Smith Provers and Proving Methods

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 1

 Purpose of Proving Meters

 Improve Measurement Accuracy

 Petroleum Is Valuable
 Checks the Condition of Equipment

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 2

 Definition of Terms (from API Chapter 4)

 Calibration The Procedure to Determine the

Volume of a Prover
 Proving The Procedure to Determine a
Meter Factor
 Meter Factor The Ratio Obtained By Dividing
the Actual Volume Passed By
the Indicated Volume Registered
Actual
MF =
Indicated

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 3

 Definition of Terms (from API Chapter 4)
(Cont.)

 Prover Pass In a Displacement Prover, One

Movement of the Displacer
Between Detectors
 Prover Round In a Bidirectional Prover, the
Trip Forward and Reverse Passes

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 4

 Meter Accuracy Factor

Prover Volume
Meter Factor =
Meter’s Indicated Volume

Factors Influencing the Meter’s Meter Factor

 Flow Rate
 Temperature
 Viscosity
 Wear
 Contamination

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 5

 Condition Statement

Proving Conditions Should Match the

Operating Conditions
 Flow Rate
 Temperature Proving Operating
Condition Condition
 Pressure s s

 Liquid
Characteristics
– API Gravity
– Viscosity

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 6

 Types of Provers

Volumetric
Proving

Start/Stop On the Fly

(Static) (Dynamic)

Open Proving Master Meter Pipe Provers SVP Master Meter

Tank (Short Volume)

Closed Proving
Tank Bi-Directional

Uni-Directional

Piston

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 7

 Prover Application General Guideline

Small Master
Meter Pipe Volume Meter Tank
Application Prover Prover Prover Prover
Products Pipeline T T U U
Off-Shore Crude T T T U
Loading Rack U U T T
Crude Production T T T U
Marine Terminals T T U U
Blending Systems T T U U
Tank Truck Meters U U T T
T = Typical
U = Uncommon
Smith Provers and Proving Methods 8
 Proving Process

 Frequency
– Every Transfer
– Time
– Volume
 Operating Conditions
– Temperature
– Pressure
– Flow Rate
– Viscosity
– Density
Smith Provers and Proving Methods 9
 Types of Provers

 Open Tank Provers

– Dry Bottom (Top Graduated Only)
– Wet Bottom (Top and Bottom Graduated)
 Master Meter Provers
– Stand Alone
– Integrated (With Open Tank Prover)
 Pipe Provers
– Bi-directional
– Uni-directional
– Small Volume
Smith Provers and Proving Methods 10
 Open Tank Prover and Master Meter Prover

Master Meter
Prover
Open Tank Prover
Smith Provers and Proving Methods 11
 Open Tank Prover Design

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 12

 Open Tank Prover
Neck and Bottom Gauge Glass Detail

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 13

 Open Tank Prover Design

 ANSI B31.3 (Refinery Piping) or ANSI B31.4

(Transportation Piping)
 Capacity to Contain 1 1/2 Times Meter’s Volumetric
Throughput in 1 Minute (e.g. 900 Gallon Volume at
Flow Rate 600 GPM)
 Rigid Construction to Prevent Distortion
 Quick and Complete Drainage (No Pocket/Traps)
 Prevents Vaporization (e.g., Gasoline)

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 14

 Open Tank Prover Design (Cont.)

 Gradual Changes in Cross Section

 Self Cleaning
 Neck Diameter  3 7/8” With Smallest Graduation 
0.02 Tank Volume
 Graduated Upper Neck to Represent
1% Tank Volume
 Graduated Lower Neck to Represent 0.5% Tank
Volume

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 15

 Temperature Measurement

 Thermometers Graduated
to 1/2 F or Better
 Use 1 Sensor If Volume
 100 Gallon (Center)
 Use 2 Sensors If Volume
 500 Gallon (Each Half)
 Use 3 Sensors If Volume
 500 Gallon (Each Third)
 Locate Thermometers Equally
Around Circumference
 Immerse to 1/3 Tank
Radius or 12” Minimum but
Not Past Tank Center
Smith Provers and Proving Methods 16
 Ancillary Equipment

 Grounding Devices
 Size Pipe for Max. Flow
and Min. Splash and
Turbulence
 Isolation Valves to
Be DB&B
 Sight Gauge Diameter
5/8” Min., Length
24” Max.
 Leveling Jacks
 Access Ladder
Smith Provers and Proving Methods 17
 Calibration

 Atmospheric (No Pressure Correction)

 Water (Most Stable Medium)
– Precisely Known Properties
 Field Test Measure Preferred Primary Device
 Use Master Meter If Field Test Measure Impractical

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 18

 Tank Provers

Advantages Disadvantages
Economical for Flow Rates Not Practical for High
Up to 1,000-1,200 gpm Flow Rates
Handle a Wide Range of Must Be Emptied
Liquids and Chemicals Between Prover Runs
Simulates Truck Limited to Low Viscosity
Loading Liquids
Checks Registration
Low Maintenance

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 19

 Application

 Load Rack Metering

– Simulates Actual Loading Conditions
– Relatively Inexpensive
 Waterdraw Calibration
– Traceable to N.I.S.T.
– Stainless Steel Construction
 Master Meter Calibration
– In-situ on Actual Product

