Multiphase Flow Measurement Techniques—A Review

Abstract

This paper is a review of current techniques available for measuring the velocity and composition in multiphase streams, to obtain the mass flow rate of the individual phases. An extensive literature search was conducted on the topic and related areas of interest. The major difficulty in measuring both the velocity and composition of multiphase streams is in dealing with the wide variety of flow regimes which are possible in multiphase flow in pipes. A device which is suitable for accurate velocity measurement in multiphase flows is not commercially available. However, if the flow is well mixed, it should be possible to calibrate a simple device, such as a nozzle or a venturi, to provide accurate total volumetric flow rates. Several commercial in-line static mixing devices are suitable for low gas concentrations (≤ 10 percent) and with superficial gas velocities higher than 10 m/s. For lower gas velocities and high gas concentrations, the suitability of these in-line mixers will have to be further assessed experimentally. Other techniques such as cross-correlation are known for two-phase flow velocity measurements, and the results of these applications look promising. A multiphase compositional meter to monitor the concentration of oil, water, and gas phases flowing in a pipeline, used in combination with a suitable homogenizer and a velocity meter, would facilitate measurement of the mass flow rates of the individual phases. Further work must be done to develop this concept.