INTRODUCTION TO GAS

METERING
 A Typical Meter Station

Meter Run Metering Pressure Meter Run

Dry Gas
Isolation Valve Regulator Device Relief Valve Outlet Valve
Filter

By-pass Run
By Pass Run By-pass Run
Inlet Valve Outlet Valve

Service Pipe

Supply or Distribution
Main Pipe

Gas Main
 Major Components of
Metering Station
• Gas Service Line
A pipe connection from Gas Main to Meter Station
• Gas Flow Control Valves
A device that control partial or full flow of gas.
• Pressure Control Device
A device that control flow pressure of gas
• Metering Device
A device that register flow, energy or mass delivered to customer
• Pressure Safety Device
A device that protect downstream devices from over pressure.
• Electronic Sensors
All the devices like Pressure, temperature and other devices used for calculation
for the flow or control equipments electronically.
• Accessories
• Devices used for access control, audio-video communication, etc,.
Common types of meters
Diaphragm
Meters
Positive
Displacement
Meters
Rotary Meters

Types of Gas
Meters
Turbine Meters

Inferential Meters Orifice Meters

Ultrasonic Meters
Principles of Gas Metering
• Natural Gas
– Compressible substance
• One quantity of gas can occupy different volumes at
different temperatures and pressures
– Quantity of gas is what is important
– Standard Volume vs Actual Volume
• Gas Meters
– Only capable of measuring Actual Volumes
– If pressure and temperature are known, actual
volume can be converted to standard volume
• Three different Actual Volumes
• Three identical Standard Volumes
– A SCF is defined as 1 actual cubic foot of gas at 60°F and
14.73 PSI
 Supercompressibility Factor

Meter Factor
Standard Volume

𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉𝐴 × 𝐹𝑃 × 𝐹𝑇 × 𝐹𝐹𝑃𝑉² × 𝐹𝑀

Actual Volume
Temperature Factor

Pressure Factor
 • Ideal Gas Law (PV = nRT)
– Pressure and Temperature Factors
– FP is much more significant than FT

𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉𝐴 × 𝐹𝑃 × 𝐹𝑇 × 𝐹𝐹𝑃𝑉² × 𝐹𝑀

• Supercompressibility • Meter Factor

– Corrects for
– Required when P > 100 PSI individual meter
– Corrects for differences performance
between real and ideal – Determined via
proving test
gasses – Typically ignored
– Gas composition needs to in custody transfer
be known applications
 𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉𝐴 × 𝐹𝑃 × 𝐹𝑇

• Temperature Factor
– Corrects the actual volume at a measured temperature to a
standard volume at the base temperature (typically 60°F)
– Absolute temperature units required (Rankin/Kelvin)
𝑇 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 459.67+60°𝐹
• 𝐹𝑇 = =
𝑇 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 459.67+𝑇𝑔𝑎𝑠
• Pressure Factor
– Corrects the actual volume at pressure to a standard volume at
the base pressure (typically 14.73 PSI)
𝑃 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑃 𝑎𝑡𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 +𝑃 𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚+𝑃𝑔
• 𝐹𝑃 = = =
𝑃 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑃 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 14.73 𝑃𝑆𝐼
• Billing
– Gas is typically sold per energy content (e.g. GJ)
– Conversion to energy is based on gas composition
sampling (e.g. 0.001055 GJ/SCF)

𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 = 𝑉𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 × 𝐸𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 × 𝑃𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦

𝐺𝐽 $
$ = 𝑆𝐶𝐹 × ×
𝑆𝐶𝐹 𝐺𝐽
Meter Types
 Gas Measurement
Types of Meters

• Positive Displacement Meters

– Diaphragm Type
– Rotary Type
• Turbine Type
• Inferential Type
– Pitot Tube – Not in use in SSGC
– Venturi – Not in use in SSGC
– Orifice Tube
• Ultra-sonic Meters
• Diaphragm Meters
• Low Pressure (0-100 PSI)
• Low Flow rates
• Excellent Turndown (~100:1)

• Rotary Meters
Medium Pressure (0-175 PSI, 0-1480 PSI in HP Models)
• Medium to High Flow rates
• Good Turndown (~50:1)
•

• • Turbine Meters
Highest Pressure (up to 1480 PSI)
•
High flow rates
•
Poor Turndown (~20:1)
• Ultrasonic Meters
• Low Pressure Loss
• No mechanical components
• Bi-directional flow
 Rotary
Turbine

