Ultrasonic Rate Measurements in Two-Phase Bubble Flow
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- One of the most important tools in well testing and production logging is the downhole flowmeter. Unfortunately, existing spinner and tracer tools have limited accuracy in low-rate single phase flow and multiphase flow situations. Two experimental studies investigated the use of ultrasonic methods to measure flow rates under these conditions. The experiments showed that the ultrasonic transmission method can be used for accurate measurements of low-rate single phase water flow. The ultrasonic reflection method provided reasonably accurate bubble velocities in two-phase bubble flow regime under laminar flow conditions. A new flow loop was constructed to generate two-phase bubble flow with both phases owing and measure the individual phase velocities using the two methods together.The one-inch square flowcell device investigated in the transmission study used the transmission properties of ultrasonic waves to measure the volumetric rate in single phase water flow. The flow cell was installed in a vertical flow loop. Water also passed through a section where the weight of water was recorded accurately against time, thus giving another rate measurement for cross-checking purposes. The device-measured flow rates were compared with actual rates obtained by the weight measurement. The device was accurate down to a flow rate of 1.0 gallon/min, which is the slowest flow rate achievable in this loop. Such a low flow rate would normally be diffcult to measure using a conventional spinner tool.Experiments using ultrasonic reflection examined how accurately an experimental flow tool measured bubble velocity in a two-phase bubble flow regime. Measurements were made in a graduated, transparent pipe with an inside diameter of 5.50 inches. The tool diameter is 3.25 inches. Gas and oil were bubbled through a stagnant column of water, and bubble velocities were measured. To cross-check the accuracy of tool measurements, bubble motion was also recorded using a video camera. The video frame had a clock, with a resolution of one hundredth of a second, providing time information. Tool-measured bubble velocities were compared with actual velocities determined by a frame-by-frame playback of video data. The tool readings were linearly related to the actual velocities in the range from 0.38 ft/sec to 1.30 ft/sec, although the velocities registered by the tool were consistently in error. This velocity information, in combination with the void fraction data, will provide the dispersed phase volumetric flow rate. The result is significant because, in contrast to the currently employed spinner and tracer tools, this technique can provide us with flow rates for individual phases in a two-phase bubble flow situations.Future research aims at generating a truly two-phase bubble flow with both the phases moving simultaneously, and then checking the accuracy of ultrasonic measurements. A new flow loop is being constructed for this purpose. The new flow loop will enable us to measure the individual phase flow velocities in two-phase bubble flow situations using the ultrasonic transmission and reflection methods.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Date created | August 1995 |
Creators/Contributors
| Author | Kumar, Manoj |
|---|---|
| Primary advisor | Horne, Roland N. |
| Degree granting institution | Stanford University, Department of Petroleum Engineering |
Subjects
| Subject | School of Earth Energy & Environmental Sciences |
|---|---|
| Genre | Thesis |
Bibliographic information
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Preferred citation
- Preferred Citation
- Kumar, Manoj. (1995). Ultrasonic Rate Measurements in Two-Phase Bubble Flow. Stanford Digital Repository. Available at: https://purl.stanford.edu/ns321rq9480
Collection
Master's Theses, Doerr School of Sustainability
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