Coriolis mass flow measurement at cryogenic temperatures

With the growing interest in liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the energy market, Coriolis mass flowmeters have been applied to many applications in the distribution of LNG. Since Coriolis flowmeters are normally calibrated at around room temperatures, measurements for LNG at cryogenic temperatures present a challenging condition. Firstly, a theoretical analysis for Coriolis mass flow sensors is provided considering the major changes of material properties (Young’s modulus and thermal expansion) at cryogenic temperatures. Then, a practical approach which can be used to correct the flow calibration factor obtained at a reference condition is presented. Finally, flow test results obtained from NIST’s cryogenic calibration facility are provided. Based on the results, it can be concluded that if a Coriolis flowmeter is calibrated at a reference condition and the flow calibration factor is corrected considering the non-linearity of Young’s modulus and thermal expansion change with temperature, it can still provide very accurate mass flow measurement even at cryogenic temperatures.     

A technique for low cost calibration of large electromagnetic flowmeters

The need for calibration of electromagnetic flowmeters adds considerably to the cost of these instruments especially in the larger sizes. This paper discusses a proposed technique for calibration of large electromagnetic flowmeters which avoids the need for a calibration flow rig. The technique consists essentially of filling the flowmeter tube with water, operating the electromagnet as it would be operated in normal flowmeter operation and measuring the axial component of the eddy current electric field in the water over each electrode. This allows the calibration factor for a flat velocity profile to be determined.     

Development of side wall type permanent magnet flowmeter for sodium flow measurement in large pipes of SFRs

Sodium cooled Fast Reactors (SFR) require measurement of liquid sodium flow in its primary and secondary circuits. For the primary system of the pool type concept of SFR design, flowmeters have to be immersed in sodium pool and require flow sensors which can withstand high temperatures up to 550 °C, nuclear radiation and chemically reactive sodium environment. Secondary circuits and safety grade decay heat removal (SGDHR) circuits of SFR need flow measurement in stainless steel (SS) pipes of diameter varying from 15 mm to 800 mm. For small pipes, flowmeters with permanent magnet flowmeter with ALNICO-V magnet assembly is the unanimous choice. Conventional permanent magnet flowmeters (PMFM) for large pipelines become bulky, heavy and have installation problems. For sodium flow measurement in large pipelines a few other alternate methods are considered. In the case of Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), which is at an advanced stage of construction at Kalpakkam, flow in the 800 mm diameter secondary main circuit is measured by means of a bypass flowmeter. Other sensors that could be deployed include eddy current flowmeters (ECFM), which are introduced into the pipe to measure flow velocity in the pipe, ultrasonic flowmeters and permanent magnet based side wall flowmeters. In permanent magnet based side wall flowmeter (SWFM), a permanent magnet block is mounted on one side of the large pipe and the magnetic field produced by the magnet penetrates through the pipe and interacts with the flowing sodium and induces an electro motive force (emf) proportional to the flow. This is a compact, cost effective and fairly accurate method for flow measurement in large pipelines of SFR circuits. SWFM is suitable for pipelines of 100 mm and above. In the present work a side wall flowmeter for 100 mm pipe is designed, manufactured, calibrated and tested in an existing sodium facility. Voltage signal developed in SWFM for different flowrates was simulated with three dimensional Finite Element Model (FEM) and validated with experimental results. Effect of asymmetric magnetic field on flowmeter voltage signal and dependence of flowmeter voltage signal on position of electrodes was also analyzed with model. The feasibility of use of this type of flowmeter for large pipelines of SFRs is demonstrated.     

Mathematical model applied to the experimental calibration results of a capillary standard leak

Gas leaks supplied through metal capillaries are nowadays largely used in industry to calibrate “in situ” leak detectors (necessary in tightness tests, versus both vacuum and atmospheric pressure) or in whatever applications in which well-known (and very low) gas flows are necessary. If the capillaries are calibrated with a primary device or a reference one, the traceability of flow measurements to the national primary standards is guaranteed. At IMGC-CNR, standard leaks are calibrated by means of two primary flowmeters, operating respectively with reference to vacuum and to atmospheric pressure. In this paper, with the aim of developing a general calculus model for a unique calibration curve in both fields of use of a capillary leak, results relative to the calibration of a particular type of an all metal, crimped-capillary leak are presented and discussed. This capillary has been calibrated for helium, sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen with reference both to vacuum and to atmospheric pressure and for molar flows ranging from about 1×10⁻¹¹ mol/s to 5×10⁻⁷ mol/s.     