HP Rotary

Diaphragm
 Positive Displacement Meters
Diaphragm Type
• There were no gas meters in the very early days of the gas business,
but about 1815, in England, Clegg began to make positive-
displacement, revolving-drum, water-sealed devices to measure gas
plant send out. They were huge affairs; some units were 16-18 feet in
diameter.
• In the 1840s, Croll, Richards, and Glover invented and perfected a
satisfactory dry, two-diaphragm, sliding-valve, four-chamber,
positive-displacement meter for measuring customer consumption.
• In 1903, Sprague invented a two-diaphragm, oscillating-valve meter
with three-chambers. The principles of operation and basic
construction of these devices remain essentially the same today.
• These meters are constructed in such a way that gas entered in to a
known volume chamber and pushes out exist chamber, the lateral to
circular motion mechanism rotates number index to register the
quantity of gas passed through.
Diaphragm Meters
• Most appropriate for intermittent or low flow gas with
low pressure

• Typically Temperature Compensated

• Small Diaphragm
– 200 Series to 400 Series Meters (AC250 to AL425 e.g.)
• ~0 CFH to ~500 CFH (actual volume)
• Typical “House” meter
• Large Diaphragm
– 600 Series and larger (AC630 to AL5000 e.g.)
• ~0 CFH to ~5000 CFH (actual volume)
• Commercial/Large Residential application
Diaphragm 1” MNPT
Hand Hole Cover
Meter
Anatomy 20 LT
Top Cover Connection
Thread
Index
Seal
Meter Body Plug

Front Cover
(Transparent)

Meter
Connection Set
Diaphragm Meter
(Cutaway Drawing)
Diaphragm Meter Mechanism
Diaphragm Meter Sizing
• All meters are sized based on actual gas volume flowrate
– Typical example: Requirements are “300,000 BTU at ¼ PSI”
– The BTU corresponds to the standard volume of gas, we generally
assume 1000 BTU per SCF of natural gas. This example equates to
~300 SCF/hr
– We cannot exceed a meter’s maximum capacity, so we would select
the smallest meter that is capable of measuring ~300 SCF/hr
– The best meter for this application would probably be an AL425
• The “425” corresponds to the maximum ACF/hr that the meter can measure at
¼ PSI (see table)
– Meters have limited connection size options – gas line may need to be
swaged up/down to accommodate the proper meter
 Diaphragm Meter Sizing
• Diaphragm meters are sized empirically using delivery pressure and
required flow to select the appropriate meter
(in scf/h of 0.6 SG Natural Gas)
Differential New Meters Discontinued: Rebuilds may be available
Gauge
Pressure Elster Sensus Elster Sensus Elster Sensus Elster Sensus Sensus Elster Elster
Pressure
("WC) R-275 415
(psi) AC250 AL 425 AC 630 AL 1000 RC 750 AL 800 RC 1600 RC1000 AL 1400 AL 2300
MR-8 MR12
0.25 0.5 250 275 425 415 630 1000 750 800 800 1000 1400 2300
0.25 1 355** 383** 583** 577** 860** 1400** 1033** 1100** 1067** 1400** 1933** 3200**
0.25 2 565 600 898 900 1320 2200 1600 1700 1600 2200 3000 5000
2 2 600 635 955 952 1390 2400 1688** 1850 1688** 2321** 3265 5440
5 2 656 690 1038 1035 1515 2700 1840 2100 1840 2530 3700 6200
10 2 - - 1154 1160 1710 3400 2080 2600 2080 2860 4600 7700
20 2 - - 1367* 1377* 2010 4100 2480 3200 2480 3410 5600 9400
25 2 - - 1462* 1473* 2160 4600 - 3500* 2640 3630 6200 10400
50 2 - - - - - 6600* - 5100* 3360 - 9000 15000
75 2 - - - - - 8540* - 6600* 3920** - 11650 19400
100 2 - - - - - 10100* - 7800* 4480 - 13800 23000
 Diaphragm Meter Options
• All Diaphragm meters available in m³ or ft³
• Most only have one possible connection size
– Some meters have two top cover options
• Small Diaphragm Options
– Pressure Taps
• Allows for live pressure measurement at the meter
– Pulsers
• Allows for wired transmission of meter index counts
– Electronic Radio Transmitters (ERTs)
• Allows for wireless reporting of meter index reads
• Large Diaphragm Options
– Pulsers
– ERTs
– Electronic Volume Correctors (Instruments)
• Live correction of variable pressure/temperature
• For LD meters, EVCs will typically only correct for
pressure
 Diaphragm Pulser Options
• Pulse weight (i.e. volume/pulse) will
depend on the specific meter and pulser
combination.
• Small Diaphragm Pulsers
– Elster Small Diaphragm Pulser (RVP-VI)
• (1 pulse/revolution)
• Measurement Canada (MC) Approved
– Riotronics Small Diaphragm Pulser
• (2 pulses/rev)
• For Non-Elster Meters
• Large Diaphragm Pulsers
– Elster Large Diaphragm Pulser (RVP-FI)
• (1 pulse/rev)
• MC Approved
– Riotronics Large Diaphragm Pulser
• (2 pulses/rev)
• For Non-Elster Meters
 Standards & Classification
(Small Diaphragm Meters)
ANSI Standard B109.1-1992 is identified by its title as applying to “Gas Displacement Meters (Under 500
Cubic Feet per Hour Capacity).” The major parts of this standard address:
• Construction requirements
• Performance requirements for new-type meters
• In-service performance
• Meter installation requirements
• Auxiliary devices
• Test methods and equipment
The standard divides small meters into four classes based on their capacity expressed in standard cubic
feet per hour (scfh) of 0.6-specific-gravity gas at a pressure drop of 0.5 inch water column (w.c.) gauge
across the meter:

– Class Capacity
– 50 Between 50 and 174 cfh
– 175 Between 175 and 249 cfh
– 250 Between 250 and 399 cfh
– 400 Between 400 and 499 cfh
 Standards & Classification
(Large Diaphragm Meters)
• ANSI Standard B109.2-1992 addresses “Diaphragm Type
Gas Displacement Meters (500 Cubic Feet per Hour
Capacity and Over).” This standard is organized in similar
fashion to B109.1. Again, the meters are divided into
classes based on capacity at 0.5 inch w.c. differential
pressure for 0.6-specific-gravity gas:

– Class Capacity
– 500 Between 500 and 899 cfh
– 900 Between 900 and 1,399 cfh
– 1400 Between 1,400 and 2,299 cfh
– 2300 Between 2,300 and 3,499 cfh
– 3500 More than 3,500 cfh
 Diaphragm Meters
(Make, Model & Specification)
MAOP CAP. SCFH CAP. SCFH CAP. SCFH CAP. SCFH Const.
Make Model Weight Lb INLET OUTLET
PSIG at 8 PSI at 30 PSI at 40 PSI at 50 PSI Material

ROCKWELL MR - 09 10 0 0 0 0 14.0 Al 1.25" 1.25"

ROCKWELL MR - 12 10 0 0 0 0 21.0 Al 1.25" 1.25"

ROCKWELL RW - 750 20 2,300 51.0 Al 1.50" 1.50"

ROCKWELL RW - 1,600 100 2,300 3,860 4,500 5,000 70.0 Al 1.50" 1.50"

ROCKWELL RW - 3,000 100 4,350 7,370 8,700 9,370 120.0 Al 2" 2"

ROCKWELL RW - 5,000 100 6,960 12,000 13,900 15,600 233.0 Al 3" 3"

ROCKWELL RW - 10,000 100 15,000 24,100 27,800 31,200 360.0 Al 3" 3"

AMERICAN AL - 425 10 1,200 22.0 Al 1.25" 1.25"

AMERICAN AL - 425 25 1,200 22.0 Al 1.25" 1.25"

AMERICAN AL - 800 30 2,400 50.0 Al 1.50" 1.50"

AMERICAN AL - 1400 100 4,240 6,800 7,900 9,000 175.0 Al 2" 3" Flg.

AMERICAN AL - 2300 100 7,100 11,400 13,200 15,000 192.0 Al 3" 4" Flg.

AMERICAN AL - 5000 100 15,600 25,000 29,000 33,000 327.0 Al 3" 4" Flg.
 Diaphragm Meters
Advantages/ Disadvantages
Advantages
• Very high range-ability
• Meters are reliable and durable
• Accuracy not affected by rapidly fluctuating flows
• Small pressures drop across the meters
• Meter can be housed in a small enclosure.

