APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING TWO PHASE FLUID FLOW

摘要

An apparatus (and corresponding method) for characterizing the fluid properties of a two phase fluid, e.g. steam and water, includes a restriction element (51), e.g. orifice plate or nozzle, along the flow path of the two phase fluid. At least one temperature sensor (55A, 55B) measures temperature of the two phase fluid flowing through the restriction element. A pressure sensor (57B) measures the pressure downstream of the restriction element. Time-of-f light measurements of pulses passing through the two phase fluid are made (59A, 59B). The speed of sound within the two phase fluid is calculated from the time-of-f light measurements. At least one fluid property (e.g., a vapor phase fraction) of the two phase fluid is calculated from the measured pressure, the measured temperature, and the calculated speed of sound.