Non-circular flowmeter

摘要

Flowmeters are disclosed herein that include one or more flow path features for improving the measurement accuracy or other aspects of the flowmeter. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a measurement section having a non-circular transverse cross-section in which one or more sensors for measuring flow are disposed. The non-circular measurement section can reduce distortion of ultrasonic waves, facilitate chordal measurements with flush-mounted transducers, and reduce the propagation distance between paired transducers. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a conditioning section with diametrically opposed longitudinal rib protrusions. The protrusions can reduce swirling flow, direct liquid components of a multi-phase flow towards the sidewalls of the flow path, and guide ballistic particles through the center of the flow path away from sensitive measurement devices.

主权项

1. A flowmeter, comprising:
an elongate body having a first end and a second end; a flow path extending between the first and second ends along a longitudinal axis, the flow path comprising a flow conditioning section and a measurement section, the flow conditioning section having a protrusion extending radially inward from an interior sidewall of the elongate body and extending longitudinally for at least a portion of the flow conditioning section, the flow conditioning section being configured to reduce flow irregularities of a material flowing through the flow path; and an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the measurement section of the flow path and configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the material flowing through the flow path; wherein the measurement section has a non-circular transverse cross-section.