The Coriolis mass flow meter as a volume meter for the custody transfer in liquid hydrocarbons logistics

In recent years, the Coriolis mass flow meters (CMF), devices based on the Coriolis effect over a vibrating pipe, have developed better metrological performance and they are now a reasonable alternative for the custody transfer measurements. Nowadays, many custody transfer operations require measurement of the net volume (volume measured at a certain reference temperature) and, therefore, it is not feasible to use the CMF as a mass flow meter. However, the actual CMF can be used as net volume meters because they have special equipment to measure density and temperature, and a flow computer. In this work, firstly a mathematical simplification of the physical model is proposed for the CMF. We part from the dimensional analysis of the flow-phase relationship produced by the Coriolis force, the main physical principle behind these devices. A simplified formula is obtained and it permits identifying the magnitudes of influence of the CMF as a mass meter. Secondly, its metrological properties are characterized. For such purpose, a 4” straight tube commercial meter has been calibrated in volume, in the 50 to 165 m³/h range against a standard container and a bidirectional prover, employing gas oil and kerosene (JET-A1). These calibrations have turned out to be compatible with the ones performed by the manufacturer in mass and using water. Then it is verified that the CMF fulfills the requisites of the legal metrology: maximum error allowed, linearity and repeatability. Skewness is observed in the relative error (expressed in %) of the CMF and it has been researched to be due to systematic effects related to constructive parameters of the meter. Lineal correlation is verified between relative error and temperature, and between relative error and flow rate, with negative slopes of −0.03% °C⁻¹ and −0.001% h/m³ respectively.     

Development and evaluation of the calibration facility for high-pressure hydrogen gas flow meters

The calibration facility with the multi-nozzle calibrator was developed for the calibration of flow meters to be used with high-pressure, high-flow-rate hydrogen gas. The critical nozzles installed in the multi-nozzle calibrator were calibrated with traceability to the national standard. The relative standard uncertainty of the mass flow rates produced from the calibration facility is 0.09% when the flow rate is between 150 g/min and 550 g/min. In this study, the Coriolis flow meter was calibrated for a pressure range of 15–35 MPa. The relative standard uncertainty of the flow rates obtained from the Coriolis flow meter was 0.44% for the case of the worst fluctuations in the output of the flow meter; based on the calibration curve, this is 0.91%. The present result shows that there is a maximum 3% difference between the output of the Coriolis flow meter and the mass flow rates of the multi-nozzle calibrator, even though the Coriolis flow meter was calibrated using water. Therefore, for the development of a calibration facility that can calibrate a flow meter under the same conditions as those encountered in actual use, it will be important to develop a new flow meter.     

A unique test facility for calibration of domestic flow meters under dynamic flow conditions

In the early nineties a hot water test facility was planned and constructed for calibration and testing of volume and flow meters at the National Volume Measurement Laboratory at RISE (formerly SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden). The main feature of the test facility is the capability to measure flow in a wide temperature and flow range with very high accuracy. The objective of the project, which was initiated in 1989, was to design equipment for calibration of flow meters with stable flow and temperature conditions.After many years of international debate whether static testing is adequate to represent the later more dynamic application of domestic water meters, the EMPIR project 17IND13 Metrology for real-world domestic water metering (“Metrowamet”) was launched in 2018. The project investigates the influence of dynamic flow testing on the measurement accuracy of different types of domestic flow meters. One of the main objectives of the project is the development of infrastructure to carry out dynamic flow measurements. The existing test facility at RISE was at the time of construction one of the best hot and cold-water test facilities in the world. Due to the Metrowamet project the test facility has been upgraded to meet the needs of an infrastructure for dynamic flow investigations. The first findings from dynamic consumption profile measurements are reported in this paper.     

Development, modeling and certain investigations on thermal mass flow meters

This paper discusses a thermal mass bypass flow meter giving details of its design, principle of operation, calibration, and testing of effects of ambient temperature and orientation. Results of a computer model of the meter are also given.     

