Email Document Reference

Enter your email address below and the reference for this document will be sent to shortly from webmaster@ceesi.com.

Title: Qualification Of Ultrasonic Flow Meters For Custody Transfer Of Natural Gas Using Atmospheric Air Calibration Facilities
Author: Jim Hill, Andreas Weber, Joern Weber
Source: 2002 North Sea Flow Measurement Workshop
Year Published: 2002
Abstract: The ability to operate in atmospheric air was a significant factor in the joint development by GE Panametrics and RMG Messtechnik of a custody transfer meter. Using air as a test medium yields major benefits. Two benefits are cost and availability. Natural gas calibration facilities cost thousands of dollars per day to use. This expense alone can accumulate into millions of dollars over the development of a meter, forming a barrier to entry to meter manufacturers. Also, the flow rate, if any, available at a natural gas test facility is dependent on seasonal, and even daily demand. The another factor is safety. Working at atmospheric pressure allows the developer to quickly make prototypes and design, without the safety concerns involved with high-pressure gas. Also, tests can be conducted with electronics exposed so that the performance of individual circuits and embedded software can be monitored, without the risk of encountering combustible gas. The final advantage is the flexibility that an open-loop calibration facility provides. Since the loop draws air from an open room, almost infinite combinations of installation conditions can be created. This is important, as actual field installations are a continuous distribution of configurations. Practical constraints limit the type of installations that can be simulated at a pressurized test facility. Combined, these factors lead to the conclusion that air operation was not merely desirable but in fact essential in order for our companies to develop and qualify a high accuracy meter.

In order to prevent spam and automated file downloads for documents within the Measurement Library, please follow the instructions below and then you will be able to email a reference to this article.