To read this content please select one of the options below:

Film thickness planar sensor in oil-water flow: prospective study

Adriana Bonilla Riaño (Petroleum Engineering Department, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil)
Antonio Carlos Bannwart (Petroleum Engineering Department, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil)
Oscar M.H. Rodriguez (Mechanical Engineering Department, Sao Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil)

Sensor Review

ISSN: 0260-2288

Article publication date: 16 March 2015

386

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study a multiphase-flow instrumentation for film thickness measurement, especially impedance-based, not only for gas–liquid flow but also for mixtures of immiscible and more viscous substances such as oil and water. Conductance and capacitive planar sensors were compared to select the most suitable option for oil – water dispersed flow.

Design/methodology/approach

A study of techniques for measurement of film thickness in oil – water pipe flow is presented. In the first part, some measurement techniques used for the investigation of multiphase flows are described, with their advantages and disadvantages. Next, examinations of conductive and capacitive techniques with planar sensors are presented.

Findings

Film thickness measurement techniques for oil–water flow are scanty in the literature. Some techniques have been used in studies of annular flow (gas–liquid and liquid–liquid flows), but applications in other flow patterns were not encountered. The methods based on conductive or capacitive measurements and planar sensor are promising solutions for measuring time-averaged film thicknesses in oil–water flows. A capacitive system may be more appropriate for oil–water flows.

Originality/value

This paper provides a review of film thickness measurements in pipes. There are many reviews on gas – liquid flow measurement but not many about liquid – liquid flow.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to LKE Lab in ETH Zurich and LETef Lab in USP São Carlos, as well to CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) and PETROBRAS.

Citation

Bonilla Riaño, A., Bannwart, A.C. and Rodriguez, O.M.H. (2015), "Film thickness planar sensor in oil-water flow: prospective study", Sensor Review, Vol. 35 No. 2, pp. 200-209. https://doi.org/10.1108/SR-09-2014-702

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles