Real time flow rate and rheology measurement
A flow measurement apparatus can include a main flow passage, a bypass flow passage having an inlet and an outlet connected with the main flow passage, a mass flowmeter connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet, and a flow restrictor connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A method can include connecting the flow measurement apparatus, so that a fluid flow in the well also flows through the flow measurement apparatus, and determining at least one rheological parameter of a non-Newtonian fluid, based on an output of the flow measurement apparatus.
1. A flow measurement apparatus for use with a subterranean well, the flow measurement apparatus comprising:
a main flow passage;
a bypass flow passage having an inlet and an outlet connected with the main flow passage;
a mass flowmeter connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet;
a first at least one sensor configured to sense differential pressure across the mass flowmeter;
a first flow restrictor connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet;
a second flow restrictor connected in the main flow passage between the inlet and the outlet; and
a second at least one sensor configured to sense differential pressure across the second flow restrictor.
2. The flow measurement apparatus of claim 1 , in which the first at least one sensor comprises a differential pressure sensor connected to upstream and downstream sides of the mass flowmeter.
3. The flow measurement apparatus of claim 1 , in which the mass flowmeter comprises a Coriolis flowmeter.
4. The flow measurement apparatus of claim 1 , in which the first flow restrictor is connected between the mass flowmeter and the outlet.
5. The flow measurement apparatus of claim 1 , in which the first flow restrictor is connected between the mass flowmeter and the inlet.
6. The flow measurement apparatus of claim 1 , in which the first flow restrictor comprises a variable flow restrictor.
7. The flow measurement apparatus of claim 1 , in which an output of the first at least one sensor is communicated to a control system configured to control a well operation.
8. The flow measurement apparatus of claim 7 , in which the control system comprises instructions for determining rheological parameters of non-Newtonian fluid.
9. A method for use with a subterranean well, the method comprising:
connecting a flow measurement apparatus, so that a fluid flow in the well also flows through the flow measurement apparatus, the flow measurement apparatus comprising:
a main flow passage,
a bypass flow passage, the bypass flow passage having an inlet and an outlet connected with the main flow passage,
a first flow restrictor,
a mass flowmeter, the mass flowmeter and the first flow restrictor being connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet,
a first at least one sensor, the first at least one sensor sensing differential pressure across the mass flowmeter,
a second flow restrictor connected in the main flow passage between the inlet and the outlet, and
a second at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor sensing differential pressure across the second flow restrictor;
determining a flow rate of the fluid flow through the main flow passage, based on an output of the second at least one sensor; and
determining at least one rheological parameter of a non-Newtonian fluid, based on an output of the flow measurement apparatus.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising varying a restriction to flow through the first flow restrictor in response to a change in the flow rate of the fluid flow.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising controlling a well operation in response to the rheological parameter determining.
12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising communicating the pressure differential across the mass flowmeter to a control system.
13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising communicating the pressure differential across the second flow restrictor to a control system.
14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising connecting the first flow restrictor between the mass flowmeter and a selected one of the inlet and the outlet.