Metering research facility program: Elevated pressure effects on diaphragm meters. Topical report, April 1993-April 1994

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:63827

Behring, K A; McKee, R J

Diaphragm meter data were acquired in the Gas Research Institute (GRI) Metering Research Facility (MRF) at elevated pressures to evaluate volume flow rate bias errors (if present), relative to ANSI B109.1 and ANSI B109.2 specifications, that may be induced as a result of the pressure conditions. Simultaneous pressure drop data were acquired in order to verify the ANSI General Service Capacity Equation predictions, which are used to scale meter flow capacity from one condition to another. Results showed that diaphragm meters will repeat well within the ANSI accuracy specification of + or - 1.0%, but do show some minor pressure dependent biases. Above 20-50% full scale, some small diaphragm meters tested on natural gas showed biases with dynamic pressure, amounting to 0.5% error at full scale, over the range of allowable pressures. Large diaphragm meters tested on nitrogen did not show pressure dependent biases greater than the + or - 1.0% specification. Below 20-50% full scale, some diaphragm meters showed an apparently random pressure effect. The ANSI General Service Capacity Equation does not accurately predict meter performance, and will produce pressure dependent errors up to over +60% in predicted capacity. An alternative model, which accurately matches MRF data, is presented.

• Research Organization: Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (United States). Mechanical and Fluids Engineering Div.
• OSTI ID: 63827
• Report Number(s): PB--95-210605/XAB; SWRI--04-6226-201; CNN: Contract GRI-5086-271-2197
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
COMPILED DATA
GAS METERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
PROGRESS REPORT