AN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE COMPOSITION OF A MULTI-PHASE MIXTURE FLOW

摘要

The invention related to an apparatus for measuring the composition of a multi-phase mixture flow comprising at least one liquid phase and at least one gaseous phase, particularly a flow of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons emanating from a well. The apparatus comprises a measurement tube (1) forming a conduit for a flow of multi-phase mixture as well as radiation means (2) for irradiating the multi-phase mixture in the measurement tube (1) with electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, the apparatus includes detection means (3) for detecting the radiation of the radiation means (2) which passes through the multi-phase mixture in the measurement tube (1) and analysis means (5) for deter-mining the composition of the multi-phase mixture based on the detected radiation and calibration data of the at least one liquid phase and the at least one gaseous phase. To perform automatic calibration, a calibration vessel (4) is arranged adjacent to the measurement tube (1) such that the radiation means (2) irradiates the calibration vessel (4) and the detection means (3) detects radiation of the radiation means (2) passing through the calibration vessel (4). The calibration vessel (4) is connectable to the measurement tube (1) such that the calibration vessel (4) is filled with the multi-phase mixture or respective phases of the multi-phase mixture from the measurement tube (1). Data acquisition means (6) are provided for acquiring calibration data from radiation detected by the detection means (3) which passes through the calibration vessel (4) when the calibration vessel (4) is filled with the multi-phase mixture or respective phases of the multi-phase mixture from the measurement tube (1).