ABSTRACT

Calibration is a process that relates the standard to practical measurement. For most gas
measuring devices, these, however depend on the flow rate, the condition of the gas such as line
pressure and temperature and gas composition. The gas meter builds on earlier pressure based
designs by adding a reference chamber to avoid errors associated with atmospheric pressure
fluctuations. The calibration was done using the Master Meter or Prover. The main objective of
this experiment is to carry out performance test and to compare percentage error between gas
meter when conducted individually and simultaneously. A standard for flow calibration should
replicate as closely as practicable the conditions under which the flow meter will be used. Full
replication is impossible, and the key to success is to be as close as practicable, and to recognize
the nature and performance of the flow meter type being tested. The apparatus used in gas meter
calibration was calibration station model SOLTEQ/CLB/0104/RR, air compressor and stop
watch. The percentage error in simultaneous verification of diaphragm gas meter for the first two
minutes is -53.84%, -48.15%, -42.86%, -48.15% and -42.86% for each meter 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
respectively. The percentage error for individual verification of diaphragm gas meter only
occurred in meter 3 and meter 4 which are 5.66% and 2.1% for the first two minutes. The
percentage error for the next four minutes is -150%, -138.09%, -127.27%, -127.27% and
127.27% for meter 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively in the simultaneous experiment. Percentage error
in individual experiment after four minutes occurred in meter 3 and meter 5 which are -1.81%
and 5%. All the gas meters need to be calibrated before it can use in any operation. The accuracy
of reading can be affected due to the differences in pressure and velocity that flows through each
meters. The accuracy of experiment can be affected badly when using 5 meters simultaneously
rather than using individual meters at a time. It can be conclude that meter no. 1 and meter no. 2
are well calibrated with 0% error for both 2 minute and 4 minute in individual experiment. It
proves that the objective of the experiment was achieved.

INTRODUCTION
According to Chattopadhyay (2006), a flow meter is a device that measure flow rate, which is the
quantity of fluid per unit of time in an open or closed circuit. There is several operating principal
of the flow meter, such as differential pressure meter, velocity meter, area meter, positive
displacement meter, orifice meter, turbine meter, magnetic meter, gas ionization meter, NMR
meter, ultrasonic meter etc. In this experiment, the type of meter that is going to be used is a gas
flow meter, used to measure the volume of the gas flow.

Figure 1: A gas flow meter

In this particular study, there is five gas flow meters to be calibrated. There is several method of
flow meter calibration that being applied worldwide, and divided into two which is in-situ and
laboratory. Some of the calibration test that can be used is D/P Transmitter Calibration, Magnetic
flow meter Calibration, Calibration using a Master Meter (Prover), Gravimetric method and
other methods. In here, the calibration was done using the Master Meter or Prover. (Cable, 2005)

THEORY
Standards for flow measurement are based on a comparison of the quantity of fluid passed, or
passing, through the flowmeter with the quantity measured by the standard. Standards can be
based on the measurement of mass or volume. The required mass or volume quantity can be
calculated from the measured quantity from a knowledge of the fluid density at the test
flowmeter. Standards may be static or dynamic, and this choice is made on the basis of the output
and end use of the flowmeter. Some flowmeters are used to measure quantity and have a fast
response time; others are designed to measure flow rate and have a slow response time.
Calibration of a flowmeter should cover a significant flow-rate range for the flowmeter and
establish a performance across that range.
A standard for flow calibration should replicate as closely as practicable the conditions under
which the flowmeter will be used. Full replication is impossible, and the key to success is to be
as close as practicable, and to recognize the nature and performance of the flowmeter type being
tested. The factors that should be addressed are the fluid viscosity, the installation effects due to
bends and fittings, temperature, and pressure. The standard should also have a defined
traceability and uncertainty chosen to match the expectation of the final measurement. The
choice of standard must also recognize the dynamic performance of the flowmeter and the nature
and resolution of the output. As a calibration is a comparison, the quantity measured by the
standard must match the quantity measured by the flowmeter and this must take cognizance of
the resolution of the flowmeter. A flowmeter used to measure very large quantities of fluid over a
long period of time may not have a resolution suitable for measuring the smaller quantities
measured by a standard.
Calibration is not an absolute operation, but a comparison between the reading of a flow meter
and that of a standard. Therefore to consider what properties are required from a standard. Firstly
the standard should measure the same quantity as the flow meter. For flow measurement, the
standard is a system comprising of a measure of quantity and the subsidiary measurements to
determine the fluid conditions, properties and influence factor. Another feature of the standard is
that there must be confidence that the measurement taken by the standard accurate.

