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Measurement and Testing

Flare Gas Flow Meter Accurately Measures

Mar 18 2009

Oil/gas process engineers seeking a reliable solution to measure the flow of combustible hydrocarbon waste gases for flare gas system disposal on offshore production platforms will find the GF90 Flare Gas Flow Meter from Fluid Components International (USA) precisely measures gases of varying compositions. These dangerous toxic gases often flow at such varying and/or low levels that they become a serious challenge to sense, measure and eliminate.

With its highly sensitive thermal mass flow sensing element and microprocessor-based intelligence featuring multiple calibration groups, the advanced GF90 Flare Gas Flow Meter delivers precision flow measurement to 0.25 SFPS. Accurately measuring combustible hydrocarbon waste gases for flare system disposal ensures that these dangerous byproducts are safely and efficiently eliminated from the environment. The disposal of flare gases protects people, equipment and air quality. The versatile GF90 features a thermal mass gas flow sensing element designed with 316 stainless steel and nickel-braze construction. It also can be specified with corrosion and abrasion-resistant alloys, including Hastelloy, Monel and tantalum, and with all-welded construction for service in the harshest environments. It is available for service in broad range of fluid temperature applications, from -100 to 850ºF (-73 to 454ºC) and pressure applications to 1000 psig [69 bar (g)]. Designed for complex multi-gas or variable flow processes, the GF90 Flow Meter includes an advanced microprocessor-based programmable transmitter. The transmitter can store up to three calibration groups. Each group can be independently configured for a specific calibration range, fluid, switch point settings, etc., to provide accuracy in complicated gas processes. The instrument is also inherently multi-variable, providing both flow and temperature measurements without any additional tap points. Developed with constant power technology, the GF90 features turndowns from 1000:1, accuracy of +1 percent of reading plus 0.5 percent of scale, with repeatability of +0.5 percent of reading or better. Flow sensitivity is from 0.25 to 1600 SFPS [ft/sec at a standard temperature of 70ºF and pressure of 14.7 psia] or 0.08 to 487.7 NMPS [m/sec at a normal temperature of 21.1ºC and pressure of 1.013 bar absolute]. The GF90’s transmitter electronics are addressable via a built-in LCD display and keypad or through its RS-232C and RS-485 serial ports. This allows the user to perform in-field programming to change zero, span, switch points and engineering units, or to perform instrumentation verification, troubleshooting and other critical functions. The serial I/O ports support access to computers or ASCII terminals. The GF90’s transmitter features two independent, field programmable analog signal outputs of 4-20 mA, 0-10 Vdc, 0-5 Vdc, and/or 1-5 Vdc., which can be assigned to any combination of flow and/or temperature. It also offers dual alarm switch points with relay outputs. The switch points are user, field programmable to alarm at high, low or windowed and can also be assigned to flow and/or temperature readings. Dual 10A relay outputs are provided for contact closures to lamps, alarm and control systems. A NEMA Type 4X (IP66) rated transmitter enclosure is standard. Optional Class I and II, Division 1 and 2, Groups B, C, D, E, F and G [EEx d IIC] transmitter enclosures are also available with agency approvals for Factory Mutual Research, ATEX, CSA. GOST/RTN, IEC, CPA and NEPSI.