CHALLENGES

&
ITS IMPACT ASSESSMENT
ON
NATURAL GAS METERING

By
Gautam Chakraborty
Dy. General Manager (O&M)
GAIL (India) Limited 1
WHAT IS A TERMINAL ?

Terminal is like a node of any gas

pipeline network from which either
natural gas comes in or goes out.

2
 TRERE ARE TWO TYPES
OF TERMINAL

 DELIVERY / DISPATCH TERMINAL : It

is inlet point of the pipeline system or
sub system from which natural gas
enters in to the network.
 RECEIVING TERMINAL : It is exit point of
the pipeline system or sub system from which
natural gas is received by the consumer.
3
 BASIC FUNCTIONS OF TERMINAL
a) REMOVAL OF CONDENSATE , DUST AND OIL FROM THE NATURAL GAS .

b) MEASUREMENT OF SULPHER CONTENT IN THE GAS

c) MEASURMENT OF HYDRCARBON DEW POINT

d) MEASUREMENT OF MOISTURE IN THE GAS

e) ANALYSIS OF NATURAL GAS.

f) CONTROL OF PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE OF NATURAL GAS

SUPPLIED TO CONSUMER.

g) MEASUREMENT OF THE NATURAL GAS SUPPLIED.

h) FLOW CONTROL .

i) SAFETY AGAINST HIGH PRESSURE

CONTD…..

4
 FILTER SEPARATOR
SCRUBER
(2+1) Operation

SCRUBER BY-PASS

To PSV SDV
consumer PCV

Operation (1+1)
FCV
T/M
Dry Filter

To
Consumer

SCHEMATICS OF TRERMINAL 5
 MAIN EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED AT A TERMINAL
 ISOLATION VALVES
 SCRUBBER
 FILTER SEPARATOR
 SULPHER CONTENT ANALYSER
 HYDROCARBON DEW POINT ANALY.
 MOISTURE DEW POINT ANALYSER
 GAS CHROMATOGRAPH
 GAS HEATER
 PRESSURE REDUCTION SKID
 PRESSURE SAFETY VALVES
 FLOW MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
 FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM
 TEMPERATURE SAFETY VALVES

6
GAS MEASUREMENT SYSTEM USED IN GAIL

FOUR TYPE OF GAS MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

IS BEING USED IN GAIL:
1. ORIFICE METERING.
2. TURBINE METERING
3. ULTRASONIC METERING
4. CORIOLIS METERING.

FOR GAS ANALYSYS GAS

CHROMATOGRAPHS ARE BEING USED.
7
Terminal name : X –Fertilizer Plant (Big)
Total Gas consumption = 3.0 MMSCMD
Error in Gas volume measurement = (-)1%
Un -accounted gas = (-) 30,000 SCMD or (-) 1176
MMBTU
Loss per day = Rs. 11.3 lacks.
Loss Per Month = Rs. 339 Lacks
Loss per Annum = Rs. 4125 Lacks
With error of (-) 0.1% ,the annual Loss will be
= Rs.412.5 Lacks. 8
Terminal name : Y –Glass factory (Small)
Hourly Flow rate = 1000 SCMH
Error in Gas volume measurement = (-)1%
Un -accounted gas Per Annum = (-) 3337 MMBTU
Loss per Annum = Rs. 30.03 Lacks.

9
Terminal name : Z
Total Gas consumption = 3.0 MMSCMD at GCV 9600
Kcal/Scm
Error in energy measurement = (-) 01 Kcal/Scm
Un -accounted energy/Annum = (-) 4380 MMBTU
Loss per Annum = Rs. 39.4 Lacks

A thumb rule : With 1 SCM/hr loss can result to Approx.

