Evaluation of a symmetrically disposed Pitot tube flowmeter for measuring gas flow during exercise

1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 2659-2665 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Porszasz ◽  
T. J. Barstow ◽  
K. Wasserman

We evaluated the effect of airflow and gas composition on the linearity of measurement of airflow by a new disposable flowmeter. The flowmeter is based on the principle of differential pressure measurement across two symmetrically disposed Pitot tubes. Nonlinearities arising from the pressure-to-airflow relationship and sensitivity to changes in gas density were linearized with appropriate software and monitoring of the gas composition. With room air used as the respired gas, the measured tidal volume from a piston pump assembly was consistently within 1–2% of the target tidal volume for each of five flowmeters tested across physiological ranges of flow. Changing gas densities by varying concentrations of O2, CO2, and N2 led to errors in tidal volume measurement that ranged up to 6–8%. However, because the errors were predictable, they were corrected by software to within 0.6% of the target volume. Measurement of minute ventilation during exercise was within 1–2% of that determined from bag collections. We conclude that this type of flowmeter can accurately measure exercise minute ventilation and has advantages over some other flowmeters because of its ruggedness, reproducibility, and ease of sterilization or replacement compared with other flowmeters.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakethraman Mahalingam ◽  
Gavin Munro ◽  
Muhammad Arsalan ◽  
Victor Gawski

Abstract When the gas flow rate of a well significantly changes, the flow rate can fall below that of the operating range of a traditional fixed size Venturi meter, necessitating the replacement of the original meter with one of a smaller size. However, with an adjustable cone meter, the internal reconfiguration feature allows it to automatically switch from high operating flow range to low operating flow range and there is no requirement to disassemble the meter from the flow line assembly. Adjustable cone meters were designed, developed and tested at the wet-gas flow loop at National Engineering Laboratory in East Kilbride, Scotland. After calibrating the meter with dry nitrogen gas, the meter was tested with increasing amounts of liquid being injected into the flowline, upstream of the meter. The liquid caused the differential pressure measurement on the meter to over-read. Based on the differential pressure measurements under varying flow conditions, algorithms were developed to measure the dry gas and liquid fraction. The data obtained from the tests such as differential pressure, pressure, temperature, liquid density were used to build an over-reading model of the meter and a liquid fraction estimation model based on pressure loss ratio derived from an additional differential pressure measurement. The model was used to not only to quantify the gas and liquid flow rates but also the estimated error in each measurement. The measurements show that the Adjustable Cone meter is able to provide low uncertainty in both dry and wet gas conditions and offers a turndown ratio of up to 54:1 in dry gas conditions. In addition, the automatic adjustment of the meter from high flow to low flow positions avoids the need for manual intervention that involves additional risk and cost.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakethraman Mahalingam ◽  
Gavin Munro ◽  
Muhammad Arsalan ◽  
Victor Gawski

Abstract A traditional fixed size Venturi meter has a turndown of about 8:1 under dry gas conditions that may drop to as low as 3:1 under wet-gas flow. When the well conditions change, a replacement of the original Venturi meter with one of a different size is needed. In this paper, we present the design, development and testing of an Adjustable cone meter that has the ability to adapt itself to the flow conditions automatically and provide a turndown of as much as a 54:1 under dry gas conditions and as much as 20:1 under wet-gas conditions. The patented feature of the Adjustable cone meter is the adjustable sleeve that moves over the cone when the flow rate decreases below a preset value causing an increase in the differential pressure across the meter. In addition, traditional Venturi meters have only one differential pressure measurement and the sensor tends to overestimate the flow when there is liquid present in the flow (wet-gas). The Adjustable cone meter has two differential pressure sensors and the second measurement is used to estimate the liquid content in wet-gas. Two meters were manufactured and tested at the National Engineering Laboratory in East Kilbride, Scotland under gas flow rates of up to 18 MMscfd. Based on the differential pressure measurements under varying flow conditions, algorithms were developed to measure the dry gas and liquid fraction. An over-reading model of the meter and a liquid fraction estimation model based on the pressure loss ratio was derived from an additional differential pressure measurement. The model was used to not only to quantify the gas and liquid flow rates but also the estimated error in each measurement. The measurements show that the Adjustable Cone meter is able to provide low uncertainty in both dry and wet gas conditions and met the conditions outlined in ISO 5167-5. The Adjustable cone meter is a much needed innovation in the area of differential pressure measurement.