However, the quantity measured by the standard may be different from the quantity passed
through the test device due to changes in volume between the meter and the standard, which are
usually related to the influence factors such as temperature, pressure, viscosity and expansion. As
the measurement of fluid flow is dynamic and all measurement devices are affected in some way
by the conditions of use, it is impossible to have a standard which fully reproduces the conditions
under which the meter will be used in practice. The combination of fluid influence the factor
come together to define a set of operations which are used to provide the calibration. This is
expresses in a way which gives a meaningful expectation of how the device is used.
The result of a flowmeter calibration will normally provide two related figures: one related to the
flow rate and the other as a performance indicator. Flow rate will be expressed as mass per unit
time, volume per unit time, Reynolds number, or some other flow raterelated measure. The
performance indicator relates the expected performance of the meter to the measured
performance. Examples of performance indicators are K-factor, error, and meter factor.
In general, all the methods for the calibration of gas flowmeters have analogies with liquid
methods. The main difference between the calibration of a gas and a liquid flowmeter is the
compressibility of the gas and the fact that the gas has to be contained in a closed container. As
gas is compressible, the volume measured at the standard and the volume measured at the test
device have to be corrected to a common or to a standard condition.
Gas flowmeters can also be calibrated using mass as the reference quantity. This can be
done gravimetrically by weighing high-pressure gas collected from, or delivered to, a test meter.
Alternatively, the mass can be calculated using PVT (pressure/volume/temperature) calculations
if a fixed volume is used. Critical flow nozzles provide an extremely stable calibration device. In
this device, when the velocity of gas reaches the speed of sound in the throat of the nozzle, the
mass flow will be a function of the upstream pressure and the properties of the gas only. The
equation is given by

dm
1
=CdCAtPo
dt
RT

APPARATUS
Gas Meter Calibration unit:
1. Calibration station model SOLTEQ/CLB/0104/RR.
2. Air compressor.
3. Stop watch

Calibration
meter

Control valve

PROCEDURE
Simultaneous Verification of Diaphragm Gas Meter
1. The initial reading of each meter is recorded. (Reference wet type meter and individual
diaphragm gas meter 1,2,3,4 and 5). Also, the initial pressure and temperature reading
was recorded of the related position by using online touch screen system.
2. Necessary isolation valves nos were opened: (V-SAT, V-REF, V-1, V-2, V-4, V-5, V-7, V8, V-10, V-11, V-13 and V-14).
3. The gas supply from the cylinder was opened from cylinders.
4. Isolation valves (V-3, V-6, V-9, V-12, V-15, and V-LOAD was ensured to be fully closed.
5. V-LOAD valve was gradually opened.
6. Simultaneously, the stopwatch started.
7. At the end of the two minutes, the pressure, temperature and meter reading at each
individual meter including the wet type gas meter reading section are recorded.
8. At the end of 4 minutes, repeat the above instruction (no. 7).
9. Isolation valve V-LOAD was closed instantaneously.
10. Stopwatch was stopped.
11. The gas supply from the cylinders was stopped by closing the valve V-SAT.
12. The results were tabulated.
Individual Verification of Diaphragm Gas Meter
1. The initial reading of reference wet type meter and meter no.1 was recorded. Also, the
pressure and temperature reading of the related position was recorded by using online
touch screen system.
2. Necessary isolation valves nos was opened: (V-SAT, V-REF, V-1, V-2, V-6, V-12, and V15).
3. The gas supply from the cylinder was opened from cylinders.
4. Isolation valves (V-3, V-4, V-5, V-7, V-8, V-10, V-11, V-13, V-14 and V-LOAD was
ensured to be fully closed.
5. V-LOAD valve was gradually opened.
6. Simultaneously, the stopwatch started.
7. At the end of the two minutes, the pressure, temperature and meter reading at each
individual meter including the wet type gas meter reading section are recorded.
8. At the end of 4 minutes, repeat the above instruction (no. 7).
9. Isolation valve V-LOAD was closed instantaneously.
10. Stopwatch was stopped.
11. The gas supply from the cylinders was stopped by closing the valve V-SAT.
12. The results were tabulated.
RESULTS
6