3.3 Lacks/Annum.
(Cost of Gas @ $15/MMBTU Gross & USD@ Rs.60)
10
 Most of the company allowed, the minimum level
of approving authority to write-off or to give
waiver is DGM or above. That too after a
committee recommends for an amount may not be
more than Rs.5 Lacs and with an intimation to
higher management.
 Even the MD or CMD of a company may not
have a power of waiver of Rs. 1 cr. or above by his
own.
11
GAS FLOW MEASUREMT

12
ORIFICE

13
14
15
16
17
18
TURBINE METER

19
20
21
22
ULTRASONIC METER

23
24
25
26
27
Axial Path, Single Reflection
Single path USM

29
Conclusion Single path meters

 Despite success at the calibration station,

single path meters are not suitable for high-
end custody transfer applications
 Typical uncertainty is:
 ± 2% for wetted configuration
 ± 4% for clamp-on types
Multi-path USM

31
Multi-Path USM

32
Integral Diagnostics of Ultrasonic Meters
 Compare to Turbine meter, the USM can be called
as a black-box.
 However the best part of a USM is it has certain
“Foot-prints”, which are unique.
 These unique foot prints are used for the health
monitoring of USMs.
 These foot-prints are
- Gain
-Signal Quality
- Signal- to -noise ratio.
- Velocity Profile.
-Speed of Sound 33
CORIOLIS METER

34
35
36
37
 Factors
which can effect
Natural Gas Measurement

38
 Some of the Major Challenges in Custody
Transfer Gas Metering
Various Factors which will affect the Gas Metering

• Gas Quality (Composition, Impurities etc..)

• Installation Requirement – Upstream & Downstream
• Flow Profile
• Noise , specially in USM
• Rangeability
• Calibration
• Maintenance
39
 GAS FLOW EQUATION
&
THE EFFECT OF ITS DIFFERENT
COMPONENTS

ON GAS FLOW MEASUREMENT.

40
 Gas Equation & T/M

Considering the Compressibility factor, the equation can be re-written as

41
Flow equation in Orifice metering
The flow rate equation for orifice is :

42
 Comparison between flow equation of orifice & T/M

Accurate measurement of temperature and pressure are just as

critical to orifice plate metering as they are to turbine
metering. Errors in pressure, temperature or compressibility
will directly affect the error in the measured flow rate.
43
For Orifice, there are other factors also.
 Effect of various parameters of gas
equation on metering?

Remember the gas flow equation :

Where
Qb = Corrected volume (say SCM)
Pb = Base pressure (1.0332 kg/cm2a)
Tb = Base temp. (273.15 +15.56 =288.71 K)
Zb = Compressibility factor in base condition.
Qf = Un-corrected volume (say m3)
Pf = Pressure (actual) in absolute (say kg/cm2a, Pf = Pg + Patm)
Tf = Temperature (Tf =273.15+ Ta Kelvin)
Zf = Compressibility factor in actual condition.
 Effect of Un-corrected flow

The error of measurement by the primary

field metering instruments for registering
the un-corrected or actual volume will be
same as that of corrected volume. Provided
that other parameters remains same.

45
 Assumption- Gas Composition

Composition Lean Gas Rich Gas

Methane 91.4717 83.522

Ethane 4.1528 6.794
Propane 0.5648 3.553
i-Butane 0.0244 0.663
n-Butane 0.0163 0.733
i-Pentane 0.0011 0.158
n-Pentane 0.0011 0.146
n-Hexane 0.0000 0.140
n-Heptane 0.0000 0.000
n-Octane 0.0000 0.000
n-Nonane 0.0000 0.000
n-Decane+ 0.0000 0.000
Carbon Dioxide 3.6707 4.206
Nitrogen 0.0972 0.085 46
 Effect of Base Pressure.
 As per the contract provision of GAIL with the consumers,
the value of base pressure is 1.0332Kg/cm2 a or
1.01325bar a.

Given :
Pf=40 Kg/cm2g, Tf=30 DegC, Zf= 0.921642 & Pb=1.0332 Kg/cm2a, Tf=15.56
DegC, Zb= 0.997602 .

At Vf=1000 m3, the Vb = 40940 SCM

 If by mistake, the value of Pb is entered as 1.3032Kg/cm2a. At same

Vf, the Vb would have been 32458 SCM.
47
 A reduction in 20.72% of flow.
 Effect of Base Temperature
 As per the contract provision of GAIL with the
consumers, the value of base pressure is 15.56 DegC or
60 DegF.

