Chapter 6 Gas

Metering
Dr Abdul Rahim Risal
Topic outline
• Theory of gas metering
• Measurement methods
• Measurement using orifice meter
• Natural gas liquid measurements
• Selection criteria

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Expected outcomes
• Explain various types of gas meters used in the industry
• Explain the functions and principle operation of gas
meters
• Calculate the meter constant, pressure, and flow rate
• Draw schematic diagram of various types of gas meters
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of gas meters

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Important of gas measurements

• Meter accuracy significantly affect the revenue

• Fundamental basis for settlement in gas sales, payments of royalties and payment of
taxes
• Requirements by state regulatory bodies on conformance to certain production
regulations and on periodic reporting
• To ensure that the system does not operate over the capacity limit

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Problems in gas measurement
• Unlike oil or some other liquid, gas cannot be stored & measured in large quantities, but its volume
must be determined instantaneously during flow through a pipeline (gas flowing stream)
• If the value of a given weight of natural gas is determined under different P & T conditions, it will be
found to vary widely:
–T increase, V increase; T reduce, V reduce
–P increase, V decrease; P reduce, V increase
• Different countries uses different standard conditions
• API & AGA have been using 14.73 psia & 60 °F as their standard conditions

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Measurement methods
 Measurement meter type/method/technique:
• Volumetric measurement
• Displacement metering
• Differential pressure methods
• Turbine meter
• Venturi meter
• Flow nozzle
• Critical low prover
• Elbow meter
• Rotameter

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Theory of volumetric measurement
• Simplest method based on Boyles & Charles laws & volumetric formula

Where Fpv = super compressibility factor =

If base conditions Pb = 14.73 psia and Tb = 520°R

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Displacement metering
• Two categories
1. Reciprocating displacement
2. Rotary displacement
• Operating mechanism:
1. Gas flow at inlet port to occupy space in cylinder displaced by piston in a stroke.
2. On return stroke, gas discharged out of cylinder through outlet.
3. Discharged gas occupied volume in cylinder equal to known piston displacement.
4. Connected counter to piston rod will tally piston displacement for each compression stroke.
5. Gas discharged volume = total piston displacement: counter indicate measured gas volume.
6. Thermometer and pressure gauge connected to cylinder

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Displacement metering
= gas volume at base conditions, cu-ft
P = gas pressure, psia
= pressure base, psia
T = gas temperature, °R
= temperature base, °R
z = gas deviation factor or compressibility factor at P and T
r = counter registration, cu-ft
= final index reading, cu-ft
= initial index reading, cu-ft

• Rotary displacement meter

1. Uses two same size metal impeller enclosed in cylinder case rotate tangentially to each other on individual
shafts
2. Gas flowing through meter rotates impellers and with fixed volume between impeller and case: definite volume
gas will pass through meter with each impeller revolution
3. Connecting index to impellers shaft, gas volume registered by index

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Differential Pressure Methods
• Involve pressure difference measurement from which (together with certain other data), gas
flow rate can be computed on well established physical principles basis.
• Differential pressure that is measured produced by restriction placed in pipe (orifice meter)
or difference between kinetic (velocity) pressure and static pressure (pitot tube)
• There is direct relationship between flow rate and pressure drop or differential amount.
• Precise and accurate method

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Differential Pressure Methods
• Involve pressure difference measurement from which (together with certain other data), gas
flow rate can be computed on well established physical principles basis.
• Differential pressure that is measured produced by restriction placed in pipe (orifice meter)
or difference between kinetic (velocity) pressure and static pressure (pitot tube)
• There is direct relationship between flow rate and pressure drop or differential amount.
• Precise and accurate method

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Devices for gas measurement
• Orifice meter • Laminar flow meter
• Turbine meter • Thermal flow meter
• Venturi tube • Ultrasonic flow meter
• Positive displacement meter • Angular momentum flow meter
• Flow nozzle • Elbow tap
• Pitot tube • Vortex meter
• Rotameter • Drag plate flow meter
• Magnetic flow meter • Mass flow meter
• Target meter

Note: Majority of field gas use orifice meter

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Selection method
• Selection measurement method to be used should be made only after careful analysis of several
factors:
1. Desired accuracy
2. Expected useful life of measuring device
3. Range of flow, temperature, pressure, and so forth
4. Maintenance requirement
5. Power availability
6. Liquid or gas
7. Operating cost
8. Initial cost
9. Availability of parts
10. Acceptability by others involved
11. Purpose for which measurements are to be used

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Orifice meter
• Most common differential meter used especially in natural gas and
fuel gas industry.
• Consists of:
1. Thin flat plate
• With accurately machined circular hole (orifice) at flanges
centered
2. Pair of flanges or another plate-holding device
• Holding device in a straight section of smooth pipe.
3. Pressure tap connection
• Provided on upstream and downstream of plate: pressure
drop, or differential pressure can be measured
• Large or small volumes of fluid can be measured with high degree of
accuracy and P ranging from < atmospheric to 5000 psi and T ranging
from < 0 in excess of 200
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Orifice meter

