Validation of Multiphase Flowmeters Using Capacitance Sensing Techniques

As the capabilities of multiphase flowmeters increase, the problems of how to validate the performance of such instruments on-line also increases. This paper considers the extent to which simple capacitance sensors could be used to determine the carrier, dispersed phase, and flow regime of a multiphase flow. It is shown that such techniques could form the basis of a simple and robust validation unit, which would be retro-fitted to a pipeline close to the flowmeter being monitored in order to validate its operation and provide an early warning of instrument malfunction.