Calibration of hydrogen Coriolis flow meters using nitrogen and air and investigation of the influence of temperature on measurement accuracy

The performance of four Coriolis flow meters designed for use in hydrogen refuelling stations was evaluated with air and nitrogen by three members of the MetroHyVe JRP consortium; NEL, METAS and CESAME EXADEBIT.A wide range of conditions were tested overall, with gas flow rates ranging from (0.05–2) kg/min and pressures ranging from (20–86) bar. The majority of tests were conducted at nominal pressures of either 20 bar or 40 bar, in order to match the density of hydrogen at 350 bar and 20 °C or 700 bar and −40 °C. For the conditions tested, pressure did not have a noticeable influence on meter performance.When the flow meters were operated at ambient temperatures and within the manufacturer's recommended flow rate ranges, errors were generally within ±1%. Errors within ±0.5% were achievable for the medium to high flow rates.The influence of temperature on meter performance was also studied, with testing under both stable and transient conditions and temperatures as low as −40 °C.When the tested flow meters were allowed sufficient time to reach thermal equilibrium with the incoming gas, temperature effects were limited. The magnitude and spread of errors increased, but errors within ±2% were achievable at moderate to high flow rates. Conversely, errors as high as 15% were observed in tests where logging began before temperatures stabilised and there was a large difference in temperature between the flow meter and the incoming gas.One of the flow meters tested with nitrogen was later installed in a hydrogen refuelling station and tested against the METAS Hydrogen Field Test Standard (HFTS). Under these conditions, errors ranged from 0.47% to 0.91%. Testing with nitrogen at the same flow rates yielded errors of −0.61% to −0.82%.     

Uncertainty evaluation procedure and intercomparison of bell provers as a calibration system for gas flow meters

Many NMIs (national measurement institutes) and calibration laboratories worldwide use a bell prover as a calibration system for gas flow meters. The basic definition and procedure to estimate the bell prover uncertainty have been given in previous studies. After the announcement of a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) in 1998 by the BIPM (Bureau International des Poids at Mesures), many NMIs have needed to have more details of uncertainty evaluation procedure of the bell prover. In this study, more details of the test procedure of bell prover uncertainty are presented with a modification of position of the temperature and the pressure sensor to measure more exact values. The other modification is to use three precise guide rods with bearings to make the pressure in the bell more stable. Furthermore, a laser interferometer is used to enhance the measurement accuracy of the testing time and the traveling length of the bell. The uncertainty of the bells estimated by the procedure given in this study is 0.13% at the confidence level of 95%, rather than 0.17% of the previous one. Recently, the results of CCM.FF-K6, which is an international comparison of NMIs organized by the CIPM (Comité International des Poids et Mesures), show that the uncertainty of the KRISS (Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science) bell prover estimated by this study is reasonable.     

核反应堆堆芯冷却剂流量测量用涡轮流量计的研制及应用

为适应核反应堆堆芯冷却剂流量测量的需要,开发研制了新型低速涡轮流量变送器,按流量信号输出不同,分别为磁感应模拟信号输出和数字开关量输出低速涡轮流量变送器。实际标定和应用表明,低速涡轮流量变送器的精度和重复性是好的,相对误差的均方根为1．0％,使用寿命长,阻力小,线性范围宽。     

The influence of grain size on the performance of conductivity concentration meters

The use of conductivity as a means to determine the volume fraction of solids in a suspension of poorly conductive solids in water combines the benefits of high sampling rates and ease of use at the cost of a high sensitivity to salinity and fluid temperature. In this paper we investigate a custom built CCM, to which a third parameter was found to be of much influence: the grain size of the suspended phase. This paper describes a calibration experiment with which the influence of grain size on the CCM output has been investigated. The data give rise to an alternative calibration curve which is different from the regular effective media theories.     

A mathematical model of ultrasonic cross correlation flow meters based on industrial experience

A new model for Ultrasonic Cross Correlation Flow Meters (USCCFM) has been developed as result of industrial experience at Ontario Power Generation (OPG). Industrial applications of USCCFM have encountered cases where the frozen pattern model failed. The new model is based on the mathematical properties of turbulent velocity fields and correlation functions. It contains a proof that USCCFM measurement in a particular situation is successful, if and only if certain mathematical conditions are satisfied. In this document, the term “successful” means that the USCCFM is able to obtain a consistent cross correlation peak, and a stable time delay from the flow condition; otherwise the measurement is considered unsuccessful. This model applies to all measurement conditions encountered so far.     

