NX19 Compressibility
NX19 Compressibility
ABB Inc.
ABB Inc.
7051 Industrial Blvd
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
74006
USA
E:\Documentation\Techbulls\Tekbul106.doc
Telephone
Domestic 800 442-3097
International (918) 3384880
Telefax (918) 338-4607
Internet
www.abb.com/totalflow
Introduction
We have recently become aware of some issues related to proper configuration of Totalflow flow computers, when using NX19 for
Fpv (supercompressibility). This document will describe these issues and how they are related.
NX19 Overview
An example program for computing NX19 is depicted in Appendix 1. Observing the example, you see that the first bit of logic and
math is designed to compute ft and fp using one of two possible methods. The NX19 standard documents at least three possible
methods for computing ft and fp.
Gravity Method
(Standard Method) generally the default method for natural gas with Specific Gravity less than 0.75, CO2 mol% less than
15% and N2 mol% less than 15%. User Inputs are Specific Gravity, mol%CO2 and mol%N2.
Analysis Method
User Inputs are full analysis mol%s.
The NX19 standard implies that the Gravity Method is the standard method, but offers no clear guidance on which method to use
when the standard gravity method is not applicable. In fact, some proponents of AGA8 say that NX19 should not be used when
outside the gravity method ranges. Generally the choice is left to the user, who is most familiar with the details of each
measurement situation.
In the Appendix 1 example, either the Gravity Method or the Methane Gravity Method are chosen, based in the values for Specific
Gravity, CO2 and N2. Once ft and fp are computed, the remainder (and majority) of nx19 is exactly the same.
Earliest Implementation
Totalflows earliest flow computers expected ft and fp to be provided from the external configuration software (PCCU or CCU).
Having ft and fp, the flow computer only needed AP (absolute pressure) and TF (flowing temperature) to compute the remainder of
(and majority of) NX19.
Totalflows earliest PCCU and CCU implementations computed ft and fp using the standard gravity method Gravity, CO2 and N2
were within acceptable limits. Otherwise the user was asked to enter ft and fp.
NX19 ft and fp
Page 2
It became clear that the industry did not know what entries to make for ft and fp, so PCCU and CCU were updated to support the
methane gravity method.
Later Implementation
At the same time Totalflow implemented AGA3-1992 and AGA8 (turbo card and newer) we also reviewed the older design and
made several changes. These changes included, but were not limited to
Allow periodic calculations to run faster than once per hour (up to once per minute)
Allow periodic data logs to run faster than once per hour (up to once per minute)
Remove linkage between calculation period and logging period (for example, can calc once per minute and log once per
hour)
When using the 1992 equation, include flowing temperature in the extension calculation and integration each second.
Implement DB2, to increase the number of variables maintained for the hourly (now called log period) and the daily
records. These new variables included such things as Integrated Extension, Number of seconds in period, number of flow
seconds in period, quantity Energy for period, more alarms and statistics.
Even though DB2 was now the native database inside the flow computer, in order to support backward compatibility
throughout a transition period (we figure on a couple years), the flow computer was programmed to understand the old
DB1 data collection commands and to reformat its native DB2 format into a backward compatible DB1 format at data
transmission time.
Within the flow computer, compute all of NX19, including ft and fp, thus not requiring the user to understand and derive
values for ft and fp.
o
The choices for Fpv that we made available to the user at that time, included the following list taken from our
PCCU help file.
NX19 ft and fp
Page 3
Over the years, it had become clear to us that most users would rather not bother with deciding
about ft and fp, so we put the math inside the flow computer. We also saw a significant shift to
AGA8 and thought most people would move that way.
Although we thought a very small number of people (and maybe none) would actually want to
manually enter an ft and fp, we allowed for that option, just in case an existing Totalflow customer
had developed that practice for measurement sites that operated outside the Standard Gravity
Method.
NX19 fixed FtFp
As was stated earlier, these flow computers were designed to bridge the gap to allow our customers to navigate transitions
between AGA385/AGA392 and DB1/DB2. For that reason, the flow computers were supplied from our factory in
backward compatible mode with a Standard Characteristic File that operated like the predecessor flow computers.
