Method and apparatus for calibrating a flowmeter using a master meter and a prover

Apparatus for determining the K factor of a meter under test in its flow channel wherein the tested meter produces an output signal in response to the flow rate which it measures comprising:

• a master meter coupled in series in the flow channel with the meter under test for proving the meter under test, the master meter producing an output signal in response to the flow rate which it measures;
• a prover coupled in series in the flow channel with the master meter for proving the master meter, the prover producing an output signal in response to the flow rate which it measures;
• and
• a signal processor for receiving the output signals produced by the meter under test, the master meter and the prover, calculating a K factor for the master meter, and using the master meter K factor to calculate a K factor for the meter under test.

A method for calibrating a flowmeter under test comprising the following steps performed in the order recited at a common site:

• connecting the flowmeter under test in series with a master flowmeter that has a faster response than the flowmeter under test;
• determining the K-factor of the master flowmeter with a small volume prover;
• and
• comparing the responses of the flowmeters to fluid flow therethrough to calculate the K-factor of the flowmeter under test.

A method for calibrating a flowmeter under test comprising the following steps performed in the order recited at a common site;

• connecting the flometer under test in series with a master flowmeter that has a more consistent response than the flowmeter under test;
• determining the K-factor of the master flowmeter with a small volume prover;
• and
• comparing the responses of the flowmeters to fluid flow therethrough to calculate the K-factor of the flowmeter under test.

A method for calibrating a flowmeter under test comprising, in the order recited, the steps of:

• connecting the flowmeter under test in series with a master flowmeter;
• determining the K-factor of the master flowmeter during the passage of a small volume of fluid flow through the flowmeters;
• and
• comparing the responses of the flowmeters during the passage of a large volume of fluid flow through the flowmeters to calculate the K-factor of the flowmeter under test.