Polaris

Engineering
Standard

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page: 1 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

FLOW MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

I.

SCOPE

II.

REFERENCES

A. Process Industry Practices

B. Industry Codes and Standards
C. Other References

2
3
3

III.

DATA

IV.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Basis for Sizing Flow Instruments

B. Installation requirements
C. Materials of Construction
D. Electrical Classification
E. Other General Requirements for Head
(Differential Pressure) Type Meters

4
5
6
6
6

V. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
A. Orifice Meter
B. Flow Nozzle
C. Venturi (Classical and Proprietary Designs)
D. Averaging Pitot Element
E. Integral Orifice
F. Turbine Meter
G. Positive Displacement Meter
H. Magnetic Flow Meter
I. Mass Meter (Coriolis)
J. Mass Meter (Thermal)
K. Ultrasonic (Transit Time& Doppler)
L. Vortex Shedding Meter
M. Variable Area Meter (Rotameter)

7
9
9
10
10
11
11
11
12
12
12
12
12

TABLE 1 Minimum Straight Run Lengths

For Orifice Runs And Other Flow Elements Per ISO

13

TABLE 2 Minimum Straight Run Lengths

For Orifice Runs Per ANSI/API

15

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 2 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

FLOW MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS

I.

II.

SCOPE
A.

This Standard specifies requirements for the design of commonly used flow
meters within the refinery.

B.

Where conflicts exist between this POLARIS Standard and other POLARIS
Engineering Standards and/or applicable codes or regulations, the more stringent
requirement shall govern. All conflicts shall be brought to the Client and
Polariss attention for resolution. The Client and Polaris shall be the sole arbiters
of any conflicts.

C.

No omission in these Standards shall be construed as relieving the Contractor of

their responsibility to perform work in accordance with said codes and industry
standards.

REFERENCES
Instruments shall be in accordance with the applicable requirements of the
following standards and publications, latest edition:
A.

POLARIS Engineering Standards

900.1 General Instrumentation Requirements

B.

Instrument Society of America (ISA) Standards and Recommended

Practices
RP 3.2 Flange Mounted Sharp Edged Orifice Plates for Flow Measurement

C.

American Gas Association (AGA)

Gas Measurement Committee Report No. 3

D.

American Petroleum Institute (API) Standards and Recommended Practices:

1.

RP 550 Manual on Installation of Refinery Instruments and Control

Systems

E.

Flow Measurement Engineering Handbook, by R.W. Miller (published by

McGraw Hill)

F.

Process Industry Practices (PIP) Standards:

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

1.
III.

IV.

PIP PCCFL001

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 3 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

Flow Measurement Criteria (June 1998)

DATA
1.

A data set shall be provided for each flow meter. The data set can be in
electronic or hardcopy format.

2.

Specification Forms for Primary Elements define the minimum data set.
For flange tap orifice meters, gasket thickness shall be specified.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A.

Basis for Sizing Flow Instruments

1.
Calculation methods and tools used shall be subject to the Client and
Polariss approval.
a.
and Polaris.

All calculation results shall be supplied to the the Client

b.

Calculations for sizing of concentric, square-edged orifice

meters shall conform to ANSI-2530/API-14.3/AGA-3/GPA8185, unless otherwise specified by the Client and Polaris.

c.

Nozzle, venturi, and other differential pressure device

calculations shall conform to Flow Measurement
Engineering Handbook.

d.

For any other proprietary meter, the manufacturers sizing

and calculation methods shall be used.

2.

Head meter bore shall be sized to provide non-fractional maximum

pressure calibration spans, in multiples of 25 H20, and give even scale
flow display units.

3.

In general head type flow instruments shall be sized such that normal flow
is between 65% to 80% of expected maximum. The minimum flow shall
not be less than 30% of the expected maximum flow.

4.

The units of measurements for flow instruments shall be as noted below:

a.

Liquid quantities are expressed in U.S. gallons per minute at 60oF,

or barrels per stream day at 60oF.

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

5.
B.

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 4 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

b.

Gas quantities are expressed in standard cubic feet per day at 60oF
and 14.7 psia. Rotameters and other direct reading local
instruments shall be SCFH or SCFM as required because of low
flow rates.

c.

Steam quantities are expressed in pounds per hour.

d.

Actual units shall be in accordance with the project specifications

Metering uncertainty shall be 2%.

Installation Requirements
1.

POLARIS piping specifications (POLARIS Standard 800 series) shall be

followed unless otherwise specified by the Client and Polaris.

2.

Manufacturers installation requirements shall be followed as minimum.

3.

