Ultrasonic Gas Flow Meters for Custody Transfer and Process Control

Custody transfer of natural gas is accomplished through pipelines, with billings calculated based upon measurements of gas flow made during the transfer. The measurement instruments used in custody transfer operations must employ technology that is recognized and accepted by all the parties involved in the transaction. Additionally, the devices employed should be scrupulously maintained and of rugged design in order to provide continuous accurate operation.

Volumetric flow measurement in gas lines can be reliably accomplished using ultrasonic flow meters specifically designed and configured for the task. Ultrasonic gas flow measurement relies on the principle of transit time differential. Precise measurements are made of the time between transmission and receipt of the ultrasonic signal as it passes through the media within the pipe. The sound velocity transit time is affected by the velocity of the media, providing a means to determine media velocity and calculate the flow volume.

Adding multiple measuring paths can provide higher accuracy, measurement redundancy, or a combination of both. Integrating temperature and pressure sensors into the instrument enables provision of additional necessary data from a single point.

Proper device selection and configuration for each application will provide the best results. More information is available from product application specialists. Share your flow measurement requirements and challenges with them, combining your process knowledge with their product application expertise to produce the most effective solutions.

Ultrasonic gas flow meter for transfer and process control from Hile Controls of Alabama, Inc.

Direct Drive Pressure Gauges for the Most Demanding Applications

Series 34 Direct Drive Pressure Gauge
Courtesy 3D Instruments

Pressure indication, at the location, real time. That is what a dial pressure gauge provides a process operator. Pressure gauges do not require any type of operating power, making them immune to power failures. The Bourdon tube mechanical operator is generally rugged and reliable. They are, however, subject to wear in the linkage that connects the Bourdon tube to the indicator needle over time. Extremes of vibration will also likely impact the longevity of the linkage, leading to premature failure.

3D Instruments, a manufacturer of pressure gauges and related products for industrial, commercial, and scientific applications, has developed a direct drive pressure gauge intended for use in the most rugged and demanding applications. The direct drive pressure gauges have only one working part, a helically-wound Bourdon tube made of Inconel® X-750, a flexible material that prevents the coil from losing its shape and ensures accuracy. The indicating needle is directly connected to the Bourdon tube, eliminating linkage parts. This innovation, while maintaining the benefits of some of the oldest pressure measurement technology, adds improvements in overpressure protection, burst protection, wear resistance, and life cycle cost.

A short video, included below, highlights and illustrates how the direct drive system works. Reach out to a process measurement product specialist for more detail, or solutions to any of your measurement and control challenges.

New Hydraulic Pressure Control for Wellhead Control, Hydraulic Power Units, and More

Model GHR
Hydraulic Pressure Control Regulator
Courtesy GO Regulator

Circor Energy's GO Regulator, has added a new product to its broad line of pressure regulating products. The Model GHR is a hydraulic pressure control valve targeted at applications that include wellhead control, blowout preventers, hydraulic power units, subsea actuator supply, testing applications, ballast control, and more.

The new GHR Series provides a compact, durable, and highly accurate regulator for hydraulic systems. The control knob provides a low torque, ergonomic way to set the control pressure. Standard body material is 316 SS and the unit is available in 3 port variants and multiple mounting options.

I have included a data sheet for the GHR series below which provides additional detail and some cutaway illustrations of the regulator. Share your pressure regulation applications and challenges with product application specialists. They can assist in product selection, proper sizing, and configuration to meet specific application requirements.

Hydraulic pressure control regulator model ghr go regulator from Hile Controls of Alabama, Inc.

Protect Equipment and Instruments With In-line Filters

Examples of 3B Filters 8500 Series In-line Filters

Industrial, commercial, and scientific processes and operations involving liquids and gases are all likely candidates to benefit from the proper application of in-line filtration. Filters are designed to capture and retain foreign matter that might otherwise cause wear, damage, or other unwanted impact in a fluid system.

Selecting a filtration assembly requires consideration of a number of inputs by the process operator. It is important to correctly specify the filtration unit in order to avoid undue impact on the process and achieve the desired level of protection.

• Media Compatibility - The materials of construction must accommodate any potential corrosive effects of the media. Additionally, there should be no impact on the media from the filter housing materials. The same is true for the filter element.
• Temperature - Filter element and any housing components must be able to withstand whatever extremes of process temperature are anticipated.
• Pressure - The entire assembly must be rated to withstand the full range of possible operating pressures, perhaps with a suitable amount of headroom.
• Flow - The filtration assembly should be sized to accommodate the process fluid flow without excessive pressure drop or other flow interference.
• Capture - Survey the needs of instruments or equipment intended to be downstream of the filter. These are the items the filter is protecting. What are the particulate contaminant limits or tolerances of the downstream devices? Whichever has the lowest tolerance for foreign matter is likely the governing element for filter particle size retention. The filter element, whether disposable or cleanable, must be selected to prevent or limit passage of the smallest particle size that will impair operation of the downstream components.
• Retention - As particulates are trapped by the filter, the unit begins to clog and possibly impair flow. Processes will have varied filter element replacement protocols along the continuum of whether filter elements are changed frequently or left in place until flow impairment. Select a filter element size suitable to the anticipated contaminate load of your process. Higher levels of expected particulates generally indicate a need for a larger filter element to provide the capability to retain the contaminates while still allowing for sufficient passage of clean fluid.

There can be many other considerations for filter selection that may come into play for specific installations. Most important is to not forget to put filtration protection in place. It is cheap insurance against excessive wear and damage to sensitive instrumentation and equipment.

I have included below a product overview from 3B Filters, Inc., a long time manufacturer of filter housings, elements, and related fittings and accessories. Share your filtration requirements and challenges with product application specialists, combining your process expertise with their product knowledge for the most effective solutions.

Product Overview 3B Filters Inc. from Hile Controls of Alabama, Inc.

Compact Data Acquisition Recorder/Controller Unit Offers Full Range of Capabilities in a Single Unit

Data acquisition and process control go hand in hand. Regulating process variables and documenting process performance are mainstays of efficiency and performance. The acquisition, recording, displaying, and control functions can be accomplished with separate independent devices, but some application instances are better served by an integrated device that combines all the control, display, and data acquisition functions into a single compact device.

Eurotherm, a globally recognized manufacturer of data acquisition, recording, and control gear, combines all of these functions and more into a very capable recorder/controller. The nanodac incorporates an extensive array of input, output, recording, communicating, display, and control capabilities. It is well suited for small processes or process segments, as well as being a good candidate as a packaged operator interface, recorder, controller for OEM equipment.

I have included a data sheet for the nanodac below. Survey the datasheet to familiarize yourself with the full extent of this process controller/recorder's capabilities. It is all housed in a compact 1/4 DIN unit with a NEMA 12 (IP65) front face and a slim 3.54" (90 mm) extension behind the front panel.

Share your data acquisition, control, and recording challenges with a product application specialist. Combine your process knowledge with their product application expertise to develop the most effective solutions.

Eurotherm nanodac recorder controller datasheet from Hile Controls of Alabama, Inc.