ESTIMATION OF ERRORS INDUCED IN

GAS METERING SYSTEM WITH AGE

MUAHMMAD ISHAQ 15PWMEC3932

AHMED DAANIAL 15PWMEC3934
DANYAL AHMAD 15PWMEC3899
MUHAMMAD ILYAS KHAN 15PWMEC3937

SUPERVISED
BY
Dr. Ashfaq khan

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, PESHAWAR,
PAKISTAN.
SESSION: 2018-2019

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 AUTHOR’S DECLARATION

I here by declare that we are the sole authors of this thesis. This is a genuine duplicate of the
thesis, including any required last modifications, as required by my examiners. This thesis is
totally our own work, and with exception of where generally expressed, depicts our own
particular research.
We comprehend that our thesis might me made electronically accessible to the public.

________________________
Ahmed Daanial

________________________
Muhammad Ishaq

________________________
Danyal Ahmad

________________________
Muhammad Ilyas Khan

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 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Final Year Project titled as “Estimation of Error Induced in Gas
Meters with Age” has been successfully conducted by the B.Sc. Final year Mechanical
Engineering students at the “University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar,
Pakistan”.

SESSION 2018-19
SUBMITTED BY:
AHMED DAANIAL (15PWMEC3934)
MUHAMMAD ISHAQ (15PWMEC3932)
DANYAL AHMAD (15PWMEC3899)
MUHAMMAD ILYAS KHAN (15PWMEC3937)

The project is fully adequate in scope and quality for the award of degree of Bachelor of Science
in Mechanical Engineering.

Supervised By: Approved By:

_____________________ _______________________

Dr. Ashfaq Khan Prof. Dr. Naeem khattak

Dept. of Mechanical Eng. Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Department of Mechanical Engineering UET Peshawar, Pakistan

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 Abstract

This work is an experimental research study aimed to access how the performance of diaphragm
meters exacerbate as a function of time. In natural gas distribution networks, a great number of
diaphragm gas meters are currently installed and most of them are very old.

Furthermore, the attention to unaccounted gas (UAG) is nowadays increasing both at transport
and distribution level to this aim knowledge of performance of meters play a very critical role.

Experimental results are analyzed in this work and conclusions and correlation between age
(year in operation) and error are given.

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 Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I must acknowledge my limitless thanks to Allah, the Ever-Magnificent, the
Ever-Thankful, for His help and bless. I am totally sure that this work would have never become
truth, without his guidance.

I owe to deep debt of gratitude to our university for giving us an opportunity to complete this
work.

I am grateful to some people, who worked hard with us from beginning till the completion of the
present research particularly our supervisor Dr. Ashfaq Khan who has been always generous
during all phases of the research.

I highly appreciate the efforts expended by Engr. Aamir Iqbal, Engr. Waqar and Engr. Roman
for giving us the inspiring guidance, constructive criticism and valuable suggestions throughout
this project.

I would like to take this opportunity to say warm thanks to all my beloved friends, who have
been so supportive along the way of doing my thesis.

We would like to specially thank SNGPL Pakistan for their financial support. Last but not least,
our sincere thanks to all the persons who have patiently extended all sort of helps for
accomplishing this undertaking.

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 Dedication

Dedicated to my parents, teachers, family, friends and to all the innocent martyrs
of Pakistan.

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 Table of Content
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION ................................................................................................................ 2
Abstract................................................................................................................................................... 4
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 5
Dedication ............................................................................................................................................... 6
Table of Content ...................................................................................................................................... 7
List of Figures ....................................................................................................................................... 10
List of Graphs ....................................................................................................................................... 11
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Chapter 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 13
Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 13
1.1 Natural Gas................................................................................................................................ 13
1.2 Need for Project ......................................................................................................................... 13
1.3 Motivation ................................................................................................................................. 14
1.4 Project Description .................................................................................................................... 14
1.5 Aims and Objectives .................................................................................................................. 14
Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................................... 16
Literature Review .................................................................................................................................. 16
2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 16
2.2 Natural Gas ..................................................................................................................................... 16
2.3 Process of Natural Gas ..................................................................................................................... 16
2.4 Why should Gas be Measured? ........................................................................................................ 18
2.5 How It Is Measured? ........................................................................................................................ 18
2.6 Pressure of Gas ................................................................................................................................ 19
2.7 Temperature of Gas ......................................................................................................................... 19
2.8 Flow of Gas ..................................................................................................................................... 20
2.9 Pressure ........................................................................................................................................... 20
2.9.1 Atmospheric pressure.................................................................................................................... 21
2.9.2 Guage Pressure ............................................................................................................................. 21
2.9.3 Absolute pressure ......................................................................................................................... 21
2.10 Gas Laws ....................................................................................................................................... 21
2.10.1 Boyle’s Law ............................................................................................................................... 21
2.10.2 Charles Law................................................................................................................................ 22
2.10.3 Avogadro’s Law ......................................................................................................................... 23
2.10.4 Ideal Gas Law ............................................................................................................................. 24
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2.11 Flow Proving ................................................................................................................................. 25
2.12 Leak Test ....................................................................................................................................... 25
2.13 Flow Meters .................................................................................................................................. 25
2.13.1 Natural Gas Flow Meters ............................................................................................................ 26
2.13.2 Types of Gas Meters ................................................................................................................... 26
2.13.3 Positive Displacement Meters ..................................................................................................... 26
2.13.4 Inferential Meters........................................................................................................................ 28
2.14 Diaphragm Meter ........................................................................................................................... 30
2.14.1 Components of Diaphragm Meter ............................................................................................... 31
2.14.1.1 Body ........................................................................................................................................ 31
2.14.1.2 Diaphragm ............................................................................................................................... 31
2.14.1.3 Valve cover .............................................................................................................................. 31
2.14.1.4 Linkage .................................................................................................................................... 31
2.14.1.5 Index ....................................................................................................................................... 31
2.14.2 Working principle ....................................................................................................................... 32
Experimental Methodology ................................................................................................................... 34
3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 34
3.2 Previous work .................................................................................................................................. 34
3.3 Research Gap................................................................................................................................... 34
3.2 Experimental Equipment.................................................................................................................. 35
3.3 Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 36
3.4 Experimental Conditions.................................................................................................................. 36
3.5 Mathematical Equation .................................................................................................................... 37
Chapter 4 ........................................................................................................................................... 38
Statistical Analysis ................................................................................................................................ 38
4.1 Statistics .......................................................................................................................................... 38
4.1.1 Stages ........................................................................................................................................... 38
4.1.2 Why Statistics Is Used?................................................................................................................. 39
4.2 Types of Statistics ............................................................................................................................ 39
4.2.1 Descriptive statistics ..................................................................................................................... 39
4.2.2 Inferential statistics ....................................................................................................................... 40
4.3 ANOVA (Analysis of variance) ....................................................................................................... 40
4.3.1 One-way Anova ............................................................................................................................ 40
4.3.2 Two-way Anova ........................................................................................................................... 40
4.4 Regression Analysis......................................................................................................................... 41

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4.4.1 Linear Regression ......................................................................................................................... 41
4.4.2 Correlation Coefficient ................................................................................................................. 41
Chapter 5 ........................................................................................................................................... 43
Results and Conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 43
5.1 Results............................................................................................................................................. 43
5.2 Graphs ............................................................................................................................................. 43
5.2.1 No of Samples with Respect to Age .............................................................................................. 43
5.2.2 Graphs of Error Plotted Against Number of Meters ....................................................................... 44
5.2.3 Analysis of Variance ..................................................................................................................... 54
5.2.4 Regression Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 55
5.2.5 Defective Meters........................................................................................................................... 57
5.3 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 58
5.4 Future Work .................................................................................................................................... 58

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 List of Figures

Figure 1 Processes of Natural Gas ......................................................................................................... 17

Figure 2 Reasons for measuring Gas ...................................................................................................... 18
Figure 3 Gas Molecules in Containers.................................................................................................... 19
Figure 4 Temperature Increase............................................................................................................... 20
Figure 5 Flow of Gas between Containers .............................................................................................. 20
Figure 6 Graphical Representation of Boyles Law ................................................................................ 22
Figure 7 Volume of a definite mass of gas is plotted against absolute temperature.................................. 23
Figure 8 Graphical representation of Avogadro Law .............................................................................. 24
Figure 9 Types of Gas Meters ................................................................................................................ 26
Figure 10 Diaphragm Meter ................................................................................................................... 27
Figure 11 Rotary Meter ......................................................................................................................... 28
Figure 12 Turbine Flow Meter ............................................................................................................... 29
Figure 13 Ultrasonic Flow Meter ........................................................................................................... 30
Figure 14 Orifice Meter ......................................................................................................................... 30
Figure 15 Components of Diaphragm Meter .......................................................................................... 32
Figure 16 Working of Diaphragm Meter ................................................................................................ 33
Figure 17 Experimental Setup ................................................................................................................ 35
Figure 18 Schematic of Experimental Apparatus.................................................................................... 36
Figure 19 Correlation between two Quantities ....................................................................................... 42

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 List of Graphs

Graph 1 Number of Samples in Different Age Groups ......................................................................... 43

Graph 2 Error in One Year Old Meters (20% of Qmax) ........................................................................ 44
Graph 3 Error in One Year Old Meters (80% of Qmax) ........................................................................ 44
Graph 4 Error in Two Year Old Meters (20% of Qmax) ....................................................................... 45
Graph 5 Error in Two Years old Meters (80% of Qmax) ........................................................................ 45
Graph 6 Error in Three Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax) ..................................................................... 46
Graph 7 Error in Three Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax) ..................................................................... 46
Graph 8 Error in Four Years Meters (20% of Qmax) ............................................................................. 47
Graph 9 Error in Four Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax) ....................................................................... 47
Graph 10 Error in Five Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax)..................................................................... 48
Graph 11 Error in Five Years Old Meters (80%of Qmax)...................................................................... 48
Graph 12 Error in Six Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax) ...................................................................... 49
Graph 13 Error in Six Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax) ...................................................................... 49
Graph 14 Error in Six Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax) ...................................................................... 50
Graph 15 Error in Seven Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax) .................................................................. 50
Graph 16 Error in Eight Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax) ................................................................... 51
Graph 17 Error in Eight Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax) ................................................................... 51
Graph 18 Error in Nine Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax) .................................................................... 52
Graph 19 Error in Nine Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax) .................................................................... 52
Graph 20 Error in Ten Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax) ..................................................................... 53
Graph 21 Error in Ten Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax) ..................................................................... 53
Graph 22 Analysis on Average Data Regression ................................................................................... 56

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 List of Tables

Table 1 Analysis of variance for 20% .................................................................................................. 54

Table 2 Analysis of variance for 80% flow rate ..................................................................................... 54
Table 3 Average Years in Each Group .................................................................................................. 55
Table 4 Predicted Values of Errors based on Analysis ........................................................................... 57
Table 5 Number of Defective Meters Each Year .................................................................................. 57

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 Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 Natural Gas

Natural gas (also called fossil gas) is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting
primarily of methane, but commonly including varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and
sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide or helium.
According to United State Energy Information Centre (EIA) Pakistan possesses 9 Billion Barrels
of petroleum and 105 Trillion cubic feet in shale oil and natural gas reserves.

