9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

LaboratoryTestingofChordalPathUltrasonicGasMeters
WithNewNoiseReductionTeeDesigns

Philip A Lawrence Lead Engineer (Measurement)

EnableMidstream Partners, PO Box 24300 (L/s 642)
Oklahoma City OK.73124.
Abstract
The use of chordal path ultrasonic meters is becoming more prevalent as the technology is
maturing. Using these types of electronic measuring devices requires some thought regarding
the installation conditions and factors that may affect the meters in-field performance.
This paper discusses the recent testing performed using high pressure Natural Gas at the
CEESI Iowa Natural Gas Test Facility on a chordal path transit time Ultrasonic Flow Meter.
Enable Midstream Partners flow calibrate every ultrasonic meter used for fiscal purposes at
the CEESI facility.
The motive for this particular testing included the install of various Noise Reduction Ts, a Noise
Generator, and Isolating Flow Conditioner to help develop a data driven decision to reduce the
overall meter skid footprint and as such costs for our future Natural Gas Custody Installations.
Various Noise Reduction T designs were installed and compared with each other from a flow
disturbance viewpoint. An isolating Flow Conditioner was installed and removed during testing
to determine the difference in velocity profile seen at the meter when different straight coupling
lengths are used.
A secondary flow conditioner of a different design was installed downstream of the flow run to
collect differential pressure (dP) data over the flow ranges tested together with the dP across
the main flow run isolating conditioner. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) data set was
produced to show an approximation of the fluid flow paths through each of the Tee designs.
The use of a dP, temperature, and static pressure measurement at the flow conditioner has
been used for many years at Enable Midstream Partners to act as back up should a
catastrophic meter failure occur by the calculating of the fluid flow rate across the conditioner by
using a Bernoulli equation. Confirmation of this back up method was developed from data
obtained during the test runs.
1. Introduction
Enable Midstream MLP recently designed and built a customer pipeline inter-connect at Line
29 facility located near to the Enable Midstream Bradley Plant, this is a pipeline transmission
outlet to a location at Lindsey Oklahoma.
A 10-inch 4 chordal path Ultrasonic Meter was selected for the application the meter (MUT Meter-Under-Test) was proven/tested at the CEESI Iowa Natural Gas test facility.

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

The USM testing method was performed in various stages the first test being a baseline 8 point
3 repeat run test. This was based on standardized flow rates as determined by flow velocity in
feet per second generally as per Enable Midstream Partners USM standard testing
protocols. The line 29 USM meter run was also fitted with an isolating flow-conditioning plate
supplied for the project together with all project interconnecting piping and an Enable
Midstream Project old style/design noise reduction Tee assemblies.
The MUT is set so that diagnostic information could be derived during the testing to indicate the
impact to path velocities by noise from a noise generator. Flow perturbation at the MUT throat
was produced by placing an obstruction or series of manually changed blockages in front of
the conditioning plate to observe the impact against the MUT base line uncertainty.
Differential pressure data was collected to compare a differential pressure (dP) taken across
the conditioning plate for flow rates in line with the MUT test rates. Enable also used a
200% ar ea cone shaped strainer already at CEESI to try to simulate high frequency noise in
front of the MUT, this is to be done after the project initial baseline testing. The conical strainer
shown in figure 1.0 is a unit previously shown to generate significant noise during two previous
Enable/CEESI project tests. We deduced that this same conical strainer device should be able
to simulate a noise condition conducive to testing our new design of USM noise reduction Tees

Fig.1. Conical Strainer 200% Area and 3/16 hole sizes

(used as a USM noise generator)
2. MotivefortheResearch
The motive for the testing and research was to confirm the noise reduction capability

across newly designed T section end-treatments relating to various pipe separation

dimensions. The two designs being reviewed here have 1D and 5D of separation
between the entry Tee and exit elbows designed and manufacture per Enable
Midstream requirements.

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

This type of research information and data was required to complete the Enable
Midstream Partners USM Standardization development relating to up and downstream valve
noise and ultrasound beam interference at the throat of an ultrasonic meter.
This testing comprised of passing three or four flow rates (depending on the test time
availability dictated by the laboratory) through both Ts based on the designs shown in figures
2.and 3.below.

Conical Noise
Generator

Flow
5D Separation

MUT

Fig2. MUT with Isolating Conditioner Plate

5D Separation (Ts) & Conical Noise Generator

Flow
As per
Enable

Conical Noise
Generator

1DSeparation

Fig3. MUT with Isolating Conditioner Plate

1D Separation (Ts) & Conical Noise Generator.

3. Deliverables
CEESI -Iowa will record the high flow rate differential pressures dPs across the flow
conditioner at the designated tap locations in a clean (unblocked) condition to allow the
measurement engineer (ME) to derive a method of flow meter redundancy based on the dP,
static pressure and temperature using a modified Bernoulli algorithm.
CEESI -Iowa will then run four velocities (as in tables 12,13,&14) over three defined
consecutive blockage factors using Duct Tape or similar product to effectively reduce the
area of the flow conditioner and record the disturbed effect on the MUT diagnostics as well
as record dPs. P, T. across the flow conditioner to allow the ME to analyze the data.