Given :
Pf=40 Kg/cm2g, Tf=30 DegC, Zf= 0.921642 & Pb=1.0332 Kg/cm2a, Tf=15.56
DegC, Zb= 0.997602 .

At Vf=1000 m3, the Vb = 40940 SCM

 If by mistake, the value of Tb is entered as 15.65 DegC . At same

Vf, the Vb would have been 40953 SCM.

 A increase in 0.03% of flow i.e a change of 0.1 DegC can effect

48
 Effect of change in Base Temperature in
Energy.
At 15 Deg.C & 15.56 Deg.C base temperature ( with common base
pressure 14.696 psia ):
Energy :
Rich Gas (Kcal/Scm) Lean Gas (Kcal/Scm)
NCV at 15DegC base 9042.71 8163.75
NCV at 15.56 Deg.C 9025.77 8147.73
% diff in NCV w.r.t 0.187% 0.196%
15deg.C
GCV at 15DegC base 9995.70 9052.26
GCV at 15.56 Deg.C 9975.13 9035.58
% diff in GCV w.r.t15deg.C 0.206% 0.184%
The average reduction of energy is approx. 0.19% , if the base
temperature is being changed from 15 Deg.C to 15.56 Deg.C.
49
 Effect of change in Base temperature in Volume
Measurement.
At 15 Deg.C & 15.56 Deg.C base temperature ( with common base
pressure 14.696 psia ):
Volume Measurement :
Assumptions: Va=1000m3, Pa=40 barg, Ta=30Deg.C
Zb at 15Deg.C Zb at 15.56 Deg.C Zf Corrected Corrected
Volume in Scm Volume in Scm
(at 15 degC) (at 15.56
deg.C)

Rich gas 0.997027 0.997046 0.899194 42660.13 42743.85

Lean Gas 0.997712 0.997728 0.924478 41521.90 41603.26
% Diff 0.196% 0.196%

The average increase of volume is approx. 0.19% , if the base

temperature is being changed from 15 Deg.C to 15.56 Deg.C.

So increase/decrease in volume & energy almost neutralizes each other.

 Effect of actual pressure.

Pressure Temperatu Zf % error in

(barA) re (DegC) flow

0
20 20 0.95591

20.2 20 0.95547 1.03955

20.6 20 0.9546 3.141199

20.8 20 0.95416 4.183323

21 20 0.95372 5.246817

51
 Effect of Actual Temperature.
Pressure (barA) Temperature (DegC) Zf % error in flow

20 20 0.95591 0

20 20.2 0.95602 -0.08778

20 20.4 0.95613 -0.15588
20 20.6 0.95624 -0.24343
20 21 0.95635 -0.31134

• ( +) 01 DegC wrong measurement can results in more than 0.3 %

negative error in gas flow measurement.

• Remember, difference of only 0.39 Ω can cause 01deg.C temp.

difference.
52
 Effect of Compressibility factor.

 The compressibility factor depends on

pressure, temperature & gas composition.

 Error in measurement in any one these can

cause error in compressibility factor
calculation.

53
 Assumptions: P=40 kg/cm2g, T=30 degC, Say Zf= 0.93072

Increment Zf % error in flow

al increase

0.0002 0.93092 - 0.021%

0.002 0.93272 -0.21%
0.02 0.95072 -2.1%

Always observe the Compressibility factor. A small change in Z can

have huge impact on gas flow measurement.

54
Error due to Missing FPV
Failing to account for the
compressibility factor in
the AGA7 calculation can
result in errors as high as
20% of the metered flow
rate.

This diagram shows that

even for a fixed gas
composition, the
compressibility factor
changes with temperature
and pressure. 55
 Effect of Atmospheric Pressure

LEAN GAS at 40 Kg/cm2g 

V (Un-

Corrected) in Pf in Atms.Press. V(Corrected) in

m3 kg/cm2a tf in K tb in K zb zf In kg/cm2a SCM

80000 41.0332 303.15 288.71 0.998207 0.930922 1.0332 3244535.631

80000 41.01 303.15 288.71 0.998207 0.930963 1.01 3242558.374

            Diff -1977.256819
            % Diff -0.060941134
               

LEAN GAS at 20 Kg/cm2g 

V(Un-
Corrected) in Pf in Atms.Press. V(Corrected) in
m3 kg/cm2a tf in K tb in K zb zf In kg/cm2a SCM

