Ultrasonic Gas Flow Meter Workshop

Conducted at the Measurement Research Facility in San Antonio Texas.

Classes Now Forming

This workshop is generally conducted annually however this short course will not be conducted in 2008. Based on interest, the Transmission Measurement Interest Group and the Transmission Technical Training Committee may offer this workshop in 2009.

If you are interested in this workshop, please contact Pat Turman (pturman@southerngas.org) to be added to the distribution of information about this meeting.

Sponsored by

Transmission Technical Training Committee & Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in

cooperation with The Gas Technology Institute & The Gas Machinery Research Council

Workshop Highlights

• Introduction to ultrasonic gas flow meter technology
• Basics of meter operation and installation effects
• Operational issues
• Status of industry standards
• Demonstration of commercially available flow meters

Scope

The Ultrasonic Gas Flow Meter Workshop will provide students with comprehensive information on ultrasonic gas flow meter technology. Those taking the course will receive information on the fundamental principles of meter operation, meter selection and sizing, new meter research and development, installation guidelines, meter problem identification and resolution, meter calibration and verification, and the status of industry standards. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on practical application of ultrasonic gas flow metering technology. Theoretical considerations will be presented when necessary to complement a given topic.

Operation of commercially available flow meters will be demonstrated under simulated field conditions using the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) Metering Research Facility (MRF). Meter manufacturer representatives will be on hand to describe the features of their particular product lines and to answer questions. This will afford students the opportunity for a first hand comparison of the various manufacturers' products.

Outline

Introduction to Ultrasonic Gas Flow Meter Technology

Characteristics

Configurations

Basics of Meter Operation

Basic equations

Effect of ultrasonic path location and gas inlet velocity profile

Multi-path measurements

Potential sources of error

Meter Calibration

Static calibration

Flow calibration

Flow calibration facilities

Installation Effects

Bare meter performance

Meter performance with flow conditioners

Effects of Operating Environment

Line pressure

Line temperature

Ambient temperature

Ultrasonic noise

Liquid fouling

Operational Issues

Interface to flow computers

checking of meters via available software

Status of Industry Standards

Overview of A.G.A. Report No. 9

ISO document

Acceptance criteria in various countries

Demonstration of Commercially-Available Flow Meters Using the MRF

Schedule

Day 1: 8 to 5

Day 2: 8 to noon

Transient flow (e.g., flow pulsations)

Characteristics

                                   2.     Configurations

Who Should Attend

The course is intended for engineers who are responsible for the design and operation of natural gas metering stations and senior field technicians who have operations and maintenance management responsibilities.

How To Register

Available soon.

Hotel Information

The training takes place at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio.  Shuttle service to the training campus is provided each day.  The shuttle will pick students up in the lobby of the Menger Hotel.   The hisotric Menger Hotel is located at 204 Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, next to the Alamo and one block from the riverwalk.

You may make reservations at the Menger by calling 210-223-4361 or 800-345-9285.  Or pick from other hotel options below.

Other hotels in the area

Holiday Inn Express Downtown (524 Saint Mary's Street; 210-354-1333)

(all suites with continental breakfast)

4-5 blocks from the Menger

Hampton Inn Downtown (414 Bowie Street; 210-225-8500)

3-4 blocks from the Menger

La Quinta (210-222-9181)

4 blocks from the Menger

Questions?

Contact Pat Turman at 972-620-4021 (pturman@southerngas.org)

About the Facilities

The course will be taught at the Gas Technology Institute Metering Research Facility located at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in San Antonio, Texas.  Constructed in 1991, the MRF was built to improve the state of the art of natural gas flow measurement by providing a specially-designed natural gas flow calibration facility capable of simulating field operating conditions.  The research program at the MRF primarily focuses on flow meter accuracy, installation effects on metering accuracy, new meter development, energy measurement, metering automation, and data acquisition and analysis.  Field installation problems, such as flow pulsation effects, gas composition effects, equipment failures and gas processing problems can also be addressed at the MRF.  Students will have the opportunity to tour the MRF and see it in operation during the demonstration testing of commercially-available ultrasonic gas flow meters.

Ultrasonic Flow Meter Workshop Instructors

Dr. Darin L. George is a mechanical and nuclear engineer with 15 years experience in the measurement and control of liquid, gas, and multi-phase flows.  Dr. George joined the Southwest Research Institute staff in 2000, with prior work experience at Sandia National Laboritories.  He is currently research project manager at the MRF for turbine flow meters, direct energy rate meters, and natural gas sampling methods.  Results of this work will be incorporated into the applicable AGA or API measurement standard of recommended practice.  Dr. George has authored or co-authored over 20 publications on the topics of cavitation, multi-phase flows, and flow measurement methods.  He is also a registered Professional Engineer in South Carolina and Michigan.

Manufacturer Representatives

Ultrasonic gas flow meter manufacturer representatives will be available to discuss and demonstrate the features of their product lines.