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DOES YOUR METERING Plant UP?
MEASURE
A Guide to Investing in Ultrasonic Metering

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Does Your Metering Measure Up? | www.honeywellprocess.com 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 Introduction 7 Reflecting on Reliability
3 A Market for Metering 8 Only Connect
4 Five Critical Characteristics for 9 The Right Tool for the Job
Ultrasonic Metering
5 Anchored on Accuracy
6 Theory Doesnt Count

2017 Honeywell International Inc.

All Rights Reserved.
Does Your Metering Measure Up? | www.honeywellprocess.com 2

Introduction
Metering is at the heart of the natural gas business. Its the cash register
of the business, and investments in metering protect the efficiency
and performance gains you strive for throughout the operation.
With tight margins, complex supply chains, and an increase in dirty
gases being processed, the choice of meter has never been more
important. To help with this crucial decision, Honeywell presents this
ebook detailing the five critical characteristics that will ensure your
meter measures up and delivers the benefits your business needs.

2017 Honeywell International Inc.

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Does Your Metering Measure Up? | www.honeywellprocess.com 3
A MARKET FOR METERING
You cant manage what you cant measure.
Small errors in custody transfer metering quickly
accumulate to mean big losses from unaccounted
gas flow. With volatile prices and tight margins
for natural gas, operators need the best metering
solutions to reduce uncertainty and promote
efficient operations.
Counting the Cost of Inaccuracy
Metering errors are rarely random: they accumulate.
Over a year, even a 0.5% error in accuracy will
result in substantial lost revenues.
Meter capacity
Cost of 0.5% error per
year at current prices
4" @ 60% capacity, 20 bar $50,000
8" @ 30% capacity, 30 bar $160,000
16" @ 50% capacity, 50 bar $1,600,000
The Technology Choice
Handling high pressures and wide flow ranges,
eliminating compressors and with no moving
parts, ultrasonic meters are the solution of choice
for modern custody transfer operations. In most
applications they deliver better long-term value
and performance than competing technologies.
But not all ultrasonic meters are made equal.
2017 Honeywell International Inc.
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Does Your Metering Measure Up? | www.honeywellprocess.com 4

FIVE CRITICAL CHARACTERISTICS

FOR ULTRASONIC METERING
Pressure on profits and increased complexity in gas supply chains
means choosing the right ultrasonic metering solution is vital.
Operators need both accuracy and efficiency to achieve the best
returns from their investments in metering.
With the right choice of meter, operators can R
 obust reliability to minimize the costs of
not only reduce losses, but also cut maintenance running the metering operation and reduce
and avoid costly repairs or downtime in the the risks of undetected errors
metering system. C
 onnectivity to future-proof your operation
Operators need to look for five critical characteristics and realize the potential of the Industrial
that will help ensure the system delivers the Internet of Things
greatest long-term benefits: C
 hoice and value to provide you with the
The highest standards of accuracy that performance you need at a price that works
meet the requirements of the job to minimize for the business.
uncertainty
Real-world performance, because your meters
will operate in the field, not in a lab

2017 Honeywell International Inc.

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Does Your Metering Measure Up? | www.honeywellprocess.com 5

ANCHORED ON ACCURACY
Accuracy is the bedrock of any successful metering operation,
because the consequences of the measurement can affect health
and safety, as well as the transparency of financial transactions.
The accuracy of a meters measurement is
determined by a number of factors: the path layout
used for the flow (profile) measurement; the quality
of components such as transducers; and the
ability to detect and correct for flow disturbances
such as swirl and asymmetry.

Honeywells meters are built for unrivalled accuracy.

Our Q.Sonicmax multipath ultrasonic gas flow meter
offers natural gas operators the most accurate
acoustic path configuration available. The first
ever eight-path meter combining reflective and
direct paths, delivering OIML accuracy class 0.5.

2017 Honeywell International Inc.

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Does Your Metering Measure Up? | www.honeywellprocess.com 6

THEORY DOESNT COUNT

Real-world natural gas operators need real-world certainty.

With patented six- and eight-path configurations,

Honeywells meters offer detailed flow profile
recognition, superb noise immunity, and unrivaled
pressure and gas velocity abilities. The unique
path layouts accurately detect swirl and asymmetry
and ensure you get the certainty you need with
the pipework you actually have.