80000 21.0332 303.15 288.71 0.998207 0.96393 1.0332 1606165.56

80000 21.01 303.15 288.71 0.998207 0.963969 1.01 1604329.02

            Diff -1836.539802
            % Diff -0.114343119
 RICH GAS at 40 Kg/cm2

V(Un-
Corrected) in Pf in Atms.Press. V(Corrected) in
m3 kg/cm2a tf in K tb in K zb zf In kg/cm2a SCM
80000 41.0332 303.15 288.71 0.997012 0.899804 1.0332 3352723.177
80000 41.01 303.15 288.71 0.997012 0.89986 1.01 3350619.033
            Diff -2104.144064
            % Diff -0.062759254
 
RICH GAS at 20 Kg/cm2 
V(Un-
Corrected) in Pf in Atms.Press. V(Corrected) in
m3 kg/cm2a tf in K tb in K zb zf In kg/cm2a SCM
80000 21.0332 303.15 288.71 0.997012 0.948436 1.0332 1630450.245
80000 21.01 303.15 288.71 0.997012 0.948493 1.01 1628553.955
            Diff -1896.290477
            % Diff -0.116304713

57
 The effect of atmospheric pressure (difference,
considering the MSL of Hazira & NCR) on gas
flow measurement is approximately 0.11% of
flow for gas supply pressure of 20 kg/cm2 &
approximately 0.06 % of flow for supply
pressure of 40 Kg/cm2.

 There is not that much significant impact (in

the range of 0.002%)between rich & lean gas.
58
 Effect of various major parameters
in Orifice flow measurement.
Remember Orifice flow equation :

Given Parameters:

DP (In inch of WC) = 25

Pressure (in PSI) = 300
Temp(DegF) = 25
Orifice dia (in Inch) =2
Pipe Dia (in Inch) = 24
N2 (mole %) =0.8
CO2 (mole %) = 3.8
SG = 0.6 59
 Effect of Specific gravity

 Density in-turn specific gravity has a huge

effect in orifice flow measurement.

 Being density in the denominator, any

increase in density will reduce the actual
flow rate in orifice.

 Increase in S.G from 0.6 to 0.606 (1%), will

reduce the flow rate by approx. 0.45%.

60
 Effect of Orifice ID

 Orifice ID has also a great impact on orifice

flow measurement.
 Being orifice ID at the numerator, any
decrease in ID will reduce the actual flow
rate in orifice. .
 Decrease in Orifice ID from 2” to 1.98”
(1%), will reduce the flow rate by 2%.
61
 Effect of Pipe ID
Remember the factor Ev in orifice flow equation :

A section of 200mm Schedule 60 pipe has an

internal diameter of only 179.38mm. Using a
diameter of 200mm in place of 179.38mm can
induce an error of almost 0.24%
62
The above mentioned facts for Orifice flow measurement
can be generalized as mentioned below:

For a typical 10” orifice meter 0.6β, 880 Psia and 68ºF;
Parameter  change % Difference
Meter Tube Diameter 0.10” 0.27
Orifice diameter 0.10” 3.92
Differential Pressure 1.00” H2O 0.50
Static Pressure 10 psi 0.65
(including  change)

Line Temperature 10 F 1.51

(including  change)
Line Density 0.10 lb/ft3 0.95 63
INSTALLATION
EFFECT
ON
GAS METERING

64
 Concentricity of orifice Plate

Concentricity of Orifice plate is most essential for

accurate gas flow measurement.

Large errors associated with Orifice Plates not Centralised

65
 The effect of concentricity of orifice plate

Based on the experiment results of BG, it has

been seen that if a Orifice plate carrier raised
approximately 3/8” from bottom (Plate not
centered) , it can cause an error of ( -) 8.2%.

66
 The effect of Leakage around orifice plate

Based on the experiment results of BG, it has

been seen that leakage around orifice plate
(sealing not proper) can result an error in the
range of 3 to 6% in the gas flow measurement.

