V. Valentine A. Iqbal R. Li A. Atiri K.

Hussein

K.L. Gbayan J. Marvao C. Konstantinou N. A. Jennings S. Nnabuife

B. Nwakanma C. Mogbo S. Okoro A. Krishnan Shyama C. Obimma

OUTLINE: Introduction What is flow measurement Importance of flow measurement in oil and gas industry Problems encountered in flow measurement Detailed discussion of instruments

 Flow measurement is the quantification of fluid movement Different types of flow measuring devices

Differential pressure measurement (orifice meter)

Mass flow meters (e.g mass stream mass flow meter)

 Safety and Equipment Failure Process Control

Economics (Demand and Supply Relationship)

Environmental standards and regulations

Problems encountered in flow measurement could be due to Equipment failure Operator error Use of equipment at inappropriate conditions

Measures the pressure difference from the upstream side to the downstream side of a partially obstructed pipe

Fig1. An orifice meter (copied from Engineering tool box)

Made up of flat orifice plate with a circular hole drilled in it. Accuracy- between 0.6 to 0.8

 The orifice meter works on the principle of the Benoulli equation

P = presssure V = velocity = density Z = elevation above a reference plane

Advantages Easy to use No moving parts that hinder its range of application

Disadvantages Orifice meters often do not handle a large range of flows The discharge coefficient varies considerably with changes in area ratio and the Reynold number The discharge coefficient varies considerably with changes in area ratio and the Reynold number

VENTURI METER
Definition: This is an instrument used to efficiently measure the fluid flow rate in a piping system; a nozzle section increases velocity and is followed by an expanding section for recovery of kinetic energy.

Principles of Operations of Venturi meter

The venturi metre just like other pressure differential devices uses Bernoullis equations in its operations. This equation relates the pressure to the velocity for any fluid of constant density flowing in a pipe. Applying Bernoullis equation between sections 1 and 2 gives.

Venturi Meter
Advantages High efficiency and good pressure recovery compared to the orifice meters. Good performance at high ratios More robust and less affected by internal erosion. Less sensitive to upstream disturbances. Disadvantages Occupies much longer length in the line. More expensive to manufacture and install. Compared to orifice meter, its larger size is difficult to handle.

Accuracy
The rangeability and general uncertainty are similar to orifice plates.

Applications
Though they are not used much in gas metering but in water distribution. Venturi meter is basically used for measuring the flow rate of liquid. It is also used to measure the speed of aeroplane in the air. In industries it is used to measure the rate of flow of chemicals through pipe lines etc.

These meters are constructed by replacing the upstream cone of a classical venture with a nozzle.

Can be in three different types:

The ISA nozzle The long radius nozzle The venturi nozzle

A general equation for a differential pressure flow meter is:

where
Q = flow rate through pipe and meter, cfs, C = discharge coefficient for the particular meter, dimensionless, A2 = constricted area perpendicular to flow, ft2, P1 = undisturbed upstream pressure in the pipe, lb/ft2, P2 = Pressure in the pipe at the constricted area, A2, lb/ft2, = D2/D1 = (diam. at A2/pipe diam.), dimensionless,

With any of these three types of meters for pipe flow measurement, a means is needed to measure the pressure difference across the meter, p1 - p2. Also the meter and pipe dimensions must be known and a value for the discharge coefficient is needed

Application
1. Used as differentials pressure meters in gas flow systems. 2. Use as critical (sonic) nozzle and sonic venture nozzles in the calibration of other types of gas meters. 3. Can be used to meter steam and gases or liquids with a small degree of suspended solids.

Accuracy
is 1-2% of full

Range
ability is 4 to 1

Advantage
1. Higher discharge coefficient (CD). 2. Low permanent pressure loss. 3. Can handle suspended solids.

Disadvantages
1.Very expensive. 2. Requires straight pipe runs up and downstream

Elbow meters are based on the principle of "conservation of momentum." Momentum conservation requires that the momentum flux (momentum per unit time) remain unchanged as steady flow occurs through an isolated system of fluid. Since momentum is a vector quantity, a change in direction of the flow causes a reduction of momentum in the original direction which is offset by an increase in the new direction. In an elbow, such as the mitred elbow shown in figure 1, the momentum in the horizontal direction is changed by the pipe turning down. This change in direction causes the flow to exert a force on the pipe elbow

ASME Fluid meters classifies the elbow flow meter in the rate meters division, head (kinetic) class, centrifugal type. This device utilizes the centrifugal change of velocity pressure across a curved stream, and consists essentially of a curved section of pipe(elbow) with static pressure holes located on the inner and outer circumferential walls of the curved section on the centre line of the two legs of the bend and also in the same radial plane.

Application
Suitable for compression station with space limitation.

No limitations on line size.

. Discharge coefficient changes with pipe reynolds

Good repeatability (on the order of +/-0.20%.) . number and is non-linear. Relatively low acquisition cost. . Differential produced by the elbow meter is Suitable for flow measurement in either direction significantly lower than other primary elements

Accuracy Approximately +/-4.0%.

