Method and apparatus for measuring multi-phase flow

摘要

This invention is related to the measurement of flow rates and component fractions of individual phases of a composite fluid. More particularly, the invention is directed toward apparatus and methods for determining the volumetric flow rate or mass flow of one or more phases of a fluid by measuring the activity of one or more specific radioactive isotopes affected by a specific phase of the flowing fluid stream. Phase isotopes are deposited upon one or more inserts, and the inserts are positioned within the multiphase fluid flow. Each phase isotope is soluble in only one phase of the multi-phase flow. The rate at which each phase isotope is washed from an insert by each specific fluid phase is then measured by detecting the rate of decrease of preferably photon activity from an insert. Phase flow parameters, including volumetric flow rate and mass flow rate, are then determined for each fluid phase from the measured rate at witch the corresponding phase isotope is washed from an insert.