1.2 Need for Project

In Pakistan SNGPL is facing a challenge of increasing gap between demand and supply of
natural gas due to lack of foreign investment in this sector to law and order situation of the
country. To overcome the challenges, intensive planning, advanced methodology, timely making
decisions and risk reduction is compulsory. To make SNGPL the leading supplier of natural gas
in the region it is to ensure the quality for the customer to achieve maximum benefit by
providing an uninterrupted and environmentally friendly energy resource.
In natural gas distribution networks, a great amount of diaphragm meters are currently installed
and most of them are very old. Some National authorities nowadays impose strict roll-out
procedures of existing meters with new ones. As the number of diaphragm meters installed are
very high, a slight inaccuracy in metering system can create undue disadvantage to the customer
or the company, depending on the magnitude of the error. The company may lose millions of
rupees due to UAG (unaccounted gas) consumed by customer. To estimate error caused in

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diaphragm meters it was necessary to initiate this project and depending on it results develop a
strategy.

1.3 Motivation

Looking to the high energy demands, the flawless transmission and accurate metering is
necessary for the stable infrastructure of the country. Pakistan is listed among one of those
countries that are struggling against the constancy and reliability of the gas meters especially in
domestic sector because of very old meters in operation is very thoughtful for the potential
economic and financial loss. Similarly, due to absence of modern methodology in Pakistan is
unable to complete its projects in due date or budget. But not only in Pakistan, many of the
developed countries failed to create proper guidelines for the design, construction and operation
of the major gas distribution setups. The basic aim of this project is to generate such
methodology and parameters which must ensure the steadiness in the groundwork of domestic
gas meters. Efforts can be made to identify the relevant risk of domestic gas meters through
analyzing historical data.

1.4 Project Description

There are about 3.8 million domestic consumers of natural gas in Pakistan. Diaphragm meters
are used for the measurement and billing purpose therefore the accuracy of these diaphragm
meters are of high concern.
Our project aim is to determine the performance of diaphragm meters. How its performance
changes over time and predict its accuracy.

1.5 Aims and Objectives

In spite of a lot of research being done on diaphragm meters from last few decades very less

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attention is paid to find the solely the effect of age on error experimentally. The mainstream of
this project focuses on

• To investigate the effect of age on the performance of diaphragm meters.

• To relate age with error i.e. whether it increases or decreases with age.

• To calculate the average error for different meters of different age.

• Use the experimental data to present a statistical model for estimation of errors.

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 Chapter 2
Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

A literature review is a “comprehensive study and interpretation of literature that addresses a

specific topic”.
OR
A literature review is a “scholarly paper, which includes the current knowledge including
substantive findings, as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular
topic.”
To work on a project, it is very necessary to understand the overall concerned technologies. The
literature review helps in gaining allot of knowledge and concept. To understand the
Engineering involved in many technologies; literature review is very important. It is not
necessary to include all the concerned technologies but the technologies which you are going to
include, the literature review can help you without wasting your time.

2.2 Natural Gas

Natural gas is naturally occurring mixture of gases that are rich in hydrocarbons which mainly
consists of methane. Its composition depends on the production field from which it is extracted.
It includes a percentage of higher alkanes (ethane, propane, etc.) and sometimes small percentage
of carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide etc.

2.3 Process of Natural Gas

Following are some of the processes of natural gas

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 • Exploration
It is the process of finding the location of natural gas and petroleum on a surface of earth. This
process begins by examining the surface using specialized technique (survey by using vibrators)
and equipment’s.

• Extraction
After survey completion and the report studied by the geologist and petroleum engineer the
comprehensive report handed over to drilling department. The next is drilling step. So this
involve the process of drilling for natural gas.

• Production
This involve separation of some gases and impurities from natural gas. So this is generally
cleaning of natural gas to produce pipeline quality natural gas.

• Transportation
It involves transporting natural gas from the wellhead to different places for processing or for
storage.

• Distribution
In involve the distribution of natural gas to customers in different places by using pipelines.

Figure 1 Processes of Natural Gas

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2.4 Why should Gas be Measured?

The basic purpose of measuring anything is “to determine an amount of the thing to achieve a
specific purpose”
Some of the reasons for measuring the natural gas are
• To know the volume of gas being consumed by each consumer for the purpose of

billing (revenue collection).

• Standardize the measurement for each customer, everybody should be treated equally.

• For the reconciliation of the system.

• To minimize the measurement losses.

