Tandem rotary meter transfer standard

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Pipeline Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6908801

Wade, Z A

Development of a highly accurate volume standard was achieved in 1981 with the introduction of the laboratory piston prover. This device uses a ball screw-driven piston riding in a 12-in. cylinder honed to a tolerance of +-0.0005-in. A unique oil seal allows the piston to move in the cylinder without contact between them. Volume inside the cylinder is calibrated using a microwave resonant cavity technique. With this procedure, microwaves are injected into the volume using an internal antenna. At certain frequencies a standing wave pattern can be established. The frequencies are a function of the geometry of the cylinder. Under these conditions, volume can be determined to within 100 ppm (0.01%) absolute. Allowing for uncertainties associated with various tranducers, the overall system uncertainty has been established at 0.05% absolute (95% confidence). Part of the technology developed with the piston prover was incorporated in an upgrade design of the domestic gas meter production calibration systems. These are standard bell provers that have a ball screw drive for the bell with a microprocessor control system. The control system is used not only to control the test procedure but also to make corrections to the test volume for temperature and pressure differences. The implementation of the prover upgrades resulted in improved accuracy and productivity.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International, Pittsburgh, PA
• OSTI ID: 6908801
• Journal Information: Pipeline Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Pipeline Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 213:11; ISSN PLGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
ACCURACY
ANTENNAS
CALIBRATION
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
CORRECTIONS
CYLINDERS
DATA COVARIANCES
DESIGN
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FREQUENCY DEPENDENCE
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GAS METERS
GASES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERING
METERS
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
MICROWAVE RADIATION
MODIFICATIONS
NATURAL GAS
PISTONS
PRESSURE EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
STANDARDS
STANDING WAVES
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TRANSDUCERS
VOLUME