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Remarks:
CONTENTS PAGES
ABSTRACT/SUMMARY 3
1.0 INTRODUCTION 4
2.0 OBJECTIVES 4
3.0 THEORY 5
6.0 RESULTS 12
8.0 DISCUSSIONS 17
9.0 CONCLUSION 18
10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 19
11.0 REFERENCES 20
12.0 APPENDICES 21
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1.0 ABSTRACT
This experiment is about to test whether the gas meter is calibrated or not. In this experiment,
the instrument named Gas Meter Calibration is used. The objectives of these experiments are
to carry out performance test and to compare percentage area between gas meter when
conducted individually and simultaneously. This instrument is operated by allowing the gas
to flow inside the gas meter in order to determine whether the gas meter is calibrated or not.
This experiment is divided into two parts. The first experiment is about simultaneous
verification of diaphragm gas meter and the second experiment is about individual
verification of diaphragm gas meter. These experiments are run by opening some specific
valve and the desired value at the gas meter is taken at 2 and 4 minutes respectively. The
results show that it has high percentage of error and correction which means the gas meter is
not properly calibrated.
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2.0 INTRODUCTION
This experiment is about a calibration of a gas meter device using helium gas. Five gas flow
meters were calibrated using the calibration apparatus. Calibration station model
SOLTEQ/CLB/0104/RR was used in the experiment as main apparatus. The model is a gas
flow meter that used to measure the volume of the gas flow. The model has many valves that
allowed the gas flow in certain pressure and temperature. The model was monitored manually
and the result can be seen in computer or the temperature and pressure reader. The volume of
the gas was measured by the model in liters and cubic meters. The model is the basic
instrument to calibrate the gas flows through valves. The parameters measured in this
experiment were temperature, pressure and volume of the gas exit the apparatus.
3.0 OBJECTIVE
2. To compare percentage area between gas meter when conducted individually and
simultaneously.
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4.0 THEORY
Calibration of the gas and gas flow is important in oil and gas fields because the gas
can be determined as production oil and gas or impurities in the rock formation. The nature of
how flow meters interact with the flowing fluid is affected by the properties of the fluid or the
velocity distribution of the fluid passing through the device. It is the changes in this
interaction that alter the ability of the device to give an accurate representation of the
quantity, and the magnitude of the error is different according to specific meter types and
fluids (Calibration of Oil, 2013). The difference between the calibration of a gas and a liquid
flow meter 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 has to be corrected to a common or to a standard
condition 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..
Gas meters can be divided into two categories: displacement meters and flow meters.
Displacement meters measure volume directly through periodic filling and emptying of one
or more measurement chambers. The most common displacement meters are diaphragm
meters and rotary displacement meter. Flow meters measure volume indirectly. They use
natural laws and flow principals, in order to determine the effect of the incoming gas. Turbine
meters are the most common flow meters (Paton, 2005). This experiment only used flow
meters as the calibration unit apparatus. Turbine meters consist of a sealed housing, an
extrusion section, the turbine wheel and a gearwheel system which leads the meters index.
During gas flow, the turbine wheel rotates. The turbine meter is manufactured in such
way that the turbine wheels rotation frequency is proportionate to the flow velocity. In this
way, the gas volume is calculated based on the rotation of the turbine wheel. Deviations to
the error curve are mainly caused from mechanical losses due to friction at the bearings and
the gearwheel system. Turbine meters are usually installed in applications where large gas
quantities must be measured, in medium and high pressure stations. These meters feature one
or more pulse generators which may provide high or low frequency pulses (Sofia, n.d.).
Turbine meters, as well as other flow meters, are sensitive to disturbed upstream flow profile.
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Figure : Schematic diagram of turbine meter as flow meter calibration equipment.
The factors that affect the performance of a gas meter are deposits on internal surfaces,
chemical attack, disturbance such as shock or over speeding, aging, electrical changes,
mechanical changes, fluid property differences, improper installation and external influences
(Sofia, n.d.). As the calibration is gas flow meter, the theory is relate with ideal gas law that
involves
where P is the pressure, V is the volume, n is the number of mole, R is gas constant and T is
temperature of the gas. When the volume of the gas is constant, the mass can be determined
using the formula above. Critical flow nozzles provide an extremely stable calibration device.
In this device, when the velocity of the gas is 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 can be derived as
1
=
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5.0 EXPERIMENTAL PRCEDURES
1. The initial reading of each meter is first recorded which are reference wet type meter,
individual diaphragm gas meter 1,2,3,4 and 5. The reading of the pressure and
temperature of the related position is also recorded by using online touch screen
system.
