Measurement of Water Holdup in Vertical Upward Oil–Water Two-Phase Flow Pipes Using a Helical Capacitance Sensor

Abstract

Oil–water two-phase flows widely exist in industrial production, especially in the petroleum industry. The liquid holdup is significant for understanding reservoir production characteristics and improving oil recovery. This paper focuses on the helical capacitance sensor for the measurement of water holdup of oil–water two-phase flows. A new double helix capacitance sensor with an electrode rotation angle of 360◦ is designed. The sensitivity field distribution of the sensor with different parameters is simulated by the finite element analysis method, and the optimal geometric size of the sensor is obtained. The measurement characteristics of the sensor under different flow conditions are investigated by dynamical experiments of vertical oil–water flows. By analyzing the response signal of the helical capacitance sensor, the flow pattern can be identified, and the apparent water holdup can be calculated. The results show that the proposed sensor is suitable to measure the water holdup in a wide range of water cuts. Even in flow conditions of a high water cut, the sensor still retains good resolution in the D O/W flow pattern. This study expands the water holdup measurement of a capacitance sensor in the case of an oil–water two-phase flow with a high water cut.