Disadvantages
• Not practical for high volume/ high pressure applications
• Meters are relatively large compared to other types with equivalent capacity
• Liquid accumulation in the meter causes measurement errors.
Rotary Meters
• Most appropriate for
consistent gas flow at 0-175
PSI
• Available with or without
temperature compensation
• High Pressure models
available (up to 1480 PSI)
• Mostly used for
industrial or large-scale
commercial applications
 Rotary Meters
(History)
• The first recorded use of a rotary gas meter was in 1920 at the Michigan
Light Company, Jackson, Michigan. At that time, two 10 × 24 rotary gas
meters were used to measure unpurified gas. In 1924, a study was made at
the Peoples’ Gas Light and Coke Company, Chicago, by a joint committee
representing the American Gas Association and the National Bureau of
Standards. The favorable results of this study and good field experience led
to greater use of these meters. By 1950, some 5,000 rotary gas meters had
been built; 400 of them were being used at the Peoples’ Gas Light and Coke
Company.
• Until the 1960s, Roots-Connersville was the only U.S. manufacturer of rotary
gas meters, but, as the meters became more popular, additional
manufacturers began to introduce their own designs. Today, the use of
rotary positive-displacement meters continues to expand as their design and
production incorporate advances in technology.
 Rotary Meters
(Principle of Operation)
• Rotary meters receive their name from the rotating vanes—also called
impellers-that sweep the measuring chambers of the meter. They are true
positive-displacement meters, in that each cycle causes a fixed volume of
gas to be displaced from the inlet of the meter to the outlet. Gas volume is
measured by actual displacement, not inferred from the rotational velocity
of the impellers.
• The volume displaced by each meter cycle is determined by the size of the
swept area of the meter. Unlike the diaphragm meter, there are no
adjustments that affect the volume displaced per cycle. The primary causes
of any deterioration in accuracy are internal leakage and friction.
• The pressure differential resulting from gas usage downstream of the meter
drives the meter’s impellers and associated devices such as integrating
instruments and chart recorders or electronic volume correctors.
Rotary Meters Mechanism
Rotary Meter Anatomy
Sight Glasses

Index (Head)
Meter Body
Rotary Meter Sizing
• Rotaries are sized based on actual gas volume
flowrate
– For Dresser rotaries, roman numerals are used to describe
maximum flowrate (ex. 8C = 800 CFH, 11M = 11000 CFH)
• Turndown ratio is worse on rotaries than diaphragms
– There is a minimum flowrate required in order for gas to
be measured. This is why constant gas flow is important.
• Since meters are sized based on actual volume, a
smaller meter at a higher pressure can often be used
to save costs
• Ex. An 8C175 at 100 PSI can handle ~6000 SCFH
• Ex. A 5M175 at 2PSI can handle ~5200 SCFH
 Rotary Meter Options
• The rotary meter bodies are all entirely fixed.
Adjustments to the meter configuration are external to
the meter body.
• Index Options
– The index is what displays the meter read. Mechanical
indexes can be imperial (ft³) or metric (m³)
– Mechanical temperature compensation is available
• Pulsers
– Can be installed on index to provide wired reporting of
index read
• Instrument Drive
– 90° addition to the end of the index
– Allows for installation of EVC or RA-100 via mechanical
wiggler
• Microcorrector
– Functionally identical to an EVC, but in a smaller body
– Integrated pulse output capabilities
– Versatile programming options (units, multipliers, pulse
output options, fixed pressure factors, T-only option, PTZ
correction, etc)
 Rotary Pulser Options
• Rotary Pulsers
– Riotronics Rotary Pulser
• (2 pulses/rev)
• Mounts directly to mechanical rotary indexes
– RA-100
• (100 pulses/rev)
• Mounts to an instrument drive on a rotary
meter
• MC Approved
– Barchard Veeder Root Custom Explosion
Proof pulser
• (10 pulses/rev) or (100 pulses/rev)
• Mounts directly to mechanical rotary indexes
 Rotary Meters
(Make, Model & Specification)
MAOP. CAP. SCFH CAP. SCFH CAP. SCFH CAP. SCFH Const.
Model Weight Lb INLET OUTLET
PSIG at 8 PSI at 30 PSI at 40 PSI at 50 PSI Material