Since this older Characteristic File new nothing of all the new changes, in order to access those changes, the user needed
to switch to the Extended Characteristic File. This was done with a simple command from PCCU. After this switch, the
many new options were made available.
NX19 ft and fp
Page 4
The DOS Laptop or FS2 software computed ft and fp for NX19 when interfaced to an older flow computer or a flow
computer using Standard Characteristic File.
Once switched to Extended Characteristic File however, the logic switched to work as described in the
PCCU32 Laptop Help File excerpt shown above. That is PCCU did not compute ft and fp. It presumed that
either (a) the flow computer would compute ft and fp or (b) the user would manually enter ft and fp.
WinCCU
We believe that WinCCU has always computed ft and fp for most configurations of flow computers. There is one case in
which WinCCU did not. That case being Extended Characteristic File in conjunction with old protocol (DB1/non-packet)
transactions.
In summary
What we know about how the existing software acts.
PCCU
Product
FS2
PCCU32
WinCCU
NX19 ft and fp
Page 5
For any flow computer relying on ft and fp from an external source (either older flow computers or newer flow computers
configured to use Fixed ft and Fixed fp) the audit trail is preserved in that current ft and fp are shown in the Characteristic File and
events are logged anytime ft and fp are changed.
For any flow computer configured to compute ft and fp, one merely need to check the configuration to determine which method is
used. When configured to allow auto selection of the method (NX19 GCN or GCNM) a flag is set by the flow computer in each log
period to define which method was chosen by the flow computer.
Magnitude of Error if ft and fp are not properly computed
Because Fpv depends on pressure, temperature and some composition data, it is not possible to predict this magnitude in a single
generalized statement. However, to provide some guidance, Appendix 2 contains three different tables showing Fpv as a function
of pressure and temperature for a given Specific Gravity, CO2, N2 and in one case C1.
For each pressure and temperature, three variables are presented.
(1) Actual NX19 Fpv using proper ft and fp
(2) NX19 assuming ft and fp are 1.0 in all cases (chosen because this is the cold start default for ft an fp)
(3) Percent difference between the two. This percent translates directly to a percent difference in the resulting flow rate, and
therefore volume.
Recommendations
We recommend that
Define how flow computers are configured regarding characteristic file (Standard or Extended)
Define how flow computers are configured for Fpv
Define if flow computer analysis and gravity is normally configured from PCCU or WinCCU
If PCCU then define if flow computer is configured using
o White Husky
o FS2
o DOS Laptop
o PCCU32
If PCCU32 then
o Determine how best to update ft and fp in those flow computers
Totalflow Software that can help
A new version of PCCU32 software is released and available that will compute ft and fp during configuration
WinCCU always has and can continue to be used to compute ft and fp during configuration
Totalflow has enhanced WinCCU in version 5.16 to parse through archive files and report meters using NX19, the ft and fp
values and if they are correct
Upgrade of WinCCU spreadsheet utility that to compute and send ft and fp on spreadsheet download of analysis and
gravity data. This utility within WinCCU 5.16 is a very efficient method to (1) upload spreadsheet files from all flow
computers on remote links, (2) download spreadsheet file to all flow computers on remote links. No intervening changes
are necessary.
When spreadsheet file is uploaded it will construct a csv file for all Ids with their current analysis an gravity configuration.
Once constructed, the user simply reverses the process and downloads the same data, only now, the ft and fp will also be
computed and sent down to the flow compouters.
NX19 ft and fp
Page 6
CCU and New FCU C-Code clip pii and tau to valid NX19 ranges of operation */
if (fp < 0.00001) fp = 1.0;
if (ft < 0.00001) ft = 1.0;
if (tau < 0.84)
tau = 0.84;
if (pii < 0.0)
pii = 0.0;
m = 0.0330378 * pow(tau, -2.0) - 0.0221323 * pow(tau, -3.0);
m += 0.0161353 * pow(tau, -5.0);
n = 0.265827 * pow(tau, -2.0) + 0.0457697 * pow(tau, -4.0);
n = (n - 0.133185 * pow(tau, -1.0)) / m;
b2 = (3.0 - m * pow(n, 2.0)) / (9.0 * m * pow(pii, 2.0));
NX19 ft and fp
Page 7
NX19 ft and fp
Page 8
TEMPERATURE
DEG F
50.0
55.0
60.0
65.0
70.0
75.0
80.0
85.0
90.0
100.00
100.00
100.00
1.007225
1.007225
0.00000%
1.006989
1.006989
0.00000%
1.006762
1.006762
0.00000%
1.006543
1.006543
0.00000%
1.006332
1.006332
0.00000%
1.006128
1.006128
0.00000%
1.005932
1.005932
0.00000%
1.005743
1.005743
0.00000%
1.005558
1.005558
0.00000%
200.00
200.00
200.00
1.015908
1.015908
0.00002%
1.015373
1.015373
0.00002%
1.014859
1.014859
0.00002%
1.014364
1.014364
0.00002%
1.013889
1.013888
0.00002%
1.013431
1.013431
0.00002%
1.012992
1.012992
0.00002%
1.012569
1.012569
0.00002%
1.012153
1.012153
0.00002%
300.00
300.00
300.00
1.024806
1.024805
0.00003%
1.023944
1.023944
0.00003%
1.023118
1.023118
0.00003%
1.022326
1.022326
0.00003%
1.021566
1.021566
0.00003%
1.020837
1.020837
0.00003%
1.020138
1.020138
0.00003%
1.019467
1.019467
0.00002%
1.018803
1.018803
0.00002%
400.00
400.00
400.00
1.033904
1.033904
0.00004%
1.032689
1.032688
0.00004%
1.031526
1.031525
0.00004%
1.030413
1.030413
0.00004%
1.029348
1.029348
0.00004%
1.028329
1.028328
0.00004%
1.027353
1.027353
0.00003%
1.026419
1.026419
0.00003%
1.025494
1.025494
0.00003%
500.00
500.00
500.00
1.043187
1.043186
0.00006%
1.041587
1.041587
0.00005%
1.040061
1.040060
0.00005%
1.038604
1.038603
0.00005%
1.037213
1.037212
0.00005%
1.035884
1.035884
0.00005%
1.034616
1.034616
0.00004%
1.033405
1.033404
0.00004%
1.032206
1.032205
0.00004%
600.00
600.00
600.00
1.052627
1.052627
0.00007%
1.050614
1.050613
0.00006%
1.048697
1.048696
0.00006%
1.046872
1.046871
0.00006%
1.045134
1.045134
0.00006%
1.043479
1.043478
0.00005%
1.041902
1.041901
0.00005%
1.040400
1.040399
0.00005%
1.038916
1.038915
0.00005%
700.00
700.00
700.00
1.062192
1.062191
0.00008%
1.059733
1.059733
0.00008%
1.057400
1.057399
0.00007%
1.055185
1.055184
0.00007%
1.053080
1.053079
0.00007%
1.051080
1.051080
0.00006%
1.049180
1.049180
0.00006%
1.047375
1.047374
0.00006%
1.045598
1.045597
0.00006%
800.00
800.00
800.00
1.071835
1.071834
0.00009%
1.068903
1.068902
0.00009%
1.066128
1.066128
0.00008%
1.063501
1.063500
0.00008%
1.061011
1.061011
0.00007%
1.058652
1.058651
0.00007%
1.056416
1.056415
0.00007%
1.054296
1.054295
0.00007%
1.052220
1.052219
0.00006%
900.00
900.00
900.00
1.081498
1.081497
0.00010%
1.078067
1.078066
0.00010%
1.074830
1.074829
0.00009%
1.071772
1.071771
0.00009%
1.068882
1.068881
0.00008%
1.066150
1.066149
0.00008%
1.063567
1.063566
0.00008%
1.061125
1.061124
0.00007%
1.058746
1.058745
0.00007%
1000.00
1000.00
1000.00
1.091110
1.091109
0.00011%
1.087160
1.087159
0.00010%
1.083442
1.083441
0.00010%
1.079940
1.079939
0.00009%
1.076639
1.076638
0.00009%
1.073525
1.073524
0.00009%
1.070589
1.070588
0.00008%
1.067820
1.067819
0.00008%
1.065138
1.065137
0.00007%
Gravity
N2
CO2
C1
Ft
Fp
:
:
:
:
:
:
0.60000
0.00000
0.00000
NA
1.00000
1.00000
NX19 ft and fp
Page 9
TEMPERATURE
DEG F
50.0
55.0
60.0
65.0
70.0
75.0
80.0
85.0
90.0
100.00
100.00
100.00
1.008557
1.007225
0.13207%
1.008287
1.006989
0.12870%
1.008026
1.006762
0.12540%
1.007774
1.006543
0.12214%
1.007530
1.006332
0.11895%
1.007295
1.006128
0.11583%
1.007068
1.005932
0.11277%
1.006849
1.005743
0.10978%
1.006637
1.005558
0.10714%
200.00
200.00
200.00
1.018955
1.015908
0.29896%
1.018332
1.015373
0.29061%
1.017733
1.014859
0.28246%
1.017156
1.014364
0.27451%
1.016600
1.013888
0.26675%
1.016065
1.013431
0.25919%
1.015549
1.012992
0.25183%
1.015053
1.012569
0.24466%
1.014574
1.012153
0.23866%
300.00
300.00
300.00
1.029743
1.024805
0.47949%
1.028728
1.023944
0.46502%
1.027753
1.023118
0.45100%
1.026817
1.022326
0.43739%
1.025918
1.021566
0.42419%
1.025054
1.020837
0.41137%
1.024223
1.020138
0.39892%
1.023426
1.019467
0.38683%
1.022659
1.018803
0.37703%
400.00
400.00
400.00
1.040926
1.033904
0.67455%
1.039473
1.032688
0.65265%
1.038081
1.031525
0.63154%
1.036749
1.030413
0.61117%
1.035472
1.029348
0.59149%
1.034249
1.028328
0.57247%
1.033076
1.027353
0.55406%
1.031952
1.026419
0.53623%
1.030874
1.025494
0.52197%
500.00
500.00
500.00
1.052499
1.043186
0.88483%
1.050558
1.041587
0.85397%
1.048706
1.040060
0.82439%
1.046937
1.038603
0.79600%
1.045247
1.037212
0.76872%
1.043632
1.035884
0.74244%
1.042088
1.034616
0.71711%
1.040612
1.033404
0.69264%
1.039200
1.032205
0.67307%
600.00
600.00
600.00
1.064450
1.052627
1.11071%
1.061967
1.050613
1.06914%
1.059605
1.048696
1.02955%
1.057358
1.046871
0.99176%
1.055217
1.045134
0.95561%
1.053178
1.043478
0.92096%
1.051233
1.041901
0.88767%
1.049378
1.040399
0.85561%
1.047608
1.038915
0.82974%
700.00
700.00
700.00
1.076749
1.062191
1.35201%
1.073667
1.059733
1.29783%
1.070747
1.057399
1.24655%
1.067977
1.055184
1.19788%
1.065347
1.053079
1.15156%
1.062849
1.051080
1.10735%
1.060474
1.049180
1.06503%
1.058214
1.047374
1.02441%
1.056064
1.045597
0.99113%
800.00
800.00
800.00
1.089348
1.071834
1.60777%
1.085610
1.068902
1.53900%
1.082081
1.066128
1.47431%
1.078745
1.063500
1.41325%
1.075589
1.061011
1.35542%
1.072600
1.058651
1.30047%
1.069766
1.056415
1.24807%
1.067078
1.054295
1.19792%
1.064526
1.052219
1.15612%
900.00
900.00
900.00
1.102173
1.081497
1.87592%
1.097723
1.078066
1.79065%
1.093538
1.074829
1.71090%
1.089597
1.071771
1.63601%
1.085880
1.068881
1.56544%
1.082370
1.066149
1.49866%
1.079053
1.063566
1.43521%
1.075914
1.061124
1.37465%
1.072943
1.058745
1.32324%
1000.00
1000.00
1000.00
1.115118
1.091109
2.15301%
1.109907
1.087159
2.04960%
1.105027
1.083441
