This article looks at pipeline natural gas metering station design but does not address the
equations and empirical data used to calculate gas flow rates and volumes for custody
transfer.
Original Title
Fundamentals of Gas Pipeline Metering Stations _ Pipeline & Gas Journal
This article looks at pipeline natural gas metering station design but does not address the
equations and empirical data used to calculate gas flow rates and volumes for custody
transfer.
This article looks at pipeline natural gas metering station design but does not address the
equations and empirical data used to calculate gas flow rates and volumes for custody
transfer.
BUYER'S GUIDE Compressor valves (http://buyersguide.pipeline andgasjournal.com /category.aspx/compressor- valves) Compressors, gas (http://buyersguide.pipeline andgasjournal.com /category.aspx /compressors-gas) Consulting (http://buyersguide.pipeline andgasjournal.com /category.aspx/consulting) Fittings, pipe (http://buyersguide.pipeline andgasjournal.com /category.aspx/fittings-pipe) Flange insulation (http://buyersguide.pipeline andgasjournal.com /category.aspx/flange- insulation) Flow measurement & control systems (http://buyersguide.pipeline andgasjournal.com /category.aspx/flow- measurement-control- systems) Flow meters, gas (http://buyersguide.pipeline andgasjournal.com /category.aspx/flow- meters-gas) Flow meters, liquid (http://buyersguide.pipeline andgasjournal.com /category.aspx/flow-meters- liquid) Gas measurement (http://buyersguide.pipeline andgasjournal.com /category.aspx /gas-measurement) Gauges, liquid level (http://buyersguide.pipeline andgasjournal.com /category.aspx/gauges- liquid-level) FUNDAMENTALS OF GAS PIPELINE METERING STATIONS By Saeid Mokhatab, Tehran Raymand Consulting Engineers, Iran, and Greg Lamberson International Construction Consulting, LLC, USA, Tulsa, OK | January 2009 Vol. 236 No. 1 (/january-2009-vol-236-no-1) This article looks at pipeline natural gas metering station design but does not address the equations and empirical data used to calculate gas flow rates and volumes for custody transfer. Nor does it cover the different standards of particular flow measuring devices, such as AGA-3 for differential pressure measurement; AGA-7 for turbine meters and vortex meters; and AGA-8 which provides equations to compute compensation factors for measured rates. Pipeline gas metering stations are designed for simultaneous, continuous analysis of the quality and quantity of natural gas being transferred in a pipeline, as follows: Upper calorific value, which is the latent energy content of a gas that is released during combustion. It is the major variable when defining the price. Concentration of sulphur compounds. Hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans are partially present as natural compounds and sometimes are mixed with the gas together with other sulphur compounds as odorants. Hydrocarbon dew point, which is a temperature at which higher hydrocarbons condense. Liquid phase is produced in the gas pipeline if the product temperature falls below the hydrocarbon dew point. The accumulation of liquid in the pipelines can lead to a plug flow and may destroy the compressors in the pumping station Water dew point is the temperature at which water condenses out. Water, together with hydrocarbons, favors the generation of solids, in particular during the decompression of gas fromhigh-pressure pipelines. The solids block gas fittings, and the water is corrosive. The fiscal effects of natural gas volume and mass flow measurement and calculations. The systemconsists of a multi-path ultrasonic flowmeter, process gas chromatograph and computer workstation installed, pre-wired and pre-piped in a special air-conditioned shelter with all auxiliary equipment and utilities. Each gas metering station branches off of the pipeline and is used to reduce pressure and meter the gas to the various users. For the pressure reduction and metering stations, the main equipment includes filters, heaters, pressure reducers and regulators, and flow metering skids. In addition, each station is generally equipped with drains for collection and disposal, instrument gas systemand storage tanks. Filter Separators Natural gas filter units are installed at each station to remove any entrained liquids and solids fromthe gas stream. The filters may comprise cyclonic elements to centrifuge particles and liquids to the sides of the enclosing pressure vessel. These particles and liquids will then drop down for collection in a sump, which can be drained periodically. A station inlet filter-separator should be installed upstreamof the meter. The filter separator is normally a horizontal unit with a full-size, quick-opening closure and access platformfor element change out. The vessel should be equipped with level gauges, high liquid level switches and a differential pressure transmitter across the filter elements. The filter-separator sumps should have automatic drain valves. A condensate tank is installed for atmospheric storage of any liquids removed by the filter separator. Most tanks installed for this purpose are double-walled and installed on a concrete pad. The tank should contain a level gauge and a high liquid level switch. Flow Control A control valve should be installed downstreamof the meter run to control both the flow through the meter and the delivery pressure. This valve will primarily operate to limit the station throughput in order to prevent the incoming gas volume fromexceeding the meter capacity or the nominated volume but will also be equipped with a pressure override. The control valve is generally controlled by a gas flow computer (GFC) based upon set points provided by the gas control center. The control valve will normally operate in the fully open position to minimize pressure losses through the station and should have a positioner, position indicator and position transmitter. The GFC would also monitor and control the facilities as well as performcustody transfer quality measurement. The GFC Fundamentals Of Gas Pipeline Metering Stations | Pipeline & Gas ... http://www.pipelineandgasjournal.com/fundamentals-gas-pipeli... 1 of 2 4/5/2011 4:03 PM Fundamentals Of Gas Pipeline Metering Stations | Pipeline & Gas ... http://www.pipelineandgasjournal.com/fundamentals-gas-pipeli... 2 of 2 4/5/2011 4:03 PM