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Title: Contaminant Accumulation Effect On Gas Ultrasonic Flow Meters
Author: Jeff Gorman
Source: 2007 International School of Hydrocarbon Measurement
Year Published: 2007
Abstract: During a standard ultrasonic meter calibration as a flow laboratory testing facility, variances with the error percentages were noticed. Upon further inspection, an accumulation of a waxy substance had coated the internal diameter of the meter tube, flow conditioner and ultrasonic meter transducers. This paper discusses the problems associated with contamination accumulations and presents the data gathered from the initial test versus the final test and calibration after the meter tube assembly had been cleaned. Introduction: Being a natural gas transportation company presents many challenges in measurement. One very specific opportunity is to keep up with changing technology as new and improved forms immerge impacting how we do business. One of these newer technologies is the ultrasonic meter used in natural gas flow measurement for check metering and custody transfer. Following the publication of AGAs Report #9, Measurement of Gas by Multipath Ultrasonic Meters (Ref #1) in June of 1998 the popularity of these meters has greatly increased. There are many benefits of the ultrasonic meter over other traditional technologies greatly increasing their popularity in the market place. Body: One of the greatest benefits of the ultrasonic meter has been their stated performance in less than ideal service. Within todays natural gas transportation industry we all like to think that we have clean gas, free from contaminants, entrained inside the meter. However, the impact of the contaminants on the ultrasonic meters performance is said to be less than that of traditional meters. There have been many different tests performed in the past on other styles of meters, such as orifice and turbine meters testing performance and their accuracy in various service conditions. These tests illustrated how the meters accuracy was affected by the build up of contaminants on the internal surfaces of these meters. Some data has been published demonstrating the effect of contaminants on the larger size meters, 10 inch and above (Ref #2), however little is known about the effects on the newer smaller diameter meters such as a 3 unit. This paper will discuss the data from the verification and calibration tests for a major natural gas transports company comparing clean ultrasonic meters accuracy versus dirty ultrasonic meters accuracy as well as a discussion on smaller diameter ultrasonic meter with contaminant build up versus a smaller diameter. These discussions are important as ultrasonic meter manufacturers introduce small and smaller diameter meters into the market place, especially concerning custody transfer applications. Therefore, a discussion of recent testing is warranted.

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