1.95339%
1.100446
1.079939
1.86349%
1.096140
1.076638
1.77913%
1.092086
1.073524
1.69961%
1.088265
1.070588
1.62430%
1.084659
1.067819
1.55261%
1.081254
1.065137
1.49065%
Gravity
N2
CO2
C1
:
0.67000
:
2.00000
:
0.20000
: NOT_USED
NX19 ft and fp
Page 10
TEMPERATURE
DEG F
50.0
55.0
60.0
65.0
70.0
75.0
80.0
85.0
90.0
100.00
100.00
100.00
1.005854
1.007225
0.13634%
1.005658
1.006989
0.13240%
1.005469
1.006762
0.12858%
1.005285
1.006543
0.12511%
1.005109
1.006332
0.12166%
1.004939
1.006128
0.11832%
1.004776
1.005932
0.11510%
1.004618
1.005743
0.11201%
1.004466
1.005558
0.10877%
200.00
200.00
200.00
1.012827
1.015908
0.30423%
1.012388
1.015373
0.29484%
1.011967
1.014859
0.28574%
1.011554
1.014364
0.27783%
1.011160
1.013888
0.26987%
1.010781
1.013431
0.26220%
1.010417
1.012992
0.25485%
1.010066
1.012569
0.24782%
1.009728
1.012153
0.24016%
300.00
300.00
300.00
1.019897
1.024805
0.48130%
1.019199
1.023944
0.46553%
1.018532
1.023118
0.45030%
1.017874
1.022326
0.43739%
1.017249
1.021566
0.42436%
1.016650
1.020837
0.41187%
1.016074
1.020138
0.39997%
1.015520
1.019467
0.38868%
1.014986
1.018803
0.37605%
400.00
400.00
400.00
1.027048
1.033904
0.66751%
1.026077
1.032688
0.64435%
1.025149
1.031525
0.62204%
1.024233
1.030413
0.60337%
1.023365
1.029348
0.58460%
1.022533
1.028328
0.56671%
1.021735
1.027353
0.54978%
1.020968
1.026419
0.53383%
1.020231
1.025494
0.51581%
500.00
500.00
500.00
1.034265
1.043186
0.86261%
1.033003
1.041587
0.83093%
1.031801
1.040060
0.80052%
1.030614
1.038603
0.77517%
1.029492
1.037212
0.74988%
1.028418
1.035884
0.72595%
1.027388
1.034616
0.70346%
1.026400
1.033404
0.68243%
1.025451
1.032205
0.65868%
600.00
600.00
600.00
1.041524
1.052627
1.06600%
1.039957
1.050613
1.02463%
1.038467
1.048696
0.98504%
1.037000
1.046871
0.95196%
1.035613
1.045134
0.91932%
1.034287
1.043478
0.88865%
1.033017
1.041901
0.86003%
1.031799
1.040399
0.83347%
1.030631
1.038915
0.80378%
700.00
700.00
700.00
1.048801
1.062191
1.27669%
1.046914
1.059733
1.22442%
1.045124
1.057399
1.17457%
1.043367
1.055184
1.13261%
1.041707
1.053079
1.09175%
1.040121
1.051080
1.05363%
1.038603
1.049180
1.01833%
1.037150
1.047374
0.98581%
1.035757
1.045597
0.95005%
800.00
800.00
800.00
1.056065
1.071834
1.49318%
1.053844
1.068902
1.42883%
1.051743
1.066128
1.36767%
1.049690
1.063500
1.31568%
1.047749
1.061011
1.26574%
1.045896
1.058651
1.21951%
1.044125
1.056415
1.17700%
1.042431
1.054295
1.13812%
1.040809
1.052219
1.09626%
900.00
900.00
900.00
1.063279
1.081497
1.71331%
1.060715
1.078066
1.63583%
1.058294
1.074829
1.56242%
1.055939
1.071771
1.49931%
1.053713
1.068881
1.43953%
1.051589
1.066149
1.38460%
1.049561
1.063566
1.33443%
1.047622
1.061124
1.28888%
1.045767
1.058745
1.24101%
1000.00
1000.00
1000.00
1.070404
1.091109
1.93427%
1.067487
1.087159
1.84281%
1.064740
1.083441
1.75641%
1.062083
1.079939
1.68127%
1.059568
1.076638
1.61104%
1.057170
1.073524
1.54696%
1.054883
1.070588
1.48882%
1.052698
1.067819
1.43641%
