US4688418A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for determining mass flow rate and quality in a steam line
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1985-10-17
•
Granted: 1987-08-25
•
Expires: 2005-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and/or apparatus for determining the mass flow rate and the quality of steam in a flowing line. It involves directing the total flow to a liquid-vapor separator. The separated vapor and liquid have the flow of each metered and the flow of one regulated so as to hold the level of the separated liquid constant. Then, by measuring pressure and temperature of the separated flows upstream from the regulation, the mass flow rate and the quality of the steam may be determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Yin L. Cheung
- 👤 Alfred Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/08; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
Method for measuring particular characteristics of steam comprising water and vapor, flowing in a line which communicates an apparatus in which said steam is generated to the point of use thereof, toward determining the steam mass flow rate and quality, which method comprises the steps of: diverting the total steam flow from said line into a liquid-vapor separator having a liquid holding reservoir, and in which separator discrete streams of liquid and vapor are formed, directing the discrete streams of vapor and liquid through separate flow meters, each flow meter being capable of measuring the rate at which fluid is passing therethrough, adjusting the rate at which vapor is flowing through said one flow meter until the amount of liquid held in said separator reservoir remains at a constant level, and measuring the respective flow rates, pressures, and temperatures of each of said discrete liquid and vapor streams while said liquid level in said reservoir remains constant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
Method for measuring particular characteristics of steam comprising water and vapor, flowing in a line which communicates an apparatus in which said steam is generated to the point of use thereof, toward determining the steam mass flow rate and quality, which method comprises the steps of: diverting the total steam flow from said line into a liquid-vapor separator having a liquid holding reservoir, and in which separator discrete streams of liquid and vapor are formed, directing the discrete streams of vapor and liquid through separate flow meters, each flow meter being capable of measuring the rate at which fluid is passing therethrough, adjusting the rate at which vapor is flowing through said one flow meter until the amount of liquid held in said separator reservoir remains at a constant level, and measuring the respective flow rates, pressures, and temperatures of each of said discrete liquid and vapor streams while said liquid level in said reservoir remains constant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3392572A
Cited
US3430483A
Cited
US3537312A
Cited
US4178801A
Cited
US4419898A
Cited
US4581926A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-24 | 1991-02-23 | 1991-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-24 | 1995-02-23 | 1995-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-24 | 1999-02-23 | 1999-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |