APPLICATION OF DENSITOMETERS TO LIQUID MEASUREMENT

Class # 2010

Dean Minehart
Business Development Manager
Emerson Automation Solutions
9306 Linden Brook Lane
Rosenberg, TX USA

Introduction
The American Petroleum Institute (API) Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS) Chapter 9 Section
4 provides guidance for online density meter selection/operation, sampling system design and calibration
methods. Continuous density measurement may be accomplished with a device located in the main flowing
stream or located in a slipstream representative of the main stream.
Density measurement is utilized in both volume and mass measurement systems. Volumetric measurement
requires the use of density measurement in order to determine correction factors for temperature and pressure on
a flowing liquid. Inferred mass measurement systems require density measurement at meter conditions in order
to determine mass flow. Direct mass measurement systems require on line density measurement at a meter
prover to determine prover mass.
Density and Related Units of Measurement
Density (denoted by the Greek symbol , rho) is defined as the mass per unit volume. Mass and volume are
basic fluid properties commonly measured in kilograms (kg), grams (gm), or pounds (lb) and cubic meters (m3),
cubic centimeters (cm3), or cubic feet (ft3) respectively. Therefore, density at process conditions is typically
reported in kg/m3, gm/cm3 or lb/ft3.

Where:
= fluid density
m = mass
V = Volume

There are various measurement terms and units related to density such as line density, observed density, gravity,
flowing gravity, API, base density, referred density, specific gravity and relative density. Density units of measure
can be at observed or standard conditions.
Liquid density is affected by fluid composition, temperature and pressure. The degree of density change
influenced by these properties is related to and dependent on fluid characteristics. Density is inversely
proportional to temperature and directly proportional to pressure. The example below shows that a crude oil
sample at 100F and 60F has a resultant change of 0.0152 g/cc with a 40F temperature decrease.

100F 60F 40F

Crude 0.8610 gm/cm3 0.8762 gm/cm3 0.0152 gm/cm3
Refined 0.6710 gm/cm3 0.6503 gm/cm3 0.0207 gm/cm3
For the same temperature change, a refined product with a density of 0.6710 g/cc will decrease by 0.0207 g/cc.
Fluids like C02 or ethylene at 2000 psig, when measured in their supercritical region, are highly sensitive to
changes in pressure. However, for many fluids like crude oil, pressure effects are extremely low and generally
have no distinguishable affect.
Reference Density is density of a fluid at a set of standard conditions. It is important to confirm use of proper
characterization referral tables for converting Observed Density to Reference Density. For example, API standard
conditions for reference density can be 60F and 0 psig.

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Relative Density which has replaced the term Specific Gravity (SG) is a non-dimensional unit of measurement
representing the ratio of reference density to the density of water with both at standard temperature conditions.
The definition of relative density is as follows:

By this definition, temperature affects are eliminated and relative density of a non-compressible liquid only
changes when the composition of the fluid changes. Many hydrometers are scaled in API. API is calculated as
below:

Relative Density is inversely proportional to API. Confusion is sometimes created with the use of the single term
gravity. It is important to understand whether gravity is observed or at reference conditions and in which units
of measure.
Density/Mass/Volume Relationships
Density, mass and volume are related. These relationships to liquid volumetric and mass measurement systems
will be explained in the next sections of this paper. Density measurement plays an important role in each type of
measurement system.
Relationships are shown below:
Density=Mass / Volume
Mass=Volume x Density
Volume=Mass / Density
Inferred mass measurement systems measure density and volume flow rate at flowing conditions. Mass is
determined by multiplying meter volume times density.
Coriolis mass flow meters measure density at flowing conditions and a mass flow rate. Coriolis meter transmitters
can be configured to calculate volume at flowing conditions by dividing mass flow rate by density.
Density Measurement in Net Standard Volume (NSV) Measurement Systems
NSV is the basis by which liquid volume of crude oils, refined products and some purity LPG is measured. NSV
calculations are standardized by API MPMS Chapter 12.2. Density measurement is required to calculate volume
correction factors based on RHOb which is defined below. Continuous density meters are applied to volumetric
measurement systems.
NSV=GSVxCSW
Where:
NSV-gross standard volume adjusted for S&W.
GSV-total fluid measured at standard conditions, including both merchantable crude oil and non-merchantable
components such as sediment and water. Volume at standard conditions indicates volume that is adjusted for
temperature and pressure effects (e.g. 60 Degrees F/0 psig).
CSW-correction factor for S&W (where present) reducing the gross standard volume for non-merchantable
content which is equivalent to the merchantable fraction of fluid.
GSV=IVxCCF
Where:
IV-uncompensated indicated volume registered by a volumetric flow meter.
CCF=MFxCTLxCPL

