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Overview

A major gas pipeline operator in the UK uses  gas governor stations across several regions. As a part of the supply network measurement modelling and control, the gas flow, pressure and temperature rates are measured across the network. Until now, most measurement points are equipped with insertion turbine flow meters, which are shaft mounted and inserted either horizontally or vertically into the pipeline. The monitored flow rate information is then fed into their Control Centre.

Considerable maintenance issues have been experienced by the operator with the installed turbine meters; failures are resulting in high levels of maintenance to replace the metering.
As the replacement costs are high and no improvement in reliability with the existing technology is achievable, the turbine meters are considered "obsolete" and alternative measurement technology in accordance with prevailing standards and initiatives was implemented.

FLEXIM's non-invasive gas flow measurement technology with the FLUXUS G flow meter proved to be the ideal solution. Since the ultrasonic transducers are simply attached to the outside of the pipe, measurement is carried out without interrupting ongoing plant operation. In addition to that, the clamp-on transducers are not subject to any wear and tear by the medium and are therefore practically maintenance-free. A particularly high measuring accuracy is achieved by using dual channel measuring transmitters and by installing the ultrasonic transducers in a crossed two path alignment.
Additional benefits of the FLEXIM technology are that the flow meters are prezeroed, pre-calibrated and benefit from having temperature compensated transducers for drift free operation. Even accurate flow measurements on low pressurised lines (down to 50 psi) are not a challenge for FLUXUS.

After a series of field evaluations with FLEXIM's portable flow meters, the network operator felt very satified with the data gathered, resulting in permanent installations at several locations across the network.

Advantages

  • Reliable and low-maintenance flow measurement over a very wide dynamic range
  • No moving parts, no mechanical wear, no loss of pressure, no risk of leakage
  • Effective reduction of maintenance efforts and costs
  • Simple installation and start-up of the non-invasive measuring system without any pipe work or interruption of supply
  • High measurement accuracy due to paired, pre-zeroed and pre-calibrated transducers with internal temperature compensation (acc. to ANSI/ASME regulations)