Calibration of Ultrasonic

Flow meter

BACKGROUND
To ensure the fair gas transaction at custody transfer

locations, pipeline companies are looking towards the

credibility and excellence of meter calibration as the main
parameter to ensure the reliability of the gas.

Thecalibrationlaboratoriesusetheirownpres

sure
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ormto theiraccreditedprocedures.
The calibration must be done under conditions
representative of the actual operation of the
flow meter.
The calibration must be performed by a
certified and traceable laboratory.

Flow meter installed at a Calibration Facility

Before Calibration Start

Flow meter is installed correctly with respect

to flow direction and orientation.

Same output signal is used during calibration
as will be used in the final installation for
traceability purpose.

The calibration process begins with the

highest flow rate. The flow of the facility is

slowly increased until the high flow rate is
established.
The stability of the systems is allowed to
stabilize before any data is sampled.
The facilities acquisition system provides

stability indicators. This information can be

reviewed both graphically and in a tabular
format.

Data recorded during the calibration sampling

period includes:
Pressures,
Temperatures,
Flow rates,
Gas composition.

Acquiring ultrasonic flow meter performance

data (log or maintenance file) via the

instrument manufacturers software.
The historical data can be used to qualify the

instrument output and performance in the field

where a reference standard is not accessible.

CALIBRATION ADJUSTMENT AND

VERIFICATION
After the calibration process has been

completed for all requested flow points, an asfound calibration error curve can be produced
and adjustment factors can be determined.

Adjustment factor is calculated and entered

into the meter configuration for every flow

rate tested.

Summary
Selecting and applying the proper flow meter

for a given job requires effective cooperation

between flow meter users, manufacturers and
calibration facilities.

Requirements for proper calibration

and use of flow meters
They must be calibrated as close as possible to the

actual conditions of use and proper compensations

should be applied for any deviations from ideal
conditions.
The accuracy requirements for the intended
measurement must be defined based on the needs
of the application. It must be confirmed that the flow
meter is calibrated by a laboratory which is capable
of producing calibrations with such precision.
Care should be taken to insure that at the time of
use, the flow meter possesses a valid calibration
according to the guidelines.