The industry’s first technology qualification (TQ) from DNV GL for fiscal gas metres, a risk-based assessment that evaluates metre performance in real-life operational environments to ensure the technology meets the highest fiscal measurement standards, was received recently by Emerson’s Daniel 3415 and 3416 dual-configuration gas ultrasonic metres.
When operating under field conditions where dust, liquids, build-up, drift and pulsations are common, the TQ verifies the metre’s ability to meet the industry’s fiscal and contractual requirements. To ensure greater metre integrity and measurement accuracy, the technology qualification also authenticates the ability of the metre’s advanced diagnostics to detect and compensate for process disturbances and provide early warning of fouling. The TQ, furthermore, confirms the robustness and reliability of the new Daniel ultrasonic metres in minimising financial risk and provides evidence to support extending calibration intervals to reduce operating costs.
“Current international gas measurement standards for fiscal flow metres focus only on the design and installation of the metres and do not cover metre performance under field conditions,” said Liv Hovem, oil and gas senior vice president, DNV GL. “DNV GL’s TQ puts metre performance claims to the test and provides evidence of the impact of actual operating conditions on metre health and measurement accuracy of gas sales. This evidence helps metering system operators mitigate financial risk and improve the reliability of their metering stations in satisfying fiscal and custody transfer contractual agreements,” added Hovem.
The only ultrasonic metres in the market today that have undergone DNV GL’s rigorous field testing and demonstrated field robustness are the Daniel dual-configuration 3415 and 3416 gas ultrasonic metres, which are already certified to the stringent OIML R137 1&2 Accuracy Class 0.5. Recognised by regulators, insurers and major clients throughout the world, the DNV GL assessment process is built upon scientific research. Applied to new fit-for-purpose technologies, the process is widely accepted.
“This TQ reinforces Emerson’s leading role in responding to the customer needs for ultrasonic metres that offer greater visibility into process conditions and gas quality, especially when metering rich, dirty or wet gas,” said Rob Sedlak, general manager, Daniel Ultrasonic Meters, Emerson Automation Solutions. “Detecting dirt build-up and small amounts of liquid or contamination at the bottom of the metre can be challenging for direct-path metre designs. Having reflective path technology and direct path measurement combined in one ultrasonic flow metre body, as is the case in the 3415 and 3416 metres, enables natural gas operators to detect process upsets long before measurement is impaired and replace complex, frequent inspection procedures with condition-based maintenance practices.”
