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Title: The Effect Of Flow Conditions On Ultrasonic Meters In Low Velocity OIL/WATER Flows
Author: Gregor Brown, Terry Cousins, Don Augenstein, Mike Almeida
Source: 2007 South East Asia Flow Measurement Conference
Year Published: 2007
Abstract: Multipath ultrasonic flowmeters are now capable of achieving the accuracies required in custody transfer applications. However, it must be recognised that all technologies have limitations and that optimum performance can not be achieved in every application. Previous papers have shown that the performance of liquid ultrasonic meters can be adversely affected by the presence of water in oil 1 - 3. It has also been shown that the behaviour of the meters is a complex function of the meter design, the flow regime, and the oil/water distribution 2, 3. This paper describes the performance of a 4-path ultrasonic meter in oil/water flows at low velocities over a wide range of water-cut. These tests were performed as an acceptance test for the meter prior to deployment in the North Sea on an allocation duty, measuring oil from a first stage separator. The tests were performed on a 4-inch Caldon LEFM 240C ultrasonic flow meter in the multiphase flow laboratory at TUV NEL. The tests covered low flow velocities in the range of 0.15 to 2.5 m/s. Tests were performed at 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 50 and 75% water-cut. Prior to the tests Caldon estimated the measurement uncertainty based on experience from previous oil/water laboratory tests at Ohio University 3. The meter performance was evaluated by comparison with the TUV NEL reference meters, and ultrasonic meter diagnostics were logged at 5 second intervals during the tests. This paper presents the performance data from the tests and compares these results with the uncertainties estimated by Caldon prior to the tests. An earlier paper presented the results grouped by water-cut and plotted as a function of flowrate 4. This paper presents the same data grouped by velocity and plotted as a function of water-cut. Diagnostic data is also presented in order to show the interactions between the flow regime and the measurements on individual paths.

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