GASCalc™ 5.

0 Calculation Reference
Cone Meter
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Background Information
Equations
Example Calculation
General Calculation Procedures
Notes & Considerations
Screen Description
See Also

General Calculation Procedures

To calculate the various values associated with the cone meter calculation, complete the following steps:

! Select the Cone Meter menu item from the Meters menu list. The Cone Meter Values calculation screen
will be displayed.

! Select the Clear command button to set all of the values to an empty (null) value.

! Select the Base Conditions command button. The Base Conditions screen will be displayed.

! Enter an appropriate base pressure and temperature value.

! Select an appropriate file or the None option from the Use Gas Properties File list. If the “None”
option is selected, enter the appropriate gas property values.

! Select an appropriate method from the Atmospheric Pressure Method list.

! Select an appropriate method or the None option from the Compressibility Method list.

! Select the Apply command button to save the changes and return to the current calculation screen.

! Select an appropriate method from the Calculation Method data list.

! Click on the red label associated with the item to be calculated (the unknown) until the label is underlined.

! Select the desired dimensional units for all of the data items.

! Enter a value for all known data items.

! Select the Calculate command button.

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Example Calculation

Calculate the flow rate associated with the following meter and operating conditions, using the McCrometer V-Cone
Flowmeters method:

Meter Coefficient = 0.8689

Tube Size = 6 Inch steel standard wall pipe
Cone Diameter = 4.609 Inches [117 Millimeter]
Differential Pressure = 80 Inches H2O [210 mBar]
Static Pressure = 150 Psig [10 Bar]
Elevation = 0 Feet [0 Metres]
Flowing Temperature = 52 Fahrenheit [11 Celsius]

Cone Dimensional Reference Temperature = 70 Fahrenheit [21 Celsius]

Cone Material = 304 Stainless Steel
Tube Dimensional Reference Temperature = 70 Fahrenheit [21 Celsius]
Tube Material = Carbon Steel
Meter Factor = 1.0
Meter Tube/Pipe Velocity Units = Feet/sec [Metres/sec]

Base Pressure = 14.73 Psia [1016 mBar]

Base Temperature = 60 Fahrenheit [15.6 Celsius]
Gas Composition = US Standard sample gas mixture [UK Standard sample gas mixture]
Atmospheric Pressure Method = AGA
Compressibility Method = None

To perform the calculation, complete the following steps.

! Select the Cone Meter menu item from the Meters menu list. The Cone Meter Values calculation screen
will be displayed.

! Select the Clear command button.

! Select the Base Conditions command button. The Base Conditions screen will be displayed.

! For the Pressure item, enter 14.73 Psi (Abs) [1016 mBar (Abs)].

! For the Temperature item, enter 60 Fahrenheit [15.6 Celsius].

! From the Use Gas Properties File list, select us standard.prp [ uk standard.prp].

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! From the Atmospheric Pressure Method list, select AGA.

! From the Compressibility Method list, select None.

! Select the Apply command button.

! From the Calculation Method list, select McCrometer - V-Cone Flowmeters.

! In the Meter Run Data section:

! Click on the Flow Rate label until it is underlined. From the Flow Rate dimensional units list,
select Mcfh [m3h].

! For the Meter Coefficient, enter 0.8689.

! From the Tube Size list, select 6S-STD Inches [Millimeter].

! For the Cone Diameter, enter 4.609 Inches [117 Millimeter].

! For the Differential, enter 80 Inches H2O [210 mBar].

! For the Static Pressure, enter 150 Psi [10 Bar].

! For the Elevation, enter 0 Feet [0 Metres].

! For the Flowing Temp, enter 50 Fahrenheit [11 Celsius].

! For the Cone Dimensional Reference Temp, enter 70 Fahrenheit [21 Celsius].

! From the (Cone) Expansion Factor dimensional units list, select In/in-F [mm/mm-C].

! Select the ? command button next to the (Cone) Expansion Factor label. The Coefficient Of
Linear Thermal Expansion selection screen will be displayed.

! Select Steel, Stainless (304) from the data list.

! Select the Apply command button to close the selection screen and assign the value.

! For the Tube Dimensional Reference Temp, enter 70 Fahrenheit [21 Celsius].

! Select the ? command button next to the (Tube) Expansion Factor label. The Coefficient Of Linear
Thermal Expansion selection screen will be displayed.

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! Select Steel, Carbon from the data list.

! Select the Apply command button to close the selection screen and assign the value.

! For the Meter Factor, enter 1.0.

! In the Calculated Values section:

! From the Meter Tube/Pipe Velocity dimensional units list, select Feet/sec [Metres/sec].

! Select the Calculate command button.