1980 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. K. Milsom ◽  
D. R. Jones

The normal breathing pattern of the turtle, Chrysemys picta (Schneider), consists of periods of continuous breathing interspersed with periods of breath holding. During each ventilatory period respiratory frequency and tidal volume are controlled independently. There is a large variability in inspiratory and expiratory gas-flow rates yet tidal volumes are maintained within narrow limits by adjustments of the lengths of the active inspiratory and expiratory intervals. Lung volume information carried within the vagus nerve is responsible for the careful regulation of tidal volume as well as for modulation of the air flow rates and lowering of the threshold of the mechanism initiating expiration following breath holding. Increases in pulmonary minute ventilation during hypercapnia are caused by increases in respiratory frequency due solely to a shortening of the periods of breath holding. There is some increase in tidal volume but the breath length remains constant and thus the frequency of breathing within each ventilatory period also remains constant. After vagotomy, changes in minute ventilation due to hypercapnia stem primarily from changes in tidal volume while changes in respiratory frequency are greatly reduced.


1988 ◽  
Vol 67 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
M S Scheller ◽  
B L Jones ◽  
J L Benumof
Keyword(s):  

1988 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 2544-2551 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Rigatto ◽  
C. Wiebe ◽  
C. Rigatto ◽  
D. S. Lee ◽  
D. Cates

We studied the ventilatory response to hypoxia in 11 unanesthetized newborn kittens (n = 54) between 2 and 36 days of age by use of a flow-through system. During quiet sleep, with a decrease in inspired O2 fraction from 21 to 10%, minute ventilation increased from 0.828 +/- 0.029 to 1.166 +/- 0.047 l.min-1.kg-1 (P less than 0.001) and then decreased to 0.929 +/- 0.043 by 10 min of hypoxia. The late decrease in ventilation during hypoxia was related to a decrease in tidal volume (P less than 0.001). Respiratory frequency increased from 47 +/- 1 to 56 +/- 2 breaths/min, and integrated diaphragmatic activity increased from 14.9 +/- 0.9 to 20.2 +/- 1.4 arbitrary units; both remained elevated during hypoxia (P less than 0.001). Younger kittens (less than 10 days) had a greater decrease in ventilation than older kittens. These results suggest that the late decrease in ventilation during hypoxia in the newborn kitten is not central but is due to a peripheral mechanism located in the lungs or respiratory pump and affecting tidal volume primarily. We speculate that either pulmonary bronchoconstriction or mechanical uncoupling of diaphragm and chest wall may be involved.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Espinosa ◽  
Jairo Leal ◽  
Ron Zbitowsky ◽  
Eduardo Pacheco

Abstract This paper highlights the first successful application of a field deployment of a high-temperature (HT) downhole shut-in tool (DHSIT) in multistage fracturing completions (MSF) producing retrograde gas condensate and from sour carbonate reservoirs. Many gas operators and service providers have made various attempts in the past to evaluate the long-term benefit of MSF completions while deploying DHSIT devices but have achieved only limited success (Ref. 1 and 2). During such deployments, many challenges and difficulties were faced in the attempt to deploy and retrieve those tools as well as to complete sound data interpretation to successfully identify both reservoir, stimulation, and downhole productivity parameters, and especially when having a combination of both heterogeneous rocks having retrograde gas pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) complexities. Therefore, a robust design of a DHSIT was needed to accurately shut-in the well, hold differential pressure, capture downhole pressure transient data, and thereby identify acid fracture design/conductivity, evaluate total KH, reduce wellbore storage effects, properly evaluate transient pressure effects, and then obtain a better understanding of frac geometry, reservoir parameters, and geologic uncertainties. Several aspects were taken into consideration for overcoming those challenges when preparing the DHSIT tool design including but not limited to proper metallurgy selection, enough gas flow area, impact on well drawdown, tool differential pressure, proper elastomer selection, shut-in time programming, internal completion diameter, and battery operation life and temperature. This paper is based on the first successful deployment and retrieval of the DHSIT in a 4-½" MSF sour carbonate gas well. The trial proved that all design considerations were important and took into consideration all well parameters. This project confirmed that DHSIT devices can successfully withstand the challenges of operating in sour carbonate MSF gas wells as well as minimize operational risk. This successful trial demonstrates the value of utilizing the DHSIT, and confirms more tangible values for wellbore conductivity post stimulation. All this was achieved by the proper metallurgy selection, maximizing gas flow area, minimizing the impact on well drawdown, and reducing well shut-in time and deferred gas production. Proper battery selection and elastomer design also enabled the tool to be operated at temperatures as high as 350 °F. The case study includes the detailed analysis of deployment and retrieval lessons learned, and includes equalization procedures, which added to the complexity of the operation. The paper captures all engineering concepts, tool design, setting packer mechanism, deployment procedures, and tool equalization and retrieval along with data evaluation and interpretation. In addition to lessons learned based on the field trial, various recommendations will be presented to minimize operational risk, optimize shut-in time and maximize data quality and interpretation. Utilizing the lessons learned and the developed procedures presented in this paper will allow for the expansion of this technology to different gas well types and formations as well as standardize use to proper evaluate the value of future MSF completions and stimulation designs.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 864-867
Author(s):  
Janet G. Wingkun ◽  
Janet S. Knisely ◽  
Sidney H. Schnoll ◽  
Gary R. Gutcher

