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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Field method for determining pulsation in orifice meters

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6344529

Those in the natural gas industry who are responsible for orifice meter measurement have no doubt encountered the problem of compressor pulsation. It has long been known that any orifice meter subjected to pulsating flow will record erratically and most probably erroneously. The actual effect depends on the physical characteristics of the pulsation. Because pulsation errors can exist without any telltale indicators on an orifice chart recording, many pulsation errors remain undetected and uncorrected. Many causes, especially reciprocating compressors, are responsible for creating pulsation. This paper presents a simple and inexpensive method for detecting the presence of pulsation, estimating its effect on orifice meter accuracy, and correcting it, regardless of the source of the pulsation.

OSTI ID:
6344529
Report Number(s):
CONF-8003142-4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English