AGA Report No 9
AGA Report No 9
AGA Report No 9
ANDAND
UPDATE
OF AGA
REPORT
DANIEL
MEASUREMENT
CONTROL
WHITE
PAPER NO. 9
page 1
ABSTRACT
presented.
INTRODUCTION
Since 1998 perhaps more than two thousand USMs have been
for Natural Gas Applications [Ref 2]. This technical note was
two years it took to write the technical note, Gene Tiemstra and
of the many changes that will occur are discussed later in this
paper.
REVIEW OF AGA 9
sections in AGA 9.
SCOPE OF REPORT
Section 1 of AGA 9 provides information on the scope of the
document. It states that its for multipath ultrasonic transit-time
flow meters that are used for the measurement of natural gas. A
page 2
orifice meters that basically are all designed the same, USM
The inside diameter of the ultrasonic meter shall have the same
TERMINOLOGY
Section 2 of AGA 9 discusses terminology and definitions that
OPERATING CONDITIONS
METER REQUIREMENTS
Section 4 is titled and Meter Requirements discusses the
many meter conditions manufacturers are required to meet.
There are sub-sections on codes and regulations, meter body,
ultrasonic transducers, electronics, computer programs, and
documentation. Section 4 really provides a lot of information
regarding the conditions the meter must meet to be suitable for
field use.
The sub-section on codes and regulations states the following:
Unless otherwise specified by the designer, the meter shall be
suitable for operation in a facility subject to the U.S. Department
Transducers
Meter Body
The section on meter body discusses items such as operating
pressure, corrosion resistance, mechanical issues relative to the
meter body, and markings. Here is says manufacturers should
publish the overall lengths of their ultrasonic meter bodies for
the different ANSI flange ratings. It does state that the designer
Electronics
is rarely done.
page 3
firmware sections.
easy to learn and use. Perhaps in the future there will be certain
computers at that time (and to some degree even today) did not
a serial link. Today more flow computers and RTUs have the
for flow direction and data valid. These digital outs are for
for the most part, all manufacturers design for the more stringent
metering technologies.
Division 1 requirement.
Performance Requirements
Computer Programs
It does not require flow calibration, but rather relies upon the
flow rate terms. They are Qmax, Qt, and Qmin. Qmax is the
lowest flow rate the user might operate where below this value
page 4
than 12 and meters that are 12 and larger. This division was
on the USM prior to shipment. Many also call this testing dry
must be with 0.2% for the higher velocity range, and is permitted
page 5
would not be required. Hence the term dry calibration has often
empirical data. This is due in part to the lack of test data that
was available in 1998. For instance, Section 7.2.2 of AGA 9
the designer with some basic designs that will provide accurate
Technology.
calibrated.
typical with turbine and orifice metering, will not improve the
machine-honed pipe.
10 years.
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
Section 7 discusses many of the variables the designer
prefer the finish to be less than 300 inch (micro inch) because
they feel it is easier to clean should the piping become dirty.
However, AGA 9 has no such requirement.
testing, but much was based upon a comfort level that was
page 6
reasonable distance.
The final version will incorporate more requirements on the
A discussion on USMs must include flow conditioners. The
value for billing. Since the USM is a linear meter, like a turbine,
rotary and diaphragm (flow rate is linear with velocity), the same
equations used for these devices apply to the USM. That is, to
However, today there are two facilities in North America that can
FIELD VERIFICATION
During
with the meter, AGA 9 was not too specific about how to verify
the
past
several
years,
designers,
users
and
adjustment).
More than two thousand USMs have been installed, with the
for ballot later in 2004. There are many aspects of AGA 9 that
have been revised, and some new sections have been added.
spools with a flow conditioner in the middle (10D from the meter).
page 7
REFERENCES:
Some have interpreted this to mean that 13D from the meter
is satisfactory. This version will probably be more specific and
require the location to be between 3 and 5D.
CONCLUSIONS
During the past several years much has been learned about the
even more critical now that the price of natural gas is consistently
IL
Dallas, TX
10. James N. Witte, Ultrasonic Gas Meters from Flow Lab to
Chicago, IL
11. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 Transportation,
Part 192, (49 CFR 192), Transportation of Natural Gas and
Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards,
John Lansing
Daniel Measurement & Control, Inc.
9720 Old Katy Rd, Houston, Texas
Lansing,
Ultrasonic
Meter
Station
Design
page 8
Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emerson Electric Co., and a
division of Emerson Process Management. The Daniel name and logo are registered trademarks
of Daniel Industries, Inc. The Emerson logo is a registered trademark and service mark of
Emerson Electric Co. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies. The
contents of this publication are presented for informational purposes only, and while every
effort has been made to ensure their accuracy, they are not to be construed as warranties or
guarantees, expressed or implied, regarding the products or services described herein or their use
or applicability. All sales are governed by Daniels terms and conditions, which are available upon
request. We reserve the right to modify or improve the designs or specifications of such products
at any time. Daniel does not assume responsibility for the selection, use or maintenance of any
product. Responsibility for proper selection, use and maintenance of any Daniel product remains
solely with the purchaser and end-user.
2010 Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized duplication in whole or in part is prohibited. Printed in the USA.
DAN-TECHNOLOGIES-AN-OVERVIEW-AND-UPDATE-OF-AGA-REPORT-NO. 9