Lesson Handout Notes 25131 METERING SYSTEMS

A62.1858-LHN-PRO-25131-01
Effective Date: May 19th 2007

Training Program Discipline System Sub-System Training Focus Training Elements

: TECHNICIAN: LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATION : PROCESS : METERING & GAUGING : METERING SYSTEMS : BASIC KNOWLEDGE : This lesson targets training on the following training elements: Reasons for Metering and Measuring Fiscal - Custody Transfer Orifice Plate Meter Venturi Meter Turbine Meter Positive Displacement Meter Coriolis Meter Multi-Phase Meters Metering Systems Meter Readings

Training Objectives

: At the end of the Lesson the participants will be able to: Define the reasons for metering and measuring process flow streams Describe the different uses of metering data Define the principle of an orifice plate meter Define the principle of Venturi meter Define the principles of a turbine meter Define the principle of positive displacement meters Define the principle of Coriolis meter Describe when the use of a multi-phase meter is required Describe the basic management systems required for metering Describe the form of the readings from oil and gas meters

0 Rev

2007-05-18 Date

Otto Tomasch Prepared by

O.T. Initials

Viorel Vladut Checked by

V.V. Initials

R.G. Hollamby Approved by

RGH Initials

Initial Document Modifications Page 1 of 18

Form: A62.1858-ADM-FRM-0303

Cegelec 2006

This document is the property of Cegelec (The Company). Distribution and use of this document are strictly governed by the Companys Document Managemen t Policy and Procedures. The contents and form of the document are the sole property of The Company and may not be reproduced, distributed or used without the express written permission of The Company.

Lesson Handout Notes 25131: Metering Systems

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DOCUMENT INFORMATION TABLE OF CONTENTS: Technician Level 2 Certification Process Metering & Gauging Metering Systems Basic Knowledge Document information Table of Contents Reasons for Metering and Measuring Fiscal-Custody Transfer Meter Readings Flow Meters Orifice Plate Meter Venturi Meter Turbine Meter Positive Displacement Meters Coriolis Meter Multi-Phase Meters Page no. 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 5 7 8 10 13 14 16 18

Purpose The purpose of this document is to provide the participant study information. Owner The owner of this document is the Process Discipline Team of Ogere Training Facility, Ogere Remo, Ogun State Nigeria. Custodian The custodian of this document is the Data Administrator and Document Controller of the Ogere Training Facility, Nigeria.

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Lesson Handout Notes 25131: Metering Systems

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Reasons for Metering and Measuring An understanding of fluid properties as well as installation requirements for metering devices is needed for correct specification or design of equipment. Various metering devices produce different flow characteristics - a fact that provides advantages for intermittent dispensing, batch and continuous processes. To specify and design a metering system correctly, engineers need to understand the requirements for a successful installation. Along with the properties of the fluid to be metered (flow range, viscosity and temperature) and installation requirements (pressure, power and space constraints), they need to be familiar with the various metering devices and the effect they have on flow characteristics and the process used. Metering systems can range from complex pumping systems with fully automated closed loop flow control to simple manual additions of a certain ingredient during a time period. For the purpose of this article, emphasis will be placed on metering devices claiming steady state accuracy of 1% or better. This would encompass piston or plunger, diaphragm and precision gear type devices. It should be pointed out, however, that other pumping devices in conjunction with control systems are being applied with success, especially in higher flow rates (above 1,200 gph) and reduced turndown ratios. While the control example still remains the major justification for a metering system, the age of continuous improvement (cost reduction and inventory control) has shifted batch processes to continuous processes, furthering the argument for lower rate and higher accuracy flow control. When asked to find a metering system for a fluid, develop an understanding of whether the need is for flow control or to conserve raw material costs. In continuous processing where production rates can vary, a metering system's ability to repeat the flow rate accurately for a given condition is critical to product quality. Some standards allow a metering device to have stated accuracy based on two tests at rated or maximum capacity. When designing a metering system, be sure to consider accuracy and repeatability over the entire turndown range. It is very important to specify accuracy over the flow range desired to be assured that your conditions are met.

