Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Introduction
Flow meters need to be calibrated for accurate
measurement! To understand this statement simply
consider the equipment used and applications where
accurate metering is demanded.
Positive displacement (PD) meters measure product
flow by displacing discrete parcels of product with
each revolution of the meter. Turbine meters
measure product flow by inferring volumetric
throughput based on the assumptions that
volumetric flow is proportional to average stream
velocity, and average stream velocity is proportional
to rotor angular velocity.
Manufacturers
achieve
defined
performance
characteristics by producing meter component parts
to specific tolerances. Tolerances equate to
uncertainty and, therefore, a manufacturer can only
claim a nominal throughput per revolution of a non
calibrated metering device.
Uncertainty is further compounded by affects of
product and process characteristics. High viscosity
products affect meter performance differently than
low viscosity products. Thicker, more viscous
products can benefit P.D. meter performance by
reducing slippage through meter clearances. Yet the
same products produce reduced performance in
turbine meters by creating a larger boundary layer
buildup on pipe wall surfaces and meter internals
which reduces the effective cross-sectional surface
area
and
increases
product
velocity.
Consequentially, meter rotor angular velocity
increases registering a higher throughput than
actual. Temperature and pressure variations cause
expansion or contraction which affects both the
product and meter equipment components. The
presence of foreign matter or entrained air in product
further increases the uncertainty of measurement.
To reduce uncertainty, it is necessary to prove
meter performance. Ideally, this is achieved under
actual operating conditions. Proving is accomplished
by comparing a meters actual registered throughput
to a known reference volume. The ratio of known
volume to registered volume is a dimensionless
number called meter factor.
Displacer Velocity
The maximum recommended displacer velocity is 5
feet per second for bi-directional provers, and 10
feet per second for uni-directional provers.
Lower velocities are required in bi-directional provers
to prevent hydraulic shock from occurring when the
diverter valve is cycled to reverse flow direction. The
5 feet per second limit is based on empirical data.
Higher velocities can be achieved in bi-directional
pipe provers if additional consideration is given to
dampen the effects of hydraulic shock by increasing
the diverter valve cycle time and decelerating the
displacer at the end of a prover run.
Since flow direction is not changed in uni-directional
provers higher velocities are permissible. The 10
feet per second limit is also based on empirical data.
Above this limit problems associated with increased
pressure drop can be experienced. Turbulence
through the interchange valve can also cause the
displacer to remain in buoyant suspension making it
difficult to launch.
Low end velocities can also present operational
problems when frictional forces become more
dominant and cause the displacer to jitter. This can
be particularly problematic for low lubricity products
such as LPG, and where the prover construction
includes a lot of pipe bends. As a general rule, lowend velocity should be limited to 0.5 feet per second.
Displacer velocity is determined by dividing product
flow rate, expressed in cubic feet per second, by the
internal cross-sectional area of the pipe, expressed
in square feet, or:
BPH x 0.286
Maximum Velocity, fps =
(I.D. inches) 2
Prover Volume
Two key criteria apply for determining prover
volume. Firstly, to achieve 0.02 percent ( 0.01
percent of average) repeatability during calibration,
based on number of pulses generated between
detectors. Secondly, the distance between detector
switches should be sufficient to provide 0.02 percent
repeatability based on detector switch resolution.
To determine prover volume based on generating
10,000 unaltered pulses it is necessary to know the
nominal pulse output per unit volume (K-factor) for
the meter being proved. The ratio of 10,000 to
nominal K-factor yields the required prover volume,
e.g. a 6 inch turbine meter with a nominal K-factor of
1050 pulses per barrel requires a minimum volume
between detectors of 9.52 barrels (10000/1050 =
9.52).
ft =
Barrels x 1029.88
(I.D. inches)2
Max Velocity =
BPH x 0.286
15 fps
(I.D. inches)2
5.4
Conclusion
Flow meters need to be calibrated for accurate
measurement. For over forty years the conventional
pipe prover has been the primary calibration device
for proving liquid flow meters. Its reliability, relatively
simply construction and ease of use continue to
make it the device of choice for calibrating petroleum
liquid flow meters under actual operating conditions.
The design consideration summarized in this paper
have evolved from the experiences of a field proven
device. Implementing them will ensure the
repeatable and reliable performance expected of
conventional pipe provers.
References
Jakubenas, Peter P. Liquid Flow
(Conventional), ISHM Proceedings 1998.
Mentz,
Charles
J.
Liquid
Flow
(Conventional), ISHM Proceedings 1994.
Provers
Provers
Figure 1
Figure 2
L
DT
rd
DT
rd
rd
L - 2rd
rd
L + 2rd
)-(
L + 2 rd
L + 2 rd
L = 4rd 0.0002
= 20,000rd
= 4rd
Figure 4
Figure 5