Methods for retrofitting natural gas meters
First Claim
1. A method of retrofitting a natural gas meter utilizing an orifice plate and a tube bundle flow conditioner upstream of the orifice plate, the method comprising:
- a. with the meter flowing, measuring decibels of sound at a first location proximate the meter between the tube bundle flow conditioner and the orifice plate upstream of the orifice plate;
b. with the meter flowing, measuring decibels of sound at a second location proximate the meter downstream of the orifice plate;
c. determining the difference in decibels of sound at the first and second locations; and
d. replacing the tube bundle flow conditioner with a one-piece plate flow conditioner when the difference in decibels of sound is greater than about 3 decibels.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are methods for diagnosing poor performance of natural gas meter stations which utilize tube bundle flow conditioners upstream of orifice plates and methods for retrofitting the natural gas meter stations to improve accuracy of orifice measurements. Diagnostic methods include making measurements of decibels of sound upstream and downstream of the orifice plate, detecting intermittent sounds from a check valve downstream of the orifice plate, and visually inspecting the internal surface of the meter tube downstream of the orifice plate. Accuracy of orifice measurements is improved by replacing a tube bundle flow conditioner with a one-piece plate flow conditioner.
6 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of retrofitting a natural gas meter utilizing an orifice plate and a tube bundle flow conditioner upstream of the orifice plate, the method comprising:
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a. with the meter flowing, measuring decibels of sound at a first location proximate the meter between the tube bundle flow conditioner and the orifice plate upstream of the orifice plate; b. with the meter flowing, measuring decibels of sound at a second location proximate the meter downstream of the orifice plate; c. determining the difference in decibels of sound at the first and second locations; and d. replacing the tube bundle flow conditioner with a one-piece plate flow conditioner when the difference in decibels of sound is greater than about 3 decibels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of retrofitting a natural gas meter utilizing an orifice plate, a tube bundle flow conditioner upstream of the orifice plate and a check valve downstream of the orifice plate, the method comprising:
replacing the tube bundle flow conditioner with a one-piece plate flow conditioner when intermittent sound is detected proximate the check valve with the meter flowing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
Specification