Figure 2 Reasons for measuring Gas

2.5 How It Is Measured?

The best way to measure consumed gas is by filling a container of known volume and then pass
it to the consumer. Units of gas measurement are following
• Cubic feet/hr. (ft3/hr)

• Cubic meters/hr. (m3/hr)

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2.6 Pressure of Gas
Pressure of gas is the force exerted by the gas molecules on the container in which the gas is
present.

Figure 3 Gas Molecules in Containers

2.7 Temperature of Gas

Temperature is a physical quantity expressing the degree of hotness and coldness.

Celsius(denoted by ℃) is the common scale used for measuring temperature others are kelvin
scale &Fahrenheit scale. When the temperature of the gas present in the cylinder or container
rises the gas molecules absorb the heat energy which result in increase in the motion of the
molecules (kinetic energy), hence more molecules will strike the wall of the container meaning
that the pressure on the walls will increase.

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 Figure 4 Temperature Increase

2.8 Flow of Gas

Gas flows when there is a difference of pressure present between two points, the gas flows from
a point of higher pressure to the point of low pressure. The rate of flow will depend upon the
difference of pressures between the points.

Figure 5 Flow of Gas between Containers

2.9 Pressure

Pressure is the force exerted by the gas molecules on the container in which the gas is present.
Force per unit Area, P=F/A (unit: lb/inch2)

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2.9.1 Atmospheric pressure

The pressure in the surrounding atmosphere is known as atmospheric pressure. It is measure by a

barometer and considered to be 14.73 psia (pound per square inch absolute) at sea level. As we
go higher the value of atmospheric pressure decreases. For instance atmospheric pressure at
Karachi ≈ 14.73 psia, Peshawar ≈ 14.4 psia.

2.9.2 Guage Pressure

The pressure measured with measuring instruments (Guages) is known as guage pressure.
Guages are used to measure pressure in the gas system. They measure pressure above
atmospheric pressure.

2.9.3 Absolute pressure

The pressure measured from absolute vacuum pressure line is known as absolute pressure.
Absolute pressure is the sum of guage and atmospheric pressures.
Absolute pressure = Guage pressure + Atmospheric pressure

2.10 Gas Laws

Some important Gas laws are the following:

2.10.1 Boyle’s Law

This law state that at a constant temperature, the volume of a given mass of gas is inversely
proportional to the applied pressure. Mathematically, Boyle’s law can be stated as:

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 V ∝ 1/p (at constant temperature)
V = K/P (where k is a constant)
PV = K (the proportionality constant ‘K’ is constant
fora given sample of gas at fixed temperature,
but it varies with the mass and temperature of gas)

This means that at constant temperature, the product of Pressure and Temperature of a given
mass of gas is always constant. Thus

P1V1 = P2V2 (at constant temperature)

This equation shows that, as volume increases, the pressure of the gas decreases in portion.
Similarly, as volume decreases, the pressure of the gas increases.

Figure 6 Graphical Representation of Boyles Law

2.10.2 Charles Law

This Law state that at constant pressure, volume of a given mass of gas is directly proportional
to its absolute temperature. Mathematically, Charles law can be stated as:

V ∝ T (when p is constant)
V = KT (when p is constant)
T is the temperature of the gas,
V is the volume of the gas, and K is a non zero constant.

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 V/T = constant
V1/T1 = V2/T2= constant
OR V1T2 = V2T1
This Law describes how a gas expends as the temperature increases; conversely, a decrease in
temperature will lead to a decrease in volume. While increases in temperature, the volume of the
gas also increases in proportion.

Figure 7 Volume of a definite mass of gas is plotted against absolute temperature

2.10.3 Avogadro’s Law

This law state that equal volume of gases at the same temperature and pressure contain equal
number of molecules. Mathematically, Avogadro’s law can be stated as:

V ∝ n (at the same pressure & temperature)

V/n = K
Where
V is the volume of the gas;
n is the amount of the substance of the (measured in moles);

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 k is a constant for a given temperature and pressure.
This law describe how, under the same condition of temperature and pressure, equal volumes of
all gases contain the same number of molecules.
For comparing the same substance under two different sets of condition the law can be expressed
as

V1/n1 = V2/n2
The equation shows that, as the number of moles of gas increases, the volume of the gas also
increase in proportion. Similarly, if the number of moles of gas is decreased, then the volume
also decreased.

Figure 8 Graphical representation of Avogadro Law

2.10.4 Ideal Gas Law

The Ideal gas law, also called the general gas equation, is a combination of Boyle’s law,
Charles’s Law, and Avogadro’s Law of gases. Mathematically this law can be expressed as

PV = nRT
OR PV = m/M (RT)
P = (m/V)(RT/M)
P = (RT/M)

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2.11 Flow Proving

This is a method used to test and verify the performance of flow meters and transfer meters. This
method is were used to calculate the errors in the diaphragm meters. A known volume of air at
constant pressure is passed through the calibrated meter and then from the meter to be tested at
different flow rates using orifice of particular diameters.

2.12 Leak Test

Leak testing is the process of checking a system for leaks or defects. Leak testing can be
achieved using various leak detection methods and is employed to test for defects in products
and to ensure the proper function and maintenance of different systems.

To check for the internal leak tightness at normal laboratory conditions by immersing the meter
without its index in water and observing for leakage for about 30s after any tapped air has
dispersed.
For the elimination of external leaks we used Teflon tapes around the joints to prevent leakage of
air from the meter joints which can influence the readings.