INRIM primary standard for microgas-flow measurements with reference to atmospheric pressure

Primary standard flowmeters are developed for the calibration of leak devices used in many applications in which is necessary to detect and quantify gas leakage from a material, a component or a system. At INRIM, a primary standard was designed and realized for the measurement of molar gas flow from 4 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol/s to 2 × 10⁻⁷ mol/s with reference to atmospheric pressure. It is based on the constant-pressure–variable-volume method and is able to work with any tracer gas.     

A regression-based model for prediction of flowmeters calibration cost in oil and gas industry

Measurement of liquid flowmeters is one of the most expensive processes in the oil and gas industry. Estimating calibration costs for such flowmeters in the oil and gas industry is complicated task for the decision-making team. The difficulties arise as a result of the presence of numerous uncertain factors that influence calibration charges such as the fabrication of special tools and spools. Consequently, this paper proposes a data-driven approach for estimating the calibration costs of flowmeters in oil and gas industry. A regression-based model is developed to predict the future calibration costs of flowmeters. The factors that affect the costs of calibrating flowmeters are identified from literature and interviewing local experts. The results indicated that the most important factors influencing the cost of liquid flowmeter calibration include flowmeter size, calibration method, flowmeter type, flowmeter class and calibration factor. The developed model is validated using 577 new data points of flowmeters calibration costs. The findings showed the uncertainty of the proposed model within 98% confidence level. An accurate calibration cost for liquid flowmeter will help to manage the operational and services costs.     

Study of acoustic transducer protrusion and recess effects on ultrasonic flowmeter measurement by numerical simulation

In order to improve the measurement performance of dry calibration on ultrasonic flowmeter, the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modeling approach of the effect on transducer protrusion and recess are mainly discussed in the paper while its effects on ultrasonic flowmeter accuracy are also presented. Through comparing simulation results to experimental data, the CFD modeling is firstly determined. Then, detail analysis on flow field for two typical transducer installations are obtained based on the CFD method. Besides, the mechanism of both flow effects on measurement accuracy are explained and compared respectively, which indicates that negative velocities generated at protrusion and recess locations are the indispensable factors for negative measurement errors. Finally, comparison results show that smaller measurement error can be achieved with protruding transducers, which is a better arrangement type of transducer for ultrasonic flowmeters.     

双转子燃油流量计校准试验及结果

在航空发动机性能和工作特性试飞中,燃油流量的准确测量对发动机工作指标和性能计算有着重要的影响。和传统单转子流量计相比,双转子燃油流量计有响应更快、重复性好、精度高、量程更宽广等优点,被广泛地应用在航空领域。通常,航空发动机由于安装空间的原因,燃油流量计的进出口平直段难以满足整流的需要。因此,需要装机后对燃油流量计再次进行校准。本文通过标准流量台对安装试验件的某型双转子流量计进行校准,将试验结果与厂家提供的校准曲线进行对比,发现有一定的偏差。通过对校准结果的不确定度合成,其结果小于2‰。还得到了K因子校准特性曲线图,为双转子流量计的工程应用提供了技术支持。     

Evaluation of flowmeters for heat metering

Heat flowmeters are expected to be reasonably priced, be very reliable, and have high measurement accuracy. Various types of heat flowmeters have been developed and they are widely used in large residential and industrial buildings. In this study, three types of heat flowmeters (turbine, electromagnetic and ultrasonic) were tested for accuracy, effect of installation position and vibration, durability and performance in the field for several installation positions and in the presence of vibration. We used a liquid flow standard system and a customized durability test system in accordance with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) R 75-2 heat meter testing method. The field test was conducted in eight different locations from winter to summer. All flowmeters were calibrated before and after the field test, and the measurement deviation and the relative expanded uncertainty were calculated. The mean deviations obtained were–0.21%,–0.07%, and 0.11%, with the relative expanded uncertainties 0.48%, 0.17%, and 0.40% for turbine, electromagnetic, and ultrasonic flowmeters, respectively. The results of position and rotation tests, mean deviations by rotation angles at 90°, 180°and 270°relative to 0°(horizontal position) were–1.24%,–1.07% and–0.80%, respectively. For the vibration tests at 1 m/s² and 5 m/s² vibration acceleration, the turbine flowmeter, the electromagnetic flowmeter and the ultrasonic flowmeter showed deviations that ranged from −0.2% to −0.5%, −0.6% (2.6 m³/h), and 0.0% (negligible), respectively. In the durability tests, the accuracy of all three types of heat flowmeters remained at ±1% or less, showing sufficient durability. In the field test, the deviation of the turbine flowmeter and the ultrasonic flowmeter showed ±2.5% or less deviation. However, the electromagnetic flowmeter seems to be inaccurate below 6.9% of the maximum flow rate.     