Easy Installation Minimum Pressure Loss Accuracy High Velocity Required Blocked if Flow Contain Solid Particles No standardization so Calibration Required

Range and Accuracy

Very Accurate by using sensor Also used for any shape of conduit e.g. square, round Available in large sizes up to 12 meters

 Vertical tube with a bore tapered to be wider at the top contains a free piston often referred to as a float which has the form of a spinning top.

As the rate of flow increases the piston rises in the tube until a point of equilibrium is reached, where the upward thrust on the piston due to the differential pressure generated by the metered fluid passing through the annular space balances the apparent weight of the piston. Flow: vertically upwards

Normal glass-tube rotameters: useful in laboratory, development-industrial applications For higher pressure uses: use of metal-tube or a device such as a magnetic follower to indicate the flow. Flow range depends on: the tube size, the piston material, the pressure drop and the nature of the metered fluid. Useful for metering corrosive liquids and gases. Accuracies high as 0.5 per cent over a 10:1 range of flow Small diameter tubes can withstand higher pressures than larger sizes For protection: use of armoured glass

EEC 71/318 & A positive displacement meter in which measurement is effected by means of measuring chambers with rotating walls BS 1179 A positive displacement meter in which the measuring compartment is formed b/w the walls of a stationary chamber and a rotating element or elements making substantially gas-tight contact with walls

Impellers contra rotate at same speed There is no contact at any time b/w the impellers or b/w impeller and casing Gas from inlet drives the impellers due to the unbalanced load on one impeller If inlet pressure is high the impeller will rotate ant clockwise discharging contents of chamber to the outlet Work is done in causing impellers to rotate. Energy required for this is taken from gas and is shown as pressure loss. This pressure loss cause gas to pass forward through clearances and is known as SLIP .

Pros: Low to medium initial set up cost Can be used in viscous liquid flow Cons: Higher maintenance cost than other non-obstructive flow meters High pressure drop due to its total obstruction on the flow path Not suitable for low flow rate -Very low tolerance to suspension in flow (particles larger than 100 m need to be filtered before the liquid enters the flow meter) Gas (bubbles) in liquid could significantly decrease the accuracy

Annular measuring chamber formed b/w the casing and central cylinder with vanes rotating around annular space Number of rotations made by the impeller is counted and recorded in volumetric units Pressure loss and slip is applicable. Factors affecting meter performance 1. Pressure loss 2. Calibration 3. Physical properties of gas being measured 4. Loading 5. Outside influences

Diaphragm Meter
The principle of measurement is positive displacement. The specification for meters are contained in BS4161 parts 1 to 5 in the UK Their installation is covered by BSCP 331 PART 2.

Operation of Equipment

Two Main Applications

1. Residential Services 2. Intermediate and Large Capacity models

Advantages
They have reduced pressure absorption, meter size for a given rating.

low maintenance, low production costs, high strength and high

durability.

Disadvantage
Sometimes cause line blockage or pulsation.

Wet Gas Meters conventionally these are volumetric, positive displacement flow meter of the drum type that have high accuracy for measuring smaller flow types and hence can be used as a calibrating device for other types of meters and in lab work.

The concept of wet gas metering can apply to gas condensate fields, high gasoil ratio fields and wet gases.

Partitioned chambers in a drum are sealed by a level of liquid. There is an L-shaped inlet hose that sits proud in the centre chamber. If gas at higher pressure than out let chamber (II) enters chamber (I) ,then pressure difference induces momentum and the drum rotates. Gas is discharged from each chamber volume with 4 x V being 1 full rotation. The volume therefore can be calculated through the number of turns counted.

Accuracy A great deal of accuracy can be established through experimentation to determine the correct volume of liquid to place in the drum. (1 %)
Applications Accurate measurement of small volumes and low flow rates Calibrating small orifices Determining fuel air ratios for gas appliances Practical laboratory tool in refinery pilot plant development and research Measuring of manufactured, natural and technical gas Range (500 ~ 3000 Pa) (5 ~ 35) (Drum Size 20 L/R) (Min Flow 0.02 m3/h)( Max. Flow rate 3 m3/h) Reliability Non-Corrosion Resistant (Copper) (Stainless Steel) Advantages high precision and accuracy for measuring relatively smaller flow of gas Disadvantages- refined to small scale units.

For fluidic flow meters there are 2 main types. One operates on the principle of the coanda effect and the other on the concept of momentum exchange. The geometry of the meter chamber provides the most important issues relating to its operation.

This meter works on the principle of the coanda effect. A flow enters the chamber and is directed towards an obstacle. Some flow is diverted through a feedback passage, however, and pushes the stream toward a sidewall on the opposite side of the meter body, which also has a feedback passage through which a portion of the flow is diverted. The fluid from this feedback passage pushes the stream back toward the sidewall to which it was initially attached, and the self-initiating, self-sustaining process is repeated. A sensor, located in one of the two feedback passages, detects the presence and absence of flow. The frequency of the pulse signals is linear with volumetric flow rate.

