For years, people involved within the oil and fuel business have been innovating and creating ways to get accurate measurements. From extraction to supply of those uncooked supplies, everybody in the enterprise has invested quite a lot of effort to obtain the most accurate measurements.
As a result, scientists and engineers have been working exhausting to search out new strategies and methods to make extra environment friendly metrology techniques. Thanks to their onerous work, the creation of different circulate meters was potential and because of this, the oil and gas business continues to be strong right now.
These circulate meters are used by industry (especially gas and oil) to calculate the mass flow or volume circulate of fluids. Such functions define the capacity and type of move meters. Gases, liquids and fluids are measured primarily based on mass move and quantity flow.
From corrosive subsea environments, offshore manufacturing platforms, onshore oil fields or refineries, we’ve the circulate expertise to tackle these powerful jobs. Difficult oil and fuel circulate metering challenges corresponding to excessive pressures, pulsating flows, corrosive media and harsh environments are our daily business. We work with many of our upstream and downstream clients to develop custom circulate solutions for their toughest challenges, handling essentially the most demanding chemical substances in their most distant and unsafe areas. We work with you to enhance process effectivity, reduce expensive manufacturing downtime, and set up real-time monitoring and control.
Table of Contents
Where and how are oil and gas formed?
Ultrasonic move meter
Coriolis flow meter
Electromagnetic flowmeter
Vortex flow meter
Turbine move meter
Thermal move meter
Differential flow meter
Positive displacement circulate meter
Oil and fuel circulate meter selection
Where and how are oil and gasoline formed?
Before discussing the different flow meters commonly used in the oil and gas industry, it could be very important first perceive the method of how the trade collects uncooked materials.
Both of those raw materials exist in several geological sources. For probably the most half, pure fuel and oil fields exist on sedimentary rocks similar to sandstone and limestone. The major reason for this is that these supplies transfer simply by way of the rock, making them simpler to accumulate. The capacity of the discovered reservoirs can be determined by their porosity, while the production capacity is proportional to their permeability.
To start the circulate, they drill inside these rocks, which can make the fluid simpler to extract. To initiate, improve or maintain circulate, water is pumped into the rocks, that are often located underground. High stress water is pumped into these rocks, which is in a position to increase the flow price and enhance fluid extraction. A move meter known as an Apure electromagnetic flow meter is used to accurately measure the amount of water pumped inside the rock.
However, in some circumstances, drilling and pumping just isn’t sufficient to obtain this materials. Most of the oil or gasoline present in impermeable rocks can’t be fashioned within the standard way. These supplies are known as “unconventional hydrocarbons,” and they embrace shale oil, coalbed methane and shale fuel. Because of the very low permeability of the rocks, accumulation ought to be stimulated to start the circulate and enable the extraction course of. To do that, a way known as “hydraulic fracturing” is required.
In hydraulic fracturing, a combination of sand and water is pumped into the rock. Due to the excessive stress, small cracks (fractures) are created, which will permit the fabric to move freely inside the muse. Hydraulic fracturing is achieved by inflicting these fractures to open to permit the fabric to maneuver, which is where the sand is out there in; opening these fractures, leading to high permeability. To precisely measure the mixing of fracturing fluid and components within the combination, Apure’s electromagnetic move meters are used.
Now that we now have defined an outline of how the oil and gasoline trade will get these uncooked materials, the following step is to grasp how they are measured utilizing various kinds of metering methods.
Ultrasonic circulate meter
Ultrasonic move meters measure the speed of a fluid flowing via a pipe by using sound waves. Once the velocity of the fluid slowly will increase, a linear change in its frequency turns into apparent.
Ultrasonic flow meters can be used to measure the flow price of fluids inside and outdoors of a pipe; the inline design installs the meter inside the pipe, while the clamp-on model makes use of a transducer to measure velocity. However, clamp-on models are much less correct than inline fashions. As a outcome, they are only used for spot checks to obtain immediate measurement results.