The flagship Q.Sonicmax combines direct and

reflective paths for the lowest uncertainty and
most extended diagnostics possible. With just
a 5D straight inlet (reducing its footprint) it
Short inlets, extenders, reducers, manifolds,
achieves OIML accuracy class 0.5.
elbows and other piping elements can all cause
significant disturbances to the gas flow, reducing
meter accuracy.

2017 Honeywell International Inc.

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Does Your Metering Measure Up? | www.honeywellprocess.com 7

REFLECTING ON RELIABILITY
Frequent servicing and recalibrations undermine the efficiency
of the metering operation. Undetected dirt build up inside pipes,
though, can result in inaccuracy and lost revenues.
With a wider hydrocarbon mix in the natural gas
value chain and increased numbers of pipelines
carrying dirty gas, ultrasonic meter path selection
is vital. Only reflective paths, used by all Honeywell
ultrasonic meters, can identify fouling or liquids
inside the pipe.

Combined with advanced diagnostics, this pipe wall

condition monitoring prevents inaccurate readings.
Reducing uncertainty by as much as 0.05%, it
can save operators more than $70,000 a year.1 Honeywells Meascon software solution promotes
a true CBM strategy. A diagnostic dashboard
Getting Measurement Under Control
gives users an at-a-glance, real-time overview
Plants can also promote efficiency through
of all gas metering stations, with warning levels
condition-based monitoring (CBM), which reduces
and alarms powered by advanced diagnostics.
costs compared to periodic or risk-based maintenance
Eliminating inefficiency, it lets plants schedule
programs. It lets plants eliminate unnecessary
maintenance as and when required.
maintenance and recalibrations without
compromising confidence in meter readings. Based on a daily throughput of 100 MMSCFD at $3.90 MCF
1

2017 Honeywell International Inc.

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Does Your Metering Measure Up? | www.honeywellprocess.com 8

ONLY CONNECT
With connected meter solutions, users can share data
with others across the enterprise or outside.
It also seamlessly integrates with preventative
maintenance schedules to accelerate diagnosis
of issues and reduce service engineer site visits.

Taking advantage of cloud connectivity, Honeywell

Total Care customers can even choose to use
Meascon to outsource the entire meter monitoring
operation to Honeywell.

Giving You the Full Picture

Flow measurement is just part of the puzzle for
natural gas operators. As our condition-based
monitoring system, Meascon fully integrates with
not just ultrasonic meters but other high-pressure
Bringing people and data together, you can improve
products, too, including smart transmitters, flow
collaboration, enhance analysis, centralize control
computers and gas chromatographs.
and tackle skills shortages in remote locations.
We can help you take full control of your
Honeywell ultrasonic metering solutions are
measurements and drive performance to
IIoT-ready to help you build a connected business.
the next level.
Our Meascon software allows you to easily and
securely share data across the site and enterprise.

2017 Honeywell International Inc.

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Does Your Metering Measure Up? | www.honeywellprocess.com 9

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB

Every natural gas operator is unique, and application needs vary.
Businesses should be able to choose from a range TwinSonicplus gives operators a vital second opinion,
of solutions to provide the accuracy required without a second price tag. A single meter body
without spending more than they need. A broad houses one meter for custody transfer with an
portfolio will help you ensure you find the perfect additional, independent measurement for on-going
balance of performance and cost. monitoring and verification.

Honeywell provides a comprehensive market- Meascon software provides 24/7 condition-

leading portfolio: based monitoring of the measurement systems
with real-time visibility and control of all your
Q.Sonicmax setting the benchmark for accuracy in
gas metering stations.
custody transfer with industry-leading performance
from the worlds first eight-path meter combining
both reflective and direct measurements. It Talk to us today about how we can help you find
delivers the lowest possible uncertainty in the most the right solution for your metering operation.
demanding operations.
Q.Sonicplus offers a multipath custody transfer
standard with reflective paths for measurement
of both swirl and asymmetry to deliver excellent
profile recognition and diagnostics.

2017 Honeywell International Inc.

All Rights Reserved.
For More Information
To learn more about Honeywells Ultrasonic Metering
Solutions visit www.honeywellprocess.com or contact
your Honeywell account manager.

Honeywell Process Solutions

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2017 Honeywell International Inc.

All Rights Reserved.