Controller for monitoring fluid flow volume

• US 6,792,361 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2003
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schneider Automation Incorporated (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Automation Incorporated (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Vun Cannon, James A
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mack, Corey D.
• Application Number:
  US10/250,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20040055393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 702/45-47, 702/50, 702/100, 738/617.4, 738/617.5, 738/617-- 7
• US Class Current: 702/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/08 Adjusting, correcting or compensating means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/125 with electric, electro-mechanical or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/024 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 25/10 of flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 25/17 using calibrated reservoirs

Abstract

A system, method and program for calculating a fluid flow volume within a conduit having an operably connected flow meter is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a backplane. A flow meter module is operably connected to the backplane of the controller and to the flow meter. A program embedded within the controller is also operably connected to the flow meter. The program includes a plurality of segments for sensing a characteristic of the fluid for determining the flow volume of the fluid. The controller, in cooperation with the flow meter module, monitors the dynamic fluid density of the fluid in the conduit. The controller utilizes the dynamic density to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the fluid flow volume through the conduit.

Claims

1. A medium for calculating a flow volume of a fluid within a conduit, the medium being readable by a controller, the controller including a backplane and a flow meter module, the controller being operably connected to a flow meter, the flow meter being operably connected to the conduit, the medium comprising:

a first segment for obtaining pulse data from the flow meter;

a second segment for obtaining temperature data of the fluid;

a third segment for obtaining density data of the fluid;

a fourth segment for obtaining pressure data of the fluid;

a fifth segment for calculating a correction factor for temperature, CTL, the calculation utilizing API 2540 Tables 5, 6, 23, 24, 53, 54, 59, and 60; and

,

a sixth segment for calculating a correction factor for pressure and compressibility, CPL, the calculation utilizing API 2540 Chapter 11.2.1/M Compressibility Factors for Hydrocarbons;

638-1074 Kg/m³.

2. The medium of claim [1] further comprising:

a seventh segment for calculating a meter factor responsive to a last meter proving run, the meter factor calculation utilizing API 2540 Chapter 4.

3. The medium of claim [1] further comprising:

an eighth segment for calculating a sediment and water volume, the sediment and water volume calculation utilizing API 2540 Chapter 12, section 2, part 1.10.4.

4. The medium of claim [3] further comprising:

a ninth segment for calculating a gross flow rate, the gross flow rate calculation utilizing API 2540 Chapter 12, section 2, part 1.10.2.

5. The medium of claim [4] further comprising:

a tenth segment for calculating a net flow rate, the net flow rate calculation utilizing API 2540 Chapter 12, section 2, part 1.10.2.

6. The medium of claim [5] further comprising:

an eleventh segment for calculating a gross barrel, the gross barrel calculation utilizing API 2540 chapter 12 section 12 part 1.10.3.

7. The medium of claim [6] further comprising:

a twelfth segment for calculating a net barrel, the net barrel calculation utilizing API 2540 chapter 12 section 12 part 1.10.3.

8. The medium of claim [1] further comprising:

a thirteenth segment for obtaining flow configuration parameters.

9. The medium of claim [1] wherein the first segment for obtaining pulse data comprises:

a count segment for counting incoming pulses and calculating a flow meter frequency;

an accumulation segment for accumulating the pulse count; and

,

a transmit segment for transmitting the pulse count to the controller.

10. A medium for proving a flow meter, the medium being readable by a controller, the controller including a backplane and a flow meter module, the controller being operably connected to a flow meter, the flow meter being operably connected to a conduit, the medium comprising:

a first segment for reading a detector switch of a proving loop, the proving loop being operably connected to the flow meter;

a second segment for obtaining a pulse data from the flow meter;

a third segment for converting the pulse data to a volume and comparing the volume to a known volume;

a fourth segment for calculating a correction factor for temperature, CTL, the calculation utilizing API 2540 Tables 5, 6, 23, 24, 53, 54, 59, and 60;

a fifth segment for calculating a correction factor for pressure and compressibility, CPL, the calculation utilizing API 2540 Chapter 11.2.1/M Compressibility Factors for Hydrocarbons;

638-1074 Kg/m³;

a sixth segment for calculating the effect of temperature on the conduit, CTS, the calculation utilizing API 2540 Chapter 12;

a seventh segment for calculating the effect of pressure on the conduit, CPS, the calculation utilizing API 2540 Chapter 12; and

,

an eighth segment for calculating a meter factor responsive to a last meter proving run, the meter factor calculation utilizing API 2540 Chapters 4 and 12.

11. The medium of claim [10] further comprising:

a ninth segment for obtaining proving configuration parameters.

12. The medium of claim [10] wherein the second segment for obtaining pulse data comprises:

a count segment for counting incoming pulses and calculating a flow meter frequency; and

,

a transmit segment for transmitting a pulse count to the controller.