Ultrasonic flowmeters and different flowmeters designed for crude oil can be used to measure 20-inch pipes inline. In addition, the clamp-on design is appropriate for so much of various things and is durable. Not to say, it requires little or no upkeep.
Coriolis flow meter
The expertise utilized in Coriolis circulate meters just isn’t the latest in measuring pure substances in the oil and gasoline business. The first industrial patents for Coriolis circulate meters date back to the Nineteen Fifties. However, it was not till 1970 that the applying of this technology in this subject began. Until now, nothing has changed, despite improvements to the meters for extra correct measurements.
One of the original designs of the move meter was that it had a single thin-walled tube. It was very correct; however, the practicality of the model was the primary issue because of its vibration downside. To remedy this problem, the design was changed to a two-tube design instead of one.
Despite going via different designs, the principle principle of Coriolis move meters never changed. As materials flows by way of them, inertia is created through the oscillating tube and the tube twists. The number of twists is proportional to the mass flow price. This is then measured by the flowmeter transmitter and sensor to produce a linear move sign.
There are a quantity of advantages to utilizing a Coriolis flow meter. One of them is that it is extremely correct. These circulate meters are extra commonly used to measure various petroleum products such as crude oil and pure gasoline. The primary point of the circulate meter is that it primarily measures mass move quite than quantity. It is greatest suited to measuring petroleum products as a result of the main concern in measuring these products is heat somewhat than quantity.
Typically, this sort of circulate meter is appropriate for pipes with diameters of 1 to 4 inches. Today, however, bigger models are more available than ever earlier than. The only downside of the Coriolis flowmeter could additionally be that it’s more expensive than different types of metering techniques. This is price it because it’s less expensive to take care of than other flow meters.
Electromagnetic flowmeter
Electromagnetic flow meter is based on Faraday’s legislation of electromagnetic induction precept of manufacturing a flowmeter to measure conductive liquids, from its measurement precept may be seen in its limitations: can not measure steam and fuel, the measured medium should be conductive, and the conductivity cannot be lower than 5μs/cm. Its advantage is that it may possibly measure soiled, viscous and corrosive fluids, such as pulp, slurry, sewage, and so on.. No strain loss brought on by circulate detection, large flow vary, wide range of caliber, for large diameter pipeline can be used insertion sort electromagnetic flowmeter.
Electromagnetic flowmeter electrode and lining are in direct contact with the measured medium, so for the measured medium corrosive and working temperature to determine on the suitable electrode and lining supplies.
Vortex flow meter
One of probably the most versatile flow meters, the vortex flow meter, can easily measure the circulate of gases, liquids, and steam.
In years past, vortex flowmeters lacked the necessary approvals to be used in industry. However, in 2007, the American Petroleum Institute approved a draft commonplace for using this flowmeter. Since that point, a quantity of corporations in the trade have been actively working with API to further develop the usual and its approval.
The normal is applicable to liquid, vapor and gasoline flows and was expanded for additional use in 2010. Although there is an unsure future, the design is obvious for the presence of gases and liquids. In current years, vortex flowmeters have had a limited impact on the market, but the choice for future companies is steadily increasing. However, because of other opponents similar to ultrasonic, differential stress and turbine move meters, it has had little impression on the fuel commerce delivery market.
Turbine flow meter
Turbine flow meters use a mechanical rotor which is connected to a shaft inside a pipe. It is then used to measure the quantity of the gasoline, fluid or steam passing via the pipe. As the substance passes via the pipe, the rotor rotates at its speed, depending on the pace at which the substance is passing through the pipe. The rotational velocity ensuing from the rotation of the rotor is decided by means of a sensor or different mechanical methodology.
Typically, magnetism is used to permit the sensor to take readings from the rotor, with the magnet positioned on the surface of the pipe. Through the utilization of a sign, the sensor and transmitter determine the volume of fabric flowing within the pipe.
Turbine move meters are very inexpensive in terms of pricing. In addition, they provide more accurate results when the substance being measured is a gas or another material that is free of particles at low flow rates.