Fiscal Metering Fiscal metering systems (see Figure 1) are used on pipelines to check the values of the oil & gas parameters (flow rate, oil/gas composition) when they are subject to change or when the pipeline crosses a border between two countries. Product is measured to determine how much is being consumed or sold. Where hydrocarbon product is being measured to determine payment from a customer, or the payment of taxes or royalties to a government department, the operation is termed fiscal metering. Often the volumes of hydrocarbons involved in fiscal metering can be very high and even small inaccuracies can result in large losses in monetary terms to the supplier or the customer. For this reason great care is taken in fiscal metering and equipment capable of achieving a high degree of accuracy is used. It is common for metering equipment to be controlled by a Computer Supervisory System (CSS). Many different types of meters are available to measure the volumetric flow of hydrocarbons, e.g.: Orifice meters Positive displacement meters Venturi meters Turbine meters Flow nozzles Elbow meters

Of these meters, the orifice-type flow meter, is the most commonly used in field service and pipeline systems. Because of their accuracy, however, turbine meters are most widely used in fiscal metering systems. Regulatory authorities approve the use of turbine meters for fiscal metering on condition the meter is regularly checked for accuracy by a Meter Prover.

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Lesson Handout Notes 25131: Metering Systems

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Metering Points Oil transfer to off-loading vessels High pressure flare gas Low pressure flare gas Fuel gas consumption

Figure 1: Fiscal Metering Skid

Custody Transfer Custody transfer is the simultaneous process of exchanging the ownership of a determined quantity of fluid, such as a refined petroleum product, while physically moving the fluid from one owner's facility/container to the facility/container of a different owner. For example, custody transfer could take place when gasoline is pumped out of a pipeline into a storage tank in a tank farm, or again, from the storage tank into a transport truck where the volume of fluid exchanged is determined by a flow meter.

Flow Meter Reading So you want to measure flow? With fluid flow defined as the amount of fluid that travels past a given location, this would seem to be straightforward any flow meter would suffice. However, consider the following equation describing the flow of a fluid in a pipe. Q=Axv Q is flow rate, A is the cross-sectional area of the pipe, and v is the average fluid velocity in the pipe. Putting this equation into action, the flow of a fluid traveling at an average velocity of a 1 meter per second through a pipe with a 1 square meter cross-sectional area is 1 cubic meter per second. Note that Q is a volume per unit time, so Q is commonly denoted as the volumetric flow rate.
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Lesson Handout Notes 25131: Metering Systems

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Now consider the following equation: W = rho x Q Where W is flow rate, and rho is the fluid density. Putting this equation into action, the flow rate will be 1 kilogram per second when 1 cubic meter per second of a fluid with a density of 1 kilogram per cubic meter is flowing. Note that W is a mass per unit time, so W is commonly denoted as the mass flow rate. Now which flow do you want to measure? Not sure? In some applications, measuring the volumetric flow is the thing to do. Consider filling a tank. Volumetric flow may be of interest to avoid overflowing a tank where liquids of differing densities can be added. (Then again, a level transmitter and high level switch/shutoff may obviate the need for a flow meter.) Consider controlling fluid flow into a process that can only accept a limited volume per unit time. Volumetric flow measurement would seem applicable. In other processes, mass flow is important. Consider chemical reactions where it is desirable to react substances A, B and C. Of interest is the number of molecules present, not its volume. Similarly, when buying and selling products (custody transfer), the mass is important, not its volume. Having discovered that there are two types of flow rates ( volumetric and mass), it should not be a surprise that some flow meters measure mass (W) while other flow meters measure volume (Q). However, it is not quite that simple. Repeating the equations above, it can be seen that, assuming A is constant, Q can be determined by measuring the average fluid velocity v. Further, assuming that rho is constant, W can be determined from Q.

Q = A x v W = rho x Q

Summarizing: Some flow meters measure Volumetric flow, Some flow meters measure velocity from which the volumetric flow is determined, and Some flow meters measure mass flow.

