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Field calibration of orifice meters for natural gas flow

Journal Article · · Journal of Energy Resources Technology; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3231397· OSTI ID:5339405
;  [1]
  1. Chevron Oil Field Research Co., La Habra, CA (USA)

This paper presents the orifice calibration results for nominal 15.24, 10.16, and 5.08-cm (6,4,2-in.) orifice meters conducted at the Chevron's Sand Hills natural gas flow measurement facility in Crane, Texas. Over 200 test runs were collected in a field environment to study the accuracy of the orifice meters. Data were obtained at beta ratios ranging from 0.12 to 0.74 at the nominal conditions of 4576 kPa and 27{sup 0}C (650 psig and 80{sup 0}F) with a 0.57 specific gravity processed, pipeline quality natural gas. A bank of critical flow nozzles was used as the flow rate proving device to calibrate the orifice meters. Orifice discharge coefficients were computed with ANSI/API 2530-1985 (AGA3) and ISO 5167/ASME MFC-3M-1984 equations for every set of data points. With the orifice bore Reynolds numbers ranging from 1 to 9 million, the Sand Hills calibration data bridge the gap between the Ohio State water data at low Reynolds numbers and Chevron's high Reynolds number test data taken at a large test facility in Venice, Louisiana. The test results also successfully demonstrate that orifice meters can be accurately proved with critical flow nozzles under realistic field conditions.

OSTI ID:
5339405
Journal Information:
Journal of Energy Resources Technology; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Energy Resources Technology; (USA) Vol. 111:1; ISSN 0195-0738; ISSN JERTD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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