fiber optic member is supported within the second facing, each receiving fiber optic member having a receiving end open to the front surface of the second facing for receiving light transmitted from a corresponding transmitting end, wherein the front surface of the first facing is positioned opposite and spaced apart from the front surface of the second facing forming a gap therebetween, and each transmitting end of the transmitting fiber optic member is optically aligned with the receiving end of one of the receiving fiber optic members, a first temperature sensor positioned in at least one of the facings in a first sensor position wherein the first temperature sensor is substantially flush with the front surface of the facing, a second temperature sensor positioned in the same facing as the first temperature sensor in a second sensor position which is aligned horizontally a first distance directly behind the first sensor position, and a third temperature sensor positioned in the same facing as the first and second temperature sensors in a third sensor position which is aligned horizontally a second distance directly behind the second sensor position, said second distance being equal to said first distance, and wherein the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor are located in a substantially linear horizontal alignment within the facing and in a perpendicular direction with respect to an overall direction of the flow of fluid; passing the fluid into the gap between the first facing and the second facing; passing light through the transmitting fiber optic members with the light being passed through and from the transmitting ends of the transmitting fiber optic members; receiving, via the receiving fiber optic members, light transmitted from the transmitting fiber optic members; converting light received by the receiving fiber optic members into electronic signals; receiving and processing the electronic signals; producing from the processed electronic signals an image of the flow of the fluid within the cell; detecting a temperature signal from each temperature sensor and converting the temperature signals into data; and receiving the data and calculating an estimated fluid temperature reading therefrom.