In addition, when the density is known or assumed, mass flow can be determined from the volumetric flow, and the volumetric flow can be determined from the mass flow. So you just wanted to measure flow did you now? It all seemed so logical and simple at the time. Stick around it gets worse. Some flow meters use other principles to infer flow. The most common of these measurements measure the velocity head (1/2 rho v x v) to infer the volumetric flow. Notice that these flow meters do NOT measure volume, do NOT measure mass, and do NOT measure velocity - but rather measure a combination of density and the square of velocity! Would it surprise you to discover that this is a description of (commonly-applied) head flow meters, such as orifice plates, Venturis, nozzles...? Further, in many applications, the inferred volumetric flow is used to determine the mass flow. Summarizing (again): Some flow meters measure volume, Some flow meters measure mass, Some flow meters measure velocity, and Some flow meters measure inferentially.

Understand the difference, but also understand that careful attention to detail can result in an inferential measurement that is better than the others. Volumetric flow is expressed in units that reflect a volume per unit time. The example above determines cubic meters and cubic feet per unit time to be volumetric flow units. Gallons and liters per unit time are also volumetric flow units.
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Mass flow is expressed in units that reflect a mass per unit time. The other example above determines kilograms and pounds per unit time to be mass flow units. Note that the units of time are independent of whether volumetric or mass flow is measured.

Flow Rate Measurements In order to check on changing conditions, flow meters are installed in pipelines at various points. Flow metering systems provide vital information for export costing, production planning and product quality control. There are three common flow rate measurements: Velocity: This indicates how fast the fluid is flowing past the measurement sensor, usually in meters per second (m/s). This is usually converted to give an indication of volumetric flow rate. Volumetric flow: This measures either the rate of volume flow or the total volume of fluid that has passed through the flow meter e.g. m/s, cm/min, gallons/min, liters/min, standard cubic feet/min. Mass flow: These types of flow meter measure: Mass flow through the flow meter Total mass of fluid that has passed through the flow meter

Flow Meter Selection Flow meter selection is decided upon awareness to the following questions : Which of the three flow measurements listed above will provide the plant with the most appropriate information? What is the required accuracy? (Increasing the flow meter accuracy; rapidly increases the cost and rules out some types). What is the nature of the process fluid? (Temperature, pressure, viscosity, solid content, etc.). Over what range does the flow need to be measured?

Flow Meters Flow meters are devices that measure the amount of liquid, gas or vapor that passes through them. Some measure flow as the amount of fluid passing through the flow meter during a time period, i.e. rate of flow e.g. 100 liters per minute. Others measure the totalized amount of fluid that has passed through the flow meter (such as 100 liters). Measurement principles for liquid and gas vary slightly because gas is compressible and liquid is not. As the gas pressure changes, the amount of gas also changes. Liquids do not change in volume as pressure changes. For this main reason, the flow measurement methods used for liquid and gas applications differ slightly. Accurate flow measurement is necessary to ensure that: The correct volumes of gas and liquid are measured and exported Process flow is measured and controlled

Factors affecting flow meter selection are: The units in which the flow needs to be measured The required accuracy (Increasing flow meter accuracy rapidly increases the cost). The nature of the process fluid (temperature, pressure, viscosity, solid content) The range that needs to be measured

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Lesson Handout Notes 25131: Metering Systems

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The most common principals for fluid flow metering are: Differential Pressure Flow meter Variable Area Flow Meter or Rotameter Velocity Flow meter Pilot Tube Calorimetric Flow meter Turbine Flow meter Vortex Flow meter Electromagnetic Flow meter Ultrasonic Doppler Flow meter Positive Displacement Flow meter Mass Flow meter Thermal Flow meter Coriolis Flow meter Open Channel Flow meter

Flow meters consist of a primary device, a transducer and a transmitter: The Primary Device is the actual measuring element The Transducer senses the fluid that passes through the primary device The Transmitter produces a usable flow signal from the element signal

Differential Pressure Flow Meters The most common types of differential pressure flow meters are:
Orifice Plates Flow Nozzles