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

4. Test Matrix - MUT Baseline Performance Test

The meter was baseline tested installed as per the typical drawing schematic next, Fig 4. This
design is a common CEESI-Iowa baseline test configuration, it offers both straight run inlet
configuration and the ability to use in-plane elbow flow entry/exit as per the field installation
needs. The Lab also uses a pipeline identifier to make sure there are no errors in the test set up
as seen in Fig5.

Fig4. Typical Baseline Installation for USM Testing Purposes.

Fig5. CEESI-IOWA Typical Pipe Connection Matrix

100

80

60

40

20

10

5.0

2.0

Nat Gas

Table1. Mandated Natural Gas Flow Velocities at the MUT Throat Area (repeats in red)

ft/s

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

5. Pre-Test and Baseline Checking

The calibration (meter factor)used was multiplied by the volumetric flow-rate per velocity to
obtain the corrected value and the data parameters plotted to show the accuracy curves both
corrected and as found (out of the box data).The results shall meet or exceed the AGA-USM
meter standard recommendations for large meter accuracy as a minimum requirement. The
meter under test (MUT) performed very well and exceeded the requirements needed,see Figure
6 below.

Fig6. Pre Final Test MUT Baseline Results

The dP. was to monitored at all the flow rates tested using stack a dP system to allow a high
precision of monitoring to be performed so that a realistic alarm number could be used to
indicate if trash was impacting the flow conditioner. It was expected to be able to draw a curve
based on velocity to dP showing the normal repeatable characteristics of an unblocked strainer
and inputs of this data into the SCADA as a set of parameters.
Any change in the curve shape (expected dP data points) would mean some trash is apparent
as dP changes can be an indicator of area ratio change at the flow conditioner and a blockage
would give a variation in the predicted dP as per Fig7. A pre-test was also performed to get an
idea of range-ability relating to the dP test and also check to make sure that all was in order with
the MUT configuration.

Fig7. Typical Flow Conditioner Trash Impact Testing (Duct Tape Used)

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

6. Test Velocities for the Flow Disturbance Test (blocked flow conditioner plate)
The meter was flow tested over some points as per table 2.0 with a perturbed fluid flow velocity
traveling through an isolating flow conditioner plate with a blockage in front of the unit. The
flow rates determined in f/s through the meter section at the throat of the meter were as
follows. Rates as shown in Red relate to the flow velocities to be achieved at MUT throat area
in line with Table 1. Corresponding to blocked conditioner dPs
100
xx

80
xx

60
xx

40
xx

20
N/a

10
N/a

5.0
N/a

2.0
N/a

Nat Gas
Nat Gas

f/s
dP

Table 2. Baseline Natural Gas Flow Velocities in Red (blocked plate conditioner test)
Velocity to be achieved at the MUT flow conditioner throat area Table 12.0 - 30% blockage

100
xx

80
xx

60
xx

40
xx

Nat Gas f/s

Nat Gas dP

Table 3. Natural Gas Flow Velocities Expected (Conditioner dP Test)

Velocity to be achieved at the MUT throat area Table 13.0 - 50%% blockage

100
xx

80
xx

60
xx

40
xx

Nat Gas f/s

Nat Gas dP

Table 4. - Natural Gas Flow Velocities Expected (Conditioner dP Test)

Velocity to be achieved at UMUT throat area Table 14.0 - 75% blockage.

100

80

60

40

xx

xx

xx

xx

Table 5. - Natural Gas Flow Velocities Expected (Conditioner dP Test)

Nat Gas f/s

Nat Gas dP

7. Noise Reduction T Manufacturing Issues

The noise reduction spool that was provided was manufactured incorrectly with 0d spacing on
9/10/2014 (Elbow to Horizontal Pipe) by our sub supplier due to a rush in the project. This was
used for this test, a future test will be performed using a spool as drawn in the figures above
with a 1 D space to prove that the said 1 D coupling as originally designed also has no issues.
The 5 D noise reduction Tee was built as designed. The flow conditioner manufacturer was
generous in providing some computational fluid dynamic data regarding the ENABLE
Midstream Partners Tee designs used in conjunction with the piping set up, gas composition and
process details and the 0D Tee. A further paper will be written regarding the CFD data and
confidential dP detail which is currently proprietary to EnableMidstream Partners.

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

8. Actual Data Sets and Flow Curves

The USM testing was performed according to the test matrices mentioned above and the following data
and curves were derived from the test results in the next figures shown.

Baseline Test

Figure 8.Baseline Test Curves from Data Sets Below

Tables. #6 #7 #8 Data MUT

Table-6.(Full)

Table-7.Baseline
Table-8. (As Left)

The results out of the box were very good and the meter showed a 0.3- 0.4% shift between the as found and
as left project baselines (post calibrated and corrected) data points and the other data points (test baseline)
fell well within the uncertainty on the CEESI Gas Rig.

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

+/0.1%

Figure 9.Straight Pipe & Strainer - 0DTee (no conditioner) &0D Tee (with Conditioner)
Curve Data Tables Below.(#9 #10 #11)

Table9.

