Abstract: A system for determining densities and proportions of phases in a multi-phase fluid flow (MFF) that can include an oil phase, a water phase, and a gas phase from a well. The system includes a first density sensor that senses the MFF at locations where the phases of the MFF are often separated, a second density sensor senses the MFF from the output of a phase mixer-homogenizer, and a third density sensor that senses, in real time, the MFF where the gas phase starts to separate or has separated from the liquid phase but where the liquid phases have not separated. The system also includes one or more processors for executing one or more programs to determine a density of the oil phase, a density of the water phase, a density of the gas phase, and proportions of phases including a water cut and a gas volume fraction based on readings from the first, second, and third density sensors.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal coupler includes a pipe having a first ultrasonic waveguide and a second ultrasonic waveguide penetrating the pipe so that ultrasonic transducers attached to ends of the ultrasonic waveguides communicate ultrasonic signals through the ultrasonic waveguides directly through a fluid traveling through the pipe.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring characteristics of an acoustic signal traveling through a fluid in a pipe uses an ultrasonic transducer attached directly to the pipe. The transducer is disposed in a housing attached to an outside surface of a flange of the pipe. The transducer fires an acoustic signal and its characteristics are measured.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal coupling assembly including ultrasonic transducers attached to one or more ultrasonic couplers configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of a pipe. A height of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers is greater than a thickness of the pipe by a factor of about five or more, and a length of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers is greater than the height of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers.

Abstract: A system for determining densities and proportions of phases in a multi-phase fluid flow (MFF) that can include an oil phase, a water phase, and a gas phase from a well. The system includes a first density sensor that senses the MFF at locations where the phases of the MFF are often separated, a second density sensor senses the MFF from the output of a phase mixer-homogenizer, and a third density sensor that senses, in real time, the MFF where the gas phase starts to separate or has separated from the liquid phase but where the liquid phases have not separated. The system also includes one or more processors for executing one or more programs to determine a density of the oil phase, a density of the water phase, a density of the gas phase, and proportions of phases including a water cut and a gas volume fraction based on readings from the first, second, and third density sensors.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal coupler includes a pipe having a first ultrasonic waveguide and a second ultrasonic waveguide penetrating the pipe so that ultrasonic transducers attached to ends of the ultrasonic waveguides communicate ultrasonic signals through the ultrasonic waveguides directly through a fluid traveling through the pipe.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal coupling assembly including ultrasonic transducers attached to one or more ultrasonic couplers configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of a pipe. A height of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers is greater than a thickness of the pipe by a factor of about five or more, and a length of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers is greater than the height of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers.

Abstract: An ultrasonic coupler assembly for coupling an ultrasonic transducer to a pipe wall is disclosed, wherein the ultrasonic coupler is configured using three quadrilateral sections to reduce the temperature extreme to which the ultrasonic transducer is exposed and to improve the quality of the ultrasonic signal passing through the ultrasonic coupler.

Abstract: An ultrasonic coupler assembly for coupling an ultrasonic transducer to a pipe wall is disclosed, wherein the ultrasonic coupler is configured using three quadrilateral sections to reduce the temperature extreme to which the ultrasonic transducer is exposed and to improve the quality of the ultrasonic signal passing through the ultrasonic coupler.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multi-path ultrasonic flow meter for determining the flow rate of a fluid in a conduit is disclosed comprising at least two transducer pairs attached to the conduit at two chord locations, one greater than and one less than a mid-radius chord, wherein the composite ratio the two path velocities to the flow rate is substantially constant over the range of Reynolds numbers. In another embodiment, a method of determining the flow rate of a fluid in a conduit is disclosed comprising the steps of determining a composite velocity by determining a weighted average of a plurality of path velocities, determining a chord velocity ratio based on the path velocities, determining a profile correction factor based on the composite velocity and the chord velocity ratio, and determining the flow rate based on the composite velocity and the profile correction factor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multi-path ultrasonic flow meter for determining the flow rate of a fluid in a conduit is disclosed comprising at least two transducer pairs attached to the conduit at two chord locations, one greater than and one less than a mid-radius chord, wherein the composite ratio the two path velocities to the flow rate is substantially constant over the range of Reynolds numbers. In another embodiment, a method of determining the flow rate of a fluid in a conduit is disclosed comprising the steps of determining a composite velocity by determining a weighted average of a plurality of path velocities, determining a chord velocity ratio based on the path velocities, determining a profile correction factor based on the composite velocity and the chord velocity ratio, and determining the flow rate based on the composite velocity and the profile correction factor.