2.13 Flow Meters

A Flow meter or flow sensor is an instrument’s used to measures the amount of liquid or gas or
vapor passing through piping system. Most flow meter are designed to measure the velocity or
speed at which the fluid flows through a pipe. Flow meters uses information such as cross
sectional area of pipes to calculate the amount of fluid passing through the system.

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2.13.1 Natural Gas Flow Meters

A type of flow meter that is specialized to measure the volume of gas passing through the meter.
Which is used to measure volume of fuel gases such as natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.

2.13.2 Types of Gas Meters

Gas Volume Meters

Positive Displacement Meters Inferential Meters

Turbine Meters

Orifice Meters

Diaphragm Meters Sonic Meters

Rotary Meters

Figure 9 Types of Gas Meters

2.13.3 Positive Displacement Meters

These meters measure the known volume of gas in the fixed chamber and displace this volume.
The no. of fixed volumes displaced are calibrated to provide volume of gas passed through the
meter on its index. These meters have deformable chamber walls in which volume of gas fills
and displaces out. These meters are further subdivided into:

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 i. Diaphragm Meters

Positive displacement natural gas flow meter. William Richards invented the first diaphragm
displacement meter in 1843. These meters used in most residential and smaller commercial
installation, the diaphragm gas meter can measure even a very small gas flow rate. Measure
directly the quantity of natural gas the users consumes. Diaphragm meters are designed to
guarantee optimum flow conditions and a low pressure loss. They are suitable for measuring
natural and a variety of technical gases.

Figure 10 Diaphragm Meter

ii. Rotary Meters

Rotary gas meters are designed to meet the highest demands of reliable and accurate
measurement of gas flow. These meters are highly precise as compared to diaphragm meters.
They are capable of handling high volume and pressure. It consists of a roots (impellers) on
which two “8” shaped spins in precise alignment.

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The robust design of the casing make the meter less sensitive to installation stresses caused by
the connecting pipes. A significant amount of misalignment of the connecting piping can be
tolerated by the meter without affecting the meter performance by jamming the impellers.

Figure 11 Rotary Meter

2.13.4 Inferential Meters

An inferential meter, infers volumetric flow rate by measuring a property of the flow stream.
Means that these meters do not directly measure the volume of gas but uses some property of
fluid flow to inference gas volume. Usually velocity of fluid stream is measure through the fixed
area and volume is computed by using formula

Q = V×A

These meters are further sub divided into:

i. Turbine Meters

The turbine flow meters translates the mechanical action of the turbine rotating in the fluid flow

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around an axis into a user readable rate of flow. The turbine wheel is set in the path of a fluid
stream. The following fluid impinges on the turbine blades, exerting a force to the blade surface
and setting the rotor in motion. When a steady rotation speed has been reached, the speed is
proportional to the fluid velocity. The meters measure flow by determining this speed of gas
passing through it.

Figure 12 Turbine Flow Meter

ii. Ultrasonic Meters

An Ultrasonic meter is a type of flow meter that measures the velocity of a fluid use sound waves
or with ultrasound to calculate volume flow rate. Using ultrasonic transducers, the flow meters
can measure the average velocity along the path of an emitted beam of ultrasound, by averaging
the difference in measure transient time between the pulses of ultrasound propagating into and
against the direction of the flow or by measuring the frequency shift from the Doppler Effect.
Ultrasonic meters needs consequential processing and computation, therefore they are more
complex.

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 Figure 13 Ultrasonic Flow Meter

iii. Orifice Meters

An orifice meter is a type of flow meter used to measure the flow rate of fluid (Gas or Liquid)
especially steam, using the differential pressure measuring principle. It consist of straight pipe
inside which a precisely known orifice is installed due to which pressure drops created therefore
affecting the flow. Orifice meters have a deliberately designed disturbance across which the
pressure difference is measured.

Figure 14 Orifice Meter

2.14 Diaphragm Meter

Diaphragm meters are displacement meters where the flow channels are design to guarantee
optimum flow conditions and a low pressure loss. They are suitable for measuring natural gas
and a verity of technical gases. This positive displacement meter is used for billing domestic
consumers and small commercial buildings. It can measure very small flow rate and is very
accurate. Within the meters there are two are more chambers formed by movable diaphragms.
With the gas flow directed by internal valves, the chambers alternately fill and expel the gas,
producing a nearly continuous flow the meter. As the diaphragm expand and contract, lever
connect to the cranks convert the linear motion of the diaphragms into rotary motion of a crank
shaft which serves as the primary flow element. This shaft can drive the index.

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2.14.1 Components of Diaphragm Meter
Components of diaphragm meters are:

2.14.1.1 Body
It contain the gas pressure and part of the compartments that measure the gas.

2.14.1.2 Diaphragm

Diaphragm do reciprocating motion by different pressure built in measuring chamber when gas
is inflowing into the valve. This is a device to convert the reciprocating motion to revolution
motion by means of D/P lever connected into flag shaft. Furthermore, it is designed and
constructed to form four measuring chamber with two diaphragm and inflowing and outflowing
of gas is happened at each measuring chamber at the same time and result in eight-stroke to be
divided.

2.14.1.3 Valve cover

It control the flow of gas into each side of the diaphragm.