PART 1: SIMULTANEOUS VERIFICATION OF DIAPHRAGM GAS METER

Temperature

Pressure

Initial

Final volume,

Vo - Vi

(c)

(mbar)

volume, Vi (L)

Vo (L)

(L)

First 2 minutes
Meter no 1

24.8

-0.816

11580

11606

26

Meter no 2

24.8

-0.739

12034

12061

27

Meter no 3

24.7

-2.291

11604

11631

28

Meter no 4

24.5

-1.106

10858

10885

27

Meter no 5

24.9

-0.058

11218

11246

28

Ref Meter

25.0

23.014

28730

28770

40

4 minutes
Meter no 1

24.7

21.884

11606

11626

Meter no 2

24.7

18.392

12061

12082

Meter no 3

24.7

14.030

11631

11653

Meter no 4

24.5

9.363

10885

10907

20

21

22

22
Meter no 5

24.9

5.317

11246

11268
22

Ref Meter

24.5

24.616

28770

28820
50

PART 2: INDIVIDUAL VERIFICATION OF DIAPHRAGM GAS METER

A. DIAPHARGM METER 1 AND REFERENCE METER

Temperature

Pressure

Initial

(c)

(mbar)

volume,

Final
Vi

(L)
First 2 minutes

volume,

Vo - Vi
Vo (L)

(L)

Meter no 1

24.7

6.554

11637

11672

Ref Meter

24.5

26.101

35164

35199

35
35
4 minutes
Meter no 1

24.7

18.894

11672

11709

Ref Meter

24.5

23.123

35299

35336

37
37

B. DIAPHRAGM METER 2 AND REFERENCE METER

Temperature

Pressure

Initial

(c)

(mbar)

volume,

(L)
First 2 minutes

Final
Vi

volume,

Vo - Vi
Vo (L)

(L)

Meter no 2

24.6

32.810

12092

12141

Ref Meter

24.4

37549

35241

35290

49
49
4 minutes
Meter no 2

24.6

33.033

12141

12192

Ref Meter

24.5

37.707

35290

35341

51

51

C. DIAPHRAGM METER 3 AND REFERENCE METER

Temperature

Pressure

Initial

(c)

(mbar)

volume,

Final
Vi volume,

(L)

Vo - Vi
Vo (L)

(L)

First 2 minutes
Meter no 3

24.7

31.654

11662

11715

Ref Meter

24.5

37.431

35249

35299

53
50
4 minutes
Meter no 3

24.7

31.864

11715

11770

Ref Meter

24.5

37.635

35300

35356

55

56

D. DIAPHRAGM METER 4 AND REFERENCE METER

Temperature

Pressure

Initial

(c)

(mbar)

volume,
(L)

Final
Vi

volume,

Vo - Vi
Vo (L)

(L)

First 2 minutes
Meter no 4

24.6

37.766

10915

10963

Ref Meter

24.5

37.697

35356

35403

48
47
4 minutes
Meter no 4

24.6

31.801

10965

11015

Ref Meter

24.5

37.733

35403

35452

49

49

E. DIAPHRAGM METER 5 AND REFERENCE METER

Temperature

Pressure

Initial

(c)

(mbar)

volume,

(L)
First 2 minutes
Meter no 5

25.1

33.452

11275

Final
Vi volume,

Vo - Vi
Vo (L)

(L)
11315
40

Ref Meter

24.6

38.082

35452

35492

40

4 minutes
Meter no 5

25.1

33.402

11315

11355

Ref Meter

24.6

38.010

35492

35530

40
38

CALCULATED PERCENTAGE OF ERROR & CORRECTION FACTOR (2 minutes)

Meter Y

Simultaneously
% errors
% correction
-53.84
35.00
-48.15
32.50
-42.86
30.00
-48.15
32.50
-42.86
32.50