ROOTS 5 C 175 750 Al 1.50" 1.50"

ROOTS 8 C 175 1,220 2,410 2,350 3,500 4.5 Al 1.50" 1.50"
ROOTS 11 C 175 1,700 Al 1.50" 1.50"
ROOTS 1.5 M 175 2,300 4,500 5,500 6,600 26.0 Al 1.50" 1.50"
ROOTS 2 M 175 3,000 Al 2" Flg. 2" Flg.
ROOTS 3 M 175 4,100 9,000 11,100 13,100 32.0 Al 2" Flg. 2" Flg.
ROOTS 5 M 175 7,630 15,100 18,500 21,900 42.0 Al 3" Flg. 3" Flg.
ROOTS 7 M 175 10,640 21,100 25,900 30,600 54.0 Al 3" Flg. 3" Flg.
ROOTS 11 M 175 16,720 33,200 40,600 48,100 70.0 Al 4" Flg. 4" Flg.
ROOTS 16 M 175 21,310 48,200 59,100 70,000 90.0 Al 4" Flg. 4" Flg.
ROOTS 23 M 175 35,900 69,300 84,900 100,000 475.0 Cast Iron 6" Flg. 6" Flg.
ROOTS 38 M 175 57,700 114,500 140,300 166,100 675.0 Cast Iron 6" Flg. 6" Flg.
ROOTS 56 M 175 85,100 168,400 206,800 244,800 1,050.0 Cast Iron 8" Flg. 8" Flg.
ROOTS 102 M 175 153,000 Cast Iron 8" Flg. 8" Flg.
DELTA - 10 175 1,330 2,620 3,200 3,780 21.0 Al 1.50" 1.50"
DELTA - 25 175 2,130 4,180 5,100 6,050 21.0 Al 1.50" 1.50"
DELTA - 40 175 3,450 6,800 8,320 9,840 21.0 Al 2" Flg. 2" Flg.
DELTA - 65 175 5,320 10,460 12,800 15,140 21.0 Al 3" Flg. 3" Flg.
DELTA - 100 175 8,500 16,730 20,480 24,230 66.0 Al 3" Flg. 3" Flg.
DELTA - 160 175 13,280 26,150 32,000 37,860 95.0 Cast Iron 4" Flg. 4" Flg.
 Rotary Meters
Advantages/ Disadvantages

Advantages
• Compatible with Electronic Flow Measurement devices
• Range ability greater that 100:1 at high pressures
• Meter piping requirements allow for a small metering facility

Disadvantages
• Gas flow completely shut off it meter seizes
• Requires an upstream strainer
• Continuous high rates result in excessive wear
• Leakage at very low flow rates causes measurement errors
Turbine Meters
• Most appropriate for consistent gas
flow
• Available with or without
temperature compensation
• Mostly used for industrial or large-
scale commercial applications
• Good Range ability
• Compact, Easy to Install
• Direct Volume Readout
• No Pressure Pulsations
• Wide Variety of Readouts
• Will not shut off gas flow
 Turbine Meter
(History)
• The concept of turbine-meter measurement of fluid
flow is not new. For many years, turbine meters have
accurately measured liquid flows. Patents on turbine
meters for air and gas measurement existed in the late
1800s.
• However, turbine devices were not applied practically
to natural gas measurement until the 1950s.
Improvements in the turbine meter’s design included
externally lubricated ball bearing systems, low-friction
magnetic coupling mechanical output drives, advanced
rotor designs, electronic outputs, calibration facilities,
and techniques and auxiliary instrumentation such as
on-line gas flow computers. The A.G.A. Transmission
Measurement Committee Report No.7, entitled
Measurement of Gas by Turbine Meters, published in
1985, provides a basis for design, operation, and Reinhard Woltman was generally credited to be the
maintenance activities associated with turbine-meter inventor of the turbine meter in 1790 for measuring
measurement. water flow.
Modern gas turbine meters are very accurate and
repeatable over a wide flow range.
These meters have a very extensive installed base in
the natural gas industry worldwide.
 Turbine Meters
(Principle of Operation)
• The principle of operation of the turbine meter is as
follows: gas entering the turbine meter increases
velocity as it flows through the annular passage formed
by the nose cone or upstream stator and the interior
wall of the body.
• Movement of this gas over angled rotor blades causes
rotation of the rotor. The speed of the rotor is directly
proportional to the average velocity of the gas through
the meter. From the rotor rotation through a gear train
and/or an electronic signal, a volumetric output is
provided that is linear within specified error limits over
the range of operation specified by the meter
manufacturer.
 Turbine Meter
Flow Equation
Calculating Flow Rate Measured by an Inferential Meter

