US 8,639,464 B2Granted

Flow meter diagnostic processing

AssigneeDresser, Inc.

InventorsRoman Leon Artiuch, Paul Stephen Hooks

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Abstract

Apparatus and associated systems and methods relate to automated learning of a baseline differential pressure (dP) characteristic to monitor the performance of a field-installed gas flow meter by comparing on-line dP measurements to the learned baseline dP characteristic. In an exemplary embodiment, a first baseline dP characteristic may be learned in a first mode over a first predetermined period of time according to a first set of learning criteria, and a second baseline dP characteristic may be learned in a second mode over a second predetermined period of time according to a second set of learning criteria. The first period of time may be substantially shorter than the second period of time. The first set of criteria may be substantially more relaxed than the second set of criteria. During the second mode, meter performance degradation may be diagnosed by comparing measured dP against the first baseline dP characteristic.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A system for continuously monitoring performance of a rotary-type gas flow meter, the system comprising:

a pressure sensor module for measuring a differential pressure (dP) of a gas flowing through the gas flow meter, the pressure sensing module having an output signal;
a processor module;
and
a data store communicatively connected with the processor module, the data store storing instructions executable by the processor,
wherein the instructions executable by the processor include instructions to calculate a coefficient during a learning phase period, the coefficient based on:
a plurality of measured dP of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period,
a plurality of measured line pressures of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period,
a plurality of measured flow rates of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period,
a plurality of measured temperatures of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period, and
a specific gravity of a gas flowing through a gas flow meter during the learning phase period, and
wherein the instructions executable by the processor include instructions to calculate a first dP at a first instance of time, the first dP at the first instance of time based on at least the coefficient.

8 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving values, the values comprising:
a plurality of measured differential pressures (dP) of a gas flowing through a gas flow meter during a learning phase period,
a plurality of measured line pressures of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period,
a plurality of measured flow rates of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period,
a plurality of measured temperatures of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period, and
a specific gravity of a gas flowing through a gas flow meter during the learning phase period;
calculating, on a computing device, a coefficient based on at least:
the plurality of measured dP of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period,
the plurality of measured line pressures of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period,
the plurality of measured flow rates of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period,
the plurality of measured temperatures of the gas flowing through the gas flow meter during the learning phase period, and
the specific gravity of a gas flowing through a gas flow meter during the learning phase period;
and
generating a first dP at a first instance of time based on at least the coefficient.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/347,860Filed 31 Dec 2008 · us provisional application
Priority: 18 Jan 2008
Published: US 2009/0187356 A123 Jul 2009
Granted: 28 Jan 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G01F 25/10
Testing or calibration of apparatus for measuring volume, volume flow or liquid level or for metering by volume: of flowmeters
G01F 3/08
Comprising members rotating in a fluid-tight or substantially fluid-tight manner in a housing: rotary-piston or ring-piston meters
G01F 25/15
Of flowmeters: specially adapted for gas meters
G01F
Measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level