Saudi Arabian Oil Company

Alejandro M Vera

Muhammad Arsalan

Sakethraman Mahalingam

Vijay Ramakrishnan

Systems and methods include a method for determining wave propagation speed. Spatio-temporally-sampled data for electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation through a fluid in a conduit is acquired for different instants of time from each antenna of an array of antennas distributed at predetermined locations. A k-ω plot plotting curves having a kinematic relationship ω=ck is generated based on the spatio-temporally-sampled data and using a spectral-based algorithm, where ω is an angular frequency of a spectral component of EM disturbances, k is a wavenumber, and c is an unknown speed of the EM wave propagation. A spectral ridge on the curves is identified using the k-ω plot. Parameters for calculating a slope of the spectral ridge are determined. The slope of the spectral ridge is determined. The speed of EM wave propagation is determined assuming a relation between the speed of EM wave propagation and the slope of the spectral ridge.

Measuring the speed of electromagnetic wave propagation in a fluid within a conduit

A method for determining a bulk velocity and a mixture speed of sound of a multi-phase fluid flowing in a pipe of a pipeline. The method includes the steps: obtaining a plurality of pressure signals from a plurality of pressure sensors, where each pressure sensor in the plurality of pressure sensors includes a diaphragm for sensing pressure, where the diaphragm of each pressure sensor is aligned with an inner wall of the pipe such that each pressure sensor is flush-mounted on the inner wall of the pipe; determining, using the plurality of pressure signals, a first time-of-flight of one or more flow eddies; determining, using the plurality of pressure signals, a second time-of-flight of one or more sound waves; determining, using the first time-of-flight, the bulk velocity of the multi-phase fluid; and determining, using the bulk velocity and the second time-of-flight, the mixture speed of sound of the multi-phase fluid.

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Katy, TX, United States of America

Alejandro M Vera