Ultrasonic Metering system

1 METERING STATION

Figure 1 Gas Metering System

Typical metering system main components:

Ultrasonic Meter.
Pressure Transmitter.
Temperature Transmitter
Gas Chromatograph
Flow Computer
Supervisory System.
2 ULTRASONIC FLOWMETER
The ultrasonic flow meter is based on the difference in transit-time method. Each
couple of transducer (channel), built in the opposite side of the measuring tube,
send and receive acoustic signals through the flow in two opposite directions. One
signal is sent downstream the flow and one is sent upstream, both along the same
path. A sound wave travels faster with the flow than one propagated against the
flow.
The difference in both transit time is proportional to the mediums flow velocity.
Number, shape and location of the channels, are the key points to get a good
rebuilding flow profile.

Figure 2 USM method of operation

3 GAS CHROMATOGRAPH
Natural gas is bought and sold based on the amount of energy delivered. The
quantity of energy delivered is calculated by multiplying the gas volume per unit
time by the heating value (BTU) per unit volume.
Gas chromatography is normally employed for the calculation of the heating value.
However, when the gas chromatograph runs an analysis we not only get the heating
value, but other valuable information, such as gas composition and relative density.
This additional information is used in the gas volume calculations.
Gas chromatography is a scientific method in which a gas sample is separated into
its component parts for measurement. The gas chromatograph consists of
subsystems that inject the sample, separate the sample, detect the components,
integrate the peaks, and report the results. The injection, separation, and detection
all occur in the heart of the GC known as the GC oven. The integration and
calculation of results are done in the controller, which can be considered the brains
of the system.
Table 1 typical composition

Component Mole % Lean gas Mole % Rich gas

Nitrogen 0.43 0.01
CO2 0.16 0.55
Methane 98.23 92.24
Ethane 1.07 4.09
Propane 0.09 1.87
I-Butane 0.01 0.41
N-Butane 0.01 0.43

After the mole percentages have been normalized, the controller multiplies each of
these percentages by a corresponding BTU value often taken from an internal table
(GPA 2145). From the individual BTU, calculations for each component the controller
can then do a summation and calculate a total BTU per cubic foot of gas. This is an
uncorrected or ideal BTU value. To get a corrected or real BTU value, the controller
multiplies the ideal BTU by the compressibility factor.
Figure 3 shows the results from an analysis report, and can see how the BTU is
calculated.
 Figure 3 report showing how the BTU is calculated

4 FLOW COMPUTER
Electronic gas flow computers are microprocessor-based computing devices used to
measure and control natural gas streams. There are varieties of configurations
available from dedicated (integrated) single board computers to PLC-based multi-
run (hybrid) systems.
Flow computers perform the following functions:
Compute volumetric flow of measured fluid
Log measured and computed data
Transmit real time and historical data to a central location
Perform automated control of the site based on measured values
Historical data is collected and saved in accordance to guidelines set forth by the
API (American Petroleum Institute) Ch 21.1. Flow computers that do not adhere to
these guidelines are not suitable for custody transfer and should not be used for
physical measurement applications.
The physical configuration of a flow computer consists of an I/O subsystem with a
computational engine and data storage section. Most flow computers are Flash
memory-based such that the firmware can be updated to accommodate the
application and any future requirements. A communications section allows
operational and custody transfer data to be transmitted to a central location.
All of these features together make a flexible system to meet the needs of each
measuring application.

4.1 ENERGY MEASUREMENT BASICS.

To measure energy flow we need to combine multiple measurements and do various
calculations:
An Ultrasonic flow meter measures the volume at operating conditions.
However, this volume has to be corrected on temperature and pressure under
normal or base conditions.
Since Natural Gas is not an ideal gas, it needs a correction to the non-linear
compressibility, which is a function of the gas composition (measured by a Gas
Chromatograph).
Based on the composition the compressibility factors (Zn and Zb) will need to
be calculated, as will the calorific value of the gas.

4.2 THE DATA NEEDED FOR THE FLOW COMPUTER CALCULATION (SEE
FIGURE 3):
Vn = Flow rate at normal conditions
Vb = Flow rate at flowing conditions
Pn = Normal pressure, typically 1.0135 bara
Pb = Absolute static pressure of gas at flowing conditions from meter tap
Tn = Normal temperature, typically 15 C
Tb = Absolute temperature of gas at flowing conditions
Zn = Compressibility factor of gas at normal conditions
Zb = Compressibility factor of gas at flowing conditions
Hs,n = Superior Calorifc value
E = Energy flowrate
 Figure 4 Flow computer calculation data

The flow computer is the primary part of the custody transfer requirement. Its job is
to read raw data at actual flowing conditions and correct them for the line
conditions and to the reference or base conditions. Then provide the delivery
ticket that reflects output the data and the supporting information and data for
the ticket. The flow computer has certain requirements that must be met, which
includes computation accuracy, audit trail, alarm log, and historical data.