Quantitative self-verification, a breakthrough in ultrasonic metering technology
Gregor J. Brown A * and Ross Johnston AA Sensia UK Ltd, Tunbridge Wells, UK.
The APPEA Journal 63 37-46 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22106
Submitted: 22 December 2022 Accepted: 8 March 2023 Published: 11 May 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
The accuracy of ultrasonic metering technology has advanced to a level that it is now the technology of choice in many custody transfer and fiscal applications. With meters capable of meeting the accuracy requirements of these applications when initially calibrated, end-user attention has moved to the diagnostic capability of these meters. Diagnostics are now commonly used to increase the confidence of the user that the meter is functioning accurately between calibrations, which could be a year apart or even longer. Although current ultrasonic meter diagnostics are very powerful, they are qualitative in nature, i.e. they provide an indication if something is wrong or has changed, but they have not yet been able to quantify the possible range of error, correctly termed the ‘measurement uncertainty’. This paper presents new technology that has been developed to equip ultrasonic flowmeters with additional measurement data that is used to quantify the uncertainty in the meter’s output. This capability reduces the complexity of diagnostic monitoring, as the result can be monitored as an uncertainty in volumetric or percentage terms, and hence, it allows for quick and simplified decision making. The paper presents the fundamentals of the new self-verifying technology and the testing that has been conducted to validate the uncertainty output provided by the meter. This includes an independent technology qualification evaluation conducted by DNV where the meter was subjected to a variety of real-world upset conditions and the meter performance and uncertainty output were compared with reference data from traceable test facilities.
Keywords: custody transfer, diagnostics, fiscal, flowmeter, measurement, metering, multipath, self-verification, ultrasonic, uncertainty, verification.
Dr Gregor J Brown began his working career in Flow Measurement in 1995 at the UK’s National Engineering Laboratory, where he started as a Research and Development Engineer, subsequently holding roles as Manager of flow measurement consultancy services and Business Manager for oil and gas. In 2005, Dr Brown joined Cameron in the role of Research Director for the Caldon brand of oil and gas ultrasonic metering products. Dr Brown has authored and presented more than 70 papers on topics in oil, gas and multiphase flow measurement, has been granted several patents, and has regularly chaired and participated in international conferences. He is an active member of the flow measurement committees of the British Standards Institute and the International Standards Organization. Dr Brown is currently Measurement Engineering Advisor at Sensia. |
Ross Johnston started his career in 1994 at Daniel Industries in Scotland. He is qualified with a Diploma in Design and Innovation and a Bachelor of Science degree. Following the acquisition of Daniel by Emerson, he held various positions from Account Manager to Sales Director, responsible for the Daniel product lines, including the ultrasonic meter. In 2012, Ross joined Cameron as Sales Director for the Caldon ultrasonic meter product line and went on to hold key roles within the Cameron Measurement Division of Schlumberger, which was transferred by Schlumberger to the Sensia joint venture with Rockwell in 2019. Ross is currently the Global Product Manager for Custody Transfer Measurement, with responsibility for Caldon liquid and gas ultrasonic meters, Sensia integrated metering systems and Swinton control systems. |
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