Understanding the experimental response of Coriolis massflow meters to flow pulsations

Recently published theoretical work on the response of a simple Coriolis massflow meter does not agree with the data in the only published report of experiments on this topic. In order to try and explain this discrepancy a new set of experiments has been performed on a meter closely similar to that used in the original experiments. The present paper reports the results of the new experiments which both confirm and extend the original findings. With the aid of additional experiments on the response of the Coriolis meter to mechanical vibrations, an explanation is given of the mechanism by which the meter can give erroneous readings. The paper concludes with a discussion of methods by which the occurrence of errors can be mitigated, and one of the methods suggested in the current ISO standard for these meters is shown to be ineffective.     

Experimental and numerical investigation on the performance of small-sized cavitating venturis

Cavitating venturis (CVs) are simple devices which can be used in different industrial applications to passively control the flow rate of fluids. In this research the operation of small-sized CVs is characterized and their capabilities in regulating the mass flow rate were experimentally and numerically investigated. The effect of upstream and downstream pressures, as well as geometrical parameters such as the throat diameter, throat length, and diffuser angle on the mass flow rate and critical pressure ratio were studied. For experimental data acquisition, three CVs with throat diameters of 0.7, 1 and 1.5 mm were manufactured and tested. The fabricated CVs were tested at different upstream and downstream pressures in order to measure their output mass flow rate and to obtain their characteristic curves. The flow inside the CVs was also simulated by computational fluid dynamics. The numerical results showed agreement with the experimental data by a maximum deviation of 5–10% and confirmed that the numerical approach can be used to predict the critical pressure ratio and mass flow rate at cavitaing condition. It is found that despite the small size of venturis, they are capable of controlling the mass flow rate and exhibit the normal characteristics. By decreasing the throat diameter, their cavitating mode became more limited. Results also show that increasing the diffuser angle and throat length leads to a decrease in critical pressure ratio.     

超大流量LNG泵密封的设计与应用

天然气、液化气(LNG)因其绿色、环保及成本优势将成为能源重要发展方向,随着市场对LNG需求的不断增加,泵送深冷流体技术,已成为国内外低温学领域研究的重要课题.而随着LNG低温泵在石油化工、汽车、电力行业越来越广泛的应用,用于其上的低温密封也愈来愈引起人们的重视,低温密封比起普通的密封具有自己独特的要求,主要介绍了低温泵的密封类型,针对超大流量LNG泵的低温密封型式进行简要的说明,并具体给出超大流量LNG泵所采用的密封设计与应用.     

两种液体在微圆管道内流动特性的试验研究

随着微机电系统的不断发展,作为微机电系统的一个重要的分支,微流体系统越来越引起许多科学家的重视和研究,但是微流体系统不是简单的在尺度上面的减小,而是随着尺度的减小,流动的特性也会发生变化。在宏观中可以忽略的因素在微观中可能会占主导作用。在本文章中,主要是实验的形式对微观流动特性进行了研究,测试液体是两种介质(水和硅油),采用的不同的微管内径13μm,20μm,50μm和100μm,长度为40mm。实验结果表明,在此实验条件下,液体的流动压力和流量仍呈现线性关系,与宏观大管道的理论预想基本相同,宏观管道内采用的N—S方程在此实验条件仍可适用。     

Experimental studies on cryogenic recycling of printed circuit board

Printed circuit board (PCB) recycling is an important challenge for today’s industry. This paper presents results from a study of cryogenic decomposition as a potential alternative recycling method for obsolete printed circuit board scraps. In this method liquid nitrogen is employed as a cryogen to form an environment as low as 77 K for PCB treatment. In order to test the effect of thermal stress set-up during the rapid cryogenic treatment, impact tests were used to simulate the current shredding process. The treated PCB scraps were investigated under a monocular microscope with a 200X magnitude for micro-crack effect observation. Fatigue behavior of the boards was also examined by repeating the cryogenic treatment. The experimental results, as analyzed, demonstrated no obvious support to this alternative PCB recycling method. The energy absorbed during the impact tests for the cryogenically treated boards is insignificantly different from those without the treatment.     

