Papers

Methane is an extremely useful molecule. It is a major source of the world’s energy, with over 4 billion cubic
meters (Bcm) providing 24% of the world’s power generation needs in 2020 (1). It is a natural byproduct of
biodegradation processes, whether through fossils, landfills, food waste, farm and crop waste, or wastewater.

This paper discusses the problems encountered when sampling wet, high pressure and supercritical natural gas for “on-line”
BTU analysis and provides solutions and comments on how they relate to the API and GPA industry standards for natural gas
sampling. It also discusses the use of phase diagrams in the design and operation of a natural gas sampling system.

The data produced by Gas Chromatograph (GC) laboratories is used for many purposes, including product specification,
accounting, safety and environmental compliance issues. The accuracy of this data has direct impact on all of these areas.
Auditing laboratories responsible for producing this data is prudent business practice.

One of the most common measurement errors and the most difficult to identify in natural gas metering systems is that caused
by pulsating flow. It is important to understand the effects that pulsations have on the common types of flow meters used in
the gas industry so that potential error-producing mechanisms can be identified and avoided.

The majority of all gas measurement used in the
world today is performed by two basic types of
meters, positive displacement and inferential.
Positive displacement meters, consisting mainly of
diaphragm and rotary style devices, generally
account for lower volume measurement. Orifice,
ultrasonic and turbine meters are the three main
inferential class meters used for large volume
measurement today.

Advancement in technology has no doubt given us an edge in making our lives better and more
productive. We can preempt health related concerns by providing diagnoses before they
become an issue. We can extract natural resources with more efficiency and with less impact
to the environment. We are even able to access conferences and lecture materials remotely in
the comfort of our homes.

Today’s smart measurement devices produce significant diagnostics information. When the diagnostics from the various
devices are collected, trended, and integrated, operators can remotely and continuously identify measurement problems.
The vocabulary associated with this topic is evolving.

In the day-to-day operations of measurement systems, fiscal measurement accuracy remains
critical to pipeline profitability, as vested parties require assurance of the exact quantity and quality
of the transferred material. Measurement drifts caused by failures,

Electronic flow measurement as applied to the natural gas industry has advanced considerably over the last 30 years.
Applications to address Upstream, Midstream and Downstream gas measurement technologies have become more complex.
Over time it has become necessary to understand the fundaments that make up this ever-changing environment.

Flow conditioning is one of the most critical aspects dealing with any type of volumetric flow metering. Flow
conditioning is the final buffer between the flow meter and the upstream piping layout and is responsible for eliminating
swirl, restoring flow symmetry and generating a repeatable, fully developed velocity flow profile.