2. The isolation valves are then opened: V-SAT, V-REF, V-1, V-2, V-4, V-5, V-7, V-8,
V-10, V-11, V-13 and V-14.
3. After that, the gas supply system from cylinders is opened.
4. V-3, V-6, V-9, V-12, V-15 and V-LOAD are ensured to be closed.
5. The V-LOAD valve is opened gradually and the stop watch is started simultaneously.
6. At the end of 2 minutes, the pressure, temperature and meter reading at each
individual meter including wet type gas meter section are recorded.
7. At the end of 4 minutes, step 6 is repeated.
8. Isolation valve V-LOAD and stop watch are closed at this particular moment.
9. The gas supply from the cylinders is stopped as well by closing the valve V-SAT.
10. Lastly, all the isolation valves are closed.
11. Tabulated results are obtained.
1. The initial reading of reference wet type meter and meter no. 1 are recorded. The
reading of the pressure and temperature of the related position are also recorded using
online touch screen system.
2. The isolation valves are then opened: V-SAT, V-REF, V-1, V-2, V-6, V-9, V-12, and
V-15.
3. After that, the gas supply system from cylinders is opened.
4. Isolation valve V-3, V-4, V-5, V-7, V-8, V-10, V-11, V-13, V-14 and V-LOAD are
ensured to be fully closed.
5. The V-LOAD valve is opened gradually and the stop watch is started simultaneously.
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6. At the end of 2 minutes, the pressure, temperature and meter reading at reference
meter and meter no. 1 are recorded.
7. At the end of 4 minutes, step 6 is repeated.
8. Isolation valve V-LOAD is closed at this particular moment.
9. The stop watch is stopped as well.
10. The gas supply from the cylinders is stopped too by closing the valve V-SAT.
11. Tabulated results are obtained.
1. The initial reading of reference wet type meter and meter no. 2 are recorded. The
reading of the pressure and temperature of the related position are also recorded using
online touch screen system.
2. The isolation valves are then opened: V-SAT, V-REF, V-3, V-4, V-5, V-9, V-12, and
V-15.
3. After that, the gas supply system from cylinders is opened.
4. Isolation valve V-1, V-2, V-6, V-7, V-8, V-10, V-11, V-13, V-14 and V-LOAD are
ensured to be fully closed.
5. The V-LOAD valve is opened gradually and the stop watch is started simultaneously.
6. At the end of 2 minutes, the pressure, temperature and meter reading at reference
meter and meter no. 2 are recorded.
7. At the end of 4 minutes, step 6 is repeated.
8. Isolation valve V-LOAD is closed at this particular moment.
9. The stop watch is stopped as well.
10. The gas supply from the cylinders is stopped too by closing the valve V-SAT.
11. Tabulated results are obtained.
1. The initial reading of reference wet type meter and meter no. 3 are recorded. The
reading of the pressure and temperature of the related position are also recorded using
online touch screen system.
2. The isolation valves are then opened: V-SAT, V-REF, V-3, V-6, V-7, V-8, V-12, and
V-15.
3. After that, the gas supply system from cylinders is opened.
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4. Isolation valve V-1, V-2, V-4, V-5, V-9, V-10, V-11, V-13, V-14 and V-LOAD are
ensured to be fully closed.
5. The V-LOAD valve is opened gradually and the stop watch is started simultaneously.
6. At the end of 2 minutes, the pressure, temperature and meter reading at reference
meter and meter no. 3 are recorded.
7. At the end of 4 minutes, step 6 is repeated.
8. Isolation valve V-LOAD is closed at this particular moment.
9. The stop watch is stopped as well.
10. The gas supply from the cylinders is stopped too by closing the valve V-SAT.
11. Tabulated results are obtained.
1. The initial reading of reference wet type meter and meter no. 4 are recorded. The
reading of the pressure and temperature of the related position are also recorded using
online touch screen system.
2. The isolation valves are then opened: V-SAT, V-REF, V-3, V-6, V-9, V-10, V-11,
and V-15.
3. After that, the gas supply system from cylinders is opened.
4. Isolation valve V-1, V-2, V-4, V-5, V-7, V-8, V-12, V-13, V-14 and V-LOAD are
ensured to be fully closed.
5. The V-LOAD valve is opened gradually and the stop watch is started simultaneously.
6. At the end of 2 minutes, the pressure, temperature and meter reading at reference
meter and meter no. 4 are recorded.
