Gas Flow Measurement
Gas Flow Measurement
Gas Flow Measurement
Answer
Accuracy in measurements is obviously of prime importance: error of only
1% for a typical pipeline delivering 300 MMscfd can result in an error of
approximately 1.1 Bscf/year of gas which, at an example gas price of
$3.00/Mscf, would amount to a loss of $3.3 million to the buyer or seller.
Gas Flow Measurement
Gas is measured in terms of volume. Most operators account for
gas in units of 1000 cu ft (Mcf)
To make the volumetric measurements meaningful, Base or
standard pressure and temperature conditions are defined.
The most common basis is the AGA and API recommended
pressure of 14.73 psia and temperature of 60oF.
Volumetric rate can be converted to mass flow rate by multiplying
with the gas density at the standard pressure and temperature(Psc ,
Tsc).
Measurement Fundamentals
Since the gas density at the specified standard conditions is constant
for the particular gas under consideration, measurements in
standard cubit feet are synonymous to mass flowrate measurement.
Flow is one of the most difficult variables to measure because it
cannot be measured directly like pressure and temperature.
It must be inferred by indirect means such as.
Pressure differential over a specified distance
Speed of rotation of a rotating element
Displacement rate in a measurement chamber
Selection of Measurement Devices
Gas and liquids are measured using various measurement techniques
including orifice meters, positive displacement meters, turbine meters,
venturi meters, flow nozzles, critical flow provers, elbow meters, and
variable area meters.
The selection of the measurement method is based on the following
factors:
Accuracy and repeatability of the device.
Range of flow rate: maximum and minimum.
Range of flow temperature and pressure.
Fluid to be measured: gas or liquid, their constituents and specific gravity.
Maintenance requirements.
Expected life of the device, and its initial and operating costs.
Other considerations, such as simplicity, availability of power or other inputs
required by the devices, its susceptibility(easily effected) to theft or vandalism,
etc.
Attributes of Flow Devices
Accuracy
Is a measure of a flow meter’s ability to indicate the actual flow rate
within a specified flow-rate range.
Defined as the ratio of the difference between actual and measured
rates to the actual rate
Reported in percent of full scale or percent of reading
′ Where
𝒒 𝒉=𝑪 √ 𝒉𝒘 𝒑 𝒇
(1)
qh = quantity of flow as base conditions, cfh
C’ = orifice flow constant
hw = differential pressure in inches of water at 60oF
pf = absolute static pressure (psia)
Orifice Equation Factors
The orifice flow constant C’ is expressed in the following equation:
𝑪 ′ =𝑭 𝑭 𝒑𝒃 𝑭 𝑻𝒃 𝑭 𝒈 𝑭𝑻𝒇 𝑭 𝒑𝒗 𝑭 𝑹𝒆 𝒀 𝑭 𝒎 𝑭 𝒍 𝑭 𝒂 (2)
𝒃
CI , the orifice flow constant, is determined primarily from the basic
orifice flow factor, Fb.
For routine field, pipeline and plant operations, the first eight
factors usually are adequate to determine CI.
The last three factors (Fm, Fl, and Fa) are approximately equal to
unity and do not change CI much.
Therefore, these three factors generally are used only for gas
sales and purchases.
11 Factors in the Orifice Flow Constant
Basic Orifice Factor, Fb
The basic orifice factor, Fb is dependent on the type of pressure
taps, the internal diameter and the size of the orifice.
Fb can be obtained for respective tables for flange taps and pipe
taps for published inside diameters.
Pressure Base Factor, Fpb
Corrects to the proper pressure base. It is expressed as:
To correct
deviations from
Depends on assumptions and
pipe & orifice measurements
diameter and For gas sales
location of Accounts for the
differences in calculations
pressure taps
assumed
conditions
Quiz 3 + Active Learning
Individual (Graded) and Pair Testing (Non Graded)
- In the next class before discussing the quiz answer the same quiz is given to pairs
whose task is to correctly answer each question with one answer that both can
agree upon and explain
Quiz 3
Calculate the hourly gas flow rate for the conditions given as
follows:
Readings:
Elevation: 500 ft
Flowing temperature: 840F
Gas-specific gravity: 0.7
Differential pressure: 40-in water column
Static pressure: 143 psig
Quiz 3
Calculate the gas flow rate through an orifice meter for the following
conditions.
Solution
1. Determine the factors for the orifice constant. We use the
abbreviated form here, ignoring the last three factors.
Quiz 3
Quiz 3
2. Calculate C/
Orifice Meter Installation
Orifice meters most commonly are located downstream from a
gas/liquid separator to ensure that liquid has been removed from
the flow stream and to provide a lower operating pressure.
Pipe and flange taps are the standard taps used in the industry
and differ from each other in their location on the flow line.
Flange taps are located so that the centers of the taps are 1 in.
from the respective orifice plate surfaces.
Standard pipe taps are located so that the upstream tap is 2.5
pipe diameters from the orifice plate surface and the downstream
tap is 8.0 pipe diameters away.
Orifice Meter Installation
One major consideration in orifice meter design is sizing the orifice
and the meter run pipe.
(3)
Example 2
Calculate a suitable orifice plate diameter for the following conditions.
Example 2
Calculate a suitable orifice plate diameter for the following conditions.
Solution
Factors Affecting Orifice Meter Accuracy
The following are the factors affecting the Orifice Meter Accuracy:
Flow disturbances, caused by insufficient provisions for flow
stabilization, or by irregularities in the pipe, welding, etc.
Imprecise location of the pressure taps.
Pulsating flow.
Build up solids or sediment on the upstream face of the orifice
plate.
Liquid accumulation in the bottom of a horizontal pipe run or in
pipe sags or in meter body.
Differences or changes in prevailing operation conditions from
those used for calculation purposes.
Incorrect zero adjustment of the meter.
Non uniform calibration characteristics of the meter
Factors Affecting Orifice Meter Accuracy
Corrosion or deposits in the meter internals, or contaminated
mercury.
Leakage around the orifice plate.
Formation of hydrates in meter piping or body.
Incorrect pen movement on chart, such as incorrect arc for the
pens, or excessive friction between pen and chart.
Chart malfunctions – incorrect range, incorrect rotation time.
Other Dynamic Meters
Apart from the Orifice Meters, the other types of commonly used
dynamic meters are :
Are used for high flow rate streams because they permit for same
line size and pressure differential, a 60% greater flow than an
orifice plate.
Hydrate Formation
Pulsating Flow
Slugging
Sour Gas
Attendance
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