One disadvantage of using a turbine flowmeter is that it does not adapt properly to changing move rates, because the mechanical elements can put on closely and need to be replaced immediately. In addition, turbine meters work finest when measuring the mass of a gasoline with unknown traits.
In addition to its makes use of, it is generally used as a billing meter to measure gas or water in industrial, industrial and residential buildings. In this respect, nevertheless, it competes with volumetric move meters. The latter is more suitable for measuring pipes of 1.5 to 10 inches in size, whereas the turbine circulate meter is greatest suited for pipes of 10 inches or more in measurement.
Thermal flow meter
In its main sense, a thermal move meter measures the speed at which warmth dissipates as it’s injected instantly right into a fuel stream. In most circumstances, thermal move meters are used solely to measure gases.
The warmth dissipation depends on the composition and temperature of the gasoline. When the composition or temperature is minimized or this degree of accuracy is within acceptable parameters, the thermal flowmeter is the only option.
Differential move meter
Like its distant relative, the ultrasonic move meter, it additionally measures the move via the pipe. It differs from different flowmeters in that it makes use of Bernoulli’s equation. In addition, differential circulate meters use constriction to gradual the move and strain of material in the pipe.
As the circulate stress slowly increases, the magnitude of the strain drop will increase proportionally. The data from this event is transmitted over completely different units of strain readings. Using this info, it is attainable to calculate the pressure differential to measure the volumetric move price.
Differential circulate meters are normally low-cost. And there are also totally different versions for various substances to make accurate measurements for every fluid. However, gases are a special case because to find a way to get correct readings for a selected gas, differential move meters ought to be utilized in combination with other sensors for various elements similar to temperature, pressure, fuel composition and gasoline density.
Although it is a wonderful flowmeter in its personal proper, industry prefers different forms of metering techniques. This is principally as a end result of its inaccuracy in relation to different components corresponding to temperature, pressure, and so on. In addition, to find a way to get hold of probably the most correct gasoline measurements, it must be utilized in mixture with different sensors or a special model of differential stress flowmeter altogether. Due to the above components, it’s troublesome to obtain correct readings. This is principally the reason why the oil and fuel trade prefers different forms of metering, particularly when dealing with gases.
Positive displacement move meter
There are various varieties of optimistic displacement flow meters: oval gear, piston, rotary, diaphragm, chapter-actuated disc and screw.
Volumetric move meters can be used for a selection of issues involving business, industrial and residential applications. They are most commonly used to measure gas circulate. However, turbine flowmeters compete with volumetric flowmeters on this regard. One of its benefits over turbine flowmeters is that it excels at dealing with a gradual circulate in pipes 10 inches in diameter or smaller.
Both diaphragm and rotary volumetric flowmeters are usually used to measure gasoline flow. เกจวัดแรงดันน้ำมันเครื่อง is most popular over rivals such as Coriolis flowmeters, primarily as a end result of volumetric flowmeters do not have the industry approvals required for area applications.
Oil and gasoline flow meter selection
The major factors to consider in choosing a suitable flowmeter include: fluid characteristics, flowmeter characteristics necessities, installation circumstances, environmental conditions, and cost.
In addition, the number of move meters can’t totally pursue high performance and excessive precision, which not solely will increase the acquisition value, but additionally increases the value of spare parts. It can additionally be essential to think about the calibration and maintenance of move meters.
Accurate measurement and regulation of fluid move is the idea for making certain the safety of petrochemical manufacturing course of, bettering product high quality and lowering energy consumption. Due to the complexity and diversity of move measurement media, there isn’t a common type of flowmeter, no flowmeter could be utilized to any completely different situations of every kind of media. Each sort of flowmeter has its benefits and limitations of measurement, totally different principles, totally different constructions, completely different capabilities of the flowmeter of their respective relevant scope play a job. Therefore, the choice of flowmeter must comply with the usual specs and selection rules at the identical time complete consideration of varied components affecting move measurement.