Meters in liquid service shall be installed so that meters are always full of
liquid and shall be installed to avoid trapping gases. In gas service, liquid
trapping shall be avoided.
Comment:

4.

5.

The use of strainers and eliminators shall be considered

and evaluated to protect metering devices whose
performance or integrity is compromised without such
protection.

Thermowell shall be located a minimum of 5 nominal pipe diameters

downstream of the meter.
Use of flow profile conditioning devices of any type shall be used only
with the Client and Polariss approval.
Comment:

The use of flow profile conditioning may be prohibited

if the meter is followed by rotating process equipment
(compressors, pumps, turbines, etc.) that may be
damaged if a part of the conditioning device breaks off
and enters the equipment.

6.

Meters shall be installed to minimize mechanical vibration or stress on

the meter.

7.

Control valves shall not be located upstream of the flow element.

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

C.

D.

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 5 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

Materials of Construction
1.

All wetted component materials shall be compatible with the process fluid.

2.

The meter shall be suitable for the environmental exposure including

ambient temperature extremes and external corrosion problems.

3.

Piping and connections shall be in accordance with applicable piping

specifications.

4.

Fabrication of Flow Meters shall conform to the Client and Polariss

applicable welding, testing and Inspection Specifications.

Electrical Classification
The flow meter installation shall meet the electrical area
classification.

E.

V.

Other General Requirements for Head (Differential Pressure) Type Meters

1.

Square root operation in calculating flows from head type meters shall be
performed in the Control System when using analog output of
transmitters. Square root operation shall be performed in the smart
transmitter when using the digital mode.

2.

Pressure taps for sensing lines shall be installed in accordance with

POLARIS Engineering Standards 800.1 and 898.1. Impulse lines shall
slope down to the transmitter in liquid or steam services and up to the
transmitters in gas/vapor service.

3.

Pressure holding parts shall be positive seal type.

4.

Transmitters without built-in indicators or recording features shall be

equipped with a 3 inch indicator operated from the output signal of the
instrument and mounted locally. The indicator shall be visible from grade
or platform. Transmitters in liquid level service shall be equipped with a
range suppression (reversing) attachment.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

A.

Orifice Meter
1.

Paddle type orifice plates shall be used. The following minimum

information shall be stamped or etched on the upstream side of the
handle:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 6 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

orifice plate tag number

material type
vent or drain hole size
inlet flow side
bore
flange size in inches and ASME pressure rating
ID of pipe to be stamped on tab

2.

The minimum line size for a meter run shall be 2. Reference

Engineering standard 800.1 Section VII Part C item 6.

3.

Orifice plate material shall be stainless steel minimum unless otherwise

required by process service.

4.

Concentric, square edged orifice plates shall be fabricated to meet ANSI

2530/API 14.3 Part 2.

5.

Vent or drain holes in orifice plates shall only be used if approved by the
Client and Polaris.

6.

Flange type and material shall conform to piping specifications. Orifice

flanges shall be rated at a minimum of ASME Class 300 and conform to
ASME B16.36 and ANSI 2530/API 14.3/AGA-3/GPA-8185.

7.

Orifice flange taps shall be used for line sizes 2 inches and larger unless
otherwise approved by the Client and Polaris. Corner taps shall not be
used. Orifice meters are not allowed in lines smaller than 2 inches.

8.

Refer to applicable POLARIS piping specification for tap connection

sizes.

9.

Connection type (threaded or socket weld) shall be as per piping

specifications.

10.

Other taps, when used, shall be per piping specifications.

11.

Piping design for orifice runs shall conform to the following:

a.

Orifice meters shall be installed in horizontal runs to

minimize measurement inaccuracies. Vertical orifice runs

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 7 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

shall be used only with The Client and Polariss approval.

b.

13.

B.

Orifice meter tap locations shall be as follows:

1.

For flange tap designated orifice meters, the taps

shall be located at 1 inch upstream and 1 inch
downstream from the orifice plate face including
gasket thickness.

2.

For pipe tap designated orifice meters, the taps

shall be located 2-1/2 internal pipe diameters
upstream and 8 internal pipe diameters downstream
of the orifice plate face. Pipe tap meters require the
Client and Polariss approval.

Process Piping Connection:

a.

Primary orifice taps shall have a separate isolation (root)

valve in addition to any manifolds.

b.

Piping from taps to and through first isolation valve (root

valve) shall conform to applicable piping specifications.

c.

Unused orifice taps shall be plugged per piping

specifications.

14.

Meter tube pipe and orifice flanges internal dimensional tolerances shall
be in accordance with ANSI 2530/API 14.3/AGA-3/GPA-8185.

15.

