Positive Displacement Meter

Installation, Commissioning
and Calibration in the Field
Installation
 General System Configuration
• A proper metering
system for positive
displacement meters
should include the
following elements:
A strainer with an
appropriate mesh
basket for the
application
An air eliminator
The meter
A control valve
 General System Configuration
Pumping Systems

• The metering system piping must be

designed in such a way as to exclude air.
Make sure there are no “pockets” in the
piping where air will collect.
Assure that the pump suction is always
flooded (positive head condition)
 Installation of the
metering system
When to install the meter and accessories
• The metering system
may be installed after the
header system is hydro
tested and completely
flushed.
• The piping system must
be clean and free from
dirt, rust and pipe scale
before installing the
metering system.
 Installation of the metering
system
Support the meter and accessories
• Assure the meter is securely
bolted to its riser or
foundation.
• Support the strainer/air
eliminator and the valve with
appropriate stand-offs.
• Support the inlet and outlet
piping.
• Make sure none of the
metering system components
are subjected to pipe strain.
Commissioning
 Here are some examples
of system problems to be avoided
• Manual valve actuation
causing rapid starts and
stops.
• Perhaps one of the worst
cases occurs in systems
with “snap action” valves.
These valves are intended
for safety requirements but
end up being used by
operators to control the
system.
 Here are some examples
of system problems to be avoided
• The metering system is subjected to
rapid product temperature changes.
• Other equipment not associated with the
meter but in a branch connection to the
system is started or stopped causing
pressure and/or velocity “spikes”.
 Here are some examples
of system problems to be avoided

• Drain back in gantry headers occurs as the supply

tank level drains below the header level. NRV’s that
do not hold allow air into the system.
• Severe instances can cause a suction in the header
causing air eliminators to drop allowing additional
air into the system.
 Here are some examples
of system problems to be avoided
• Starting the gantry
pumps with the valves
between the meters and
the pumps fully opened.
• The resulting
hydrodynamic shock
pressures and velocities
will likely cause damage
to any metering system.
• System valves must be
kept closed as the
pumps are started and
the system pressurized
slowly
Metering System Operation
The first time the system is
operated

• Filling the system slowly.

• Bleed the air off of the
meter and the control
valve.
 Caution !
• Very long systems may be difficult to
bleed off all of the air. Take precautions
to assure that all air is removed from the
system before beginning deliveries or
operating the system at full flow. Failure
to take the necessary precautions can
result in a condition called “spinout”
which is caused by rapidly expanding
slugs of air.
Initial operation
• When all of the air is
gone and the system is
full of product, the unit
is ready for initial
operation.
• After successfully
starting and stopping
flow with no transient
pressure problems, the
system is ready for
calibration
Calibration
 Linearity and Repeatability
• The 5:1 turndown ratio has the most
narrow linearity range, +/- .15%
• The 10:1 turndown ratio has a
linearity range of +/-.22%
• The 20:1 turndown ratio has a
linearity range of +/-.50%
• Repeatability is .05%
 Calibration, Practical Aspects
• Volumetric proving is
defined as filling a tank of a
known volume at various
flowrates. Multiple
“proving” runs are taken at
each flow rate to establish
linearity and repeatability.
• Volumetric provers are
considered primary
standards and when used
with proper temperature
and pressure measurement
achieve “standard volume
measurements”.
 Volumetric proving
• Proving techniques are well defined
by organizations such as the
American Petroleum Institute (API).
• Here are some important proving
issues:
The meter must be thermally stable
before the prover runs are made. Run
the meter to assure it is at the same
temperature as the product.
Volumetric proving
Keep the meter to be proven as
close to the prover as is possible.
This minimizes temperature
differences between the meter under
test and the prover.
 Volumetric proving
• Volumetric proving requires
temperature measurement at the prover
and in the process line adjacent to the
meter under test.
• It also requires system pressure readings
taken during the proving run.
• These measurements allow the
calculation of a base temperature
volume.
 Master Meter Proving

• The master meter is simply a meter that

has been proven against a primary
standard. We select meters that have the
best repeatability.
 Master Meter Proving
• The characteristic of the master is
defined by the primary standard.
• The master can then be used to prove the
meter under test. Because both the
master and the meter under test are at
the same temperature and pressure these
effects do not need to be considered in
master proving.
Master Meter Proving
• The master meter and the meter under
test need to be as close together as is
reasonable. Long distances (50 or 60
meters) is not advisable because of
possible temperature changes between
the two units.
Some things to watch when master
meter or volumetric proving
• System product temperatures should
remain within 5 degrees C during the
proving runs.
• System temperatures should be below 38
degrees C for products similar to HSD
and SKO. Above this temperature,
product flashing may occur affecting the
calibration.
Some things to watch when master
meter or volumetric proving
• Complete the proving of a meter in one
session. Do not run half of the runs in the
afternoon and the rest of the runs the
following morning.
• Make sure the meters under test are
properly filled, air bled and temperature
stabilized before proving.
P.D.Meter Model : MSAA-30-P-01 Pulser Model : VS-300 Master Meter Model : MS-30-P-01
P.D.Meter Sr. No. : 419 Pulser Sr.No.: 4798 Master Meter Sr.No. : 152/97
Meter Element No. : 342765 Date : 24th Dec. '97 Calibrated at LCIPL

Base K-Factor = 19.30 Pulses/Liter

Master Mtr. Indicated Average

Sr. Flow Rate K-Factor Master Rdg. Master Rdg. Test Rdg. Test Rdg. Meter Meter Repeatability
No. LPM Pulses/Liter Pulses Liter Pulses Liter Factor Factor

1 1200 19.3907 34840 1796.74 34798 1803.01 0.99652

2 1200 19.3907 34898 1799.73 34855 1805.96 0.99655 0.99653 0.00
3 1200 19.3907 35043 1807.21 35001 1813.52 0.99652

4 850 19.3950 25183 1298.43 25158 1303.52 0.99609

5 850 19.3950 25257 1302.24 25234 1307.46 0.99601 0.99601 0.01
6 850 19.3950 25220 1300.34 25199 1305.65 0.99593

7 500 19.4010 19434 1001.70 19418 1006.11 0.99561

8 500 19.4010 19495 1004.85 19482 1009.43 0.99546 0.99553 0.01
9 500 19.4010 19353 997.53 19339 1002.02 0.99551

10 150 19.4063 19392 999.26 19384 1004.35 0.99493

11 150 19.4063 19350 997.10 19344 1002.28 0.99483 0.99488 0.01
12 150 19.4063 19464 1002.97 19457 1008.13 0.99488

Linearity = +/- 0.09

Calibrated by : Approved by :

Customer :
End User : Calibration Report for Meter with Electronic Pulser
Consultant : Liquid Controls India Pvt. Ltd.
EIL Job No.:
 Some Accuracy Curves
• Regulatory: Meets NIST and other international weights & measures
accuracy requirements. Meets performance requirements of USA
Military Specifications