Abstract: Apparatus for measuring multiphase fluid flows comprising first and second sections each comprising a flow passage having means for making a dynamic pressure measurement on the multiphase fluid flow therethrough, the geometry of the first and second sections differing so as to affect a relationship between void fraction and velocity for the phases in a known manner. The difference in geometry between the two sections can be in the area of the flow passages or in the direction of flow relation to gravity. A method of measuring multiphase flows comprising the steps of:a) directing the flow through a first flow passage including means for making a dynamic pressure measurement;b) measuring a pressure drop across said means;c) directing the flow through a second flow passage including means for making a dynamic pressure measurement;d) measuring a pressure drop across said means; ande) calculating the composition and flow rates of the phases from the measured pressure drops.

Abstract: A meter for measuring a material property of a fluid comprises a pair of parallel passage (6, 8) arranged in a line (2). The passages (6, 8) are alternately isolated by valves (12) thereby trapping a portion of the fluid. Measurements made at a measuring station (10) either during closure of the valves (12) and/or during gravitational separation of the multi-phase fluid enable a calibration of the meter to be made.

Abstract: A gas flow correction sensor for producing an output signal proportional to the ratio between line pressure and line temperature for gas flowing in a line, for use in correcting the output of a volumetric flow meter connected in the line, comprises a sealed chamber containing a fixed mass of a reference gas. The sealed chamber includes a bellows portion subjected to line pressure, thus maintaining the reference gas at line pressure. Additionally, the sealed chamber is thermally insulated and includes at least a portion disposed in a thermowell immersed in the line, so as to maintain the reference gas at line temperature. A vibrating quartz density sensor is also mounted in the thermowell, so as to produce an output signal whose frequency is proportional to the density of the reference gas, which can be shown also to be proportional to the desired line pressure to line temperature ratio.

Abstract: A coriolis-type mass flow transducer comprises a straight tube 10 through which a fluid whose mass flow rate is to be measured is arranged to flow while the tube is set into transverse resonant vibration in its second overtone mode. Mass flow is determined by measuring the phase difference between the vibration at two points along the tube 10. Such a transducer exhibits an offset at zero flow, which can vary with time. These variations are minimized by minimizing the damping effects on the tube 10 of bellows 6, 7 used to connect tube 10 in a flow line, and then corrected by measuring the amplitude ratio of the vibrations at the two points, and correcting the initially-determined offset in dependence upon changes in this amplitude ratio.

Abstract: A single vibrating tube transducer comprises a tube (4) held between two nodal masses (6) which are attached to the tube (2) close to their respective centers of gravity (16). Each nodel mass (6) has an extended portion (14) which is attached at its free end to the opposing nodal mass by an arrangement of metal ligaments (18). Vibrating means (19) and sensing means (20) drive and detect the tube motion respectively. The tube has discontinuities (28) adjacent to the vibrating means (19) and the sensing means (20), to ensure the desired mode of resonance is achieved. Acoustic baffles (30) prevent inaccuracies due to internal acoustic resonance in the transducer.

Abstract: A transducer for measuring a parameter of a fluid, such as density or viscosity, comprises two generally parallel tines extending from a common yoke, forming a tuning fork adapted to be immersed in the fluid. The tines are excited to vibrate resonantly and in anti-phase by one or more piezo-electric exciting elements, which are housed in one or more cavities within the tines or the yoke. The vibrations are sensed by one or more similarly-housed piezo-electric sensing elements. The tines are shaped to enhance their sensitivity to the parameter to be measured: for example they are provided with re-entrant surfaces to enhance density sensitivity, or elongated in the direction in which they vibrate to enhance viscosity sensitivity.