Q=VxA
Where: Q = Flow Rate in CFH
V = Gas Velocity
A = Flow Area

Inferred Flow Rate = A flow rate derived

indirectly from evidence
(e.g. velocity through a known area)
 Let’sLet’sStart with Explaining a Few Key Definitions
Start with Explaining a Few Key Definitions

Error The different between a measurement and its true value.

K‐factor A number by which the meter's output pulses are multiplied to determine
the flow volume through the meter.

Meter factor A number by which the result of a measurement is multiplied to

compensate for systematic error.
MAOP Maximum allowable operating pressure.
Pressure drop The permanent loss of pressure across the meter

Qmax The maximum gas flow rate through the meter that can be measured
within the specified performance requirement.
Qmin The minimum gas flow rate through the meter that can be measured
within the specified performance requirement.
Rangeability The ratio of the maximum to minimum flow rates over which the meter
meets specified performance requirement. Rangeability is also known as
the turndown ratio.
7
Cut-out View of a Turbine Meter
Cut-out View of a Turbine Meter
Cut-out View of a Turbine Meter
Cut-out View of a Turbine Meter
Principle of Turbine Meters
The Law of Conservation of Energy
Principle of Turbine Meters

Kinetic Energy = Dynamic Energy of Mass in Motion

Velocity = V
KE = 1/2 M V2
Where: KE = Kinetic energy of the moving gas
molecules
M = Mass of gas molecules
Mass of gas molecules = M V = Velocity of gas molecules

In an turbine meter, a portion of the linear kinetic energy of the moving gas molecules is
converted into rotational energy of the rotor
Dual-Rotor Turbine Meter
The primary rotor of a dual‐rotor turbine meter is basically
Dual-Rotor Turbine Meter the same as that of a single‐rotor design. A second rotor is
added for checking and/or improving the measurement
integrity of the primary rotor under various flow conditions.
• Adjusted Volume at Initial Calibration
• Basic Adjustment Principle
• Operating Changes in Retarding Torque
• Self‐Checking Feature

Cut‐out view of an Auto‐Adjust meter

The main rotor is calibrated to register 110%
of the actual flow passing through the meter.
The sensing rotor is calibrated to register
Main rotor
Sensing rotor
10% of the actual flow. By design of the two
rotors and their placement in the meter
body, the flow error experienced by the
sensing rotor matches that of the main rotor.
The “Adjusted Volume” therefore provides a
very accurate account of the true flow.

Vadjusted = Vmain - Vsensing

The sensing rotor correction factor Ā

is provided by factory calibration.
Turbine Meter – Outline
 Turbine Meter
Recommended Installation Arrangement as per AGA#7
 Turbine Meters
Advantages/ Disadvantages
Advantages
• Compatible with Electronic Flow Measurement devices
• Range-ability greater that 100:1 at high pressure
• Accuracy (error less than 0.65%)
• Small pressure drop across the meter

Disadvantages
• Susceptible to damage from liquids and solids
• Requires upstream strainer
• Rotor friction at low flow rates can cause measurement errors
• Not cost effective at low pressure
• Requires over range protection
 Orifice Meter
(History)
• The orifice has been in commercial use since the early 1900’s.
The device is used to create a differential pressure that relates
to the velocity of the gas from which a flow rate can be
calculated.
• Orifice measurement is a mature technology. Orifice flow
coefficients were published in 1903, while the first
• documented installation of an orifice meter with a recorder
was in 1911, and the first commercially available orifice
• meter was offered in 1915.
• Orifice measurement is guided by the standards of several
organizations. Primary among these is the American Gas
Association and the American Petroleum Institute.
• The AGA #3 report is the standard that provides guidelines for
the construction and installation of orifice meters.
 Orifice Meters
(Principle of Operation)
• An orifice meter is an inferential meter in which the
fluid velocity and flowrate are inferred from the
pressure drop occurring through the known area of an
orifice plate.
• Specifically, orifice meter flow is calculated from the
flowing;
– gas pressure and temperature,
– differential pressure drop occurring across the restriction of
the meter’s orifice plate,
– the meter geometry including the meter tube’s inside
diameter and orifice plate bore,
– and the gas composition.
 Orifice Meter
Components of Orifice Meters
 Orifice Meter
Advantages/ Disadvantages

