TopFlow Multiphase Metering System

Accurate, Continuous Multiphase Measurement

the electrodes and the measurement of the Features

differential pressure across the Venturi inlet.
The TopFlow meter utilizes a capacitance
sensor for oil-continuous liquid mixtures,
where the capacitance caused by the dielectric
constant of the fluid mixture is measured in
the throat of the Venturi. Similarly it utilizes
a four-electrode conductance sensor for
water-continuous liquid mixtures, where the
conductance is caused by the conductivity of
the fluid mixture. All the necessary electrodes
are incorporated within a Venturi that is
TopFlow Multiphase Meter somewhat modified. Advanced data
processing is utilized to allow continuous
Unique features of the Multiphase Metering
System include the following:
Non-radioactive – the system is free of
radioactive sources ensuring a safe operating
environment.
Compact design – the slim, short and
lightweight design of the meter make it easy
to install and operate.
High performance – with minimal
pressure drop and the ability to measure
mass flow rate independent of condition
changes, the TopFlow provides reliable and
accurate measurement results.

System Overview
The FMC Measurement Solutions
TopFlow Multiphase Metering
System is a component system utilizing a
sensor and associated devices to measure the
flow rates of oil, water and gas accurately and
continuously without any mixing or
separation of the fluids. The system covers a
wide operating range, all water cuts, salinities,
viscosities and flow regimes with minimum
pressure drop.
Applications
The TopFLow Multiphase Metering
System is ideal for wells producing a varied
output of oil, water and gas in the flow
stream where low maintenance and ease of
operation are critical.
Operating Principle
The measurement components of the
TopFlow sensor unit are a Venturi insert and
the electrodes inside the Venturi throat. The
flow rates of oil, water and gas are calculated
based on the measurements performed by
flow rate readings. Flexibility – the TopFlow can be operated
Because Venturi has minimal pressure drop as a stand-alone unit and / or interfaced to
and measures mass flow rate independent customer data acquisition systems for sys-
tem flexibility.
of field conditions, it is probably the most
reliable device for multiphase measurement. Low maintenance – the meter and all
When installing one meter per well and not associated components of the system require
minimal to no maintenance eliminating op-
having to deal with very varying flow rates, erating costs.
the Venturi is very suitable for multiphase
measurement even when relatively limited Specifications
turndown is specified, especially for single- Flow conditions
phase measurements within fiscal uncertainties. Gas Volume Fraction: 0 - 97%, and 100%
Water Cut: 0 - 100%
The Venturi insert can be made of wear
Pressure: 0 - 690 bar (0 - 10 000
resistant materials like high quality steel or psi)
ceramics in applications where erosion is Temperature: 0 - 204 °C (0 - 400 °F)
considered to be a problem. In extreme Flow regimes: All
Oil density/viscosity: All
cases, due to the simplicity of the TopFlow
Water salinity range: All
meter, the insert itself can easily be replaced.
Sensor electronics
A Venturi is able to give a good picture of Certification: Intrinsically Safe (EEx ia IIB T4)
the dynamics of the flow since it is not Weather IP65
protection:
sensitive to flow regime effects for measur-
Ambient -40°C - 60°C (-40°F - 140°F)
ing the instant mass flow rate accurately. temperature:
Modern differential pressure transmitters are Flow Computer
also able to respond to quickly varying Power supply: 100 - 240VAC or 24VDC
conditions through high frequency response.
Specifications (Cont.) The maximum limit (red line) of the System Components
User interface operating range is determined solely by the The system is made up of the following
TopFlow and user software to be installed on a maximum limit of the differential pressure
dedicated computer. components (Figure 2):
cell – 2500 bar in this case.
Metering section ◆ Sensor unit
Meter body: Stainless steel as standard (others The minimum limit (blue line) is determined ◆ Field electronics (EEx ia IIB T4)
to meet customer specifications) by the lower limit of the differential pressure ◆ Differential pressure transmitter
Meter size: 2" - 16"
cell, as shown in the bottom let corner of the
Length: 750 mm (3", ANSI 600) ◆ Flow computer
diagram (solid black line). However, two
Weight: 100 kg (3", ANSI 600) ◆ Safety barriers
Connections: Customers specifications other important effects have impact on the
◆ Power supply
lower limit of the range:
Transmitters (Pressure, Temperature ◆ User interface computer
and Differential Pressure) A minimum liquid flow rate is needed to ◆ Optional pressure and temperature
Type: Smart transmitters create a continuous flow through the meter. transmitters
Certification: Explosion proof, weather proof, This means that a certain momentum is
intrinsically safe (CENELEC and
FM/UL standards) required to prevent back flow through the Hazardous Safe
area area
Output: Two wire, 4-20 mA or 1-5 VDC main metering section, where the velocity is
Ambient -40°C - 85°C (-40°F - 185°F) measured by cross-correlation. The TopFlow’s T Customer’s
temperature: B Data
limit is lower than in other multiphase meters P a
r
Acquisition
Metering Processing
due to the fact that the velocity is measured in Section P r
Operating Range i
e
Unit