Results - The results should be similar to the following:

Flow Rate: 744.86 Mcfh [21358 m3h]

Meter Tube/Pipe Velocity: 90.8 Feet/sec [29 Metres/sec]

Throat Velocity: 214.9 Feet/sec [68 Metres/sec]

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Screen Description

The various values associated with the flow through an cone meter may be calculated using the Cone Meter
calculation routine. To perform a calculation, select the Cone Meter menu item from the Meters menu list. The Cone
Meter Values screen will be displayed. The features associated with the screen are described as follows.

Data Items

Atmospheric Pressure - A data field used to enter a specific atmospheric pressure value for the meter location. The
item is only displayed and enabled when the Atmospheric Pressure Method in the Base Conditions is set to “None -
Entered Value”. If the field is displayed and enabled, enter a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value
is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

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Calculation Method - A drop-down list used to select which method is used to perform the calculation. Select an
item from the list. The unknown value should be recalculated if the method is changed.

Compressibility Factor (Base) - A data field used to enter a specific compressibility factor at the base conditions.
The item is only displayed when the Compressibility Method in the Base Conditions is set to “None - Entered
Values”. If the field is displayed, enter a value by typing it into the data field.

Compressibility Factor (Flowing) - A data field used to enter a specific compressibility factor at the flowing
conditions. The item is only displayed when the Compressibility Method in the Base Conditions is set to “None -
Entered Values”. If the field is displayed, enter a value by typing it into the data field.

Cone Diameter - A data field used to enter or display the cone/orifice diameter value. If the value is known, enter
a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the assigned dimensional unit.

Cone Dimensional Reference Temperature - A data field used to enter the dimensional reference temperature value
for the cone/orifice. Enter a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the
selected dimensional unit.

Differential Pressure - A data field used to enter or display the pressure differential across the meter. If the value
is known, enter a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected
dimensional unit.

Elevation - A data field used to enter the height above mean sea level for the location of the meter installation. The
item is only displayed and enabled when the Atmospheric Pressure Method in the Base Conditions is not set to
“None” or “None - Entered Value”. If the field is displayed and enabled, enter a value by typing it into the data field.
Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Flow Rate - A data field used to enter or display the volumetric flow rate through the meter. If the value is known,
enter a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Flowing Temperature - A data field used to enter the temperature of the gas flowing through the meter. Enter a value
by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Meter Coefficient - A data field used to enter the flow/sizing coefficient for the associated meter. Enter a value by
typing it into the data field.

Meter Factor - A data field used to enter an “adjustment” factor for the associated meter. Enter a value by typing
it into the data field.

Static Pressure - A data field used to enter the static pressure upstream of the meter cone. Enter a value by typing
it into the data field. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

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Tube Dimensional Reference Temperature - A data field used to enter the dimensional reference temperature value
for the meter run tubes. Enter a value by typing it into the data field. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the
assigned dimensional unit. This item is not used by all calculation methods.

Tube Size - A data list used to enter or select the inside diameter of the meter tube in which the meter is installed.
Either enter a value by typing it into the data field, select an item from the list, or select the ? command button to
select a size using the Pipe Selection screen. Ensure the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Calculated Values

Meter Tube/Pipe Velocity - Displays the calculated velocity of the flow through the upstream meter tube. Ensure
the value is expressed in terms of the selected dimensional unit.

Other Values - Displays additional results for certain calculation methods. The contents of this item vary depending
on the selected calculation method.

Throat Velocity - Displays the calculated velocity of the flow stream through the orifice (around the cone).

Command Buttons

? - A command button used to display a data selection screen for the associated item. Use the various data lists on
the screen to select a value, then select the Apply command button to assign the selected value and return to the
calculation screen.

i - A command button used to display information about the associated item. The contents of the information screen
generally reflects the various data values contained in the associated Property Table. Select the Close command
button to return to the calculation screen.

Base Conditions - A command button used to access the Base Conditions screen. When selected, the Base
Conditions screen will be displayed. Make any desired changes to the settings, then select the Apply command button
to save and apply the changes to the current calculation screen.

Calculate - A command button used to calculate the value of the unknown (underlined) parameter.

Cancel - A command button used to close the screen without saving any changes.

Clear - A command button used to set all of the data items to blank (null) values.

Close - A command button used to close the screen and save the current data values.

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Help - A command button used to display this Calculation Reference.

Notes - A command button used to display the Calculation Notes editor screen for the current calculation.

Open - A command button used to open a previously saved calculation file. When selected, the File Selection screen
will be displayed. Enter or select the desired File name, then select the Open command button.

Print - A command button used to print the contents of the calculation screen. When selected, the Print Settings
screen will be displayed. Make any desired changes to the printer settings, then select the Print command button.

Save - A command button used to save the contents of the calculation screen to a calculation file. When selected,
the File Selection screen will be displayed. Enter or select the desired File name, then select the Save command
button.

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Notes & Considerations

! The Calculation Notes editor screen allows the User to add a specific title and/or notes to the current calculation
values.