Meter no 1
Meter no 2
Meter no 3
Meter no 4
Meter no 5

Individually
% errors
% correction
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
5.66
-6.00
2.1
-2.1
0.00
0.00

CALCULATED PERCENTAGE OF ERROR & CORRECTION FACTOR (4 minutes)

Meter Y

Simultaneously
% errors
% correction
-150.00
60.00
-138.09
58.00
-127.27
56.00
-127.27
56.00
-127.27
56.00

Meter no 1
Meter no 2
Meter no 3
Meter no 4
Meter no 5

CALCULATION
Example from first four minutes from meter 5
Where,

Meter 5

= 40

10

Individually
% errors
% correction
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
-1.81
1.78
0.00
0.00
5.00
-5.26

Reference meter

= 38

Percentage error

errors=

meter 5reference meter

100
meter 5

errors=

4038
100
40

errors=5.00

Percentage correction

corrections=

reference meter meter 5

100
reference meter

corrections=

3840
100
38

corrections=5.26

DISCUSSION

11

Based on the result obtained, it can be seen that the percentage of error when the experiment was
conducted individually is higher compared to the experiment for simultaneous verification of
diaphragm gas meter. The percentage error in simultaneous verification of diaphragm gas meter
for the first two minutes is -53.84%, -48.15%, -42.86%, -48.15% and -42.86% for each meter 1,
2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The percentage error for individual verification of diaphragm gas
meter only occurred in meter 3 and meter 4 which are 5.66% and 2.1% for the first two minutes.
The percentage error for the next four minutes is -150%, -138.09%, -127.27%, -127.27% and
127.27% for meter 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively in the simultaneous experiment. Percentage error
in individual experiment after four minutes occurred in meter 3 and meter 5 which are -1.81%
and 5%.
The flow of the gas through the instrument is divided into many valves. When the experiment
was conducted simultaneously, the gas was forced to enter many valves which can cause lower
error rate than the individual measurement. It is essential to distinguish between the error and the
uncertainty in any result obtained from calibration process which normally be presented in most
calibration certificates. Error could be easily defined as the difference between the measured and
true values and is unknown while the uncertainty is half the range within the true value is
expected to lie with a stated probability. The uncertainty must never be quoted separately from
the probability or confidence level which is associated since the two are interdependent. Four
kinds of error that can be present in any measurement are spurious error, random error, constant
systematic error and variable systematic error.
When the experiment was conducted, the temperature throughout the experiment was always in
room temperature and does not affect the calibration. The recorded pressure is also different for
each meter. This shows that every valve have different errors. When the gas calibration was
conducted simultaneously, the pressure shown for every meter was lower than the individual
experiment. This proved that it was better to calibrate the gas separately rather than
simultaneously.

CONCLUSION
12

All the gas meters need to be calibrated before it can use in any operation. The accuracy of
reading can be affected due to the differences in pressure and velocity that flows through each
meters. The accuracy of experiment can be affected badly when using 5 meters simultaneously
rather than using individual meters at a time. It can be conclude that meter no. 1 and meter no. 2
are well calibrated with 0% error for both 2 minute and 4 minute in individual experiment. It
proves that the objective of the experiment was achieved.
RECOMMENDATION
a) Repeat the experiment 3 times to get the accuracy of the result.
b) Be sure read and understand the manual to prevent from opening n closing the wrong
valve during the conduction of the experiment.
c) It is best to observe and record the flow rate of gas through the gas meter instead of the
reading on the monitor.

REFERENCES
1.

Lab Manual for Gas Calibration. Faculty of Chemical Engineering (2014)

2.

http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=my, retrieved on 24th October 2014

3.

Spitzer, D.W. (ed.) (2001) Flow Measurement: Practical Guides for Measurement and
Control, 2nd edn, ISA International, Research Triangle Park, NC.

4.

Cornish.D (1994/5) Instrument Performance Mass Control, 27(10):323-8

5.

Cable, M. (2005). Calibration: A Technician's Guide. ISA.

6.

Chattopadhyay. (2006). Flowmeters & Flow Measurement. Asian Books Private Limited.

13