Advantages
• Compatible with Electronic Flow Measurement devices
• Accurate, repeatable, and proven
• Simple device
• Minimal operating costs
Disadvantages
• Low range-ability
• Susceptible to errors if liquids presents in the gas streams
• High installation cost
• Pressure drop is relatively higher than other meter types
 Ultra-Sonic Meters
History
• The original patent for an ultrasonic meter was
issued in 1928, and development of the meter
continued from the 1950’s through the 1980’s.
• The application of ultrasonic meters has
increased steadily since the 1990’s.
 Ultra-Sonic Meters
Principle of Operation
• An ultrasonic meter measures gas velocity by measuring the transit times of
ultrasonic pulses sent between two transducers in the gas flow direction
and against the gas flow direction.
• Custody transfer ultrasonic meters typically contain multiple pairs of
transducers.
• Gas velocity and flow rate are then calculated using ;
– the transit time differences,
– gas composition,
– gas temperature, gas pressure, and
– meter geometry (path length between transducer pairs).
• Ultrasonic meter calculations are based on AGA Report No. 9, Measurement
of Gas by Multipath Ultrasonic Meters,
• 1998, and AGA Report No. 10, Speed of Sound in Natural Gas and Other
Related Hydrocarbon Gases.
Ultra-Sonic Flow Meter
Functional Diagram
 Ultra-sonic Meter
Advantages/ Disadvantages

Advantages
• Compatible with Electronic Flow Measurement devices
• Accurate, repeatable, and proven
• Simple device
• Minimal operating costs
Disadvantages
• Low range-ability
• Susceptible to errors if liquids presents in the gas streams
• High installation cost
• Pressure drop is relatively higher than other meter types
Electronic
Volume
Correctors (EVCs)
WHY WE USE VOLUME CORRECTORS ?
The gas meter measure volumes at the metering pressures. The correction
factors such as pressure factor, temperature factor, and super compressibility
factor need to be applied on the volume recorded by the meter in order to get
the corrected volume at base conditions. Volume Correctors convert the actual
volume of gas measured by gas meters to reference conditions. Conversion is
based on measurement of values of volume, pressure and temperature by
using the formula:

Vb = V x P/Pb x Tb/T x Zb/Z

where
Vb = Converted volume
V = Primary volume ( from LF or HF meter output )
T = Absolute gas temperature at measurement conditions
Tb= Absolute temperature at base conditions
p = Absolute pressure at measurement conditions
pb= Absolute pressure at base conditions
Z = Gas compressibility factor at measurement conditions
Zb= Gas compressibility factor at base conditions
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION OF EVC
EVC is a dedicated microcomputer that takes metered volume in the form of
pulses and uses transducers to measure gas pressure and temperature and
hence corrects the metered volume.

Analog signals of gas pressure, gas temperature etc. are multiplexed

through the A/D converter and sent to the microprocessor for processing.
The microprocessor converts the digitized analog signals to an equivalent
numeric value and stores this information in memory.

If any of the measured parameters are out of range, the microprocessor

jumps to an alarm subroutine.

