A comparison of static and dynamic mass measurement methods

of LNG utilizing weighbridge and coriolis mass flow meters

Tore Mortensen and Henning Kolbjørnsen, Justervesenet, Fetveien 99, N-2007 Kjeller, NORWAY

25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85

Introduction: Test procedure and calculation of result:

There is a lack of universal accepted reference methods for traceable dynamic metering of LNG 1. Gross weight of full LNG road tanker is measured on weighbridge (Mgross )
quantity. The static method of weighing is well established and gives good results in controlled 2. The LNG is transferred from the road tanker to the LNG terminal and quantity is dynamically measured with three
conditions. By comparing static (scale/weighbridge) and dynamic (mass flow meter) methods for independent coriolis mass flow meters (MCMF1, MCMF2, MCMF3 )
the measurement of LNG mass this work gives an approach to this challenge.
3. Tare weight of the empty LNG road tanker is measured on weighbridge (Mtare )
4. The net weight of LNG cargo (Mnet = Mgross – Mtare = full and empty weight difference of step 1. and 3.) is compared to the
The main elements utilized for the comparison consist of: LNG, a road tanker, a weighbridge and a
coriolis mass flow meters indicated mass.
coriolis flow meter (three meters used simultaneously for this test). In addition there is a production
5. The relative measurement error of coriolis mass flow meter compared to weighbridge, ECMF , is calculated according
facility for LNG and a receiving terminal for unloading LNG from road tanker.
to the formula:
Coriolis meters: ECMFn= MCMFn – Mnet
x 100%
CMF1: Installed on road tanker Mnet
CMF2: Installed at terminal
CMF3: Installed at terminal where n denotes coriolis meter number.

Haukås terminal:
• Terminal is a LCNG (liquified-compressed natural gas)
refuelling station for city buses in the Bergen area

• Has a 80 m3 LNG storage tank at terminal

• Three independent coriolis mass flow meters utilized for

the testing

Weighbridge:
• 60 tonne capacity with 2 kg resolution

• 2 x 9 meter cast sections resting on 6 weight cells

• Calibrated and traceable to national primary standards

• Verified stability during test period (checked before and

after testing)

• Good shield against the environment

• 21 km on road from transfer terminal Haukås

Road tanker:
• Gross weight 50 tonne, net weight 22 tonne (45 m3 LNG)

• Prominent isolated tanks

• Closed system, no flaring or boil off

• All tests with same road tanker and driver

• Tractor disconnected from semi-trailer during weighing

• “Dummy test” without LNG transfer to explore the effect

LNG road tanker route in the Bergen area showing locations of production facility, weighbridge and recieving terminal. of potential buildup of road debris between weighings

Results: Date: 20120905 20120910 20120918 20121008 20121015 Average Mean Absolute
Deviation
ECMF1 1,83 % -0,27 % 0,74 % 0,26 % 0,79 % 0,67 % 0,54 %
A total of 5 reproduced comparisons of the weighbridge and each of the 3 coriolis mass flow meters were carried out.
ECMF2 -0,18 % -0,1 1 % -0,23 % -0,08 % -0,19 % -0,16 % 0,05 %
ECMF3 -0,12 % -0,08 % -0,1 9 % -0,03 % -0,13 % -0,1 1 % 0,05 %

Conclusion:
In this work it is shown that by doing careful measurements it is possible to achieve excellent results
from the comparison of static and dynamic measurements methods for the quantity of LNG.
The low value of mean absolute deviation of CMF2 and CMF3 indicates that the proposed method
of testing has good reproducibility and that the testing has been performed in a metrological stable
environment. CMF1 should be further investigated for erroneous operation. The method can be
performed on-site with minimum to no interference with running operation.

This work is carried out as part of a so-called Joint Research

Project (JRP) under the European Metrology Research Program
(EMRP) that is jointly supported by the European Commission and
the participating countries within the European Association of
National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET e.V).