the Venturi throat and thereby creates a higher Sensor

electronics
r
s
FlowSys
User/Service
To illustrate operating range (Figure 1), flow velocity. The limit is set at a superficial liquid
(Ex-ia) Software

rate divided by the pipe cross section area (also velocity VLS in the main pipeline of 0.6 m/s
known as the superficial velocity) is used on (dotted line).
the axes to make the diagram independent of
An upper limit for the GVF is set at 97% Figure 2 – TopFlow Multiphase
piping and meter dimensions. This velocity Metering System Component Diagram
(dashed line)
can also be described as the velocity of one
phase, based on its flow rate, if the other Installation and Calibration
phases were not present.
Installation
10,0 The TopFlow Meter is designed to be
installed in a vertical orientation with the
8,0 Max limit meter flanged into the pipeline with flange
Liquid Flow Rate / Pipe area [ m/s ]

Min limit
DP Min limit
connections to meet customer specifications.
VLS = 0,6 m/s
6,0
GVF = 97 %
There are no requirements for upstream pipe
geometry or for minimum length of straight
4,0 pipe upstream or downstream of the sensor.
Operational Range Calibration
TopFlow Multiphase Meter
2,0
The TopFlow Multiphase Meter is calibrated
at the factory, comprising static calibration
0,0 with different fluids for both the capacitance
0 5 10 15 20 25
Actual Gas Flow Rate / Pipe area [ m/s ] and conductance detectors, as well as
quantification of temperature effects on the
Figure 1 – Operating range for the TopFlow Multiphase Metering System
sensor unit and the electronics. No additional
on-site calibration is required.

Headquarters:
6677 North Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77040 USA, Phone: 713/510-6970, Fax: 713/510-6972
Locations:
Erie, PA USA Phone 814/898-5000, Fax 814/899-8927 Kongsberg, Norway Phone (47) 32/286-700, Fax (47) 32/289-590
Corpus Christi, TX USA Phone 361/289-3400, Fax 361/289-1115 Barcelona, Spain Phone (34) 93/201-0989, Fax (34) 93/201-0576
Caldwell, TX USA Phone 979/567-1693, Fax 979/567-0480 Moscow, Russia Phone (7) 095/564-8705, Fax (7) 095/926-5066
Longmont, CO USA Phone 303/702-7400, Fax 303/702-1608 Melbourne, Australia Phone (61) 3/9807-2818, Fax (61) 3/9807-2816
Los Angeles, CA USA Phone 661/296-7711, Fax 661/296-5166 Beijing, China Phone (86) 10/6500-2251, Fax (86) 10/6512-6857
Eunice, LA USA Phone 337/550-7133, Fax 337/550-7134 Chennai, India Phone (91) 44/450-4400, Fax (91) 44/450-2114
Thetford, England Phone (44) 1842-82-2900, Fax (44) 1842-76-5402 San Juan, Puerto Rico Phone 787/274-3760, Fax 787/274-1020
Slough, England Phone (44) 1753-57-1515, Fax (44) 1753-52-9966 Caracas, Venezuela Phone (58) 212/952-8417, Fax (58) 212/952-5191
Ellerbek, Germany Phone (49) 4101-3040, Fax (49) 4101-304133
SFXXXXX Issue/Rev. 0.0 (8/02)
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