Venturi Tube Variable Area - Rotameter

Orifice Plate The orifice plate is the most popular version of the head type flow meter and the most commonly used of all types of industrial flow meters (see Figure 2). This is because different designs can be used to measure the flow of a great variety of fluids, under different conditions without any appreciable reduction in accuracy. With an orifice plate, the fluid flow is measured through the difference in pressure from the upstream side to the downstream side of a partially obstructed pipe. The plate obstructing the flow offers a precisely measured obstruction that narrows the pipe and forces the flowing fluid to constrict. The orifice meter consists of a flat orifice plate with a circular hole drilled in it. There is a pressure tap upstream from the orifice plate and another just downstream. There are in general three methods of placing the taps. The coefficient of the meter depends upon the position of taps. Flange location - Tap location 1 inch upstream and 1 inch downstream from face of orifice Vena contracta location - Tap location 1 pipe diameter (actual inside) upstream and 0.3 to 0.8 pipe diameter downstream from face of orifice Pipe location - Tap location 2.5 times nominal pipe diameter upstream and 8 times nominal pipe diameter downstream from face of orifice

The turndown rate for orifice plates is less than 5:1. Their accuracy is poor at low flow rates. A high accuracy depends on an orifice plate in good shape, with a sharp edge to the upstream side. Wear reduces the accuracy.

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The orifice meter is recommended for clean and dirty liquids and some slurry services The rangeability is 4 to 1 The pressure loss is medium Typical accuracy is 2-4% of full scale The required upstream diameter is 10 to 30 diameters The viscosity effect is high The relative cost is low

Figure 2: Orifice Plate An orifice plate is simply a plate inserted into the process line with a hole (or orifice) machined through it. The pressure profile generated in the flowing fluid as it passes through the orifice is shown in Fig. 3. Orifice plates have to be installed correctly according to flow direction. The orifice is sharp-edged on the inlet and chamfered on the outlet. The diameter of the orifice is calculated to produce the desired pressure drop, as per design conditions.

Vena Contracta

After passing the orifice plate, the Cross Sectional Area of the flow (CSA) continues to contract before expanding again. The point of minimum CSA lies between 0.4 and 0.8 pipe diameters downstream of the orifice plate.

Figure 3: Flow through an Orifice (showing Vena Contracta)

Concentric Orifice Plate The conventional concentric, sharp edged orifice plate shown in Fig. 4 has several major advantages: It is relatively easy and economical to manufacture to close tolerances. It is simple to install and replace. It is well established and supported by a great deal of tried and tested calibration and usage information. However, the orifice plate has some disadvantages: It cannot handle dirty fluids There is a permanent pressure loss Has a relatively low accuracy

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Eccentric & Segmental Orifice Plates The eccentric orifice plate is similar to the concentric plate except that the eccentric hole is located towards the bottom of the pipe. It must be installed so that no portion of the flange or gasket covers the hole.

Figure 4: (a) Eccentric and (b) Segmental Orifice Plates

Eccentric and segmental orifice plates are used for the measurement of slurries, dirty liquids and for gas or vapour where liquids may be present.

Orifice Plate Installation The orifice plate is usually installed between two flanges; either with a carrier assembly or in a housing to allow inline removal of the plate (Fig.5). The differential pressure pick-up points (tappings) can be located either in the flanges (flange tappings or corner tappings) or in the upstream and downstream pipe work.

Figure 5: Orifice Plate Installation

The Daniel Orifice Fitting is the most widely used device in gas measurement. Operated by one person, this differential technology meter saves time and money in many ways. It permits plate-changing under flowing conditions, which means no operation shutdown. By maintaining flow during plate changes, the fitting also avoids the burden of bypass piping.

