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ISSN 3041-1823. Information Extraction and Processing. 2025. Issue 53 (129)
Improving the accuracy of natural gas flow measurement in conditions of flow preparation rectifier pollution
Bilynskyi Y.Y. 
Vinnytsia National Technical University, Vinnytsia
Stetsenko A.A.
Vinnytsia National Technical University, Vinnytsia
https://doi.org/10.15407/vidbir2025.53.031
Keywords: ultrasonic flowmeter, flow preparation rectifier, correction factor, equivalent factor, flow rate, loss, polynomial function.
Cite as: Bilynsky, Y. Y.; Stetsenko, A. A. Improving the accuracy of natural gas flow measurement in conditions of flow preparation rectifier pollution. Information Extraction and Processing 2025, 53 (129), 31-38. DOI:https://doi.org/10.15407/vidbir2025.53.031
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Abstract
To increase the accuracy of ultrasonic flowmeters, they are typically manufactured in a multi-channel design. However, even in this case, problems related to measurement accuracy persist, as the measurement error during the inter-verification period may increase due to contamination of the measuring tube channel or the flow conditioning rectifiers. To address this, channel cleaning procedures are applied based on specific criteria or “diagnostic sessions,” which can be time-consuming.
An analysis of the literature revealed that the technical condition of ultrasonic natural gas flowmeters and their measurement characteristics during the inter-verification period may change due to damage to components of the measuring device or contamination of the measuring tube channel and flow conditioning rectifiers. One cost-effective method to improve flow measurement accuracy is the introduction of correction coefficients.
As a result of studying the operation of a four-channel ultrasonic flowmeter, a method was developed for determining a correction factor to calculate the volumetric flow rate of natural gas in cases of measuring tube contamination - particularly contamination of the flow conditioning rectifier. The correction factor is derived by comparing reference measurements of gas flow rates through the channels (obtained during meter calibration) with current measurements at the same flow rates.
Correction factor values for a specific measurement range were obtained through modeling using the SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation software package. The contamination process of the measurement channel was simulated by sequentially closing the openings of the flow conditioning rectifier. This enabled the construction of a characteristic curve showing the dependence of the correction factor on an equivalent parameter. Based on this, third-degree polynomials were derived to represent both the direct and inverse relationships between the correction factor and the equivalent parameter, which are used to refine the measurement results of natural gas flow rate.
References
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