After the alarm subroutine is complete, or if no alarm conditions are

present, the microprocessor computes new correction factors based on the
new measurements and parameters already in memory. Parameters in
memory are items such as; Base Pressure, Base Temperature, Specific
Gravity, etc. The new correction factors are then applied to the uncorrected
volume input to obtain the corrected volume. The amount of corrected
volume just calculated is added to the totalized corrected volume.
Instruments/Microcorrectors
• Functionally identical
• Highly configurable and customizable
• Precise measurement of gas pressure and
temperature
• Live calculation converts actual volume to
standard volume
• Pulsing options allow for easy integration of
ERTs or output pulse cable
 Pressure Correction
• Measurement : Pressure correction is
required for pressures greater than ½ PSI
• Atmospheric pressure must always be
accounted for
• Only EVCs are capable of live pressure
correction
• Elevation or atmospheric pressure needs to
be programmed into the instrument
– Many pressure transducers measure gauge
pressure, so the atmospheric pressure needs to be
known in order to properly calculate the pressure
factor
• Pressure Factor Metering (PFM) is another
option for measuring standard gas volumes
– The use of a regulator keeps the pressure constant,
and the pressure factor is therefore known and
standard volumes can be calculated manually
 Temperature Correction
• Measurement : temperature
correction is required
• EVCs, mechanical rotary TC indexes,
and diaphragm meters are all capable
of live temperature correction
– Diaphragm meters correct for
temperature internally
– Mechanical TC indexes correct for
temperature via internal temperature
probe
– EVCs precisely measure the temperature
via temperature probe, and then
calculates the temperature factor
electronically
 FAQs
• What is required to choose the correct
meter?
– Expected flow rate (BTU/hr, SCF/hr)
– Expected and Max Pressures (PSI, kPa)
– List of special requirements (pulsers, etc)
• How do I ensure my meter is properly
installed and functioning correctly?
– Refer to IOM for specific installation
requirements
– Review meter is sealed and correct
documentation is valid
– Clock the meter to ensure its maximum flow
rate is not exceeded
• See more FAQ at
barchardengineering.com/faq
When the microprocessor has completed the updating of its memory registers,
it will update the LCD with the new corrected volume information.

Mechanical
Drive / Counter

Pressure Transducer
Pulser

LCD Screen

Temperature
Transducer
A/D Driver / Receiver
MICROCONTROLLER RS 484 RS 485 Bus
Converter

EPROM
Memory
Operation of EVCs
Alarm V unc, Vflt,err
Volume

If P or T violated the P
T limits/range

V unc, Vb,
Micro C Volume
Proces If P or T updated in
sor within limits the memory
A/D and then on
Conver. LCD

Low Batt
Alarm

Firmware
EVC Components
An EVC typically consists of
• Enclosure
• Index or pulse-input device (normally a reed switch which senses a magnet
passing by it and generates a pulse against each magnet rotation )
• Pressure transducer (a device used to convert the pressure into electrical
signals)
• Temperature transducer (a device used to convert temperature into electrical
signals, usually an RTD, Resistance Temperature Detector)
• Display
• Keypad
• Electronic circuit boards
• Communication port
• Power supply
EVC Components
 Configuration of EVC and Mismatch
Matching of EVC Readings with mechanical counter reading of
meter/EVC at the time of configuration.
Hence the Uncorrected Reading of the EVC should always match with
mechanical counter reading.
If at any time the EVC uncorrected reading is found less or greater than
mechanical counter reading, the phenomenon is known as MISMATCH.
Since no two counters can match exactly so a mismatch up to 1MCF is
negligible and can be ignored but any mismatch beyond this value (i.e.
1MCF) should be considered as MISMATCH.
The difference of reading should be corrected by the application of
correction factors and +/- adjustment in the bill should be made.
EVC RATIO
READING 1
CORR= 076658000 UNCORR= 004573600 Mech. CTR = 4573500
EVC PRESSURE = 75 PSIG EVC Temperature = 63 F
READING 2 (AFTER 10-15 MIN)
CORR= 076659200 UNCORR= 004573800 Mech. CTR = 4573700
EVC PRESSURE = 72 PSIG EVC Temperature = 61 F
DIFFERENCE OF CORR READINGS
076659200 – 076658000 = 1200
DIFFERENCE OF UNCORR READING
004573800 – 004573600 = 200
DIFFERENCE OF Mechanical Counter READING
004573700 – 004573500 = 200
AVG. OF EVC PRESSURE = (75+72) / 2= 73.5 PSIG Pf = 6.02
AVG. OF EVC Temperature = (75+72) / 2= 62 F Tf = 0.996
Total Factor = 6.0
RATIO of EVC Readings = 1200 / 200 = 6.0
•RATIO of EVC Mech. Counter and EVC Corrected Readings = 1200 / 200 = 6.0
Example
READING 1
CORR= 087657000
UNCORR= 005673800
Mech. CTR = 5673300
EVC PRESSURE = 77 PSIG
EVC Temperature = 65 F
READING 2 (AFTER 10-15 MIN)
CORR= 087658200
UNCORR= 005674000
Mech. CTR = 5673500
EVC PRESSURE = 70 PSIG
EVC Temperature = 59 F 73
For more information including IOM manuals, product
information and other literature please visit

BarchardEngineering.com/resources

780-436-6124