Straight run piping before and after an orifice plate flow element shall be
no less than those specified in Table 2, assuming beta ratio of 0.75.

Flow Nozzle
1.

Flow nozzles shall be designed to bolt between flanges unless otherwise

required by service application and piping specifications. In high pressure
(1000 psig or higher) applications, the flow nozzle shall be welded
directly into the pipe.

2.

Tap connections shall be installed 1 inside pipe diameter upstream and 1/2
inside pipe diameter downstream in accordance with ASME-MFC-3M.

3.

Minimum straight run pipe length requirements shall conform to Table1.

Comment:

With the Client and Polariss approval, minimum piping

run lengths shall be per ASME-MFC-3M and subject

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 8 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

to additional metering uncertainty.

4.
C.

Flow nozzles shall be 316 SS unless otherwise required by process service

or piping specifications.

Venturi (Classical and Proprietary Designs)

1.

Classical venturis shall be fabricated according to ASME MFC-3M

specifications.

2.

Venturi meter materials and construction shall be compatible with the

process fluid and applicable piping codes.

3.

Flow calculations for proprietary venturi meters shall be supplied by

manufacturer.

4.

Minimum straight run pipe length requirements shall conform to Table 1.

Comment:

D.

With the Client and Polariss approval minimum piping run

lengths shall be per ASME-MFC-3M and subject to
additional metering uncertainty.

Averaging Pitot Element

1.

Unless they are bi-directional, averaging Pitot tube elements shall be

permanently marked to indicate proper installation position and flow
direction.

2.

Averaging Pitot tubes shall be 316 SS unless otherwise required by

process services.

3.

Minimum straight run pipe length requirements shall conform to vendor's

recommended lengths as a minimum; however, longer lengths are
preferred.

4.

In using a removable element, the process valve shall have the proper
inside diameter to allow passage of the element. This valve shall meet
applicable piping specifications.

5.

Blow out prevention is required for removable elements. The

manufacturers recommendations shall be followed and shall meet the
Client and Polariss piping specifications.

6.

Extra heavy flow elements and/or double ended support shall be used in
large diameter pipes or ducts or where high flow velocity may cause the

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 9 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

element to deflect or vibrate. Manufacturers installation

recommendations shall be followed.
E.

F.

Integral Orifice
1.

Process line block and bypass valves or transmitter isolation valves (root
valves or manifold) shall be installed for applications that require
servicing while on-line.

2.

Integral orifices shall be sized and installed in accordance with

manufacturer's recommendations. Manufacturer shall supply meter sizing
and flow calculations.

3.

Minimum straight run pipe length requirements shall conform to vendor's

recommended lengths as a minimum; however, longer lengths are
preferred.

4.

Wetted metal parts shall be 316 SS unless otherwise required by process

services. Other wetted components shall be compatible with the process.

5.

A strainer shall be considered to avoid plugging of the orifice.

Turbine Meter
1.

Turbine meters shall be installed so they are always in single phase flow,
liquid full in liquid applications, and liquid free in gas applications.

2.

Comment:
The installation setup shall avoid creating a pressure
drop condition for the fluid to flash in meter. Flashing can damage the
meter and severely impact measurement.

3.

Turbine meters shall be marked to indicate proper flow direction.

4.

In-line type turbine meters 1.0 inches and above shall be flanged.

5.

A strainer shall be installed upstream of turbine meter system. Dual

strainers shall be provided if the process flow cannot be interrupted for
maintenance. Strainers shall be installed far enough upstream to prevent
the distortion of flow profile at the turbine meter.

6.

Liquid turbine meters shall be installed in accordance with API MPMS,

Chapters 5 and 6, for high accuracy applications.

7.

In-line gas turbine meters shall have rotor module removable from top of
meter through a special flange or through bore of meter for meters larger

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 10 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

than 3 inches.
G.

H.

I.

Positive Displacement Meter

1.

Inlet and/or outlet ports shall be plainly marked to indicate proper flow
direction.

2.

Liquid positive displacement meters shall be installed in accordance with

requirements of API MPMS, Chapters 5 and 6, for high accuracy
applications. Manufacturers recommended installation shall be minimum.

3.

The meter shall be installed so that the fluid passing through the meter is
in a single phase and the meter is liquid full.

4.

A strainer shall be installed upstream of the meter.

5.

Meters in line sizes 1-1/2 inches and above shall be flanged body style.

Magnetic Flow Meter

1.

Magnetic flow meters shall be installed with piping designed in

accordance with manufacturers recommendations.

2.

Materials of construction shall be compatible with the process fluid.

3.

Magnetic flow meters shall be grounded in accordance with

manufacturer's recommendations.

4.