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Where:
MF-meter factor that compensates an indicated volume for meter inaccuracy determined by meter proving.
CTL-correction for temperature on liquid-density dependent factor to compensate for the temperature of the
measured liquid.
CPL-correction for pressure on liquid-density dependent factor to compensate for the pressure of the measured
liquid.
CTL&CPL calculations based on API MPMS 11.1/11.2 or applicable standards using TWA, PWA & RHOb
Where:
TWA/PWA-temperature/pressure flow weighted average
RHOb=density of liquid at 60 degrees F/0 psig or other standard conditions.
CSW=1-(S&W%/100)
Where:
CSW-value representing the merchantable fraction of the gross standard volume.
S&W%-percentage of S&W.
Density Measurement in Direct Mass Measurement Systems
Direct mass measurement is achieved by using a Coriolis flow meter and programming the transmitter to output
pulses per unit mass (pulses per pound). Coriolis flow meter installations should follow the guidance provided in
API MPMS Chapter 5 Section 6. Direct mass meters require that a meter factor be derived by mass proving.
This requires the addition of an on line density measurement at prover conditions (prover volume x
density=mass). A Prover Density Measurement section of this paper (below) provides more details on
requirements for proper prover density measurement.
API MPMS Chapter 14 Section 7 provides an equation for direct mass measurement:
Qm=ImmxMFm
Where:
Qm=mass flow
Imm=indicated Coriolis meter mass
MFm=meter factor for Coriolis meter mass
Density Measurement in Inferred Mass Measurement Systems
Inferred mass measurement is achieved by using a volumetric flow meter in conjunction with an on line density
measurement at flowing conditions. Volumetric flow meters should be installed with guidance from an appropriate
section of the API MPMS Chapter 5 depending on the meter technology selected (e.g. API MPMS Chapter 5
Section 3 for turbines). Coriolis flow meters are sometimes used for volumetric flow measurement in inferred
mass measurement systems by configuring the flow meter transmitter to output pulses per unit volume (e.g.
pulses per barrel) and measuring on line density with a separate density meter installed in a bypass loop.
API MPMS Chapter 14 Section 7 provides an equation for inferred mass measurement:
Qm=IVxMFvxfxDMF
Where:
QM=mass flow
IV=indicated meter volume at operating conditions
MFv=volumetric meter factor
f=indicated density at operating conditions
DMF=density meter factor

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Inferred mass density measurement guidance is provided by API MPMS Chapter 9 Section 4. Density meter
loops (Figure 1.) are generally one-inch pipe work or smaller which means the density meter is installed in a
bypass loop from the main flow line. Maintaining a representative sample (composition, temperature and
pressure) in the density bypass loop of the flow through the volumetric flow meter can be difficult. Insulation
should be applied to density meter bypass loop piping.
Differences in process conditions at the flow and density meters can provide additional mass measurement
uncertainty versus a direct mass measurement.

Figure 1.-Typical Density Meter Bypass Loop

Inferred Mass Prover Density Measurement
Density measurement is required on a meter prover for mass proving. Density meters are often placed on a
piston provers outlet across a valve or other restriction to create flow through the density loop. Density loops
should include pressure and temperature measurements at the density meter and pycnometer outlets in order to
ensure equal process conditions when a pycnometer sample is pulled. Regardless of where a density loop is
located, a density meter factor (DMF) is required. API MPMS Chapter 9 Section 4 provides guidance on
calibrating density meters against a pycnometer.
Density Measurement for Pipeline Interface Detection
Density measurement can be used on batch operations to identify product changes. Batch configuration should
be used in order to ensure that density changes between products are measurable. Density readings may need to
be corrected to standard conditions in order to prevent false interface readings due to changes in temperature or
pressure.
Pipeline operations often require proving meters at least once per batch. Detecting batch changes can help
automate meter proving operations.
Product Quality by Density Measurement
Density is used to detect changes in fluid composition indicating a possible change in quality. Flowing density
should be corrected to the same basis as the comparative value.
Many pipeline connection agreements specify an acceptable range of density variation in liquids allowed to enter
the system. On line density measurement can be used to prevent poor quality liquids from entering a pipeline.

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Conclusion
Density meter installation, operation and maintenance guidance is provided in the API MPMS Chapter 9 Section
4.
There are many units of measure for liquid density. Liquid density can be at observed or standard conditions.
Liquid density is affected by fluid composition, temperature and pressure.
Density, mass and volume are related. Density measurement is necessary for volumetric and mass measurement
systems. Liquid density can be used as a method to detect pipeline batch changes and/or product quality of a
flowing liquid.
References
Herrera, A., Application of Densitometers to Liquid Measurement , 2014 ISHM Proceedings
American Petroleum Institute (API) Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards:
Chapter 5 Metering
Chapter 9 Section 4 Continuous Density Measurement Under Dynamic (flowing) Conditions
Chapter 11 Physical Properties Data (Volume Correction Factors)
Chapter 12 Section 2 Calculation of Petroleum Quantities Using Dynamic Measurement
Methods and Volumetric Correction Factors
Chapter 14 Section 7 Mass Measurement of Natural Gas Liquids
Minehart, D.C., Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT), White Paper WP-001979 Rev.A, Micro Motion, Inc.
Minehart, D.C., Natural Gas Liquid Measurement: Direct and Inferred Mass, White Paper WP-002037 Rev.A,
Micro Motion, Inc.

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