7. At the end of 4 minutes, step 6 is repeated.
8. Isolation valve V-LOAD is closed at this particular moment.
9. The stop watch is stopped as well.
10. The gas supply from the cylinders is stopped too by closing the valve V-SAT.
11. Tabulated results are obtained.
1. The initial reading of reference wet type meter and meter no. 5 are recorded. The
reading of the pressure and temperature of the related position are also recorded using
online touch screen system.
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2. The isolation valves are then opened: V-SAT, V-REF, V-3, V-6, V-9, V-12, V-13,
and V-14.
3. After that, the gas supply system from cylinders is opened.
4. Isolation valve V-1, V-2, V-4, V-5, V-7, V-8, V-10, V-11, V-15 and V-LOAD are
ensured to be fully closed.
5. The V-LOAD valve is opened gradually and the stop watch is started simultaneously.
6. At the end of 2 minutes, the pressure, temperature and meter reading at reference
meter and meter no. 5 are recorded.
7. At the end of 4 minutes, step 6 is repeated.
8. Isolation valve V-LOAD is closed at this particular moment.
9. The stop watch is stopped as well.
10. The gas supply from the cylinders is stopped too by closing the valve V-SAT.
11. Tabulated results are obtained.
Description
This Gas Meter Calibration Unit (Model: SOLTEQ/CLB/0104/RR) has been designed to
provide hands on experience for students laboratory on gas calibration experiment. This unit
used nitrogen gas as the material fluid. It consists of air compressor, reference wet type
meter, 15 isolation valves, 5 individual diaphragm gas meter, pressure and temperature meter
reading, and a monitor of online touch system.
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Pressure and
temperature meter
reading
Reference wet
type meter
Calibration
Online touch
Individual Screen System
diaphragm meter Control Valves
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7.0 RESULTS
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Individual Verification of Diaphragm Gas Meter
Diaphragm Meter 1
Diaphragm Meter 2
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Diaphragm Meter 3
Diaphragm Meter 4
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Diaphragm Meter 5
Simultaneously Individually
Meter
% Errors % Correction % Errors % Correction
First 2 Minutes
Meter No. 1 9.30 -16.22 10 -11.11
Meter No. 2 13.33 -21.62 -43.14 30.14
Meter No. 3 18.75 -29.73 -4.35 4.17
Meter No. 4 15.22 -24.32 2.17 -2.22
Meter No. 5 18.75 -29.73 2.17 -2.22
Next 4 Minutes
Meter No. 1 -37.04 27.03 3.09 -3.19
Meter No. 2 -23.33 18.92 2.06 -2.11
Meter No. 3 -19.35 16.22 4.12 -4.30
Meter No. 4 -27.59 21.62 2.06 -2.11
Meter No. 5 -15.63 13.51 -1.04 1.03
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SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
Using data from individual meter no. 2 for the first 2 minutes:
Meter No. 2 = 51
Ref. Meter = 73
Percentage error:
2 51 73
% = 100% = 100% = 43.14%
2 51
Percentage correction:
2 73 51
% = 100% = 100% = 30.14%
73
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8.0 DISCUSSIONS
The experiment was conducted to determine to carry out performance test and to
compare percentage area between gas meter when conducted individually and
simultaneously. The reference meter used is a wet type gas meter due to its high accuracy and
suitable operating condition at low pressure and low flow rate (Mohsin et al., 2008). The
domestic gas meter used in the experiment is diaphragm meter, in which its readings are
independent of the type of gas being used due to it functioning by positive displacement of a
fixed volume of gas per rotation (Office of The Federal Register, 2014). The experiment was
separated into two parts; one is for simultaneous and the other for individual verification of
diaphragm gas meter.
From the simultaneous results obtained, it was discovered that meter no. 1 provided
the best results in the first 2 minutes (9.30% error and -16.22% correction), and meter no. 5
for the next 4 minutes (-15.63% error and 13.51% correction). In contrast, meter no. 3
showed the worst result for the first 2 minutes (18.75% error and -29.73% correction) and
meter no. 1 for the worst reading for 4 minutes after (-37.04% error and 27.03% correction).
For the individual results, it was determined that both meter no. 4 and 5 have the best
results for the first 2 minutes (both having 2.17% error and -2.22% correction), and meter
no.5 for the next 4 minutes (-1.04% error and 1.03% correction). On the other hand, the worst
one is meter no. 2 for the first 2 minutes (-43.14% error and 30.14% correction), and meter
no. 3 for the next 4 minutes (4.12% error and -4.30% correction).
The basis on the relevance of the results is that lower values gives better results, and
thus better calibrated. This showed that the overall result for simultaneous verification is not
accurate as Baker (2002) stated that the accuracy of diaphragm meter after calibration is 1-
3%. This huge inaccuracy may be attributed to mistakes when conducting the experiment.