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Venturi Tube Venturi tubes are head-type flow elements that introduce a restriction into the flow path to create a differential pressure. A section of tube forms a relatively long passage with smooth entry and exit (Fig. 6). A Venturi tube is connected to the existing pipe, first narrowing down in diameter then opening up back to the original pipe diameter. The changes in cross section area cause changes in velocity and pressure of the flow. The pressure loss created in the pipe is much less compared to an orifice plate so they do not disrupt the process as much. The flow restriction point is known as the throat Inlet pressure is measured at the entrance Static pressure in the throat section A pressure drop transmitter measures the difference in pressure across the tapping points The greater the flow, the greater the difference in pressure measured by the transmitter. Venturi Flow Meter flow rate Differential pressure is converted to a proportional

Figure 6: Venturi Flow Meter

With proper instrumentation and flow calibrating, the Venturi Tube flow rate can be reduced to about 10% of its full scale range with proper accuracy. This provides a Turndown Rate 10:1.

25131: Metering Systems

Cegelec 2006 14 Due to its simplicity and dependability, the Venturi tube flow meter is often used in applications where it is necessary with higher turndown rates, or lower pressure drops, than the orifice plate can provide. The pressure recovery is much better for the Venturi meter than for the orifice plate.

The Venturi tube is suitable for clean, dirty and viscous liquid and some slurry services The rangeability is 4 to 1 Pressure loss is low Typical accuracy is 1% of full range Required upstream pipe length 5 to 20 diameters Viscosity effect is high Relative cost is medium

A Venturi is used to overcome problems of erosion or blockages caused by: Slurry Solids build-up Where net pressure loss across the meter must be minimum.

Venturi tubes are available in sizes up to 2 meters diameter and can pass 25 to 50% more flow than an orifice with the same pressure drop. The initial cost of Venturi tubes is high, so they are used on larger flows or on more difficult or demanding flow applications.
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Lesson Handout Notes 25131: Metering Systems

Typical Orifice Meter

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25131: Metering Systems

Cegelec 2006 METER A TYPICAL ORIFICE Figure 7: Typical Venturi Flow Meter

Advantages Venturi tubes produce a small permanent pressure loss. Venturi tubes are capable of measuring dirty fluids containing particles such as crude oil.

Disadvantages Expensive to manufacture and install Flow meter length is longer than most other meters. The differential pressure created is lower than that of a typical orifice plate.

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Bernoullis Theorem Bernoulli's Theorem describes the relationship between pressure, velocity and elevation in a moving fluid (liquid or gas). The theorem states that the total mechanical energy of a flowing fluid in a pipe comprises of three energy forms: Pressure Energy Kinetic Energy Potential Energy These energy forms remain constant providing there are no frictional losses. Bernoulli's theorem implies that if a fluid flows horizontally so that no change in gravitational potential energy occurs, then a decrease in fluid pressure is associated with an increase in fluid velocity. Hence: Where there is slow flow, pressure increases. Where there is faster flow, pressure decreases.

In a real flow, friction plays a large role - large pressure drops occur due to friction in pipes, fittings and equipment.

Figure 8: Venturi Flow Element Connected to a Transmitter

Applying Bernoullis Theorem: At A, fluid flow is at a certain velocity with fixed pressure drop. At B, fluid velocity increases as the cross sectional area reduces At C, (throat) fluid velocity is at a maximum, pressure is at a minimum At D, fluid velocity decreases and pressure increases. At E, the fluid velocity is almost the same as at A but: There is never a full recovery of upstream system pressure. There is always some permanent pressure loss due to friction depending on the type of restriction device, velocity, viscosity and other parameter.

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Turbine Flow Meter

There are many different manufacturing designs of turbine flow meters, but in general they are all based on the same simple principle (see Figure 9). If a fluid moves through a pipe and acts on the vanes of a turbine, the turbine will start to spin and rotate. The rate of spin is measured to calculate the flow. The turndown ratios may be more than 100:1 if the turbine meter is calibrated for a single fluid and used at constant conditions. Accuracy may be better than +/-0.1%.

The turbine meter uses a small turbine situated in the flow stream. The flow causes the turbine to rotate.

