Electronic Volume Correctors

Ben Manson

© Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC

Agenda
 Customer Types and suitable equipment
 Volume corrector standards / regulations
 Basics of volume correction
 Gauge v Absolute pressure sensors
 New product technologies

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 2

Customer Types

Stations
Flow Computer
Take or Pay Meter Reading once per Day /
Transmission online
Industrial Customer
Contracts / Hourly Basis Volume corrector
Special Contract customer Meter Reading once per Day

Commercial Customer
Contracts / Daily Basis Data Logger
Special Contract Customer Meter Reading once
per Month

Residential
Residential Customer Customer
Meter Reading
Every 2-3 Months

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC

Volume Correctors – Flow Computers

Mounted on the meter / pipe Mounted in the control room

Fixed connected sensors Sensors separated (changeable) HART protocol

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Volume Correctors – Flow Computers

Battery powered device Mains powered (115 / 230VAC / 24VDC)

(Option: mains powered)

Metal housing; IP65 19” racket

Outdoor installation IP20; Indoor

Also possible in battery operated mode Only with mains power supply Remote Control
Protocol IEC 60780-5-104

Stand-alone device Easy installation More than 1-Stream supported

Current outputs
Fixed connection to GC possible
Error curve correction of the gas meter

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 Standards
New Zealand North America Europe Australia
Type Testing / None None MID None
Pattern Approval (Measurement
Instrument
Directive)
Industry NZ5259 AGA XQ9901:1999 EN12405 None
Standards
Compressibility AGA-NX19, AGA8, or AGA 8 S-GERG-88 AGA-NX19
Calculation ISO12213

Pressure Gauge Gauge Absolute Both

Measurement
Intrinsic Safety IECEx, UL, ATEX UL ATEX IECEx

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 6

Global Market Trends
 The volume corrector market is very conservative, new technologies
generally take 2-3 years to be accepted

Some market trends:

 IECEx becoming the standard in more countries, expect Europe, USA,
Canada
 Due to developments in pressure sensors absolute is becoming
accepted in more countries
 Countries that have no local standards are adopting OIML for
pattern approval / type testing

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 7

Basic Function of a Volume Corrector
1. Volume Correctors take the actual volume passing through the gas
meter and compensate for pressure and temperature variations
and calculates gas compressibility providing standard volume
measurement.
2. Typically gas correctors are installed in applications where large
volumes of gas are being consumed and pressure fluctuates
3. Depending on the application, there are different features
available such as data logging, super-compressibility, digital pulse
outputs etc. Most products can be installed inside hazardous areas
and read out via telephone networks.

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 8

Dependence on Pressure (Boyles Law)
 Increasing Pressure
– Decreases Volume Initial Pressure
 Constant Temperature
 If the temperature remains constant,
the volume of a given mass or weight of
gas is inversely proportional to the
P1 x V1
pressure.
 Pressure must be in Absolute Units Increased
Pressure

P2 x V2

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 9

Dependence on Temperature (Charles Law)
 Increasing Temperature
– Increases Volume (1% per 3OC) V1/T1
 If the pressure remains constant, the
volume of a given mass or weight of
gas varies directly with the absolute
temperature.
 Temperature must be in absolute
V2/T2
units

Increasing
Temperature
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Ideal Gas Law
 Co bi es Boyle’s a d Charles’ Laws together.
 The volume of a given mass or weight of gas is
directly proportional to the absolute
temperature and inversely proportional to the
absolute pressure.
 (V1xP1)/T1=(V2XP2)/T2

Where
 T = Absolute Temperature
 P = Absolute Pressure

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 11

Real Gas Law – Compressibility (Z)
 Colder temperatures and higher pressures
decrease Kinetic Energy and allow forces of
attraction to pull molecules together.
 Final net result depends on
– Pressure
– Temperature
– Composition of the gas
 With large volumes of gas used it has a significant
impact on the metering accuracy, revenue
collection.

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 12

Gas Measurement Law
Vb= Vm x (Pm/Pb) x (Tb/Tm) x Z
Vm = Metered Volume (Actual)
Pm = Absolute Metering Pressure
Pb = Base Pressure
Tb = Absolute Base Temperature
Tm = Absolute Metering Temperature
Alt = Altitude correction factor (only if gauge pressure measurement)
Z = Compressibility Factor

T(base) = 15 OC Standard Conditions

P(base) = 101.325 kPa (abs) Depends on location
Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 13
Gauge v Absolute Pressure Measurement
 The distinction between Gauge Pressure and Absolute Pressure should be understood.
Absolute Pressure is the pressure that exists above zero pressure (a perfect vacuum).
 Countries with type testing do not accept gauge pressure due to the additional error

Absolute
Gauge Pressure
Pressure
(kPa)

101.325 kPa
At Sea
Vacuum Level

Absolute Atmospheric

Pressure Pressure
0 kPa Abs
Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 14
 96
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104
2015-1-3
2015-1-11
2015-1-19
2015-1-27
2015-2-4
2015-2-12
2015-2-20
2015-2-28
2015-3-8
2015-3-16
2015-3-24
2015-4-1
2015-4-9
2015-4-17
2015-4-25
2015-5-3

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC

2015-5-11
2015-5-19
2015-5-27
2015-6-4
2015-6-12
2015-6-20
2015-6-28
2015-7-6
2015-7-14
2015-7-22
2015-7-30
Auckland Barometric Pressure