The performance characteristics of a novel multi-electrode electromagnetic flowmeter

The design of a novel multi-electrode electromagnetic flowmeter, which provides nine conventional electromagnetic flowmeters housed in a single body, has been used in adverse flow conditions immediately downstream from a header tank. The results show that careful initial calibration, in accord with the pipeline conditions recommended in international standards, enables errors of under 1% to be achieved. The results show that the two electrode planes closest to the header provide results with the greatest errors. The performance with the electrodes mounted in the vertical plane is generally better than that achieved with the electrodes mounted in the horizontal plane. Pressure measurements together with laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) techniques have been used to provide details of the magnitude of the disturbance caused to the flow field by the header and outflow combination.     

Effects of gas leaks in oil flow on single-phase flowmeters

The effect of gas entrainment in oil on the performance of a range of single-phase flowmeters has been investigated experimentally using the National Standard Multiphase Flow facilities at NEL. The flowmeters tested were 4-inch and 2-inch positive displacement, venturi, helicoidal and flat-bladed turbine meters and 2-inch U-tube and 1.5-inch straight tube Coriolis meters. The flowmeters were tested in oil flow with gas fractions up to 15% by volume. The aim of the project was to quantify the effect of second-phase fluid components on the basic uncertainty of a range of single-phase flowmeters and, as a consequence, identify which generic types of single-phase flowmeter were most suitable in applications where such components may be present. These tests have provided evidence of the suitability of particular flowmeters for two-component flow applications. Comparisons have been made between generic type and size of flowmeter. At low gas fractions, the positive displacement and venturi flowmeters were more accurate than the other meters and estimated the total flowrate to within ±2%. Over 9% gas fraction, there was an improvement to the response from some of the flowmeters with increasing gas fractions. This was considered to be indicative of improved mixing in the flow.     

A new calibration facility for water flowrate at high Reynolds number

A new test facility has been constructed for the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) for calibration of feedwater flowmeters used in nuclear power stations at Reynolds numbers of up to 18 million. This very large Reynolds number is achieved in a 600 mm pipe at a flowrate of 3.33  m³/s (12,000  m³/h) and a water temperature of 70  ^°C. This calibration facility consists of a circulation loop with four pumps and four reference flowmeter sets, a prover system, a heating and cooling unit, and other components. The expanded uncertainty of this facility is 0.077%. The present paper describes, in detail, the new facility, the calibration method of the reference flowmeter, experiments for flow field, uncertainty estimation, and the results of an example calibration.     

Liquid low-flow calibration rig using syringe pump and weighing tank system

A calibration rig consisting of a syringe pump and a weighing tank system that can operate in the flow rate range of 0.02–60 L/h was developed in this study. This paper discusses the design considerations of the calibration methods, the development of the rig, the calibration results, and the uncertainty analysis conducted on the rig. A weighing tank system that minimizes the effects of outlet tube contact and evaporation was developed. The syringe pump system was designed using a servomotor, a precise ball screw, and a linear encoder, and it was calibrated using the developed weighing tank system via the standing start and stop method over the target range of flow rates with light oil and industrial gasoline. Several flowmeters were calibrated using the syringe pump via the flying start and finish method. During the flowmeter calibration stage, the effect of the evaporation error was eliminated because the calibration rig can form a closed pipeline system. The influence of dissolved gas and the position dependence of the syringe pulse factor on the calibration accuracy were investigated experimentally. As a result, all obtained syringe pulse factors were found to be within ±0.02% of each other. The preliminary expanded uncertainties (k=2) of the calibration rig were estimated to be 0.066% and 0.070% for mass and volumetric flows, respectively.     