1.050610
1.065137
1.38273%
Gravity
N2
CO2
C1
:
0.74000
: 14.90000
: 14.90000
: NOT_USED
NX19 ft and fp
Page 11
TEMPERATURE
DEG F
50.0
55.0
60.0
65.0
70.0
75.0
80.0
85.0
90.0
100.00
100.00
100.00
1.009315
1.007225
0.20710%
1.009026
1.006989
0.20189%
1.008747
1.006762
0.19678%
1.008477
1.006543
0.19175%
1.008215
1.006332
0.18682%
1.007963
1.006128
0.18198%
1.007718
1.005932
0.17724%
1.007482
1.005743
0.17261%
1.007254
1.005558
0.16835%
200.00
200.00
200.00
1.020706
1.015908
0.47006%
1.020035
1.015373
0.45703%
1.019388
1.014859
0.44433%
1.018765
1.014364
0.43195%
1.018164
1.013888
0.41988%
1.017584
1.013431
0.40812%
1.017026
1.012992
0.39665%
1.016487
1.012569
0.38548%
1.015969
1.012153
0.37558%
300.00
300.00
300.00
1.032609
1.024805
0.75568%
1.031505
1.023944
0.73297%
1.030444
1.023118
0.71097%
1.029425
1.022326
0.68966%
1.028446
1.021566
0.66898%
1.027505
1.020837
0.64893%
1.026600
1.020138
0.62947%
1.025729
1.019467
0.61058%
1.024893
1.018803
0.59416%
400.00
400.00
400.00
1.045041
1.033904
1.06569%
1.043447
1.032688
1.03106%
1.041921
1.031525
0.99774%
1.040460
1.030413
0.96564%
1.039059
1.029348
0.93468%
1.037717
1.028328
0.90478%
1.036430
1.027353
0.87588%
1.035196
1.026419
0.84792%
1.034012
1.025494
0.82387%
500.00
500.00
500.00
1.058015
1.043186
1.40153%
1.055866
1.041587
1.35237%
1.053817
1.040060
1.30538%
1.051861
1.038603
1.26037%
1.049993
1.037212
1.21719%
1.048208
1.035884
1.17570%
1.046501
1.034616
1.13576%
1.044869
1.033404
1.09727%
1.043308
1.032205
1.06419%
600.00
600.00
600.00
1.071530
1.052627
1.76410%
1.068754
1.050613
1.69742%
1.066118
1.048696
1.63409%
1.063611
1.046871
1.57380%
1.061225
1.045134
1.51628%
1.058953
1.043478
1.46128%
1.056787
1.041901
1.40858%
1.054722
1.040399
1.35798%
1.052752
1.038915
1.31432%
700.00
700.00
700.00
1.085567
1.062191
2.15338%
1.082087
1.059733
2.06585%
1.078795
1.057399
1.98327%
1.075677
1.055184
1.90514%
1.072721
1.053079
1.83101%
1.069916
1.051080
1.76050%
1.067251
1.049180
1.69323%
1.064717
1.047374
1.62888%
1.062307
1.045597
1.57295%
800.00
800.00
800.00
1.100083
1.071834
2.56791%
1.095816
1.068902
2.45604%
1.091798
1.066128
2.35118%
1.088008
1.063500
2.25258%
1.084429
1.061011
2.15955%
1.081045
1.058651
2.07149%
1.077841
1.056415
1.98786%
1.074804
1.054295
1.90816%
1.071924
1.052219
1.83828%
900.00
900.00
900.00
1.114993
1.081497
3.00416%
1.109859
1.078066
2.86456%
1.105047
1.074829
2.73454%
1.100527
1.071771
2.61297%
1.096276
1.068881
2.49888%
1.092270
1.066149
2.39140%
1.088490
1.063566
2.28976%
1.084919
1.061124
2.19324%
1.081542
1.058745
2.10781%
1000.00
1000.00
1000.00
1.130165
1.091109
3.45580%
1.124093
1.087159
3.28567%
1.118426
1.083441
3.12808%
1.113127
1.079939
2.98149%
1.108160
1.076638
2.84458%
1.103497
1.073524
2.71616%
1.099112
1.070588
2.59518%
1.094982
1.067819
2.48066%
1.091087
1.065137
2.37835%
Gravity
N2
CO2
C1
:
:
:
:
0.78000
2.00000
5.00000
93.00000
NX19 ft and fp
Page 12
NX19 ft and fp
Page 13