Liquid and Gas Flow Metering and Custody Measurement

Introduction

This course will familiarise process, instrumentation, and custody transfer engineers with the procedures and practices involved in the choice of flow metering systems and their associated supporting equipment. It will address these points in relation to both single- and multi-phase flows and will give guidance on the optimum commercially available flowmeters through a detailed comparison of their relative merits. Flowmeter calibration is crucial to these topics. The course will also cover the related issues of level and tank measurement as well as lease automatic custody transfer and truck custody transfer, leak detection, loss control, and monitor and control production losses.

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Apply an in-depth knowledge to the topics of liquid and gas flow metering and custody measurement as well as to the fluid mechanics of pipe flows
• Assess flow measurement uncertainty in terms of the actual flowrate
• Distinguish between the different flowmeter types including delta p, displacement, rotary-inferential, fluid oscillatory, electromagnetic, ultrasonic and Coriolis mass flowmeters and to determine the optimum choice for a given application
• Define and classify the various regimes of multiphase flow measurement and to understand the relative attributes of the main industrial multiphase flowmeters in the determination of flowrate and quality
• Make a considered judgment of the choice of fluid level measurement devices
• Implement OIML Recommendation R117 including its requirements and operation
• Understand the various types of flow calibration, metering system and provers including static and dynamic measurement, meter proving, prover loop and custody transfer
• Carry out tank measurement and tank calibration methods and to calculate net sellable quantities
• Explain in detail the different types, methods, and techniques used in lease automatic custody transfer and truck custody transfer
• Have a sound understanding of relevant fluid and gas Laws that are needed for the use of flow measurement devices
• Understand the main requirements of custody transfer systems
• Appreciate the main requirements of flow measurements including accuracy and repeatability
• Be knowledgeable about up-to-date flow measurement meters including Differential Pressure (DP) measurement, turbine meters, positive displacement meters, Coriolis flow measurement, Magnetic and ultrasonic flow measurement
• Gain the ability to determine if a metering system is adequate for the purpose, select appropriate custody transfer metering systems and identify potential problems
• Learn about the principles and applications of Multiple meters/meter runs, Flow computers, Quality systems, Calibration, Meter Runs, Proving and Supporting Automation
• Discuss pipeline considerations made in the metering of liquid products
• Employ systematic techniques in leak detection, loss control, monitor and control production losses
• Apply the various API standards applicable to custody measurement

Training Methodology

This is an interactive course. There will be open question and answer sessions, regular group exercises and activities, videos, case studies, and presentations on best practice. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the facilitator and other participants on what works well and not so well for them, as well as work on issues from their own organizations. The online course is conducted online using MS-Teams/ClickMeeting.

Who Should Attend?

This course provides an overview of all significant aspects and considerations of liquid and gas flow metering and custody measurement for instrumentation, inspection, control, custody, metering and process engineers, and other technical staff. Further, piping engineers, pipelines engineers, mechanical engineers, operations engineers, maintenance engineers, plant/field supervisors and foremen, and loss control coordinators will also benefit from this course.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction – Basic Fluid and Gas Laws

• Custody Transfer Principles and Requirements

• Pressure, Viscosity, Flow Volume, Continuity Principle, Energy Law (Bernoulli’s)

• Flow Configurations (Flow Profiles), Laminar Flow, Turbulent Flow

• Reynold’s Number, Flow Losses (Friction Losses)

• Ideal and Real Gases, Gas Laws, Boyle's Law, Charles's Law, Gay-Lussac’s Law

Day 2: General Characteristics and Performance of Flow Meters

• System Characteristics and Flow Range

• Performance, Accuracy, Stability and Repeatability, Sensitivity, Noise, Linearity, Reliability

• Flow Modification and Meter Runs

• Applications and Usage, Sizing

• Temperature and Pressure Measurements

Day 3: Types and Applications of Flow Meters

• Differential Pressure (DP) Flow Meters, Orifice, Venturi, Nozzles, Pitot Tubes

• Positive Displacement (PD) Flow Meters, Rotor, Oscillating Piston, Oval Gear

• Turbine Flow Meters, Conventional and Helical

• Problems with Erosion, Corrosion, Cavitation and Obstructions

• Uses and Applications, Installation Requirements and Standards

Day 4: Types and Applications of Flow Meters (continued)

• Ultrasonic Flow Meters

• Magnetic Flow Meters

• Coriolis Flow Meters

• Uses and Applications, Installation Requirements and Standards

• Straight Run Requirement

Day 5: Flow Measurement Systems and Custody Transfer Considerations

• Custody Transfer Requirements

• Meter Factor

• Proving Systems: Direct, Indirect, Master Meter, Volume, Displacement

• Custody Transfer Skids

• Flow Computers and Communication

• Temperature and Pressure Measurements