The oil industry plays a very big role in driving almost every economy on the globe. That is why oil is known as the black gold. Oil is quite valuable; that is why it is important for companies that deal with oil products to invest more in high-quality flow measurement instruments and tools. These devices need to produce accurate measurements to prevent wastage that may amount to huge losses. In this post, we are discussing types of high-pressure flow meters used in the oil and liquid industry. Read on for more insights about these important measuring devices.
Worldwide, engineers and scientists have been working hard in labs and workshops to design innovative, effective, and efficient flow measurement devices in many industries, including oil and gas. Flow meters utilized in the oil and gas industries need to meet a certain accuracy threshold to pass the quality flow measurement standards. These devices are used to measure the volumetric and mass flow rate of liquid fluids.
Type of Flow Meters Used in the Oil Liquid Sector
Coriolis Flow Meters
The tech used in the Coriolis types of flow meters is the latest in the oil and gas industry. The first Coriolis flowmeter was invented in 1950. However, it took 20 years since its invention to be used in applications – in 1970. Since then, nothing much has changed when it comes to the design and working principle of Coriolis flowmeters.
The original design of Coriolis flowmeters had only one tube, which had thin walls. This allowed these types of flow meters to measure flow rate accurately and precisely. The only issue that developed was the vibration experienced during flow measurement. To counter this issue, engineers had to include an extra tube in the design, making them two. There have been several design changes since it was first invented. However, the working Principle of Coriolis flowmeters has always remained the same. Inertia is created through oscillating tubes when fluid passes through the tubes, causing them to twist. The quantity of twists is directly related to the mass flow rate. To create a linear flow signal, transmitters are used in these types of flow sensors.
Several benefits come from using the Coriolis type of flow meters. One of them is that Coriolis type of flow meters provide accurate readings when measuring oil flow rate. This feature is what makes them ideal measuring instruments in the oil and natural gas industries. Another benefit of Coriolis flowmeters is that they measure flow rate in mass instead of volume. When measuring flow rate in oil and gas, the main concern is getting heat readings rather than quantity.
In many instances, the pipes’ size typically used in Coriolis flowmeters is between 1 to 4 inches in diameter. Today, Coriolis flowmeters are available in larger sizes compared to how they were designed before. One setback of these various types of flow meters is that they are quite expensive. They deserve it in the long run because of their low maintenance requirements. They can also be used in water flow measurement.
Ultrasonic Flow Meters
What makes these flow meters unique is that they don’t come into contact with the measured fluid. The reason being that they measure flow rate through sound waves. When the fluid flow is going through the pipe increases, a noticeable linear frequency shift will occur. Liquids and fluids passing through and outside the pipe can be measured using ultrasonic flow meters. Since clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters use transducers to measure flow speed, their accuracy levels are lower than online models. That is why they are used for spot-checking to get constant readings.
Ultrasonic and other types of crude oil measuring flow meters are not the same as Coriolis flowmeters because they can be used with 20-inch pipes in inline flow measurement. Another benefit of the clamp-on design is that it is durable and is also used in many applications. Their maintenance cost is also low.
Thermal Flow Meters
A thermal flow meter is used to measure how heat dissipates when injected straight into the gas flow stream. Thermal flow meters are mostly used to measure gas substances. Based on the temperature and the composition of the gas, the dissipation of heat will vary. When the accuracy level is within the accepted parameters, thermal flow meters are quite ideal. They are also the best option if the temperature and composition of the flow are minimal.
Conclusion
Many technologies are nowadays available to cater to the gas and oil industry. Other newer oil flow measurement devices and instrumental tools have been developed and are currently awaiting approval from API. The demand for low-maintenance devices is rising because companies are now collecting and using diverse fluid products. Coriolis flowmeters are now available in larger sizes, making it one of the most popularly used flow meters globally.
