Phase volume fraction measurement of vertical oil–water-gas flow using integrated optical-electrical coaxial cross-modal probe sensor

Abstract

Measuring phase volume fraction is an essential part of petroleum exploration and development. According to the problems that the common sensors are unable to obtain the phase volume fraction of oil–water-gas flow, an integrated optical-electrical coaxial cross-modal probe sensor (IOECCMPS) is designed, and a phase volume fraction system based on IOECCMPS is developed for different oil–water-gas flow. Specifically, the electrical and optical mathematical models of the IOECCMPS were established, and theoretical analysis of electric field distribution and ray tracing results. We also analyzed the sensitivity distribution of the electrical measurement module (EMM). Based on the above results, the effects of structural parameters on its performance are discussed, including the electrode length, electrode thickness, the angle of the monitoring tip, and insulating tube structure. In addition, we also studied the response characteristics of the IOECCMPS in oil–water-gas flow. Furthermore, the IOECCMPS circuit was designed and experimented with on the oil–water-gas flow measurement platform. Experimental results show: the developed IOECCMPS can realize multi-phase measurement under oil–water-gas flow such as liquid flow rate range (0.42–2.92 m3/h), liquid water volume fraction range (50–90%), gas flow rate range (0.21–1.67 m3/h), etc., and the measurement error is within 5%. In the research work of this paper, the developed IOECCMPS can simultaneously accomplish the accurate measurement of phase volume fraction of oil–water-gas flow, which provides a reference for the development of oil production monitoring technology.