Extended studying:
Solvent move meter
Sewage flowmeter
Ultrasonic move meter working principle
Liquid move meter
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For years, folks involved in the oil and fuel industry have been innovating and creating ways to get accurate measurements. From extraction to delivery of these raw supplies, everybody in the business has invested a nice deal of effort to obtain probably the most correct measurements.
As a result, scientists and engineers have been working hard to seek out new methods and techniques to make extra environment friendly metrology methods. Thanks to their hard work, the creation of different circulate meters was potential and due to this, the oil and gas industry is still strong right now.
These circulate meters are utilized by trade (especially gasoline and oil) to calculate the mass move or quantity flow of fluids. Such functions outline the capacity and kind of move meters. Gases, liquids and fluids are measured based on mass circulate and quantity circulate.
From corrosive subsea environments, offshore production platforms, onshore oil fields or refineries, we’ve the circulate experience to deal with these robust jobs. Difficult oil and fuel circulate metering challenges similar to excessive pressures, pulsating flows, corrosive media and harsh environments are our daily enterprise. We work with a lot of our upstream and downstream clients to develop customized circulate solutions for his or her toughest challenges, handling essentially the most demanding chemical compounds of their most distant and dangerous areas. We work with you to enhance course of effectivity, cut back costly production downtime, and establish real-time monitoring and control.
Table of Contents
Where and how are oil and fuel formed?
Ultrasonic flow meter
Coriolis circulate meter
Electromagnetic flowmeter
Vortex flow meter
Turbine circulate meter
Thermal move meter
Differential circulate meter
Positive displacement circulate meter
Oil and gasoline circulate meter selection
Where and how are oil and gasoline formed?
Before discussing the different flow meters commonly used in the oil and gasoline industry, you will need to first perceive the process of how the trade collects raw supplies.
Both of those uncooked materials exist in numerous geological sources. For the most half, pure fuel and oil fields exist on sedimentary rocks corresponding to sandstone and limestone. The major reason for this is that these materials move simply via the rock, making them simpler to build up. The capability of the found reservoirs can be decided by their porosity, whereas the production capability is proportional to their permeability.
To start the circulate, they drill inside these rocks, which will make the fluid simpler to extract. To initiate, increase or sustain move, water is pumped into the rocks, which are usually located underground. High pressure water is pumped into these rocks, which will increase the circulate price and enhance fluid extraction. A circulate meter called an Apure electromagnetic flow meter is used to accurately measure the quantity of water pumped contained in the rock.
However, in some instances, drilling and pumping isn’t sufficient to obtain this material. Most of the oil or fuel present in impermeable rocks cannot be shaped within the conventional method. These supplies are called “unconventional hydrocarbons,” and so they include shale oil, coalbed methane and shale fuel. Because of the very low permeability of the rocks, accumulation should be stimulated to begin out the circulate and enable the extraction process. To do this, a way known as “hydraulic fracturing” is required.
In hydraulic fracturing, a mix of sand and water is pumped into the rock. Due to the excessive pressure, small cracks (fractures) are created, which can permit the material to maneuver freely inside the muse. Hydraulic fracturing is accomplished by causing these fractures to open to permit the fabric to move, which is the place the sand comes in; opening these fractures, leading to excessive permeability. To precisely measure the mixing of fracturing fluid and components in the mixture, Apure’s electromagnetic move meters are used.
Now that we’ve defined an overview of how the oil and gasoline trade will get these raw supplies, the next step is to understand how they are measured utilizing several types of metering methods.
Ultrasonic flow meter
Ultrasonic flow meters measure the rate of a fluid flowing by way of a pipe through the use of sound waves. Once the rate of the fluid slowly increases, a linear change in its frequency becomes apparent.
Ultrasonic flow meters can be used to measure the circulate fee of fluids inside and out of doors of a pipe; the inline design installs the meter contained in the pipe, whereas the clamp-on mannequin makes use of a transducer to measure velocity. However, clamp-on models are less correct than inline models. As a end result, they are only used for spot checks to acquire immediate measurement outcomes.