1. The bearings support the multi-bladed rotor 2. The rotor supports the turbine blades 3. A magnetic field is set up by the magnetic pick-up. As the turbine blades pass the magnetic pick-up they cut the magnetic coils magnetic lines of flux 4. The magnetic pick-up produces a voltage pulse as each blade passes

Figure 9: Turbine Meter The Speed of blade rotation is proportional to the volumetric flow rate

The higher the velocity of flow, the faster the turbine spins. The speed of the turbine and the cross sectional area of the meter, gives a measure of flow rate. Advantages: The advantages of turbine meters are that they cause only a small pressure drop and they are accurate over a large range of flow rates. Disadvantages: The disadvantages are that the moving parts are subject to wear and corrosion and they are expensive. So, they should only be used with clean viscous fluids. Dirty fluids require filtration before metering. Important Note: There can be a flow below which the turbine fails to respond, i.e. there is a minimum flow rate that must be reached before the turbine rotates.

Positive Displacement Meter Positive displacement flow meters, also known as PD meters, measure volumes of fluid flowing through them by counting the filling and discharging of a chamber of known fixed volume. Inside the chamber, a rotating/reciprocating mechanical unit is placed to create fixed-volume parcels from the passing fluid. The volume of the fluid that passes through the chamber is found by counting the number of passing parcels. The volume flow rate can be calculated from the revolution rate of the mechanical device. It should be noted that displacement meters do not measure flow with any reference to time. If flow rate is required, readings must be taken at the beginning and end of a known time interval.

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Common types of PD flow meter are: Oval Gear Nutating Disk Oscillating & Reciprocating Piston

All PD flow meters use the same displacement principle. The only variation is the specific chamber/gear arrangement. Oval Gear PD Flow Meter There are two oval gears or rotors inside an oval geared flow meter (see Figure 10). The gears trap fluid in the spaces between the gears and the meter body. These spaces are often referred to as chambers. Fluid enters the meter via the inlet and applies pressure to the oval gears causing them to rotate. For every rotation of the oval gears a precise amount of fluid is passed from the inlet to the outlet.

If the velocity of the fluid flow increases, the rotation of the oval gears also increases. The quantity of fluid passing is always the same. Hence the total flow is proportional to the number of rotations. This type of flow meter is often used for the measurement of oil flow as this has the effect of lubricating the gears. Oval Gear Arrangement

E
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F
4

Figure 10: Oval Gear Arrangements

Figure 17: Oval Gear Arrangement

Nutating Disk Flow Meter These meters operate on the same principle of measurement and are of the nutating disc volumetric displacement type. The liquid enters the meter through the inlet, shown at the left in the sectional view, and passes upward into the top of the main casing. Here it submerges and lubricates the internal gearing; then moves downward through the measuring chamber, into the base of the meter, and discharges through the meter outlet.

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Nutating Disk Meter

Figure 11: Nutating Disk Flow Meter

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When the liquid enters the measuring chamber, it drives the single measuring disc, which nutates or rocks, around on its central ball (see Figure 11). The roller or positive displacement cam, against which the disc pin bears, controls its movement and compels it to make a complete nutation at each movement. The position of the disc divides the chamber into compartments which are successively filled and emptied, each compartment holding a definite volume. The movements of the disc are transmitted by a train of gears to the meter register. The edge of the flat portion of the nutating disc is unusually thick. The liquid being measured forms a liquid seal between the disc and the chamber wall, minimizing slippage and compelling accuracy at low rates of flow. Works are made of materials selected for the liquid to be measured. The bearings of the submerged gears carry the weight of the gears on the tops of the gear posts, forming an enclosed, dirt-proof construction. The amount displaced by a single movement of the disc remains constant for any specified liquid. With the correct train of gears, accurate registration on the register is thus assured. Oil meters are tested on oil and the tolerance is not more than 1%, sometimes much smaller. Like all volumetric meters, nutating disk meters are intended for operation on clean liquids only. Solids such as sediment or pipe scale must be removed before metering by a filter or fine mesh strainer. Oscillating Piston Flow Meter Oscillating piston flow meters typically are used in viscous fluid services such as oil metering on engine test stands where turndown is not critical. Reciprocating Piston Meter
Reciprocating Piston Flow Meter

Reciprocating piston meters are probably the oldest PD meter designs. They are available with multiple pistons, double-acting pistons, or rotary pistons. As in a reciprocating piston engine, fluid is drawn into one piston chamber as it is discharged from the opposed piston in the meter.

