Wet Gas Metering by Isokinetic

Sampling
MFIP13 Sestri Levante, Sept. 17-19, 2014
Wet Gas Metering by Isokinetic Sampling
N. Bonavita, G. Ciarlo, ABB
P. Andreussi
Universit di Pisa
P. Ciandri
TEA Sistemi, PISA
Paper presentedby
Presentedat:
13th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
MULTIPHASE FLOW IN INDUSTRIAL PLANT
Sestri Levante (Genova), Italy
September 17-18-19, 2014
MULTIPHASE FLOW METERING
Starting from 1992 TEASistemi developed MPFMs based
on the use of a gsource coupled with an electrical
impedance meter and a Venturi meter. First commercial
MPFM built by TEASistemi was installed in Prezioso
platform (Sicily) in J anuary 1996.
In 1998 TEASistemi launched an internal R&D project
aimed at the development of a Multiphase Flow Meter
based on Isokinetic Sampling: The VEGA meter, initially
designed for wet gas applications.
The field tests of this meter were carried out at Trecate
field in 2000-2001. The first commercial intallationof VEGA
regarded the Allegheny platform, Gulf of Mexico in 2002
(Worlds First Installation of a MWGM).
MULTIPHASE FLOW METERING
The conventional instrumentation installed in the VEGA
meter was designed and produced by ABB. This led ABB
and TEA Sistemi to sign a cooperation agreement which is
formally effective from Sept 12, 2014.
According to this agreement, TEA Sistemi will continue the
production of a new generation Wet Gas meter, the VIS
meter, and ABB will contribute to its development and sell
this meter in the international market.
The technical cooperation between TEA Sistemi and ABB
is bringing new life into the project and also regards other
applications.
The objective of this presentation is to describe the main
features of VEGA and the motivation which led to the
development of VIS.
VEGA meter
The measuring principle of VEGA is the Isokinetic
Sampling of the gas- liquid mixture. Its present application
regards high gas volume fractions (GVFs 85-100%).
The measurements performed by the meter are
Differential pressure drop through an orifice;
Gas and liquid flowrates of a sample (after phase
separation)
The accuracy of the meter can be as good as +/- 2.5% of
the actual liquid and gas flow rates.
Isokinetic Sampling
Sampling is performed in a section of the pipe where the
two phases (gas and liquid) are well mixed (velocity profiles
are uniform)
The liquid volume fraction in the sample is the same as in
the main stream
Isokinetic sampling requires that the ratio between the
sampling flowrate and the overall flowrate be the same as
the ratio between the sampling probe cross section and the
pipe cross section (at the sampling location)
DP>0
DP<0
Isokinetic Sampling
Q
1
= Q
0
Q
s
=0
Q
0
DP
P
0
=Q
0
2
P
1
=Q
1
2
=(0.9)
2
Q
0
2
1
2
P
1
P
0
=0.8
1
Q
1
= 0.9 Q
0
Q
s
= 0.1 Q
0
Q
0
DP
Isokinetic Sampling
King Kong VEGA (GOM), 2002
Operative Conditions and Geometry
Pressure 1000-2000 psig
Temperature 40-50 F
Gas Flow 25-100 MMscfd
Liquid Flow
Water 25-100 bbl/d
Methanol 25-100 bbl/d
Condensate 125-800 bbl/d
Gas Superficial Velocity (actual) 7-60 ft/s
Nominal Diameter 8 in
Dimensions (main vessel)
height 7 ft
diameter 18 in
02/10/2014 9
Allegheny Installation
Oct. 16th 2002
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120
5.09.36 AM 5.12.29 AM 5.15.22 AM 5.18.14 AM 5.21.07 AM 5.24.00 AM 5.26.53 AM
M
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Level (mbar)
Condensate (mbar)
Acqueous Phase (mbar)
Total Liquid
829 sec., 55.320 lit.
2.373 m3/h - 358 bbld
Difference: + 2.3%
5.11.31 am
5.25.29 am
5.18.51 am
Acqueous Phase
340 sec., 1.57 lit.
0.174 m3/h - 26.3 bbld
Difference: - 2.6%
Day Average, Sep. KKY #1 - water 27 bbld, oil 323 bbld
Condensate
Density
Condensate
Density
Acqueous Phase
Density
Mix.
Density
Allegheny Installation

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0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
Allocated Condensate Production
V
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0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Allocated Acqueous Phase Production
V
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Total Liquid
Condensate
Acqueous Phase
Condensate Mean Difference: 1.9%
Acqueous Phase Mean Difference: 3.5%
Total Liquid Mean Difference: 1.8%
King Kong VEGA
Measurements of the Liquid Flow Rates
Results of Allegheny Installation

Results of Allegheny Installation
Results of Allegheny Installation
VEGA Installation in Ripalta (1)
In February 2006 a 12 VEGA meter was installed in
Ripalta, a gas storage field of STOGIT, to monitor liquid
carry-over from a dehydration column.
The specification was for a horizontal meter able to detect
liquid volume fractions as low as 0.00002 %.
This objective is impossible (by orders of magnitude) for
any of the available Wet Gas Meter on the market.
It is within the capabilities of VEGA because this meter is
based on a very efficient separation system, designed with
a careful CFD simulation of the flow field within the
separator.
Axial Separator
Vega Factory
No calibration is required. VEGA is only based on standard
flow rate measurements.
High accuracy. In particular in the range of extremely low
liquid volume fractions.
Very wide rangeability.
No radioactive sources.
Only conventional oil field instrumentation is adopted.
The results of independent tests made by NEL (UK) are
available.
Development of a new MPFM
Presence of valves.
Self calibration requires an expert operator.
Same potential safety problems as a conventional well
testing system.
More bulky than main competitors.
Very poor marketing capabilities of TEASistemi.
Development of a new MPFM
VIS Meter
The separator has been re-designed and its size optimized.
The mechanical construction has been deeply changed,
with a substantial weight reduction.
The valves required for VIS operation have been
positioned inside the system.
The final result is a small, low weight MPFM which can be
very easily marinized.
VIS Layout
10ANSI 900LB
Conclusions
Isokinetic sampling of a gas-liquid mixture, followed by
phase separation, can be an effective method for
multiphase metering.
The extensive use of CFD simulations allows new, very
compact and efficient gas-liquid and liquid-liquid separators
to be designed.
The technical cooperation between an academic spin-off
and a major industrial company may also lead to a new
product of potential impact on the market.