ORIFICE METER PRIMARY ELEMENTS STANDARDS

Class 7020

Jerry Blankenship
Daniel Measurement & Control
11100 Brittmoore Park
Houston, TX 77041

The April 2000 revision to the API 14.3 part 2 Standard includes the results of considerable test work over the
past few years. Numerous changes are noted, some of which will have major effects on users of orifice
measurement. The most significant impact will be in the upstream length and flow conditioner areas. This paper
will discuss most of the changes and go into some detail on the more important ones. Items not mentioned
essentially remain as stated in the previous issue of the Standard.
METER TUBE SURFACE
The internal surface of the meter tube may now contain pits, though classified as undesirable, if they do not
infringe on the surface finish or diameter requirements. Maximum surface roughness is now determined by both
pipe size and beta ratio and also varies within the length of the upstream section. Within the first 17 diameters
upstream, 12” and smaller sizes (Fig. 1) with 0.6 and higher betas’ have a 250 microinch limit. For betas’ below
0.6, 300 microinches is allowed. Tubes larger than 12” (Fig.2) with 0.6 or larger betas have a 500 microinch limit,
while betas of 0.6 or less can have up to 600 microinch surfaces within the 17 diameter upstream zone. Beyond
17D upstream, roughness can be up to 600 microinches in all cases. Minimum roughness anywhere within the
tube is 34 microinches.

Figure 1

Figure 2

METER TUBE LENGTH

Meter tube straight length requirement selection has moved away from graphs with identifying drawings. Now,
individual tables for 3 different classifications of meter tube designs are shown; bare meter tubes (no vanes or
conditioners), short tubes with tube bundles and long tubes with tube bundles. No drawings depicting the stated

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configurations are shown. Some of the traditional selection categories have changed and some are missing.
Close-coupled elbows, 2 ells with 10D space between them and concentric reducer information are omitted. A
new category for "single Tee" has been added, but it is not to be used for header installations. Another heading
called “high swirl combined with 90º Tee" has no further explanation. The most significant change is the new
length requirement for bare tubes. These lengths are up to 4 times longer than previously stated. The old “default
standard” meter tube that can be used in any installation now requires 145 diameters upstream without tube
bundle compared to the 44D previously shown
INTERNAL DIAMETER
Internal diameter and roundness tolerances remain as in the previous edition and apply to the full length of the
meter tube.
TUBE BUNDLES (Straightening vanes)
There are also new restrictions placed on the tube bundle design itself. All bundles must be the classic, concentric
design with 19 same diameter tubes (Fig.3). The “hex” pattern bundle (Fig.3) can no longer be used. Outer bands
(Fig.3), commonly used to close gaps where tubing sizes would not permit an acceptable clearance between the
bundle and pipe wall are no longer allowed. The clearance between the tube bundle and pipe wall has been
revised, necessitating the redesign of units in most sizes/schedules. The 7 tube bundle (Fig.3), traditionally used
for 2” sizes, can no longer be used. Based on these new restrictions, it appears that due to tubing size availability,
some size/schedule combinations will no longer be available. In most cases where tube bundles are used, a
significant increase in the overall upstream meter tube length will be required. Vane positioning with respect to the
orifice plate has also changed. The standard location now will be 13 D from the vane outlet to the orifice plate
face.

Figure 3

There are 2 categories to select from regarding upstream length when tube bundles are chosen, “17 to 29D”
(fig.4) and “29D and greater" (fig.5). The length distinction has to do with beta ratio limitations. The short grouping
has generally lower beta limits than does the long. Optimum vane placement is noted for individual piping
configurations and varies widely between these. Standard vane location is 13D from the plate for the long tube
and 9.5D for the short version. There is a “universal” or “catch all” installation for vane equipped meter tubes, but
the beta ratio is limited to .46 for upstream lengths of less than 29D and .67 for 29D or longer. Some of the
specific categories allow to .75 beta for the 29D and longer tubes.

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 METER TUBES WITH TUBE BUNDLE 17 TO 29D UPSTREAM
CATEGORY WAS BET IS BETA MAX
A
MAX
1 ELL 16.5D .75 17-29D .75

2 ELLS 15D .75 17-29D .67

out of plane
TEE N/A - 17-29D .54

VALVE 50% MIN OPEN 17.5D .75 17-29D .47

HIGH SWIRL W/ N/A - 17-29D .54

90º TEE
ANY CONFIGURATION 17.5D .75 17-29D .46
(CATCH ALL)
2 ELLS 13.5D .75 N/A N/A
close coupled
2 ELLS /10D + space 16.5D .75 N/A N/A
between
Concentric 13.5D .75 N/A N/A
Reducer
Fig. 4

