The Influence on Response of a Combined Capacitance Sensor in Horizontal Oil–Water Two-Phase Flow

Abstract

In the process of production logging interpretation, a water cut is one of the key factors to obtain the oil phase content in the oil well. In order to measure the water cut of the horizontal oil⁻water two-phase flow with low yield, the response characteristics of the combined capacitance sensor (CCS) are investigated under different flow patterns. Firstly, the measuring principles of coaxial, cylindrical, and CCS are introduced in detail. Then, according to the different flow pattern conditions of the horizontal oil⁻water two-phase flow, the response characteristics of the CCS are simulated and analyzed using the finite element method. Additionally, compared with the other two sensors, the advantages of the CCS are verified. Finally, the temperature and pressure calibration experiments are carried out on the CCS. The horizontal oil⁻water two-phase flow patterns in a low yield liquid level are divided in detail with a high-speed camera. Dynamic experiments are carried out in a horizontal pipe with an inner diameter of 125 mm on the horizontal oil⁻water two-phase flow experimental equipment. The simulation and experimental results show that the CCS has good response characteristics under different working conditions.

Keywords

• horizontal oil–water two-phase flow
• segregated flow
• water cut measurement
• combined capacitance sensor (CCS)