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Orifice meter

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Orifice meter
• Composed of 2 major element
1. Primary element
• Meter tube: Length of special pipe through which gas flows.
• Orifice plate holding and positioning device: To hold the orifice plate in a position perpendicular and concentric to the gas flow
• Orifice plate:
a) Flat circular plate with a centrally bored, sharp-edged orifice machine to an exact, pre-determined dimension that forms
calibrated restriction to gas flow through a meter tube and is the source of differential
b) Thickness: 1/8 – ¼ inch dependent on pipe diameter
c) For pipe diameter 2 – 12 inches: 1/8 inch orifice
d) For pipe > 12 inched: ¼ inch orifice is used
• Pressure taps: precisely located holes through pipe walls or orifice plate holders from which gas pressure on each orifice side
can be measured
• Straightening vane: Device inserted in upstream of meter tube to reduce swirling in the gas stream.
2. Secondary element (differential gauge)
• Device for measuring pressure
• Gauges connected with tubing to upstream and downstream pressure taps of primary element.
• One part indicates or records pressure differences between orifice plate sides
• Another part indicates or records one of those pressures (upstream and downstream)
• Pressure recording using circular charts.

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Orifice meter

Where,
= quantity rate of flow at base conditions, cfh
C’ = orifice constant or flow coefficients = flow rate cfh at base conditions when pressure extension
equals unity
= differential pressure in inches of water at 60
= absolute static pressure, psia
= pressure extension

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Orifice meter
• Fb = basic orifice factor, cfh, depending on the orifice diameter, inner pipe diameter and the taps type. Can be
determined from Table C-1 (flange tap) Table C-6 (Pipe Tap) or through equation

A = discharge cross sectional area, inch sq.

Cd = discharge coefficient
• Fr= Reynold’s number factor (viscosity)

b constant from Table C-2, C-7 for various orifice and pipe diameter and taps type.
• Y = expansion factor, from expansion table for various differential pressure, absolute pressure, orifice and pipe
diameter, taps type. Table C-3, C-4, C-5,C-8, C-9

d = orifice diameter, in
D = pipe ID, in

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Orifice meter
• Fpb = pressure base factor, due to change from pressure base of 14.73 psia to other pressure base

• Ftb = temperature base factor, due to change of temperature base of 60°F to other base T

• Ftf = flowing temperature factor due to change of flowing T to actual flowing T

• Fg = specific gravity, due to change in SG

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Orifice meter
• Fpv = supercompressibility factor, due to gas deviation

• Fm = manometer factor. Used with mercury differential gauges. Not considered for P< 500 psia or mercury less gauges.

• Fl =gauge location factor. Used when the orifice meters installed at location other than 45° latitude and sea level
elevation

L = latitude, deg
H = elevation above sea level, ft

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Orifice meter
Fa = Orifice thermal expansion factor
To correct error resulting from expansion or contraction of orifice operating at T different from T which orifice was bored

tm = temperature during orifice boring,

t = flowing temperature

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Example 1
Meter equipped with pipe taps, using the upstream static pressure connection
Pipe ID = 6.065 in
Orifice ID = 2.000 in
Tf = 50 = flowing temperature
Pb = 14.9 psia
Tb = 50
SG = 0.65
Differential head = 60 in water
Upstream static pressure = 90 psia
Calculate the gas flow rate at average condition for 1 hour.
Fb =870.93
Fr = 1.00037
Y =0.9916
Fpb = 0.9886
Ftb = 0.9808
Ftf = 1.0098
Fg = 1.2403
Fpv = 1.0076
Fm = Fa = Fl = 1
C’ =1060.66
q = 77942 cfh

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Assignment 1
A 2-in orifice is used for measuring the flow of gas in a 4-in nominal diameter (3.438-in ID)
pipeline. The differential pressure is 15-in of water. The static pressure taken from the upstream
tap is 50 psia. Pipe taps are used. The temperature of the gas is 80., and the SG is 0.7. what is the
hourly rate of flow measured at base conditions of 15.15 psia and 70? Assume Fa = Fl = Fm =1.

