Abstract: A high void fraction multi-phase fluid flow meter and method, wherein a first fluid flow path including a multi-phase flow measuring device disposed in series with a liquid flow restrictor is provided in parallel with a second fluid flow path including a gas flow measuring device. The presence of liquid flow in the flow meter is detected. When liquid flow is detected, a valve in the second fluid flow path operates to cut off fluid flow through the second fluid flow path. Otherwise the valve in the second fluid flow path operates to divert gas flow through the second fluid flow path. Alternatively, a negative pressure differential is produced across the second fluid flow path when liquid flow is present, by passing the incoming liquid flow through a jet pump nozzle, to prevent liquid flow into the second fluid flow path. A check valve is then disposed in the second fluid flow path to prevent backflow from the output of the multi-flow measuring device into the second fluid flow path.

Abstract: A high void fraction multi-phase fluid flow meter and method, wherein a first fluid flow path including a multi-phase flow measuring device disposed in series with a liquid flow restrictor is provided in parallel with a second fluid flow path including a gas flow measuring device. The presence of liquid flow in the flow meter is detected. When liquid flow is detected, a valve in the second fluid flow path operates to cut off fluid flow through the second fluid flow path. Otherwise the valve in the second fluid flow path operates to divert gas flow through the second fluid flow path. Alternatively, a negative pressure differential is produced across the second fluid flow path when liquid flow is present, by passing the incoming liquid flow through a jet pump nozzle, to prevent liquid flow into the second fluid flow path. A check valve is then disposed in the second fluid flow path to prevent backflow from the output of the multi-flow measuring device into the second fluid flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the flow rates of each component of two-phase flow consisting of a gas and a liquid or three-phase flow consisting of water, oil and gas, including a first volumetric flow-meter stage, and second and third momentum flow meter stages Coupled in a series flow path with the volumetric flow meter stage and in which a velocity ratio between the gas and the liquid in the series flow path is maintained to be one. A processor calculates flow rates of the components of flow by solving volumetric flow and momentum or energy equations defining flow through the first through third stages utilizing a volumetric flow output from the first stage and momentum flux outputs from said second and third stages, and an indicator displays flow of liquid and gas or oil, water and gas components of the flow. To measure three-phase flow, a water-cut meter is provided to determine the amount of water flow, which is then used by the processor to determine the flow of the rest of the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring the percentages of oil and water present in an oil/water mixture. By measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture, the percentages of oil and water present in the oil/water mixture can be determined regardless of whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase and regardless of what the relative proportions of water and oil are. Measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture yields a current output which can be plotted on one of two distinct, empirically or theoretically derived data curves. One of the data curves represents oil being in the continuous phase and the other data curve represents water being in the continuous phase. A comparator is used to determine whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase to thereby select the proper data curve on which the energy absorption is plotted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the flow rates of each component of two-phase flow consisting of a gas and a liquid or three-phase flow consisting of water, oil and gas, including a first volumetric flow meter stage, and second and third momentum flow meter stages coupled in a series flow path with the volumetric flow meter stage and in which a velocity ratio between the gas and the liquid in the series flow path is maintained to be one. A processor calculates flow rates of the components of flow by solving volumetric flow and momentum or energy equations defining flow through the first through third stages utilizing a volumetric flow output from the first stage and momentum flux outputs from said second and third stages, and an indicator displays flow of liquid and gas or oil, water and gas components of the flow. To measure three-phase flow, a water-cut meter is provided to determine the amount of water flow, which is then used by the processor to determine the flow of the rest of the liquid.

Abstract: For measuring an interface between two fluids, a device (10, 75, 90) having n electrical circuit comprising transmitting means, a detector, a first antenna (14, 18, 78, 82, 92) and a second electrically grounded antenna (15, 18, 79, 83, 93), the transmitting means being arranged to transmit electrical impulses between the first and second antennas through one of the two fluids so as to be absorbed thereby, and the detector being arranged to detect a change in either an impedance or a rate of absorption of energy which occurs at the interface. The device includes a housing (11, 91) for placing in the fluids so as to contact the interface along a periphery of the housing towards a first end thereof, the first antenna (14, 18, 78, 82, 92) projects from the housing at said periphery, and the electrical circuit includes a coupling means (28) for coupling thereto a remote monitoring means whereby the interface may be measured remotely.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring the percentages of oil and water present in an oil/water mixture. By measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture, the percentages of oil and water present in the oil/water mixture can be determined regardless of whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase and regardless of what the relative proportions of water and oil are. Measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture yields a current output which can be plotted on one of two distinct, empirically or theoretically derived data curves. One of the data curves represents oil being in the continuous phase and the other data curve represents water being in the continuous phase. A comparator is used to determine whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase to thereby select the proper data curve on which the energy absorption is plotted.

Abstract: A device for measuring the concentration of two substances through the transmission of electromagnetic waves. The device utilizes at least one transmission element for transmitting a signal and at least two receiving elements for receiving a signal from the at least one transmission element and providing first and second output signals. The present invention also utilizes a receiving device for receiving the first and second output signals from the at least two receiving elements such that the difference or ratio of the two signals is utilized to determine the concentration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring the percentages of oil and water present in an oil/water mixture. By measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture, the percentages of oil and water present in the oil/water mixture can be determined regardless of whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase and regardless of what the relative proportions of water and oil are. Measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture yields a current output which can be plotted on one of two distinct, empirically or theoretically derived data curves. One of the data curves represents oil being in the continuous phase and the other data curve represents water being in the continuous phase. A comparator is used to determine whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase to thereby select the proper data curve on which the energy adsorption is plotted.