Figure 12: Reciprocating Piston Meter

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Typically, either a crankshaft or a horizontal slide is used to control the opening and closing of the proper orifices in the meter. These meters are usually smaller (available in sizes down to 1/10-in diameter) and are used for measuring very low flows of viscous liquids. Coriolis (or Mass) Flow Meter Direct mass measurement sets Coriolis flow meters apart from other technologies. Mass measurement is not sensible to changes in pressure, temperature, viscosity and density. With the ability to measure liquids, slurries and gases, Coriolis flow meters are universal meters. For some applications, Coriolis mass-meters offer a technical solution for metering difficult fluids. Oils with high viscosity and solids content can harm more traditional meters Whether for liquid, gases or slurries, a micro-motion Coriolis flow meter offers many advantages over traditional volumetric technologies. By using a multi-variable highly accurate measurement device (+/-0.05%) it provides precision measurement of: Mass flow rate Volumetric flow rate Density Temperature

There are no special mounting, flow conditioning, or straight pipe runs required and no need to adjust the factory zero. There are no moving parts and no calibration drift, and the device can be cleaned in place without dismantling. Micro-motion flow meters exist in two types: curved-tube and straight-tube.

A Coriolis flow meter consists of a sensor, a transmitter and, in many cases, peripheral devices. Sensors detect flow rate, density and temperature. Transmitters provide sensor information as outputs, acting like the brain of the system to provide a display, basic menu access, and outputs to interface with other systems. Peripherals provide monitoring, alarm or additional functionality, such as batch control and enhanced density functions.

Figure 13: Coriolis Flow Meter

Operating Principle Coriolis Mass Flow meter uses the Coriolis effect to measure the amount of mass moving through the element. The fluid to be measured runs through a U-shaped tube that is caused to vibrate in an angular harmonic oscillation. Due to the Coriolis forces, the tubes will deform and an additional vibration component will be added to the oscillation. This additional component causes a phase shift on some places of the tubes which can be measured with sensors. By vibrating in opposition, the Coriolis flow tubes are balanced and isolated from external vibration or movement of the flow meter. In micro-motion flow meters that have dual parallel flow tubes, process fluid entering the sensor is split with half of the fluid passing through each flow tube. During operation, a drive coil is energized causing the tubes to oscillate in opposition to one another.

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Figure 14: Coriolis Curved-Tube Flow Meter

Figure 15: Vibrating Coriolis Flow Tubes

Figure 16: No-Flow Tube Motion

Figure 17: Flow Tube Motion

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TimeTime-ofof-flight Ultrasonic Flow Meter

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Multiphase (or Wet Gas) Meter A device that can register individual fluid flow rates of oil and gas when more than one fluid is flowing through a pipeline. A multiphase meter provides accurate readings even when different flow regimes are present in the multiphase flow. A multiphase meter measures accurately the flow rates of oil, gas and water without separation, mixing or moving parts. Net oil flow rate accuracy depends on water-cut. All multiphase meters calculate the net oil flow rate from the measured water-cut and the gross liquid rates. The higher the water-cut and worse the abs. accuracy of the watercut, the poorer is the net oil flow rate in accuracy.
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Multiphase Fluid Flow Multiphase fluid flow is the commingled flow of different phase fluids, such as water, oil and gas. Multiphase fluid flow is a complex factor, important in understanding and optimizing production hydraulics in both oil and gas wells. Four multiphase fluid flow regimes are recognized when describing flow in oil and gas wells: Bubble flow, Slug flow, Transition flow and Mist flow. Advantages of Multiphase Meters Using multiphase meters on wells has the following advantages: No production loss during testing Extended/increased production from low-pressure wells, due to increased availability of the test separator for production purposes Immediate detection of water or gas breakthrough Improved recovery, due to continuous well monitoring Multiphase meters cost less, weigh less and require less space

Multiphase meters are more common in deepwater operations, where well-intervention operations are often prohibitively expensive.

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