Ultrasonic flowmeters and different flowmeters designed for crude oil can be used to measure 20-inch pipes inline. In addition, the clamp-on design is suitable for so much of different things and is sturdy. Not to mention, it requires very little maintenance.
Coriolis circulate meter
The know-how utilized in Coriolis flow meters isn’t the newest in measuring pure substances within the oil and gasoline industry. The first industrial patents for Coriolis move meters date again to the Nineteen Fifties. However, it was not till 1970 that the appliance of this technology in this subject began. Until now, nothing has changed, despite enhancements to the meters for extra correct measurements.
One of the original designs of the flow meter was that it had a single thin-walled tube. It was very correct; nevertheless, the practicality of the model was the primary problem as a result of its vibration downside. To solve this downside, the design was modified to a two-tube design as an alternative of one.
Despite going by way of different designs, the principle principle of Coriolis circulate meters never modified. As materials flows via them, inertia is created by way of the oscillating tube and the tube twists. The variety of twists is proportional to the mass move fee. This is then measured by the flowmeter transmitter and sensor to provide a linear move signal.
There are several benefits to utilizing a Coriolis flow meter. One of them is that it is extremely accurate. These circulate meters are extra generally used to measure numerous petroleum merchandise similar to crude oil and natural fuel. The primary level of the move meter is that it primarily measures mass move rather than quantity. It is finest fitted to measuring petroleum products as a result of the main concern in measuring these merchandise is warmth somewhat than quantity.
Typically, this sort of move meter is appropriate for pipes with diameters of 1 to four inches. Today, nonetheless, larger models are extra readily available than ever earlier than. The solely disadvantage of the Coriolis flowmeter may be that it’s more expensive than other kinds of metering systems. This is worth it because it’s inexpensive to maintain than other flow meters.
Electromagnetic flowmeter
Electromagnetic move meter relies on Faraday’s legislation of electromagnetic induction principle of manufacturing a flowmeter to measure conductive liquids, from its measurement principle may be seen in its limitations: can’t measure steam and fuel, the measured medium should be conductive, and the conductivity cannot be lower than 5μs/cm. Its benefit is that it can measure soiled, viscous and corrosive fluids, corresponding to pulp, slurry, sewage, etc.. No stress loss attributable to circulate detection, massive move range, big selection of caliber, for big diameter pipeline can be used insertion kind electromagnetic flowmeter.
Electromagnetic flowmeter electrode and lining are in direct contact with the measured medium, so for the measured medium corrosive and working temperature to choose on the appropriate electrode and lining materials.
Vortex circulate meter
One of probably the most versatile circulate meters, the vortex flow meter, can easily measure the circulate of gases, liquids, and steam.
In years previous, vortex flowmeters lacked the necessary approvals to be used in business. However, in 2007, the American Petroleum Institute permitted a draft standard for the utilization of this flowmeter. Since that point, several companies in the trade have been actively working with API to further develop the standard and its approval.
The normal is applicable to liquid, vapor and gasoline flows and was expanded for additional use in 2010. Although there’s an uncertain future, the design is obvious for the presence of gases and liquids. In current years, vortex flowmeters have had a limited impression on the market, but the preference for future corporations is steadily growing. However, due to different opponents corresponding to ultrasonic, differential pressure and turbine flow meters, it has had little impact on the gas commerce supply market.
Turbine circulate meter
Turbine circulate meters use a mechanical rotor which is connected to a shaft inside a pipe. It is then used to measure the quantity of the gasoline, fluid or steam passing through the pipe. As the substance passes via the pipe, the rotor rotates at its pace, relying on the pace at which the substance is passing through the pipe. The rotational pace ensuing from the rotation of the rotor is determined by the use of a sensor or other mechanical method.
Typically, magnetism is used to allow the sensor to take readings from the rotor, with the magnet positioned on the surface of the pipe. Through the use of a signal, the sensor and transmitter determine the quantity of material flowing within the pipe.
Turbine move meters are very cheap in terms of pricing. In addition, they give extra correct outcomes when the substance being measured is a fuel or some other material that is free of debris at low flow charges.
