Abstract
Flow measurement in gas-liquid two-phase flow is always a challenging work, because of the non-uniform phase distribution, severe slippage effect between phases, and different flow structures. Furthermore, the variation of salinity changes the water conductivity, which brings more difficulties to multiphase flow measurement. In this study, a methodology for flow measurement using the conductance method in gas-liquid two-phase flow with salinity change is proposed. The methodology includes the suitable conductivity detection method, the strategy of using combined sensors, and the measurement models of flow parameters. A suitable conductivity detection method that can guarantee that the sensor output is linearly proportional to the conductivity is proposed. This conductivity detection method can ensure that the sensors have a high and constant resolution in the conductivity variation caused by water holdup under the conditions of water conductivity change. Afterward, a combined sensor system consisting of a water holdup sensor, velocity sensor, and water conductivity sensor is designed and experimentally evaluated in gas-water two-phase flow in a 20 mm inner diameter pipe. Considering the non-uniform phase distribution, severe slippage effect between phases, different flow structures, and the variation of salinity, a new water holdup measurement model and flow velocity measurement models are established to achieve salinity independent water holdup measurement and flow velocity measurement for the first time.
Highlights
Gas-liquid two-phase flow is common in the gas producing well of oil fields
The suitable conductivity detection method should possess a high and constant resolution in the conductivity variation caused by water holdup under the conditions of water conductivity change
The new model greatly improves the accuracy of water holdup measurement in slug flow and churn flow, and satisfactory results are achieved
Summary
Gas-liquid two-phase flow is common in the gas producing well of oil fields. Accurate knowledge about the water holdup and flow velocity is greatly significant for the optimization of oil gas field exploitation. Due to the non-uniform phase distribution, severe slippage effect between phases, and different flow structures in gas-liquid flows, the flow parameters measurement is very challenging. The salinity of the produced water usually varies in the well because of the different salinity of the formation water in different areas and the salinity change during the oil well production. Variable salinity changes the water conductivity, which brings more difficulty to multiphase flow measurement. Several studies have focused on the measurement of water holdup with varying salinity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