Abstract: A device for measuring multi-phase fluid flow includes first and second flow meters connected in series for measuring a first and second fluid flow and providing first and second signals indicative of the first and second fluid flow. The device further includes a flow restrictor located between the first and second flow meters and first and second pressure measurement means operatively connected to each of the flow meters. The device enables the measurement of multi-phase flow without the need for physically separating the different fluid flows.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring the percentages of oil and water present in an oil/water mixture. By measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture, the percentages of oil and water present in the oil/water mixture can be determined regardless of whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase and regardless of what the relative proportions of water and oil are. Measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture yields a current output which can be plotted on one of two distinct, empirically or theoretically derived, data curves. One of the data curves represents oil being in the continuous phase and the other data curve represents water being in the continuous phase. A comparator is used to determine whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase to thereby select the proper data curve on which the energy absorption is plotted. Each of the curves has the energy absorption properties of the media plotted against the percentage of water.

Abstract: A device for detecting an interface between two fluids of differing electrical properties, said device having an electrical circuit comprising transmitting means for transmitting electrical impulses to said fluids, a detector of electrical impulses, and at least one probe which is adapted to extend into said fluids; said probe comprising an electrically conductive probe member and a grounded electrically conductive shield, the probe member being mounted within the shield and being spaced from the latter by an air core, the probe member adjacent its distal end portion, being sealed to the shield by a dielectric seal which prevents the ingress of said fluid into the space between the shield and the probe member.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in the measurement of a variable comprises a housing; a first transducer which is mounted within the housing and which is arranged to produce an electrical transducer output signal which depends both on the value of the variable and on the value of at least one calibration constant of the transducer; an encoder which is mounted within said housing and which is programmed with information relating to the value of said at least one calibration constant, said encoder being arranged to produce an electrical encoder output signal representative of the value of the said at least one calibration constant, and connector means carried by said housing and electrically connected to the first transducer and to the encoder to receive signals functionally related to the transducer and encoder output signals, the connector means being connectible to a second transducer for the transmission of the said functionally related signals thereto.

Abstract: A method of separating the components of a non-Newtonian fluid. Movement of the fluid is effected, the non-linearity of the shear stress/shear rate property of at least one component of the fluid is utilized to separate the fluid components, and at least one of the separated components is passed to a point of use through a passage which does not vary as a result of the movement of the fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the value of a fluid variable comprises a vibrator tube through which the fluid may be passed and which is mounted for clamped-clamped flexural vibration in a holding structure whose stiffness is at least 40% greater than that of the vibratory tube. A driving coil is carried by the holding structure and is arranged in operation to produce the clamped-clamped flexural vibration of the vibratory tube. A pick-up coil is arranged in operation to respond to vibration of the vibratory tube. A support supports the holding structure and the vibratory tube by way of an isolator which substantially prevent transmission of vibration between the support on the one hand and the holding structure and vibratory tube on the other hand.

Abstract: Surging of a centrifugal compressor is avoided by ensuring that in operation ##EQU1## WHERE K and k are parameters whose values depend on the characteristics of the compressor, g is the acceleration due to gravity, h.sub.p is the polytropic head produced by the compressor, Vc is the velocity of sound in said inlet gas, and Mn (the Mach Number) is the ratio of the flow velocity V of the gas at the inlet to the compressor to the velocity of sound Vc therein. This is normally effected by arranging that ##EQU2## where .DELTA..sub.p is the differential pressure across a throttling member disposed in an inlet duct of the compressor, P.sub.1 is the compressor inlet pressure, and P.sub.2 is the compressor outlet pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining fluid flow, said apparatus comprising flow obstruction means and two heat-emitting members which are mounted in a geometrically symmetrical arrangement in a conduit, the heat-emitting members being subject to the same heat losses when there is no fluid flow through the conduit, the flow obstruction means causing the two heat-emitting members to be differentially affected by the fluid flow through the conduit, and means responsive to the ratio of the heat losses from the two heat-emitting members for determining the said fluid flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the density of a fluid including a coil assembly comprising a housing of magnetic material having first and second circular end walls and a cylindrical permanent magnet disposed between and interconnecting said first and second end walls, said second end wall having means defining a centrally disposed circular aperture therein; a pole piece which extends from the first end wall and into the said aperture; and a coil which is mounted in the housing with the said pole piece extending axially therethrough, magnetic flux passing outwardly of the housing only through said aperture and being focussed by the latter.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the density of a dirty fluid, said apparatus comprising a hollow body adapted to have said dirty fluid passing through its interior; a rigid support member within which the hollow body is mounted and to which it is connected to provide a space therebetween adapted to contain a clean fluid; drive means for exciting said hollow body to vibrate at a resonant frequency; detecting means for detecting a density signal representative of the frequency of such vibrations, the frequency of said density signal in operation being dependent upon the density of said dirty fluid; and pressure transmitting means for transmitting the pressure of dirty fluid passing through the interior of the hollow body to the clean fluid in said space, so that the exterior of the hollow body is always subjected to substantially the same pressure as the interior thereof.