Litre Meter Develops High Pressure Flowmeter For Gas Distribution Network

Image above: Litre Meter’s flowmeter is capable of operating at 4,000 bar (60,000 psi) and at a flow rate of 0.099cc per minute.

Litre Meter has developed a flowmeter capable of operating at 4,000 bar (60,000 psi) and at a flow rate of 0.099cc per minute. The instrument has been produced for the American natural gas distribution network to help prevent compressor station failure.

Litre Meter has designed a pressure balance chamber for its VFF rotary piston flowmeter to enable it to operate at extreme pressure and at low-flow rates. The instrument has been developed to measure and verify the flow of mineral oil that lubricates machinery used to pressurise natural gas at compressor stations.

Natural gas is pumped at high pressure throughout the US via an interstate pipeline. To ensure that the gas remains pressurised it is compressed at compressor stations, which are located at 40 to 100 mile intervals along pipelines.

The machinery used to compress the gas is subjected to enormous strains as a result of the high pressure environment – conditions where metals can deform plastically. Reliable and continual operation of the equipment, however, is critical. If it fails, the supply of gas to many homes will stop and the cost of repair can easily run to $1 million.

To keep the machinery operating reliably a constant flow of mineral oil is pumped through the equipment at a low flow rate of between 0.099 and 4.788 cc/min (0.06 and 0.282 l/hr) and at a pressure of 4,000 bar (60,000psi). This is to ensure that it reaches every capillary.

Litre Meter’s flowmeter has been designed to continually measure the flow rate of mineral oil at the inlet feed. This measurement is used to verify that the correct amount of lubricant is being passed through the machinery.

Litre Meter’s flowmeter is capable of operating accurately and reliable in these conditions. The pressure balance chamber acts as a barrier, protecting the internal measurement components of the instrument from the high pressure conditions, preventing them from expanding and contracting under the immense pressure.

“Developing the technology to measure flow rates at the pressures involved in this application has been a tremendous feat,” said Charles Wemyss, engineering director at Litre Meter. “Through developing our pressure balance chamber we are now able to offer our clients the capability of measuring low flow rates at extreme pressures.”

Litre Meter Limited
50/53 Rabans Close,
Rabans Lane Industrial Estate,
Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8TG

Freephone: 0800 018 3001
Tel: 44 (0) 1296 670200
Fax: 44 (0) 1296 670999

Web Site: www.litremeter.com