! The red colored labels indicate which items may be calculated. An underlined (selected) label identifies the item
to be calculated as unknown. Only one item at a time may be selected to be calculated, the remaining items must be
known. To identify which item to calculate, click on the label associated with the desired item until the label is
underlined.

! If the tube size is set by selecting an item from the Tube Size list, the appropriate inside diameter value will be read
from the Pipe Property Table and used during the calculation.

! The meter factor item is used to adjust the calculated flow through the meter to match field determined results. A
factor greater than 1.0 increases the flow rate, a factor less than 1.0 reduces the flow rate, and a factor of 1.0 does
not affect the flow rate.

! The tube velocity value is based on the flow through the specified tube diameter, unadjusted for flowing
temperature, at the specified static pressure.

! The throat velocity value is based on the flow through the annular space between the tube and the cone, unadjusted
for flowing temperature, at the specified static pressure. The value is approximate.

! The Other Values panel displays additional calculated values depending on the selected calculation method. These
values provide intermediate calculation results which may be used to verify and compare the calculated results against
other calculation procedures or published example calculations.

! To specify the number of digits to display to the right of the decimal indicator, double-click in the associated data
field. The Decimal Specifications screen will be displayed. Enter or select the desired number of digits, then select
the Apply command button to save and apply any changes.

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Background Information

There are various methods and devices used to measure the flow of gas at a specific location. The devices used to
measure the gas flow are generally referred to as “meters”. One device, a cone meter, uses the known characteristics
of gas flowing around a cone shaped object inserted within a meter tube to determine the gas flow rate. The meter
is configured such that the gas can only pass around the cone creating a pressure drop which can be measured and
used to ultimately calculate a volumetric flow rate. Currently there are no particular standards covering the
installation or calculation of flow through these devices - each manufacturer provides these details.

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Equations

GASCalc provides several methods for calculating the parameters associated with a cone meter. Each method is
unique and may have individual limitations associated with its use. The User must determine the appropriate equation
to use for the application being analyzed. The various cone meter equations supported by GASCalc are described on
the following pages.

Diameter Temperature Compensation

The tube and cone diameter dimensional values are adjusted to compensate for expansion and contraction caused by
differences between the reference temperature and the flowing temperature using the following equations.

Reference 1

Standard Volumetric Flow Rate

This item is calculated using the following equation.

Reference 2

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McCrometer Methods

This method calculates the volumetric flow through the meter at flowing conditions using the following equations.

Reference 1, 3

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Equation Variables

Unless noted otherwise, the following base units and variable definitions apply to all of the methods and equations
described in this section:

CD = Meter Coefficient, Dimensionless

d = Meter Cone Outside Diameter, Feet
Dr = Meter Cone Diameter at the Reference Temperature, Feet
D = Meter Tube Inside Diameter, Feet
DR = Meter Tube Diameter at the Reference Temperature, Feet
DP = Pressure Differential at Flowing (Metered) Conditions, Psia
g = Gravitational Constant, Ft/sec
k = Ratio of Specific Heats, Dimensionless
K1 = Equation Constant
MF = Meter Adjustment Factor, Dimensionless
PB = Base Pressure, Psia
PF = Pressure at Flowing (Metered) Conditions, Psia
QB = Metered Volume at the Specified Base Pressure and Temperature, Cf
QF = Metered Volume at Flowing (Metered) Conditions, Cf
R = Pressure Ratio, Dimensionless
SG = Ideal Gas Specific Gravity, Dimensionless
TB = Base Temperature, Rankine
TF = Temperature at Flowing (Metered) Conditions, Rankine
TR = Reference Temperature for Meter Tube and Cone Dimensions, Rankine
Y = Expansion Factor, Dimensionless
ZB = Compressibility Factor at Specified Base Conditions, Dimensionless
ZF = Compressibility Factor at Flowing (Metered) Conditions, Dimensionless

PF = PFG + PATM
PATM = Atmospheric Pressure at Measured (Metered) Location, Psia
PFG = Gauge Pressure at Flowing (Metered) Conditions, Psig

á = Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, In-In/Fahrenheit

â = Beta Ratio, Dimensionless
Ñf = Gas Density at Flowing Conditions as Defined by Reference 1, Lbm/Cf
ð = Euclidean Constant, Dimensionless

References

1. McCrometer, Flow Calculations For The V-Cone and Wafer-Cone Flowmeters, Lit #24509-54, Rev 3.2, 2008.
2. American Gas Association, Measurement, GEOP Series Book M-1, 1993.

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3. McCrometer, Advances Differential Pressure Flow Technology, Article ARTC02031710, 2002.

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See Also

Atmospheric Pressure Calculation Reference

Base Conditions Help Reference
Compressibility Factor Calculation Reference
Gas Properties Calculation Reference
Meter MatchMaker Help Reference
Thermal Expansion Calculation Reference
Velocity Calculation Reference

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