METER TUBES WITH TUBE BUNDLES 29D AND GREATER UPSTREAM

CCATEGORY WAS BETA MAX IS BETA MAX
1 ELL 16.5D .75 29D/ + .75

2 ELLS 15D .75 29D/ + .75

out of plane
TEE N/A - 29D /+ .75

VALVE 50% OPEN 17.5D .75 29D /+ .75

+
High swirl N/A - 29D/ + .75
combined with
single 90º Tee
Any Configuration 17.5D .75 29D /+ .67
(CATCH ALL)
2 ELLS 13.5D .75 N/A N/A
close coupled
2 ELLS 16.5D .75 N/A N/A
10D + space
between
Concentric 13.5D .75 N/A N/A
Reducer
Figure 5

Some of the disturbance categories shown are difficult to interpret. One is noted as “single 90º tee”. There is no
distinction given as to whether this allows flowing from the run of the tee or the outlet or if either is ok. There is a
category “high swirl combined with 90º tee” which is not defined except in the “other flow conditioner” test outline
in the appendix which equates this to a header type disturbance. There is no category titled “header”. There is no
longer a category for 2 elbows, same plane, either separated by a length of straight pipe or close coupled.

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Downstream lengths are essentially unchanged for all cases, both with and without vanes or conditioners.
FLOW CONDITIONERS
Flow conditioners, other than the 19 tube, concentric tube bundle are acceptable if they have passed a strictly
defined test program. The use of one of these devices will allow upstream pipe lengths recommended by the
individual manufacturers, which may well be considerably shorter than those for tube bundle equipped tubes.
Typically, these conditioners will both remove swirl and generate a near fully developed turbulent flow profile at
the orifice, without adding any additional uncertainty to the installation.
THERMOMETER WELLS
Thermowell locations, when preceding the orifice, are now limited to 36” minimum, upstream of the tube bundle,
as opposed to the range of 12”-36” previously noted. This upstream location is seldom used in practice, except in
bi-directional flow.
TAP HOLE ORIENTATION
Though it is not a problem with orifice fittings, the taps being used for measurement must now be in line,
eliminating any installation where staggered taps (fig. 6) might be desired. Some users of orifice flanges have
typically staggered up and downstream taps for isolating valve clearance. This will no longer be allowed.

Figure 6

PLATE THICKNESS
The recommended orifice plate thickness for 8” and 24" line sizes has been increased; From 1/8” to 1/4”(8") and
3/8" to 1/2"(24"). Both sizes were limited to low differential pressures due to previous thickness. This change may
create some field problems where current installations, using the thinner plates, exist. Though the new, thicker
plates with appropriate seal may well fit in the older fittings, the resulting tap hole to plate face dimension may not
meet the allowable tolerance requirement. Users should be aware of this and act accordingly.
GAGE LINE LENGTH
Pressure tap gage line length (Fig.7) is discussed, with equations given to determine the proper length to
eliminate any resonance or to prevent amplifying pulsations that may be present. Frequency and speed of sound
in the flowing fluid are required inputs to the equations.

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 Figure 7

INCREASED DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE

An appendix has been added listing maximum allowable differential for standard and optional thickness plates.
These figures indicate only the plate deflection consideration for fitting or flange installations, and do not consider
any functional or operational problems that might occur due to the increased plate loading. Individual fitting
manufacturers should be consulted before considering these higher differentials. Other potential problems may
exist due to increased velocities. The intent is to allow increased flow in a given meter tube without having to
increase the tube size.
GRANDFATHER CLAUSE
A grandfather clause stating that upgrading of existing installed units is not required also warns of potential bias
errors due to previous installation recommendations. This suggests that previous upstream lengths may be
inadequate. Also, tube bundle designs as well as their location may create flow disturbances that would not exist
without the bundle, resulting in biased measurement. It is suggested that all new installations meet the new
requirements, which represent the latest technology.
GENERAL
The format of the new standard is quite different from that of previous editions. Even those familiar with the earlier
versions will need to read through the new standard carefully to insure complete understanding of the changes
and any effects they might have on their particular operation. There are numerous additions and minor descriptive
changes throughout the document. It should be remembered that the object of this revision is to enhance the
ability of the orifice to meet the demands of today’s users. Most of the changes in this document are based on a
considerable amount of data obtained from comprehensive test programs in an effort to improve the reliability and
accuracy of the orifice.

REFERENCES

1. Orifice Metering of Natural Gas and Other Related Fluids, AGA Report #3, Part 2 - (API 14.3.2) Specification
and Installation Requirements, Fourth Edition, April 2000.
2. Natural Gas Fluids Measurement, API MPMS Chapter 14, Section 3, Part 2 - Specification and Installation
Requirements, Third Edition, February 1991

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