Magnetic flow meters shall be installed so that the meter is always liquid
full.
Comment: The preferred installation is vertical with flow up.

5.

The meter factor data shall be supplied by the manufacturer.

6.

Electrodes shall be field replaceable

Mass Meter (Coriolis)

The meter shall be sized so the maximum full scale flow rate is in the upper onethird of the meter range unless pressure drop considerations require a larger size
meter. Secondary containment is required for all corrosive and erosive
applications. Detection of measuring tube failure shall be provided.

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

J.

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 11 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

Mass Meter (Thermal)

Use of thermal meters shall have the Client and Polariss approval.

K.

Ultrasonic (Transit Time & Doppler)

Use of ultrasonic meters shall have the Client and Polariss approval

L.

M.

Vortex Shedding Meter

1.

Flow direction shall be permanently marked on the meter body.

2.

The vortex shedding meter internal inside diameter shall be matched as

closely as possible to the adjoining process pipe inside diameter. Proper
gasket sizing shall be followed to avoid protrusion into line.

Variable Area Meter (Rotameter)

1.

Rotameters shall be installed in a vertical position and piped per vendors

recommendations.

2.

Rotameters shall be accessible for easy reading and for maintenance or

repair.

3.

The capacity of the rotameter selected shall be such that normal flow rate
falls in middle one-third of chart or scale range.

4.

For process flows, scales shall be graduated in percent units. Meter factor
for maximum flow at 100% shall be engraved on scale.

5.

Scales for purge meters shall read directly in Standard Cubic Feet per
Hour (SCFH) of air for gas service or Gallons per Hour (GPH) of water
for liquid service.

6.

Glass tube meters shall only be used on air, inert gas and water at
temperatures of 140oF (60oC) or less and pressures 100 psig or less. The
Client and Polariss approval is required for use of glass tube rotameter in
other services.

7.

For purge meter applications, a check valve shall be installed on the outlet
of the meter to prevent back flow.

8.

Rotameters may be used in pipe sizes 1-1/2 inches and smaller and for
special applications in larger lines where solids are present in the process
fluid, liquids which are very viscous at 150 degrees F or less, or where

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 12 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

operating flow range exceeds the ratio of 3 to 1 (maximum or minimum).

Normal rotameter rangeability shall be 10 to 1 and the meter shall be
selected so that normal flow falls at 50 to 60% of maximum range.
9.

Gland assemblies shall be of O ring construction unless pressure,

temperature or flowing medium considerations require packing. Meter
bodies shall be equipped with inlet and outlet float stops.

10.

Plain tapered tubes shall not be used. Beaded, ribbed or flat tube
construction is required, except for armored meters which must have
internal guiding.

11.

Rotameters shall be completely assembled with all accessories before

shipping.

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 13 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

Table 1
Minimum Straight Run Lengths for Orifice Runs and Other Flow Elements Per ISO 5167

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 14 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

NOTES for Table 1:

(1)
Any flow conditioner shall be installed in the straight length between the primary
element and the upstream disturbance, or the fitting closest to the element. The
installation location shall be per applicable standard.
(2)
Interpolate pipe diameters for intermediate beta ratios.
(3)
This information is based on ISO standard 5167.
(4)
For venturi add an additional 0.5% uncertainty on discharge coefficient.
(5)
For venturi downstream length to downstream disturbance should be no closer than four
throat diameters downstream of the throat pressure tapping plane.
(6)
With two elbow separation greater than 10 diameters use single elbow lengths.
(7)
With two elbow separation greater than 10 diameters use two elbows in same plane
lengths.
(8)
For orifice, nozzle, venturi nozzles - Reducer 2D to D over a length of 1.5D to 3D, where
D is pipe inside diameter. For venturi - Reducer 3D to D over a length of 3.5 D.
(9)
For orifice, nozzle, venturi nozzles - Expander 0.5 D to D over a length of D to 2D,
where D is pipe inside diameter. For venturi - Expander 0.75 D to D over a length of D.

POLARIS
Engineering
Standard

915.1.0
Rev.: 7
Page 15 of 15
Date: 11/11/04

Table 2
Minimum Straight Run Lengths for Orifice Runs Per ANSI/API

NOTES for Table 2:

(1)
Any flow conditioner shall be installed in the straight length between the primary
element and the upstream disturbance or the fitting closest to the element. The
installation location shall be per applicable standard.
(2)
Interpolate pipe diameters for intermediate beta ratios.
(3)
This information is based on ANSI 2530 / API 14.
(4)
With two elbow separation greater than 10 diameters use single elbow lengths.
(5)
With two elbow separation greater than 10 diameters use two elbows in same plane
lengths.