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Materials Handling


 Process operators need flow meter solutions that can withstand ever more challenging environments – but which are also cost-effective. Eugene McCarthy reports.


 Bediener von


Prozessanlagen benötigen Durchflussmessgerätelösungen, die in zunehmend


anspruchsvollen Umgebungen eingesetzt werden können - jedoch ebenfalls kosteneffektiv sind. Eugene McCarthy berichtet.


 Les opérateurs d’exploitation ont besoin de débitmètres adaptés à une conjoncture difficile tout en restant rentables. Selon Eugene McCarthy.


Flow meter advances driven by harsh environments, accuracy and cost


F


Fig. 1. The Micro Motion ELITE coriolis meter is designed for corrosive applications and harsh environments.


lowmeters have to withstand harsh, corrosive atmospheres in many process environments. So the latest offerings use new materials that can withstand high pressures and temperatures and offer improved corrosion resistance. At the same time, users are looking for the best mass flow range, pressure drop, and accuracy – all at the lowest possible cost. One major supplier, Emerson Process Management, now offers its Micro Motion ELITE high capacity coriolis meter in super duplex material to handle corrosive applications and harsh environments (Fig. 1). The super duplex meter is available for line sizes from 200-250mm and improved pressure rating to 160bar. Super duplex stainless steel offers the same


reliability, accuracy and turn down performance as meters made with 316 stainless steel material, with the added benefit of increased corrosion resistance and pressure rating.


Super duplex delivers excellent resistance to high chloride levels found in the oil field, such as formation water, and is particularly well suited for measuring production fluids and medium pipeline pressure applications.


Because of the corrosive compounds in crude oil, natural gas, and other hydrocarbon streams, more reliable and robust meters are required that can deliver highly accurate measurement over wide flow ranges.


The new coriolis meter


offers ±0.10 per cent mass and volume flow accuracy for liquids and mass accuracy of


±0.35 per cent for gas. It can handle a maximum liquid flow capacity of 2550t/h.


Emerson’s


Micro Motion coriolis meters


are designed with no moving parts so they are not subject to wear or measurement drift associated with the rotating components of positive displacement or turbine meters. In addition, Micro Motion smart meter


verification delivers measurement confidence by verifying the complete meter performance (sensor, drive and signal processing) while the operation is flowing and without removing the meter from the line. Smart meter verification can check meter performance on a set schedule or at the touch of a button in minutes.


Non-invasive Usually, refinery plants use orifice flowmeters because of the high temperatures involved. However, tests at BP’s Emsland refinery demonstrated that non-invasive ultrasonic technology would be a suitable method to measure the overflash volume conveyed in a 150mm pipe outside the distillation column. As a result, the company turned to a


WaveInjector from Flexim. This uses the transit time difference principle to measure flow volume. Flexim’s WaveInjector extends the possible


application range of non-invasive ultrasonic measurements to temperatures up to 400°C. The system consists of two coupling plates, each connecting a transducer with the pipe, yet keeping both of them a certain distance apart. The surface of these plates radiates enough heat to keep the temperature at the mounting point of the transducers within the permissible range. Simultaneously, the coupling plates ensure the acoustical contact between pipe and transducer. The mechanically robust mounting fixture maintains a high contact pressure and specially designed metal foils eliminate coupling gel and ensure optimal contact and long-term stability.


Explosive atmospheres As the WaveInjector is a purely mechanical arrangement, it can also be used in explosive atmospheres, together with transducers that have been tested and certified for explosion protection. It is not necessary to cut into any pipes to install the transducers; they can be retrofitted without downtime or complicated approval procedures. The optimisation of systems and processes at the refinery is becoming increasingly important, with


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