Accuracy After calibration +/- 2% Turndown ratio as high as 250:1

Applications utility flows in the water or gas industry . Non intrusive so can be used potentially with most fluids.

Range 300 : 1 measured with piezo electric pressure transducer.

Reliability installation effects are likely to be low Advantages large range from low flows. Small meters can be made inexpensively. Disadvantages- adequate sensors to cover the ranges of non conducting liquid or gas applications . Require turbulent flows to function, the momentum exchange meter does not, enabling its use with high-viscosity fluids.

Detect and convert into electrical signal pressure changes generated by introducing a shedder bar which creates Karman vortices. The vortex frequency is calculated using the following formula: f=St(V/d)

ACCURACY: 1%(for liquid) ; 1,5% (for gas and steam). ADVANTAGES: It can measure gas, steam and liquid. Has a wide measurements ranges such as : Pressure operating 1,6 32 Mpa Ambient temperature -25C - +60C Relative humidity 5% - 95% Fluid temperature 40C - 150C (integral type) 40C - 300C (separate type)

A velocity device which measures flow volume. Where: Speed of rotation Rate of Flow.

Flow enters axial turbine Flow reaches turbine and turbine spins Rotation of rotor rate of flow Sensors produce pulses which aids measurement of flow.

Advantages. Highly accurate Disadvantages. Turbine flow meters are less accurate at low flow rates. Moving part subject to degradation. Applications Used for custody transfer of natural gas. They are also used for industrial loads in distribution stations, major supply stations and as master reference meters.

An insertion turbine meter is a velocity measuring device that is used to infer the total flow by making a point measurement in a pipe.

Advantages Liquids: 2.0% of reading achievable (10 to 1 Ease of insertion. turndown) Good performance. Gases: 2.0% of reading Portability, achievable (5 to 1 Robustness and simplicity turndown) of operation,

Range
Between a velocity of 0.3m3 to 15m3

It can be used in remote locations. Disadvantages: Insensitive to small angles of misalignment

Oil, gas and steam, Petrochemical, Aerospace, Automotive & Power, to Validate network analysis models and establish boundary conditions and identify blocked mains

The rotating vane gas meter is a type of inferential meter that are used for industrial and commercial applications, they handle fluids with high volume and high pressure.

The meter is housed in a cast iron casing having a shaft on which a vane rotates, As the fluid enters the pipe, it impacts a force on the vane causing the rotor to rotate at an angular velocity used to detect the fluid velocity and flow rate. To measure flow rate directly, the drive is transmitted to a counter mechanism by the shaft.

APPLICATION They are used in gas industries to measure gas streams, gas emissions, speed of gas and total flow rate of flowing gas in horizontal pipes.
RANGE 4m3/h to 200m3/h at pressures up to 1.7bar.
ACCURACY

About 2% over a 10:1 flow range for a given meter

PROS They have very high accuracy. Long time good operational experience. It is highly reliable. CONS High temperatures may cause problems. High performance designs are expensive. Friction and low flow rate reduces accuracy.

An anemometer, also known as a wind vane, it is designed specifically for the measurement of gases either in a contained flow, such as airflow in an air-conditioning duct, or in unconfined flows, such as atmospheric wind The cup anemometer consists of three light conical-shaped cups thats often made of aluminum, attached to arms carried by a vertical spindle.

It measures the speed of the gas through the cups (usually hemispherical) mounted on radial spokes set so that they catch the wind and revolve about a vertical rod . Rotation speed can be measured using different mechanisms, but often a magnet attached to the shaft traversing past a fixed coil induces a pulse for each revolution and an electrical device is used to record the revolutions of the cups and calculates the velocity.

ADVANTAGES Simple Omnidirectional DISADVANTAGES Moving parts wear out Slow to react to gusts. RANGE 0 to 45 m/s ACCURACY 0.11 m/s (0.25 mph) or 1.5% APPLICATION Wind resource assessment Meteorological work Regular surveillance of the point velocity of gas

Tight piping situations More viscous liquids (between 8cp and 30cp) Lower flow measurement capacity Higher accuracy on gases and stream When downsizing to install a vortex meter is not feasible (head loss) These meters are compatible with low viscosity (<30cp) liquids, gases and steam

Insensitivity to piping effects Excellent meter for tight piping situations Can be installed horizontally, vertically or at any angle.

Excessive pipe vibration or process noise can affect measurement accuracy.

Produces more higher head loss than a vortex meter Flashing and cavitation can gave an adverse effect on meter accuracy and can damage the meter itself.

What are the practical applications? Are there any new instruments (innovations)? What is flow measurements all about? What is turn down ratio? What are the frequent problems encountered in flow measurement?