Objective. To determine whether there is a demonstrable abnormality in control of breathing in infants of substance-abusing mothers during the first few days of life. Methods. We enrolled 12 drug-free control infants and 12 infants of substance abusing mothers (ISAMs). These infants experienced otherwise uncomplicated term pregnancies and deliveries. The infants were assigned to a group based on the results of maternal histories and maternal and infant urine toxicology screens. Studies were performed during quiet sleep during the first few days of life. We measured heart rate, oxygen saturations via a pulse oximeter, end-tidal carbon dioxide (ET-CO2) level, respiratory rate, tidal volume, and airflow. The chemoreceptor response was assessed by measuring minute ventilation and the ET-CO2 level after 5 minutes of breathing either room air or 4% carbon dioxide. Results. The gestational ages by obstetrical dating and examination of the infants were not different, although birth weights and birth lengths were lower in the group of ISAMs. Other demographic data were not different, and there were no differences in the infants' median ages at the time of study or in maternal use of tobacco and alcohol. The two groups had comparable baseline (room air) ET-CO2 levels, respiratory rates, tidal volumes, and minute ventilation. When compared with the group of ISAMs, the drug-free group had markedly increased tidal volume and minute ventilation on exposure to 4% carbon dioxide. These increases accounted for the difference in sensitivity to carbon dioxide, calculated as the change in minute ventilation per unit change in ET-CO2 (milliliters per kg/min per mm Hg). The sensitivity to carbon dioxide of control infants was 48.66 ± 7.14 (mean ± SE), whereas that of ISAMs was 16.28 ± 3.14. Conclusions. These data suggest that ISAMs are relatively insensitive to challenge by carbon dioxide during the first few days of life. We speculate that this reflects an impairment of the chemoreceptor response.


2019 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun-Ze Lee

The present study was designed to investigate breathing patterns across the sleep-wake state following a high cervical spinal injury in rats. The breathing patterns (e.g., respiratory frequency, tidal volume, and minute ventilation), neck electromyogram, and electroencephalography of unanesthetized adult male rats were measured at the acute (i.e., 1 day), subchronic (i.e., 2 wk), and/or chronic (i.e., 6 wk) injured stages after unilateral contusion of the second cervical spinal cord. Cervical spinal cord injury caused a long-term reduction in the tidal volume but did not influence the sleep-wake cycle duration. The minute ventilation during sleep was usually lower than that during the wake period in uninjured animals due to a decrease in respiratory frequency. However, this sleep-induced reduction in respiratory frequency was not observed in contused animals at the acute injured stage. By contrast, the tidal volume was significantly lower during sleep in contused animals but not uninjured animals from the acute to the chronic injured stage. Moreover, the frequency of sigh and postsigh apnea was elevated in acutely contused animals. These results indicated that high cervical spinal contusion is associated with exacerbated sleep-induced attenuation of the tidal volume and higher occurrence of sleep apnea, which may be detrimental to respiratory functional recovery after cervical spinal cord injury. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cervical spinal injury is usually associated with sleep-disordered breathing. The present study investigated breathing patterns across sleep-wake state following cervical spinal injury in the rat. Unilateral cervical spinal contusion significantly impacted sleep-induced alteration of breathing patterns, showing a blunted frequency response and exacerbated attenuated tidal volume and occurrence of sleep apnea. The result enables us to investigate effects of cervical spinal injury on the pathogenesis of sleep-disordered breathing and evaluate potential therapies to improve respiration.


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