The individual verification is quite accurate as the error percentages are small. According to
Willms (2007), these errors may result due exposure to air or gas mixtures which changes the
elasticity of the diaphragm material. Gas Meter Calibration is Critical to Efficient Operation
(n.d.) added that the accuracy may also decrease due wearing parts which cause increase in
internal friction, and leads to increase in differential pressure. This explains the pressure drop
across the system. Sofia (n.d.) also named some possible factors; deposits on internal surface,
chemical attack, and aging.
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In a way, calibrating the domestic gas meter is important as it allows the right amount
of gas to flow with minimum excess. This reduces the cases where the gas flow is not enough
or excess gas that it is being wasted. It is also important to calculate and compare the error
and correction percentages of the meters. This enables us to determine the accuracy of the
meter and whether a recalibration or reparation of the meter is needed.
9.0 CONCLUSION
Based on the discussion, the conclusion that can be made is that the data obtained is not fully
accurate due to mistake while conducting the experiment. For simultaneous experiment, the
results obtained can be concluded that the gas meter is not properly calibrated due to high
percentage of error and correction. Supposedly, the accuracy of diaphragm meter after
calibration is 1-3%. While individual experiment, it also not properly calibrated properly
due to high percentage of error and correction. Only at certain cases the percentage of error
and correction such as meter 4 show low percentage of error and correction due to maybe the
amount of pressure of gas is sufficient. Besides, this experiment also can be concluded that
the amount of gas flowing into the gas calibration meter is insufficient thus it is hard to
calibrate the gas meter. On top of that, the pressure also decrease due to wearing parts which
cause increase in internal friction, and leads to increase in differential pressure. This explains
the pressure drop across the system. When the system give high percentage of error and
correction, the system might need to recalibrate or reparation so that the accuracy of data in
the system can be obtained thus it can work at optimum condition and give the exact value of
specific data that needed at specific condition.
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10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The experiment is suggested to repeat thrice (3 times) in order to get the accurate
result.
2. The experimenter (students conducting this experiment) should understand well the
manual before conducting the experiment. This is to ensure that the opening valves
that must be open are correct and to prevent from opening and closing the incorrect
valve during the experiment.
3. It is best and advisable to observe and record flow rate of gas through gas meter
instead of reading on the monitor (online touch system). This is because the route of
real time data to monitor is longer than to gas meter itself by means of late few
seconds. So, the result will be accurate if the reading is taken from the gas meter
instead of on the monitor.
4. The total duration time of experiment is 6 minutes thus, the reading must be recorded
twice which are after 2 minutes and after 4 minutes simultaneously.
5. Before conducting the experiment, it needs to be sure that the air compressor is on and
there is flow of nitrogen gas.
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11.0 REFERENCES
1. Baker, R.C. (2002). An Introductory Guide to Flow Measurement: John Wiley & Sons.
2. Gas Meter Calibration is Critical to Efficient Operation. (n.d.). Retrieved 30th November 2015
from
http://members.questline.com/Article.aspx?articleID=18583&accountID=1693&nl=12190
3. Mohsin, Rahmat and Ramly @ Hassan, Noor Shafine and Abd. Majid,
Zulkifli (2008) Performance curve in domestic gas meter calibration system. Jurnal Teknologi
(49F). pp. 323-339. ISSN 0127-9696
4. Office of The Federal Register, E.I.L.L.C. (2014). Title 16 Commercial Practices Part 1000 to
End (Revised as of January 1, 2014): 16-CFR-Vol-2: U.S. Government Printing Office.
5. Sofia, (n.d). Gas Meters Principles Of Operation. Retrieved 30th November 2015 from
http://www.calibrate.co.uk/gas-meters-principles-of-operation/
6. Willms, R. (2007). G-20 Biasing of Calibration and Error Tolerances for Diaphragm
Meters. Canada.
7. Good Practice Guide: The Calibration of Flow Meter (n.d.) Tuv Nel. Glasgow, UK. Pg. 1-31
8. Calibration of Oil & Gas Flow Meters (2013). IML Group PLC. Retrieved November 28th,
2015 at http://www.controlengeurope.com/article/56532/Calibration-of-oil-gas-flow-
meters.aspx
9. Paton, R. (2005) Calibration and Standard in Flow Measurement. National Engineering Lab.
Scotland, UK. John Wiley and Sons Inc. Pg. 1-5
10. Sofia (n.d.) Gas Meters Principle of Operation. Calibrate.co.uk. Retrieved November 28th,
2015 at http://www.calibrate.co.uk/gas-meters-principles-of-operation/
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