2.14.1.4 Linkage
It connect the diaphragm with the valves and index.

2.14.1.5 Index
It register the number of revolutions of the entire mechanism.

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 Figure 15 Components of Diaphragm Meter

2.14.2 Working principle

A diaphragm meter cam be compared to a two-piston double action engine in which the
diaphragm correspond to pistons and the meter body to the cylinders. Each stroke of the
diaphragm displaces a fixed volume of gas and the diaphragm operate 90 out of phase so that
when one is fully stroked, the other is at mid-stroke this provides a smooth flow of gas to the
meter outlet and ensures the meter will always start regardless of its static position. When a
demand for gas for gas is made on the downstream side of the meter, a pressure drop is created
across the meter and its diaphragms. This differential, which amount to 0.1”W.C., provides the
force to drive the meter. Each diaphragm is a “D” shaped valve. Under the valve are three port
opening that direct the flow of gas in and out of the case and diaphragm compartments. As the
diaphragm expends, it forces the gas in the case compartment up through the case port. The valve
directs the flow of gas into the center port that leads to the meter outlet. A similar process occurs
when the diaphragm contracts. The stroke of the diaphragm is controlled by linkage in the upper
port of the meter and a rod (flag rod) that extends down into the diaphragm compartment. The
tangent link, as it is called, is attacked to the top of the meter crank and is adjustable in length.
Increasing the tangent length increases the diaphragms’ stroke which increases the meter proof

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and vice versa. The crank makes a certain number of turns per cubic foot and transmits this
motion to the front counter (index) by means of an axle shaft driven by a worn and wheel. The
crank also drives the sliding valves, which are timed to motion of the diaphragm.

Figure 16 Working of Diaphragm Meter

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 Chapter 3
Experimental Methodology

3.1 Introduction

This part will allows us to present the board rule and actions that are to be taken to elaborates
and investigate a research problem and for the application of specific procedures or techniques
used to select, statistical and experimental process to analyze information. The methodology is
the strategy that outlining the process in which the project is to be undertaken and identifies the
methods used in it.

3.2 Previous work

Title: Metrological performance of diaphragm gas meters in distribution networks

Main point: This research work explains the error as a function of metrological effects i.e.
Link: www.elsevier.com/locate/flowmeasinst

Title: The effect of measuring error of the gas meter to the calculation of gas consumption
Link: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/cf1b/996e151bde769fd86534cb71737baaec6297.pdf

3.3 Research Gap

After studying the research papers that are related to our project we came across the research
gaps between our project and the previous work that had been done in the context of this project.
In previous research, the work had been done on the numerical modeling through which they had
quantified the metrological effects on error of diaphragm meters, relating error of gas meters
with gas consumption. In these analysis, they have find out indirect correlation between age and
error of diaphragm meters keeping many other factors under consideration i.e. pressure,

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temperature etc. But are considering only the relationship between age and error and keeping the
rest of the conditions constant.

3.2 Experimental Equipment

▪ Compressor
Provides compressed gas to the setup

▪ Pressure regulator
Pressure regulator are used to maintain the pressure of gas constant that will pass
through the meter.

▪ Orifices
Using three types of orifices in experimental setup for the calibration of meters.

▪ Master meter (DTM)

Standard meter that are already calibrated using for the calibration of other meters.

Figure 17 Experimental Setup

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 Figure 18 Schematic of Experimental Apparatus

3.3 Methodology

To study the effect of age on the accuracy of diaphragm gas meters. We use two types of orifices
i.e. 20 and 80 or 0.8Qmax and 0.2Qmax. 20 or 0.2Qmax is an index to measure the flow at

0.2 of the maximum flow rate. 80 or 0.8Qmax is an index to measure the flow at 0.8 of the
maximum working flow rate. These two indexes are important parameters in measuring the
accuracy of the gas meter (give the reference where these flow rate specification were define).
Dry gas meter were used to do the experiment. A compressor were used to provide a constant
flow of gas or air and a pressure regulator is connected to the flow of gas to provide or maintain
constant pressure of gas throughout the line.
Master meter (standard calibrated meter) was connected to the flow of gas from the compressor
(at a constant pressure) at the inlet of the master meter. At the outlet from the master meter a gas
meter was connected in series with the master meter as shown below. After the connections
initial index value and then after providing gas the final index value are noted to find out error.

3.4 Experimental Conditions

To protect the experiments from the effect of temperature the temperature of the room was kept
constant i.e.25℃±2 and standard atmospheric conditions. Because the temperature also have

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enough effect on the efficiency of diaphragm meters.

3.5 Mathematical Equation

Measuring again the effect on gas meter we use two types of orifices and passed 0.2Qmax and
0.8Qmax from all diaphragm meters and after noting the index values for each flow rate we used
the formula to get the error in meter

𝐹𝑖nal value−Initial value)−Cycles

Error = ( ) × 100
𝐶𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠

After getting error for every sample we used regression analysis to get a generalize formula for
the prediction of error in gas meters of different age.

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 Chapter 4
Statistical Analysis

4.1 Statistics

Statistics is a branch of mathematics dealing with data collection, organization, analysis,

interpretation, and presentation of numerical data. In applying statistics to a scientific, industrial,
or social problems, it is conventional to begin with a statistical population or a statistical model
to be studied. Statistics deal with every aspect of data, including the planning of data collection
of data in terms of the design of surveys and experiments. There are different stages of
investigation.