67
 Effect of Bend /Warp in orifice plate.
Condition (based on BG Research %
Result) Difference
Bending (Warp) of orifice plate 1/8” from flat -2.8%
(towards the flow)
Bending (Warp) of orifice plate 1/4” from flat -9.1%
(towards the flow)
Bending (Warp) of orifice plate 1/8” from flat -0.6%
(away from the flow)
Bending (Warp) of orifice plate 1/4” from flat -6.1%
(away from the flow)
68
Effect of bevel width of orifice
plate on metering.
 A difference of 0.01in.
Bevel width can
results an error up-to
2.2%.
 The difference can be
as high as 13% with
difference in bevel
width of 0.05in.

69
70
Up-stream length requirement for
Orifice measurement

71
Pipe Roundness tolerance ASTM Vs AGA

72
Internal Roughness

73
 Influence of flow variations on
Turbine Meter
 Turbine meters have normally a fast response to flow variation.
They follow increasing flow variations faster than decreasing
flow variations.
 At high flow rates, the meter response is very fast. When the
flow reduces to very low values, the meter becomes very slow to
follow.
 Turbine meters should therefore not be used on installations that
are controlled in on-off mode with short “on” periods, as they
may seriously over-register under those conditions.

74
 Effect of Regulator on Turbine
Meter flow measurement
 Regulators may generate high level disturbances.
 A tee with one of the straight ends blocked has proven to be
very effective to break up the initial jet issuing from a
regulator.

75
 Installation effect on flow in USM

Installation 90 Deg. Elbow (Out) 90 Deg. Elbow

(In)
10 D upstream -0.04 % 0.24%
(without Conditioner)
20D upstream (without 0.10% 0.12%
conditioner)
With flow conditioner 0.02% 0.05%
& 10D upstream

76
Example of Poor Pipe Layout Design
for USM

77
Example of Good Pipe Layout
Design for noise reduction

78
 Dependency of USM on angle of meter rotation
relative to the pipe configuration.

 The diagram clearly shows

that single path USM- as
expected - very sensitive to
the angle of installation. (error
between -1.4 % and -7.1 %)
compare to IV path
configuration (yet, the error is
still between -1.1 % and -3.0
%,) depending on the
position of the device.

 So the angle of rotation of the

meters has a major impact on
measurement accuracy and
has to be taken into account
when installing ultrasonic
flow-meters. 79
 Install Class “A” Temperature Devices

For custody transfer application always install

“A” class temperature element.

Why?
Large temperature errors can be generated when
using lower accuracy devices .

80
81
 Field Instruments to be installed
within Controlled environment

The field instruments like PTs, DPTs & TTs

should not be exposed to ambient condition ( with
temperature variation of 10°C) .

Why?

The changes in ambient temperature will affect

the instrumentation measurement accuracy. 82
•Typical ambient temperature effect per 50ºF for a
Rosemount model 3051 is ± 0.125% of the calibrated
span.
 
Therefore, if a transmitter is calibrated 0-100”WG on a
suitably selected URL range,  the shift in calibration
could be potentially more than 0.1% for every 50ºF (10
Deg.C) change.

Source: Rosemount Data Sheet 00813-0100-4001

83
Recommended Installation for Custody
transfer secondary instruments.

YES NO 84
 Insulation of Metering Run.

It is essential that each metering stream is completely

insulated [including the orifice fitting body, flanges,
impulse lines & temperature elements) to ensure an even
heat transfer throughout the meter run when installed
within an exposed environment.

Why?

Large flow measurement errors can be generated from

inherent temperature gradients within the metering
system due to ambient temperature effects.
If temperature gradients existed between the
measured temperature & that actually flowing
through the meter say ±0.2ºC (due to the
distance between the two points, which is very
much likely); then the error can be in the range
of ±0.06% of flow.

This is severe in case of Orifice meter & meters

operating at a less velocity of flowing gas.

86
87
 Ensuring Optimised Calibration Ranges

Calibration of the instrument range to ensure typical

operating conditions is approximately 70% of the
span.

Why?

