FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF GAS TURBINE METERS
Wayland Sligh
Instromet Inc.
Stafford, Texas
INTRODUCTION
Gas Turbine Meters have developed greatly since their
introduction to the US 1963. From the mechanically gear
driven version, meters have developed into fully
electronic designs and self-correcting models. Although
these technological developments have greatly improved
the application of the meter, the meters basic design
and principles have remained very similar.
As an inferential meter, the gas turbine meter competes
with the rotary and diaphragm positive displacement
meters. Like these meters, the turbine meter is versatile
and accurate over a wide range of flowing conditions.
Unlike these meters the turbine meter provides less
pressure drop for equivalent flow rates. It also provides
a digital pulse output for input with flow computers and
local readout devices.
Accuracy, the meters ability to measure as close to actual
flow as possible, are typically in the ±1% range or better.
Repeatability, the meters’ ability to give the same readout
under similar flowing conditions, is listed as ±0.1%.
The meters ability to hook up with local pressure and
temperature correctors as well as flow computers allows
the full versatility of the meter to be utilized; to provide
corrected flow output and higher accuracy’s across its
flow range.
OPERATION/METER CONSTRUCTION
As previously stated the Gas Turbine meter is an
inferential meter that infers volume by sensing flow
velocity through a known area by measuring the rotational
speed of a turbine rotor.
As gas enters the meter inlet, it is guided through a flow
area created by the meters’ inside diameter and the
outside diameter of a flow deflector (Figure 1). The flow
deflector, or nose cone, increases gas velocity to prepare
it for impingement on the rotor blades.
The accelerated gas flows through the meter rotor,
designed with a specific number of blades positioned at
a precise angle, and impinges on the rotor blades,
causing the rotor to rotate. Rotor angular velocity is
directly proportional to gas velocity and consequently
to volumetric flow rate.
By accurately measuring the rotor rotational velocity,
volumetric flow rate can be determined:
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FIGURE 1. Turbine Meter Construction
Q = VA
Where Q = Volumetric flow rate
V = Velocity
A = Flow area
ROTATIONAL MEASUREMENT
In the U.S., rotor rotation measurement is accomplished
in one of two primary ways:
• Mechanical
• Electromagnetic Proximity
Mechanical meters use a gear train to determine the rotor
rotation. Gear ratios are such that the rotor revolution is
mechanically connected to a rotating mechanism on the
meter top. This directly indicates total flow in actual
volume flowrate.
The electronic meter is equipped with two magnetic
pickup coils that sense rotor rotation through accurately
positioned magnets in the rotor hub. As a magnet passes
the coil, a voltage pulse is produced that represents a
discrete unit of volume. The turbine meter output is rated
in pulses per unit volume.
Independent pickup coils can be used with a local
totalizer and/or flow instrumentation capable of
accepting inputs from pressure, temperature and density
transducers for corrected flow or mass calculations.
Bearings typically are lubricated through an external fitting
or a pressurized connection to allow lubrication during
operation. Permanently lubricated bearings are available
for vertical installations or where access is restricted.
INSTALLATION
AGA Report No. 7 provides standard practices and
procedures for installing gas turbine meters and details
correction factors and operating requirements. Several
common installations are described in the standard.
In-Line meters. To maintain fluid velocity profile and
meter accuracy, it is recommended that an upstream
meter tube be installed. Minimum distances are 10 pipe
diameters upstream and five diameters downstream of
the meter (Figure 2).
To reduce swirl and maintain velocity profile, a
straightening vane, or tube bundle, should be installed a
minimum five pipe diameters upstream of the meter.
Offset, short-coupled meters. This installation has two
Elbows, or Tee sections, connected to the meter inlet
and exit. A shortened inlet pipe section, of four pipe
diameters, is equipped with straightening vanes.
FIGURE 2.
VERTICAL INSTALLATIONS
Turbine meters can operate vertically up or down.
Manufacturers offer permanently lubricated bearings or
a pressure connection for lubrication during operation.
Accuracy relies on an installation without offsets at the
flanges and without protruding gaskets.
To protect internal components from foreign materials
in the gas stream, it is important that a strainer of filter
be installed upstream of the straightening section. A 1/8-
in. perforated cone or basket strainer may be
recommended. Alternatively, a filter capable of trapping
dust particles up to 10 microns can be used.
A pressure tap usually is provided on the meter body to
allow static-pressure measurement at the rotor. Other
instruments taps should be installed a minimum of two
to five pipe diameters downstream.
To control over-ranging the meter and damaging the rotor
mechanism, a downstream control orifice or venturi
nozzle is recommended. Although over-speeding the
rotor to 120 % of maximum capacity is permissible for
short duration’s, it is recommended that the meter be
run within its normal working range.
Blowdown valves should be installed downstream of the
meter and, ideally, downstream of the control orifice to
prevent damage.
FIELD MAINTENANCE
Normal maintenance includes lubricating and spin testing
the meter. While a spin test does not produce absolute
proof of accuracy over the entire flow range, it does give
an indication of the meter’s accuracy at low flowrates. A
spin test is performed at the factory before calibration
and shipment.
FIGURE 3.
The spin-down time is the time the rotor takes to stop
after being spun by hand or air blast. A reduction from
the original spin-down does not necessarily mean the
meter no longer is accurate. It does indicate reduced
rangeability or an accuracy loss at the minimum flowrate
A notable reduction in spin-down time means either
deteriorated bearings, or debris buildup in the bearings
Meter proving. Each meter is calibrated to a recognized
standard at the factory. Calibration methods include low
pressure, sonic nozzle, transfer proving and bell prover.
Standard primary calibration methods are sonic nozzle
and bell prover. Transfer proving is a common calibration
method that avoids resorting to the time-consuming
primary methods. In transfer proving, a master meter
first is calibration curve with at least 15 points. This
master meter then is used to prove other meters. Typical
calibration curves have five to ten calibration points at
atmospheric pressure or the customer’s pressure choice.
The typical calibration curve shows the percentage flow
rate versus the percentage error. Calibration curves also
provide the flow rate versus the K factor. A turbine meter
has an accuracy of ± to 1.0%. Its repeatability, the ability
of the meter to provide the same reading at similar flow
conditions, is about ±0.1%.
CONCLUSION
Turbine meters are capable of handling wide flow ranges
over a wide range of pressures and offer accurate, reliable
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 measurement over many years. With the addition of new
technology and the versatility of the meter it shall remain
a major standard in the field of gas measurement.

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