One drawback of using a turbine flowmeter is that it doesn’t adapt nicely to altering move rates, as the mechanical parts can put on closely and must be changed immediately. In addition, turbine meters work best when measuring the mass of a gasoline with unknown characteristics.
In addition to its makes use of, it is commonly used as a billing meter to measure gasoline or water in business, industrial and residential buildings. In this respect, nevertheless, it competes with volumetric flow meters. The latter is extra appropriate for measuring pipes of 1.5 to 10 inches in measurement, whereas the turbine move meter is finest suited to pipes of 10 inches or more in measurement.
Thermal circulate meter
In its major sense, a thermal move meter measures the rate at which heat dissipates as it is injected instantly right into a gas stream. In most instances, thermal circulate meters are used solely to measure gases.
The heat dissipation is dependent upon the composition and temperature of the gasoline. When the composition or temperature is minimized or this level of accuracy is within acceptable parameters, the thermal flowmeter is the only option.
Differential flow meter
Like its distant relative, the ultrasonic flow meter, it also measures the circulate by way of the pipe. It differs from different flowmeters in that it uses Bernoulli’s equation. In addition, differential move meters use constriction to gradual the flow and strain of material in the pipe.
As the flow pressure slowly will increase, the magnitude of the stress drop will increase proportionally. The information from this occasion is transmitted over completely different units of pressure readings. Using this info, it’s potential to calculate the stress differential to measure the volumetric flow price.
Differential flow meters are usually low-cost. And there are also different versions for various substances to make accurate measurements for each fluid. However, gases are a special case as a outcome of in order to get correct readings for a selected gasoline, differential move meters should be utilized in combination with different sensors for various components corresponding to temperature, pressure, gas composition and gasoline density.
Although it is a superb flowmeter in its personal proper, trade prefers different kinds of metering methods. This is principally due to its inaccuracy in relation to other factors similar to temperature, strain, etc. In addition, in order to acquire essentially the most correct fuel measurements, it must be utilized in combination with different sensors or a different version of differential strain flowmeter altogether. Due to the above components, it is difficult to obtain correct readings. This is mainly the rationale why the oil and gasoline trade prefers different forms of metering, particularly when coping with gases.
Positive displacement circulate meter
There are various kinds of constructive displacement circulate meters: oval gear, piston, rotary, diaphragm, chapter-actuated disc and screw.
Volumetric circulate meters can be used for a wide range of things involving business, industrial and residential applications. They are mostly used to measure gasoline flow. However, turbine flowmeters compete with volumetric flowmeters on this regard. One of its advantages over turbine flowmeters is that it excels at dealing with a gradual circulate in pipes 10 inches in diameter or smaller.
Both diaphragm and rotary volumetric flowmeters are typically used to measure gas circulate. The latter is most well-liked over competitors similar to Coriolis flowmeters, primarily as a end result of volumetric flowmeters wouldn’t have the trade approvals required for area functions.
Oil and fuel circulate meter choice
The primary components to consider in choosing an appropriate flowmeter embrace: fluid traits, flowmeter characteristics necessities, installation situations, environmental situations, and value.
In addition, the number of move meters cannot absolutely pursue excessive efficiency and excessive precision, which not only increases the acquisition cost, but additionally will increase the price of spare elements. It can be necessary to contemplate the calibration and maintenance of flow meters.
Accurate measurement and regulation of fluid move is the idea for ensuring the protection of petrochemical production course of, bettering product quality and reducing energy consumption. Due to the complexity and diversity of flow measurement media, there isn’t any universal type of flowmeter, no flowmeter could be applied to any different circumstances of every kind of media. Each type of flowmeter has its advantages and limitations of measurement, different rules, different constructions, totally different capabilities of the flowmeter in their respective applicable scope play a role. Therefore, the selection of flowmeter needs to follow the standard specs and choice ideas at the identical time comprehensive consideration of varied factors affecting move measurement.
Extended studying:
Solvent move meter
Sewage flowmeter
Ultrasonic circulate meter working precept
Liquid circulate meter