High measurement uncertainty issues are inherent

within inappropriately “ranged” instruments.
88
If a pressure transmitter is calibrated 0 – 100 BarG,
operating at 15 BarG and calibrated to a tolerance of
±0.25% of span, the calibration uncertainty
weighting is;

(100/15) x 0.25 = 1.67%

However if the calibrated range is reduced to 25

BarG, then;

(25/15) x 0.25 = 0.417% (4 times lower) 89

 O&M PRCTICE
&
ITS EFFECT ON

GAS FLOW MEASUREMENT

90
 Routine Primary Device Inspection.

 The primary metering devises shall be

inspected regularly as per schedule & as
and when required.

 Any damage in the primary devises can

cause huge error in gas flow measurement.

 Deposition of dust & debris can be a major

source of error in gas measurement.
91
 Damage Edge of orifice plate

-3.3% Error

92
 Uniform deposition on orifice plate

-1.58% Error

93
 Deposition at the lower part of
orifice plate.

-0.97% Error

94
Contamination say a valve sealant deposits on orifice plate :

Condition (Based on the BG Research) % in error

Bottom half of the plate is coated up -9.7%
to 1/36” thick sealant.
The entire plate is uniformly coated -15.8%
with of 1/36” width of sealant

95
Contamination can effect the Turbine
Meter functioning

96
 Over-speeding in Turbine Meter

 The turbine meters are generally designed to be subjected

to a 20% higher flow rate than the maximum rating for
short periods.

 They should not be run at higher speeds, as bearing

damage and ultimately turbine wheel damage will occur.

 Over-speeding is generally caused by filling up or

pressurizing a section of pipe through the meter in an
uncontrolled way.

 The pressurizing can be done through a small diameter

tube or through the equalizing valve in a controlled way.

97
 Dirty Vs Clean USM Performance

Bottom of Meter

98
Deposition on tube bundle Close-up of Transducer Port
99
100
Performance Curve of USM
(Dirty vs Clean)

101
 Why Turbine meter shall be proved at
SITU condition
 The lower end of the flow range of a Turbine meter is
determined by mechanical friction and is extended by increasing
density and therefore by increasing pressure.
 At the higher flow rates, where friction forces are small
compared with available hydrodynamic forces, the error is
determined by the Reynolds number.
 The Reynolds number is dependent on the flow rate, the density,
and the dynamic viscosity of the gas:

where K is a constant depending on the geometry of the meter , Q is

the flow rate, ρ the density and η the dynamic viscosity of the gas
under operating conditions.
102
Error curve at Different Pressure

103
 Effect of CO2 & N2 in Gas Measurement
CO2 & N2 does not have any effect on HV.
 Results:
Gas Composition (Mole%):
C1-91,C2-4.125, C3-.5648,
With normal composition :
iC4-.0244, nC4-.0163, iC5-.0011, SG=0.6324,
nC5-.0011, nC6- 0.2, nC7-0.1, nC8- Zf = 0.922162
0.1, nC9-0.05,nC10-0.05, Co2-
3.6707, N2-0.0972. Zb = 0.997614
Gas Composition (Mole%) with N2=0: Composition with N2=0 :
C1-91.0972,C2-4.125, C3-.5648, SG=0.631,
iC4-.0244, nC4-.0163, iC5-.0011,
nC5-.0011, nC6- 0.2, nC7-0.1, nC8-
Zf = 0.922075
0.1, nC9-0.05,nC10-0.05, Co2- Zb = 0.997612
3.6707, % variation in Volume = +0.01%
Gas Composition (Mole%) with CO2=0
C1-94.6707,C2-4.125, C3-.5648, Composition with CO2=0 :
iC4-.0244, nC4-.0163, iC5-.0011, SG=0.596,
nC5-.0011, nC6- 0.2, nC7-0.1, nC8-0.1,
nC9-0.05,nC10-0.05, Co2-3.6707, N2- Zf = 0.925110
0.0972 Zb = 0.997692
% variation in Volume = -0.31%
 Traceable Certification & Detailed
Documentation
Traceability certificate & documentation are always to
be made available .