Comparison of an ultrasonic interferometer manometer and a new dynamic flow control system in the pressure range 1–133 Pa

This work is concerned with comparison of two low-pressure calibration systems at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS). The ultrasonic interferometer manometer (UIM) which is a national primary standard and the dynamic flow control system (FCS) which can be used for the calibration of vacuum gauges by comparison method by generating precise and stable pressure in the range 1–133 Pa. For this comparison, a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG) of 133 Pa full-scale range was used as transfer standard in the overlapping range of 1–133 Pa. The behavior of two systems in the pressure range 1.37–11.5 Pa had large variations which gradually reduced above 11.5 Pa. In the range 1.37–11.5 Pa, the difference in calibration factors for the two systems was 0.0114 with relative deviations of 5.177%. However above 11.5 Pa the corresponding values were 0.0056 and 1.197%, respectively. Since in vacuum metrology, UIM is world-wide recognized as a national calibration standard, the results of this comparison will be used to validate the FCS for calibration of low vacuum gauges.     

Effects of water in oil and oil in water on single-phase flowmeters

The effect of two-phase flow on the performance of a range of single-phase flowmeters has been investigated experimentally using the National Standard Multiphase Flow facilities at NEL. The flowmeters tested were 2-inch and 4-inch positive displacement meters, venturi meters, helicoidal and flat-bladed turbine meters, 2-inch U-tube, 3-inch and 1.5-inch straight tube Coriolis meters and a 4-inch vortex shedding meter. The flowmeters were tested in oil flow with water and water flow with oil. The second component fractions were varied from 3% up to 15% by volume. The aim of the project was to quantify the effect of second-phase fluid components on the basic uncertainty of a range of single-phase. These tests have provided evidence of the suitability of particular flowmeters for two-component flow applications. Comparisons have been made between generic type and size of flowmeter. The oil-in-water and water-in-oil tests indicated that the uncertainty in the outputs of the flowmeters tested were generally within ±1% relative to the reference flowrates, although some errors as high as 5–10% were also observed. Most of the measurements from the turbine flowmeters and the positive displacement flowmeters were within ±0.4% of the reference flowrates.     

差压式湿气两相流量计的校准

伴随着工业技术的不断发展,湿气流量的测量日益增多,湿气流量计的校准工作日益迫切,亟待解决。本文介绍了在湿气流量计量领域中广泛应用的差压式湿气两相流流量计的原理,并在天津大学电气与自动化工程学院的中压闭环湿气标定装置中对其进行了校准,对该流量计的气相和液相的不确定度进行了评定,为今后开展相关流量计的校准工作提供了参考和数据支持。     

Water flow measurement in large bore pipes: an experimental comparison between two different types of insertion flowmeters

In this paper the metrological behavior of two different insertion flowmeters (magnetic and turbine types) in large water pipes is described. A master-slave calibration was carried out in order to estimate the overall uncertainty of the tested meters. The experimental results show that (i) the magnetic insertion tested flowmeter performs the claimed accuracy (+/- 2%) within all the flow range (20:1); (ii) the insertion turbine tested meter, instead, reaches the claimed accuracy just in the upper zone of the flow range.     

High precision Coriolis mass flow measurement applied to small volume proving

This paper discusses Small Volume Provers (SVPs), used in the oil and gas industry to validate the performance of custody transfer meters. Recently Coriolis mass flow meters have been introduced for custody transfer; while these offer reduced maintenance requirements over traditional PD and turbine meters, proving Coriolis flow meters using SVP is challenging. This paper presents SVP results for a Coriolis meter which matches or exceeds the most stringent requirements for custody transfer. This is achieved in part by using a novel signal processing technique which reduces the dominant component of the measurement noise, associated with so-called Coriolis mode vibration, with negligible loss of dynamic response.     

Investigation of the batch measurement errors for single-straight tube Coriolis mass flowmeters

Batch flow is a typical method for calibrating Coriolis flowmeters. It is also an important application for Coriolis flowmeters in the process industry. Batch processes of short duration or from empty have been identified as an important development for Coriolis flowmeters. The measurement of total mass by a commercially available single-straight tube Coriolis flowmeter compared with a weigh scale is presented in this paper. A theoretical understanding for short batch is also provided by numerical simulations of both deterministic and probabilistic parameters. The simulation results agree with the batch tests and may, at least partially, explain the experimental findings.     

Effect of fluid pressure on Coriolis mass flowmeter''s performance

This paper presents some tests which have been carried out on a commercial model of Coriolis mass flowmeter under medium-pressure conditions (p > 15 bar), utilizing a primary standard flow calibration facility. The experimental results show that the fluid pressure affects the accuracy of the tested meter, which provides underestimated readings (i.e. negative errors). Finally, some diagrams which allow to correct the output signal (or the reading) provided by the tested meter (according to the operating fluid pressure) are also presented.