Influence of blockage and upstream disturbances on the performance of a vortex flowmeter with a trapezoidal bluff body

Experimental investigations are conducted on vortex flowmeter with the differential wall pressure measurement method. The bluff body employed is trapezoidal in shape and water is used as the working fluid. Three different blockages (0.14, 0.24 and 0.3) are considered in this study. The performance of the vortex flowmeter is studied both under fully developed condition and in the presence of flow disturbances. The flow disturbance is created using 45° swirl generator and gate valve placed at different upstream distances. The performance of the flowmeter is also evaluated in the presence of a Laws Vanes flow conditioner placed downstream of the swirl generator. The blockage ratio of 0.3 is found to be the best among all the blockages studied under both disturbed and undisturbed conditions.     

An ultra high-pressure test rig for measurements of small flow rates with different viscosities

Within the framework of a research project regarding investigations on a high-pressure Coriolis mass flow meter (CMF) a portable flow test rig for traceable calibration measurements of the flow rate (mass - and volume flow) in a range of 5 g min⁻¹ to 500 g min⁻¹ and in a pressure range of 0.1 MPa to 85 MPa was developed. The measurement principle of the flow test rig is based on the gravimetrical measuring procedure with flying-start-and-stop operating mode. Particular attention has been paid to the challenges of temperature stability during the measurements since the temperature has a direct influence on the viscosity and flow rate of the test medium. For that reason the pipes on the high-pressure side are double-walled and insulated and the device under test (DUT) has an enclosure with a separate temperature control. From the analysis of the first measurement with tap water at a temperature of 20 °C and a pressure of 82.7 MPa an extensive uncertainty analysis has been carried out. It was found that the diverter (mainly due to its asymmetric behaviour) is the largest influence factor on the total uncertainty budget. After a number of improvements, especially concerning the diverter, the flow test rig has currently an expanded measurement uncertainty of around 1.0% in the lower flow rate range (25 g min⁻¹) and 0.25% in the higher flow rate range (400 g min⁻¹) for the measurement of mass flow. Additional calibration measurements with the new, redesigned flow test rig and highly viscous base oils also indicated a good agreement with the theoretical behaviour of the flow meter according to the manufacturers׳ specifications with water as test medium. Further improvements are envisaged in the future in order to focus also on other areas of interest.     

Uncertainty analysis of the high pressure closed loop gas flow standard facility in NIM

High pressure air flow standard facilities, including the pVTt facility, sonic nozzle facility and closed loop facility were built in NIM at the end of 2014. The high pressure closed loop gas flow facility was the first closed loop facility in China. The system has 4 sets of 100 mm diameter turbine meters for the reference meters with a flow range of (40–1300) m³/h and a pressure range of (190–2500) kPa. To avoid uncertainties introduced during installation, the reference meters were designed to be calibrated in situ using the sonic nozzle facility. The uncertainty in the pressure measurement was reduced by installing an absolute pressure transducer in the manifold upstream of the reference meters, with differential pressure transducers used to measure the pressure drops across the reference flow meter and the test flow meter. The relative expanded uncertainty for the test meter can reach 0.20% (k = 2) as verified by comparison the sonic nozzle facility and the closed loop facility measurements.     

Influence of the flow area around the ball valve on the flow characteristics of the injector control valve

The increase in common rail pressure can lead to increased cavitation inside the injector, resulting in degradation of injector performance and reduced life. The paper investigates the effect of the pressure block structure parameters (initial flow area around the ball valve) on the velocity field, pressure field, fuel gas phase volume fraction and drain rate of the control valve. The relationship between the initial flow area around the ball valve on the cavitation strength and unloading rate inside the valve was revealed. The results show that both the reduction of the flow area around the ball valve and the increase of the cavitation intensity inhibit the rate of oil discharge from the control valve. The reduction of the fuel flow area inhibits the expansion of the low-pressure region (0–1 MPa) within the flow layer, thus limiting the development of cavitation. The reduction of the cavitation area increases the fuel flow rate, however, the increase in flow rate increases the cavitation phenomenon, and these changes form a cycle (Reviewer 5. comment 2). The increase in cavitation inhibits the control valve pressure relief rate more significantly than the decrease in the initial flow area around the ball valve. Based on this, a stepped-pressure block model is proposed. The stepped pressure block model can effectively reduce the cavitation strength near the seal and enhance the oil discharge rate of the control valve. The study can provide a reference for the engineering optimization design of high-pressure common rail injector control valves.