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 20

 Master Meter Design

 Can Be PD or Turbine Meter

 Can Include Tighter
Clearances
 Can Be Calibrated With
Premium Linearity
 Must Be Reliable and
Consistent
 Should Have Direct Drive to Pulser/Register
 Read Out Should Register Volume Without Correction
 Proof-Run Discrimination Should Be at Least 1 in
10,000 (If Register Reads to 0.1 Barrel Then Proof-run
Volume Should Be 1000 Barrels Min. )
Smith Provers and Proving Methods 21
 Schematic of a Master Meter at a
Truck Loading Rack

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 22

 Calibration

 Direct Proving Using a Pipe or Tank Prover

 Maintain Records to Demonstrate Historical
Reliability

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 23

 Master Meters

Advantages Disadvantages
Indirect - Should Only
Low Cost
Be Used When Direct
Easily Maneuvered Proving Cannot Be
Into Tight Spaces Performed
Must Be Proved on Same
Does Not Require Fluid and Same Rate as
Draining or Pumping the Meter Being Proved
Back Accuracy of Established
Meter Factor Is Uncertain

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 24

 Application

 Indirect Proving Where Use of Pipe or Tank Prover

Impractical
– Load Rack Metering
– On-line Proving (Single or Multiple Runs)
– Pipe and Tank Prover Calibration

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 25

 Pipe Provers

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 26

 Bi-Directional Prover
Pressure Gage and
Vent Connections

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 27

 Uni-Directional Prover

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 28

 Small Volume Prover

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 29

 Prover Design

 Pipe Schedule/Flanges  Valve Operator

 Displacer Velocity  Pre-Run
 Launch Chambers  Detector Switches
 Volume Between Detector  Sphere
Switches
 Coating
 Four Way Valve (Bi-Di)

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 30

 Displacer Velocity

Max. V = BPH x 0.286  5 fps for Bi-Di

(I.D.(in))2  10 fps for Uni-Di

Min. Velocity  0.5 fps

Example:
Max. Flow Rate = 2,500 BPH
Pipe Diameter = 12” (12” Sched. 40)
2,500 x 0.286
Max. V = = 4.97 fps
(12)2
Smith Provers and Proving Methods 31
 Launch Chamber
Launch Tube
Diameter = D + 2 sizes
Closures:
 Blind Flange
 Quick Open Type L3D

Prover Pipe
Diameter (D)

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 32

 Prover Volume
Distance Between Detectors
 Pre-Run
 10,000
Pulses

Prover Volume (30 ft)

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 33

 Length Between Detectors

 For Uncertainty ± 0.01%, at Least 10,000 Pulse Should Be

Collected During the Proving Pass
 For Repeatability 0.02%, Calibrated Length Is Dependent
on Detector Switch Resolution (rd)
L
DT DT

rd rd L - 2rd rd rd

L + 2rd
Max. Possible Difference in
Length for Round Trip is 4rd ( L + 2rd ) -( L - 2rd ) = 4rd

For 0.02% Repeatability L = 4rd 0.0002

= 20,000rd
If rd = 1/32” Then L = 4 x 0.031 = 52 Ft.
.0002 x 12
Smith Provers and Proving Methods 34
 Four Way Valve

Seated in
“R/L-Close - CCW”
Position (Top View)

Neutral - Fully
Unseated Position

Seated in
“L/R-Open - CW”
Position

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 35

 Four Way Valve

BPH x 0.286
Max. V = 15 fps
(I.D.(in)) 2

Example:
Max. Flow Rate = 2,500 BPH
Four Way Valve Size = 8”
2,500 x 0.286
Max. V = = 11.17 fps
(8) 2

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 36

 Four Way Valve Operators

 Mechanical
 Electrical
 Hydraulic (Large Provers)
 Closed to Closed Time
(Tc-c)

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 37

 Length of Pre-Run (RP)

Tc-c 1
RP = ( 2
+
2
sec ) x Sphere Speed
Example:
Motor Operator Tc-c = 5.4 second
Sphere Speed = 4.97 fps

5.4 1
RP = ( 2
+
2 ) x 4.97 = 15.9 ft.

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 38

 Detector Switches

Can They Be Replaced Without Having to Re-Calibrate

the Prover?

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 39

 Filling Valve
Sphere

 Materials:
– Urethane Yellow or Green - Most Common
– Nitrile Black - Not Common
– Neoprene Black - Higher Temps
(over 150°F)
 Inflation (2-5% Oversized)
Water/Glycol - No Air
 Storage No Flat Spots
Smith Provers and Proving Methods 40
 Coatings

 Internal
– Air Dried Epoxy
– Baked Phenolic
– No Coating
 External
– Paint, Color
– Insulations
– Shielding

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 41

 Calibration

 Two Methods
– Waterdraw Method
– Master Meter Method
 Field Standard - Traceable
 2 Runs Within 0.02%
Agreement
 Third Run at a Rate 25%
Changed

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 42

Calibration - Water Draw System
 Pipe Provers

Advantages Disadvantages
Flow Is Not Interrupted Large Size
Can Be Designed to Narrow Flow Range
Handle Very High Rates
Displacer Material Must Be
Insensitive to the Changed for Different Liquids
Viscosity of the Liquid
Relatively Narrow
Can Handle High Vapor Temperature Range
Pressure Liquids
Relatively Costly
Easily Automated
Difficult to Verify if Displacer
High Reliability
Is Leaking

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 44

 Application

 Direct Proving Applications

– Load Rack
– High/Low Pressure
– Multiple Product
– Stationary/Mobile

Smith Provers and Proving Methods 45