Table10.

Table11.

9. 0D Noise Reduction New-Tee Performance

As described the MUT was tested with a straight run and strainer upstream with the flow conditioner
to determine if any effect was seen by the hole dispersion /spacing in the strainer on the velocity
profile. The strainer was also used try to produce noise in front of the meter to effectively develop a
reference point as to SNR degradation in the meter chord paths. This proved difficult even though
the same strainer produced very strong USM noise distortion effects on a previous project with the
same meter type the difference was only pressure and a slight composition change, as per Fig 10.

Fig10. Distortion at the MUT Caused by Strainer Noise

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

10. Strainer Noise Generator

The noise generated at the strainer was around 104 decibels (dB) within the Audible Range the
noise signal degradation effect on the meter without a Tee was not high and around 6dB -8dB at
80 f/s this was not what was expected however the pressure was in excess of 1000 PSIG.
This was different than the last test (April 2014) which was at 800-850 PSIG and seems to
correlate with other data we had from previous testing that higher pressures gave lower SNR
disturbance as generated from this type of strainer.

Figure11. 15 - 20 % Turbulence / Instability from Strainer (Previous Test) 850 PSIG (108dB)
ENABLE Midstream Partners had previously used the 200% area strainer as a meter line
protection device to stop trash entering the meter run however it was decided that the SNR impact
was too high on certain installations so a decision was made not to use the device. The SNR
change between the both the 5D Tee and 0D Tee was negligible since we could not generate a large
effect with both Tees installed separately they both removed any SNR issues at the same level.

Figure12.Above & Tables #13, #14 Flow Accuracy Performance Difference 0D and 5D Tees

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

11. Performance Difference 0D and 5D Tees (no conditioner)

From reviewing the data shown in Figure 12 at the 3 test points regions (highlighted in red circles)
there is no apparent difference between using a 5D Tee and a 0 D Tee from a measurement
uncertainty standpoint. Both units developed the same error within a +/-0.05% band which is well
within the CEESI rig uncertainty. The noise reduction capability seemed to be similar since any high
frequency noise is deemed to be trapped in the domed ends as per a basic noise reduction Tee
design. The straight run ( 5 or 1) (decoupling run) has no noise reduction property.
The Flow conditioner was blocked to see the effect on dP across it, as mentioned in the introduction
a separate paper is being written on this blocked flow conditioner aspect the dP data is propriety for
the moment.
12. Complete Test Data
The full test data including all data sets is shown in graphical form in Figure 13 below next

Figure 13 Test data for all Test Types Including Data Points (Tables Below)

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

13. Final Test Data for the Project as Delivered to the Clients Site
The meter skid was delivered with 2x 5D noise reduction Tees in place and flow conditioner plate
as per the contractual obligation the meter was re-tested as delivered and the data is shown below in
Fig 14.
Data

Calibration

Flow Rate

Velocity

Velocity

Velocity

Velocity of

As Found

As Left

Point

Factor

ft /hr
Prover

ft /hr
Meter

m /hr
Prover

m /hr
Meter

m/sec

ft/sec

m/sec
Vm

ft/sec
Vm

error
%

Predicted
%

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

0.9966
0.9966
0.9967
0.9965
0.9959
0.9960
0.9961
0.9962

179169.0
142698.0
108791.0
73004.9
37029.2
18575.3
9439.9
4604.4

179775
143181
109148
73260
37181
18649
9476
4622

5073.50
4040.76
3080.62
2067.27
1048.55
525.99
267.31
130.38

5090.66
4054.42
3090.73
2074.49
1052.84
528.09
268.34
130.89

30.419
24.227
18.471
12.395
6.287
3.154
1.603
0.782

99.801
79.486
60.599
40.665
20.626
10.347
5.258
2.565

30.522
24.309
18.531
12.438
6.313
3.166
1.609
0.785

100.14
79.75
60.80
40.81
20.71
10.39
5.28
2.57

0.34
0.34
0.33
0.35
0.41
0.40
0.39
0.39

0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000

Flow Rate
3

Flow Rate Flow Rate

Fig14. As Delivered Final Project Calibration Data

14. Photographs of Some Key Test Components Used at the CEESI-IOWA Test Site

Noise Meter

5D Tee Assembly on Test Rig

Conical Strainer

OD Tee Assembly on Test Rig

9th ISFFM

Arlington, Virginia, April 14 to 17, 2015

References
EnableMidstream Partners USM Gas Measurement Skid Design Standards (Latest editions
Updated R. Fritz 2014 )
CEESI - IOWA / EnableMidstream Partners Project Test Data as distributed from the USM Flow
Laboratory- During September 2014 (Lawrence P.A Internal Technical Report)
CEESI IOWA / EnableMidstream Partners Strainer Test Project Test Data April 2014(Lawrence
P.A. Internal Technical Report)
API /AGA Chapter 9 Ultrasonic Gas Meter Standards Documents (latest revisions) 2014
CPA (Canada) Flow Conditioning Devices - (Technical Documentation and Research Detail) 2014