A system for performing inline measurements of flow rate, density, and rheology of a flowing fluid is disclosed, comprising: (a) a rheology measurement subsystem comprising: a horizontal tube of internal radius r.sub.H; means for measuring a velocity profile of a test fluid flowing through said horizontal tube at a distance x.sub.0 from its upstream end; and means for determining wall shear stress at a boundary between said flowing fluid and an inner surface of said horizontal tube; (b) a density measurement subsystem comprising: a vertical tube of internal radius r.sub.V in fluid connection with said horizontal tube; a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of said test fluid within said vertical tube at a location y.sub.1; and, (c) a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of said test fluid within said vertical tube at a location y.sub.2 downstream from y.sub.1 and displaced vertically from y.sub.1 by a distance h.

A capillary bridge viscometer (120), comprises at least two at least generally balanced bridge arm conduits (R1, R2) a bulkhead supporting structure (122,134) supporting removable connection portions for each of a plurality of the arms in a bridge configuration, a bridge supporting structure (124,136) supporting the bridge arm conduits (R1,R2) and supporting two further removable connection portions (132) for each of the bridge arm conduits, wherein each of the further removable connection portions (132) supported by the bridge supporting structure are positioned to mate with a corresponding one of the removable connection portions (130) supported by the bulkhead supporting structure concurrently to hydraulically connect the bridge arm conduits in the bridge configuration; and a balance detector having hydraulic connections for connection between first and second differential detection points in the bridge when the removable connection portions on the bridge are mated to corresponding ones of the removable connection portions supported by the bulkhead supporting structure.

A capillary bridge viscometer (120), comprises at least two at least generally balanced bridge arm conduits (R1, R2) a bulkhead supporting structure (122,134) supporting removable connection portions for each of a plurality of the arms in a bridge configuration, a bridge supporting structure (124,136) supporting the bridge arm conduits (R1,R2) and supporting two further removable connection portions (132) for each of the bridge arm conduits, wherein each of the further removable connection portions (132) supported by the bridge supporting structure are positioned to mate with a corresponding one of the removable connection portions (130) supported by the bulkhead supporting structure concurrently to hydraulically connect the bridge arm conduits in the bridge configuration; and a balance detector having hydraulic connections for connection between first and second differential detection points in the bridge when the removable connection portions on the bridge are mated to corresponding ones of the removable connection portions supported by the bulkhead supporting structure.

The present invention relates to a fluid measuring device comprising a capillary device and a non-linear response device. The capillary device typically having a flow channel comprising a contraction with a sidelet upstream and sidelet downstream of the contraction, the sidelets each comprises a pressure sensor arranged to determine the pressure drop over the contraction, the geometry of the flow channel of the capillary device being adapted to provide a flow response by the linear effects in the fluid, with the least response from the non-linear effects in the fluid. The non-linear response device typically having a flow channel connected to the flow channel of the capillary device, the flow channel of the non-linear response device comprising sidelets arranged to determine a pressure drop over at least a part of the flow channel, wherein the geometry of the flow channel of the non-linear response device being adapted to provide a flow response primarily driven by the non-linear effects in the fluid.

The present invention relates to a fluid measuring device comprising a capillary device and a non-linear response device. The capillary device typically having a flow channel comprising a contraction with a sidelet upstream and sidelet downstream of the contraction, the sidelets each comprises a pressure sensor arranged to determine the pressure drop over the contraction, the geometry of the flow channel of the capillary device being adapted to provide a flow response by the linear effects in the fluid, with the least response from the non-linear effects in the fluid. The non-linear response device typically having a flow channel connected to the flow channel of the capillary device, the flow channel of the non-linear response device comprising sidelets arranged to determine a pressure drop over at least a part of the flow channel, wherein the geometry of the flow channel of the non-linear response device being adapted to provide a flow response primarily driven by the non-linear effects in the fluid.

Disclosed herein is a method for viscosity measurement of non-Newtonian fluid for in-line measurement and process control. The process involves mixing additives to a base fluid to form the non-Newtonian fluid. The non-Newtonian fluid is fed to an in-line viscosity measurement device to obtain a rheological measurement. The addition of the additives to the base fluid is then adjusted based on the rheological measurement. A system for accomplishing the same is also disclosed.

Systems and methods for determining the yield stress of a non-Newtonian fluid in real time are provided. A pressure loss and/or liquid rise technique, an ultrasonic technique, and/or a penetrometer technique can be used to determine the yield stress of a non-Newtonian fluid. The ultrasonic technique can include a longitudinal wave approach and/or a shear wave approach. The methods and systems are non-invasive and only require slight modifications to the piping containing the non-Newtonian fluid in order to measure the yield stress.

Systems and methods for determining the yield stress of a non-Newtonian fluid in real time are provided. A pressure loss and/or liquid rise technique, an ultrasonic technique, and/or a penetrometer technique can be used to determine the yield stress of a non-Newtonian fluid. The ultrasonic technique can include a longitudinal wave approach and/or a shear wave approach. The methods and systems are non-invasive and only require slight modifications to the piping containing the non-Newtonian fluid in order to measure the yield stress.

The invention provides for a system for sample extraction that includes (a) a sample extraction device comprising a tubular structure, at least one channel, a reservoir, a fluid flow unit, and at least one sensor; (b) a container; (c) a motion platform operatively coupled to the tubular structure; (d) an actuator operatively coupled to the motion platform; and (e) one or more computer processors operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the actuator, and the fluid flow unit.

The invention provides for a system for sample extraction that includes (a) a sample extraction device comprising a tubular structure, at least one channel, a reservoir, a fluid flow unit, and at least one sensor; (b) a container; (c) a motion platform operatively coupled to the tubular structure; (d) an actuator operatively coupled to the motion platform; and (e) one or more computer processors operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the actuator, and the fluid flow unit.