2015-8-7
2015-8-15
2015-8-23
2015-8-31
2015-9-8
2015-9-16
2015-9-24
2015-10-2
Auckland Barometric pressure (kPa)

2015-10-10
2015-10-18
2015-10-26
2015-11-3
2015-11-11
2015-11-19
2015-11-27
2015-12-5
2015-12-13
2015-12-21
2015-12-29
2016-1-6
2016-1-14
2016-1-22
2016-1-30
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 Impact on PCF
Pressure Correction @ 100kPa
2,020
2,010
2,000
1,990
1,980
1,970
1,960
1,950
1,940

2015-12-29
2015-10-10
2015-10-18
2015-10-26

2015-11-11
2015-11-19
2015-11-27

2015-12-13
2015-12-21
2015-1-3

2015-2-4

2015-3-8

2015-4-1
2015-4-9

2015-5-3

2015-6-4

2015-7-6

2015-8-7

2015-9-8

2016-1-6
2015-6-12

2016-1-14
2015-1-11
2015-1-19
2015-1-27

2015-2-12
2015-2-20
2015-2-28

2015-3-16
2015-3-24

2015-4-17
2015-4-25

2015-5-11
2015-5-19
2015-5-27

2015-6-20
2015-6-28

2015-7-14
2015-7-22
2015-7-30

2015-8-15
2015-8-23
2015-8-31

2015-9-16
2015-9-24
2015-10-2

2015-11-3

2015-12-5

2016-1-22
2016-1-30
 As an example for 100kPa gauge metering pressure the PCF is 1.987
 If we use an absolute pressure sensor the max PCF would be 2.007 & the min 1.964
 If we compare this to the PCF of 1.987 this could produce an error up to 1%
 The revenue or UAFG impact will depend on amount of volume passing through the meter

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 16

Conversion standard to energy
 Use of absolute pressure sensors
simplifies the energy equation for
billing
 Reference to NZS5259:2015
– FA not required
– FP is simplified

Can still be validated

outside the EVC
Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 17
EVC Innovations

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 Inputs Flexible than ever

LF
HF Electronic Volume Corrector
Encoder

Input Function
● Up to six (counting / status) inputs
1 Encoder, LF, HF
2 LF, HF, Status ● HF sensors from the meter can be connected if the
3 LF, Status device is mains supplied
4 LF, Status
5 LF*, Status
● Automatic switch over to LF in case of power
failure without lost of volume
6 LF*, Status

* not possible for the input signal Vm ● Automatic detection of the Encoder, no settings
necessary
Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC
Station Monitoring

2nd T-sensor (Option)

2nd p-sensor (Option) Electronic Billing
Volume e.g. via
Up to 5 status inputs GSM modem or
Filter Corrector GPRS (TCP/IP)
Differential Regulator
pressure SSV Monitoring
switch e.g. via
Inlet Vm RS232/485/422
pressure and Modbus to SCADA
LF/ p T system
HF/
Encoder

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC

Internal Modem – Battery lifetime
• Lifetime of the Modem battery depends on:
• Ambient temperature (!)
• Reception level (!!!)
• Call window (!)
• Communication time (!!)

Device-initiated
Mode Read Out from Head End System (PULL)
PUSH-mode / ComFTP (PUSH)
3 Minutes 3 Minutes 60 Minutes 2 x 60 Minutes 180 Minutes
Call Wndow
(daily) (daily) (daily) (daily) (monthly)

Service Window (monthly) 0 Minutes 60 Minutes - - -

Communication-Time 2 Minutes 2 Minutes 2 Minutes 2 x 2 Minutes 20 Minutes

62 Month 60 Month 32 Month 17 Month 140 Month
Lifetime of Modem battery
= 5.2 Years = 5.0 Years = 2.7 Years = 1.4 Years = 11.6 Years

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC

 Digital plug and play pressure transducers
Technical Differences Model A Model B Model C
A / D Converter Accuracy (Resolution) 19 bits (524288:1) 10 bits (1024:1) 12 bits (4096:1)

50 Hz / 60 Hz filter   
Onboard coefficients   
Onboard calibration traceability data   
Onboard temperature measurement   
Ultra-High Moderate Moderate
Noise immunity (the A/D converter is at the other side (the A/D converter is at the other side
of a 30 cm cable) of a 30 cm cable)
All components are potted,
Board coating with open connector Board coating with open connector
Long term analog component protection including connectors, keeps water
pins pins
off.

Accuracy (over the entire range) 0.1% of Full Scale 0.6% of Full Scale 0.3% of Full Scale
Accuracy (@ ref conditions) 0.04% of Full Scale 0.4% of Full Scale 0.2% of Full Scale
Long term drift 0.4% of FS over 10yrs 0.5% of FS at 1st year 0.3 of FS at 1st year
Recommended calibration time 10 years 2 years 2 years
Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 22
Internal Cellular Modems
​Generally supports several modem technologies:
 Multi-band UMTS/HSPA,
 2G, 3G
 Upgradeable to 4G (LTE)

​Enables Over the air configuration or firmware

upgrade.
​Lowers your TCO :
 Save on installation, configuration and operation
costs.
 Provides lowest cost communications available
today.

Ben Manson | © Landis+Gyr | October 14, 2016 | PUBLIC 23

Thank you for your attention

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