Why?
0.1” difference in orifice plate diameter entered within
the flow computer to that actually “certified” for the
orifice plate in use;

i.e. 5.1239” versus 5.2139”

equates to typically a -4% error

105
 Precaution to be taken for doing
calibration using Dead-weight tester
Measurement Principles

 Dead weight tester operates on the principle of

balancing a known mass against the force exerted by
an unknown pressure on a piston of a known area.

 When an exact balance is achieved, the unknown

pressure P is equal to mass M of the weights divided
by the area A of the piston, according to the formula
P = M/A.
106
 The output pressure from the deadweight tester is
affected by a difference in local gravity ,buoyancy,
ambient temperature, elevation of the transducer
relative to the piston, and the pressure effect on the
piston effective area must be considered.
 Sample calculation for indicated
pressure of 17.6 Kg/cm2
Given :
Temp= 27°C(80.6°F), G local =980.17 cm/sec2.
G Std.= 980.665 cm/sec2. The piston area :0.39669 cm2 (0.06149 in2)
The transducer is located 7.62 cm i.e
(3 in) above the base plate

Href = distance from the top of the base plate to the bottom of the piston, cm

H = transducer elevation above or below the base plate, cm

Acyl = piston area at reference temperature and pressure, cm2
acyl = thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder, 1/°C
apiston = thermal expansion coefficient of the piston, 1/°C

b = pressure coefficient of the effective area, cm2/kg

P = nominal pressure, kg/cm2

Mapp = total of the masses from the test certificate, grams

 CALCULATION:

RESULT:

 The Difference in Pressure = 0.03 Kg/cm2

 This can cause an error of 0.16% in gas flow
Measurement . 109
METER PROVER

110
THEFT

111
THEFT PATTERN ACROSS GLOBE

112
 Sealing System
 Special Padlock on cabinet Door
 Holographic seal at all the joints of the cabinet
 All vents inside the skid sealed
 Holographic seal at all the joints of the Flow
Meter
 Proper sealing Format (4-Stage : Before opening
of Metering skid, after opening of metering skid,
before closing of the metering skid, after closing
of the metering skid).
 Contract provisions for suspected theft cases
113
UNIQUE THEFT

114
 REPLY

Q1: Why Base condition is required?

Q2: When the accuracy of the meters is generally

worse than +/- 0.3%, how we can achieve +/- 0.3%
in reconciliation?

Q3:Which one is more profitable way to sale the gas

to a consumer : Volume basis, energy basis or mass
basis? 115
 Error and Accuracy
•Poor repeatability means poor accuracy

116
•Good repeatability does not necessarily mean good accuracy
•Good accuracy means good repeatability

118
 Accuracy of a Flow Meter is its ability to give
indications of the measured quantity that approach the
true value of that quantity.

 Precision is the closeness of agreement between the

results obtained by applying the experimental
procedure several times under prescribed conditions.

 Error is often referred to as Accuracy .

 Aaccuracy of a Gas Flow Meter refers to its ability to

measure the true value of the required parameter
119
 Error & Uncertainty
indicated value - real value
Error = —————————————— x 100%
real value

Error is often referred to as Accuracy

Uncertainty of a measurement is an Eestimate

characterizing the rage of values within which the
true value of the measured quantity lies.
120
 Error & Traceability
 Traceability is the property of a result of a
measurement whereby it can be related to
appropriate standards, generally International
or National Standards, through an unbroken
chain of comparisons, all having stated
Uncertainties

Traceability and Measurement Uncertainty are

a must for Reliability, Confidence and
Credibility.
121
CONCLUSION

122
 Profitability against error in Measurement

 If a company is operating at a healthy profit of 15%, then a loss of

only 1% in metering would equate to losing almost 7% in profit.

 Say a small temperature change can give rise to a 1% meter error

& could be the difference between maintaining or losing 10% of a
company’s profit.

These can be avoided by simply ensuring that the

operation of flow computers & GCs are correct
( Considering that design & installation of the metering
system is as per standard).
124
My question to the participants.
 Why base condition is
required?
 When the accuracy of the
meters is generally worse
than +/- 0.3%, how we can
achieve +/- 0.3% in
reconciliation?
 Which one is more
profitable way to sale the
gas to a consumer : Volume
basis, energy basis or mass
basis?
THANK YOU 126