4.1.1 Stages
Different stages of a statistical inquiry:

➢ Collecting data
The collection of statistical data is one of the most important aspect of the statistical
inquiry. In this stage we collect data from multiple sources-both primary and secondary in
nature. The source is primary when the data is originally collected by an investigator or
agency and the source is secondary if data is taken from an agency or a person who
already used the data for their statistical analysis or requirements.

➢ Organizing and presenting numerical data

In this stage we made the data simple and is classified into different groups. Different
sources provide data in unorganized form therefore we need to edit, classify and tabulate
the data in order to organize it, and classifying the data involves bringing together the data
items which have common characteristics.

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 ➢ Analysis of data
Once the data is collected, organized, and presented, it is important to analyze the data in order to
get a better understanding of the subject matter. To get satisfactory results is dependent on the
type of analysis. To measure the different parameters like significance correlation regression etc.

➢ Interpreting the data

This stage involves the conclusion of data based on the results from the analysis. It is a
sensitive and difficult task requiring a high degree of skill, experience, common sense,
and also a sense of balanced judgment of the investigator.

4.1.2 Why Statistics Is Used?

Statistics is composed of equations that is used to analyze the different things that are happening
around the whole environment. Everyday life depends upon statistics for example prediction of
disease, forecasting of weather, failure prediction stock market etc.

4.2 Types of Statistics

There are two types of statistics

4.2.1 Descriptive statistics

The goal of this branch of statistics is to describe the data. Numerical measure are used to tell
about the features of a set of data. Main types of descriptive statistics include average, mean,
mode, medium that are used commonly. These measures are important and useful because they
allow us to see patterns among data, and thus to make sense of that data.

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4.2.2 Inferential statistics

This type of statistics involves prediction from the data. It includes the estimating of parameters
and hypothesis tests. Inferential statistics are produce through complex mathematical
calculations that allows us to infer trends about a large population data based on a study of a
simple taken from it.

➢ Null hypothesis
It is the branch of inferential statistics. In statistical test assumption of null hypothesis means that
no relationship exist between the measure variables.

➢ Alternate hypothesis
Alternate hypothesis is contrary to null hypothesis. This describes that there is a strong
relationship exist between the measure parameters.

4.3 ANOVA (Analysis of variance)

ANOVA test is away to find out if survey or experiment results are significant. In other words
they help you to figure out if you need to reject the null hypothesis or accept the alternate
hypothesis, basically we testing groups to see if there is a different between them.

4.3.1 One-way Anova

One-way or two-way refers to the number of independent variable in your Analysis of variance
test. One-way has one independent variable (with 2 levels)

4.3.2 Two-way Anova

Two- way has two independent variables (can have multiple levels).

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4.4 Regression Analysis

Regression analysis is a form of predictive modeling technique which investigates the

relationship between dependent (target) and independent variable (predictor). The technique is
used for forecasting the casual effect relationship between the variables.

4.4.1 Linear Regression

Linear Regression attempts to model the relationship between two variables by fitting a linear
equation to observed the data. On variable is considered to be independent variable (X), and the
other is considered to be a dependent variable (Y).

4.4.2 Correlation Coefficient

A correlation coefficient is a statistical measure of the degree to which changes to the value of
one variable predict change to the value of another. Pearson’s correlation (also called Pearson’s
R) is a correlation coefficient commonly used in linear regression.

➢ Negative Correlation Coefficient

When the relation between the two variable is inverse it is called negative correlation coefficient.
It means that in negatively correlated variables, the value of one increases as the value of the
other decreases.

➢ Positive Correlation Coefficient

When the relation between the two variable is direct it is called positive correlation coefficient. It
means that in positively correlated variables, the value of one increases as the other variable

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value increases and vice versa.

Figure 19 Correlation between two Quantities

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 Chapter 5

Results and Conclusions

5.1 Results

Based on the statistical models we conclude that aging plays a major role in declining of
performance of diaphragm meters i.e. error is proportional to age.

5.2 Graphs
Some Graphs based on our experimental data are:

5.2.1 No of Samples with Respect to Age

This graph shows the number of samples in different age groups from one year to ten years
This graph shows the number of samples in different age groups from one year to ten years

Graph 1 Number of Samples in Different Age Groups

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5.2.2 Graphs of Error Plotted Against Number of Meters

Graph for 20% flow rate

35 33

30
25
NO OF METER

20
15 13

10
5 3 3
0
0
(-18,-14) (-14,-10) (-10,-6) (-6,-2) (-2,2)
ERROR

Graph 2 Error in One Year Old Meters (20% of Qmax)

Graph 3 Error in One Year Old Meters (80% of Qmax)

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 Graph 4 Error in Two Year Old Meters (20% of Qmax)

Graph 5 Error in Two Years old Meters (80% of Qmax)

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Graph 6 Error in Three Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax)

Graph 7 Error in Three Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax)

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Graph 8 Error in Four Years Meters (20% of Qmax)

Graph 9 Error in Four Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax)

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 Graph 10 Error in Five Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax)

Graph 11 Error in Five Years Old Meters (80%of Qmax)

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Graph 12 Error in Six Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax)

Graph 13 Error in Six Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax)

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Graph 14 Error in Six Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax)

Graph 15 Error in Seven Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax)

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Graph 16 Error in Eight Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax)

Graph 17 Error in Eight Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax)

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 Graph 18 Error in Nine Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax)

Graph 19 Error in Nine Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax)

