Coriolis Flow Meter Having Flow Tube with Equalized Pressure Differential

摘要

A Coriolis flow meter for a drilling system measures flow from a wellbore and/or from at least one pump into the wellbore. The meter can be disposed upstream of at least one choke used for controlling backpressure, and/or the meter can be disposed between at least one pump and the wellbore. The meter has at least one flow tube adapted to vibrate and conducts the flow at a first pressure level from an inlet side to an outlet side. A vessel encloses the at least one flow tube at least between the inlet and outlet sides and holds a second pressure level therein about the at least one flow tube. The second pressure level can be equal to or nearly equal to the first pressure level to reduce or nearly eliminate a pressure differential across the at least one flow tube. For example, the second pressure level can be elevated above environmental relative to the first pressure level to reduce a pressure differential across the at least one flow tube. Alternatively, the second pressure level can be less than the first pressure level.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a Coriolis flow meter for measuring flow of fluid and having an inlet side and an outlet side, the meter comprising at least one flow tube adapted to vibrate and conducting the flow of the fluid at a first pressure level from the inlet side to the outlet side; and a vessel enclosing the at least one flow tube in a chamber and holding a second pressure level in the chamber about the at least one flow tube, the second pressure level being regulated relative to the first pressure level and controlling a pressure differential across the at least one flow tube.