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Orifice Meter
Advantages Disadvantages
• Relatively low cost • Fluid should be clean and non-condensing
• Easily available • Pressure drop can be significant for some systems, such
• No moving parts as fans or blowers
• Versatile • Flange tubing can leak, plug or corrode more easily than
• Highly accurate and reliable
pipe
• Rugged and mechanically robust
• Orifices can be eroded with time, the slow
• Simple in structure and design
responsiveness of the diaphragm and fill means that
• Easy installation and maintenance
sudden changes in flow rate cannot be measured (time <
• Wide capacity range
0.1 sec)
• Accepted for gas measurement by joint AGA-ASME committee
• Large power consumption in the from of irrecoverable
• Available of standard tables of meter factors
•
pressure loss
Suitable to automatic control
• Measure large flows in big pipes
• Can measure clean and dirty liquids and even slurries
• High pressure ratings

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Recording Chart (orifice meter)
• Digital recording or round or circular chart recording
• Parameter recorded: differential and static pressure gauge
• Typical size: 12 inches diameter
• Clocks turn charts at desired speed, one turn each time period
• Two principal types:
1. Direct reading chart
• Uniform scale, spaced lines and equal distance apart
• Typical scale value: 1, 2, or 5 time of full range or range or some multiple of these i.e differential pressure range
of 100 in of water and static pressure range of 500 psig, therefore each circular line on chart represents 10
inches of water pressure and 50 psig.

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Recording Chart (orifice meter)

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Recording Chart (orifice meter)
2. Square root charts
• Scale show square root of percentage of full-scale range of gauge or as represented by full scale of chart.
• Smoother line on chart represents static pressure.
• Reading at gauge full scale will be 10, the square root of 100
• Chart factor =
• = differential pressure range, in
• = static pressure range, psig
• Actual pressure =

• Example: Rh = 100 in, Rp = 500 lb-gauge if chart reading = 5, hw = 25 in, Pf = 125 psia

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Recording Chart (orifice meter)

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Example 2
An orifice meter having a 1.5-in orifice in a 4.026-in internal diameter flange located in a gas line through which gas is flowing. Differential
reading of the direct chart is 2, while the static pressure reading is 3. The meter range is 100- in for differential and 500 lb gauge for static with
chart maximum scale of 10. At what rate is the gas flowing?
Gas S.G = 0.6
Static pressure taken at downstream tap
Flowing temperature = 60 deg F
Base conditions = 14.7 psia and 60 deg F
Assume expansion factor, supercompressibility factor, Fm, Fl, and Fa, each equals unity.
Ans:
Fb = 460.79
Fr = 1.0006
Fpb = 1.0020
Ftb = 1.0000
Ftf = 1.0000
Fg = 1.2910
Y = Fpv = Fm = Fl = Fa = 1.0000
C’ = 596.43
q = 32, 668 cfh

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Assignment 2
Base on the given chart reading, what is the casing gas production for Well
RU 361? Use the following parameters in addition to those shown on the
chart in your calculations.
• Static pressure taken at downstream tap
• Pipe ID = 1.689 in
• Flowing temperature = 76 deg F
• Gas gravity = 0.63
• Base conditions = 14.7 psia and 60 deg F
• Assume Fm = Fl = Fa = 1
Ans
Fb = 28.474
Fr = 1.0037
Y = 1.0057
Fpb = 1.0020
Ftb = 1.0000
Ftf = 0.9850
Fg = 1.2599
Fpv = 1.0025 with z = 0.9950
C’ = 35.8299
q = 654.61 cfh

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Orifice meter selection
• For proper meter selection, need to know about characteristics and conditions of flow to be
metered.
1. Maximum peak hourly rate
2. Duration of maximum peak or uniformity of flow
3. Minimum hourly rate or its uniformity
4. Metering gauge pressure required and available
5. Permissible pressure variations

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Uncertainties in flow measurement
Flow measurement as basis for control
General rule:
1. More accurate measuring installation: more accurate control
2. Most cases, as long as error remain constant: satisfactory control
Error: constant and variable

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Mass-flow meter for orifice meter
Orifice meter may be used to measure gas on mass flow basis.
Flowing gas density is measured by densitometer
Densitometer is substituted for static-pressure element

Where
W = mass rate, lbm/hr
Fb = basic orifice factor
Fr = Reynold’s number factor
Y = expansion factor
hw = differential pressure
= SG gas at flowing conditions

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Mass-flow meter for orifice meter
Orifice meter may be used to measure gas on mass flow basis.
Flowing gas density is measured by densitometer
Densitometer is substituted for static-pressure element

Where
W = mass rate, lbm/hr
Fb = basic orifice factor
Fr = Reynold’s number factor
Y = expansion factor
hw = differential pressure
= SG gas at flowing conditions

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Orifice meter limitation
• Cannot be used for erosive or corrosive gases and in presence of solids or liquids droplets: can
result in rounding sharp edge
• Flow rates with Reynold’s number < 10,000 can result in significant measurement errors.
Specialized orifice plates may be needed.
• Flow velocities are recommended to be below sonic velocity
• Orifice diameter to pipe diameter should be restricted to 0.2 to 0.65 for best accuracy.
• Some pressure loss across orifice plate is permanent, which can effect power requirements for
compressing gas.
• As approximation, permanent pressure loss can be calculated by
• For , no pressure loss observed
• For , no flow: all pressure is lost
• For gases, dp/p < 0.25. this will minimize errors and corrections required for density changes on
flow through orifice.

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THANK YOU

In the Name of God for Mankind

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