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Graph 20 Error in Ten Years Old Meters (20% of Qmax)

Graph 21 Error in Ten Years Old Meters (80% of Qmax)

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 5.2.3 Analysis of Variance

ANOVA
Source of Variation SS DF MS F-value P-value F crit
8.03524E-
Between Groups 829.5180496 9 92.16867218 3.875656282 05 1.892150527

Within Groups 18121.4543 762 23.78143609

Total 18950.9723 771

Table 1 Analysis of variance for 20%

ANOVA
Source of Variation SS DF MS F-value P-value F crit
Between Groups 342.4154013 9 38.0461557 1.966116516 0.040472088 1.892199117
Within Groups 14687.3453 759 19.35091607
Total 15029.7607 768

Table 2 Analysis of variance for 80% flow rate

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5.2.4 Regression Analysis

Age Average 20 Average 80

1 -1.366969206 -1.381523501

2 -2.39168275 -2.578169935

3 -1.401638045 -1.59682959

4 -1.250422125 -2.457787482

5 -2.405218543 -2.60384106

6 -2.305856354 -1.484254144

7 -2.36939759 -2.58768407

8 -3.398205805 -3.573164219

9 -4.395013263 -1.60966817

10 -7.384036458 -3.572265625

Table 3 Average Years in Each Group

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 series 1 series 2 .............Average 20
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-1

-2

-3

-4
Error

-5

-6 y = -0.1339x - 1.6082 y = -0.4934x - 0.1529

R² = 0.2474 R² = 0.6473
-7

-8

-9

-10
Year

Graph 22 Analysis on Average Data Regression

The trend of the graph shows that there is a positive relation between age and negative error.
The predicted error according to this graph.

Age Predicted Value at 80 Predicted Value at 20

1 -1.7421 -0.6463
T -1.876 -1.1397
3 -2.0099 -1.6331
4 -2.1438 -2.1265
5 -2.2777 -2.6199
6 -2.4116 -3.1133
7 -2.5455 -3.6067
8 -2.6794 -4.1001
9 -2.8133 -4.5935
10 -2.9472 -5.0869
11 -3.0811 -5.5803

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 12 -3.215 -6.0737
13 -3.3489 -6.5671
14 -3.4828 -7.0605
15 -3.6167 -7.5539
16 -3.7506 -8.0473
Table 4 Predicted Values of Errors based on Analysis

5.2.5 Defective Meters

The number of defected meters encountered in each year group during experiments along
with the cause of failure are represented in table.

Year Number Of Defected Meters Defected Parts

2008 12 Capsule, counter, blocked

2009 10 Capsule, counter,

2010 9 Gear teeth, Fling rod

2011 8 Gear teeth, Fling rod

2012 9 O ring , loose gears

2013 7 Gear disengaged

2014 8 Loose fling rod

2015 5 Loose gears

2016 6 O ring missing

2017 4 Loose gears

Table 5 Number of Defective Meters Each Year

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5.3 Conclusion

From the above results it can be concluded that

• There is a significant effect of age on error, as the analysis of variance shows that
calculated value of F is more then tabulated value of F (F critical) which is the condition
for rejecting null hypothesis and is an indicator of variances among groups.
• The negative error is proportional to age and this trend is seen in the regression analysis.
• From the values predicted by our model a meter should be calibrated after 5 or 6 years in
operation, because the error after this duration exceed the allowable limit and causes
under billing. If meters are not calibrated then the meters should be replaced after 10
years in operation because after this interval the error exceeds more then twice the value
of allowable error.

5.4 Future Work

We studied the effect of age on diaphragm gas meters. There are many other factors which effect
the efficiency of diaphragm meters and influence the error. The future work in this project can be
considers the effect of temperature, pressure and usage (per day load on meter) of diaphragm
meter.

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References

1. Industries, D. (2016). Fundamentals Of Natural Gas Measurment. Power Services Inc.

2. Ford, N. (N.D.). Fundamental Principles Of Diaphragm Meters.
3. A. P. Adams. (1967). Dry Displacement Gas Meters.
4. G.Ficco. (2014). Metrological Performance Of Diaphragm Gas Meters In Distribution
Networks. Elsevier, 65-72.
5. Buonanno, G. (N.D.). flowmeters, On field Characterisation Of Static Domestic Gas.
6. H Mulholland, C. J. (2016). Fundamentals Of Statistics. Springer.
7. Heron, E. (2009). Analysis Of Variance - Anova.
8. J. Massah, K. A. (2013). Statistical Modelling Of Error Measurement For Diaphragm Gas
Meters At Different Ambient. Acta Technica Corviniensis- Bulletin Of Engineering.
9. Zlatko Tonković, D. F. (2016). The Effect Of Measurement Error Of The Gas Meter To
The Calculation Of Gas Consumption. Elsevier, 95-99.
10. Nilsson, U. R. (1998). A New Method For Finding Inaccurate Gas Flow Meters Using
Billing Data: Finding Faulty Meters Using Billing Data. Elsevier, 237-242.
11. P.Del Gaudio, W. R. (2012). Analysis Of The Metrological Performance Of Diaphragm
Gas Meters In A City Distribution Network. Kuala Lampur World Gas Conference.
Kuala Lampur: International Gas Union.
12. Poe, S. M. (2012). Handbook Of Natural Gas Transmission And Processing. Gpg.

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