Gas Meters - PBworks
Transcript of Gas Meters - PBworks
Gas Meters
Topics Covered: • Introduction to Gas Meters
• Bellows Gas Meter
• Operation of the Bellows Gas Meter • Meter Dials • Reading the Gas Meter • Clocking Burner Input • Test Meter and Gas Leaks • Temperature Compensated Meters • Classification of Meters by Capacity
Gas Meters
Topics Covered: • Rotary Displacement Gas Meters
• Operation of the Rotary Gas Meter • Reading the Rotary Gas Meter • Test Dial Arrangement for Rotary Meter
• Correction Factor For Meter Capacity at
Elevated Pressures
• Prohibited Meter Locations
Introduction to Gas Meters
• Gas meters are used to measure and record gas flow in both domestic and commercial applications.
• The operation of the gas meter is based on the principle of positive volumetric displacement of the gas at conditions existing in the gas line.
Introduction to Gas Meters
• There are basically two types of positive displacement gas meters the bellows or diaphragm meter, and the rotary meter.
• The Bellows or Diaphragm Meters are used for both domestic and commercial applications.
• The Rotary Meter is used only for medium and large commercial applications.
Introduction to Gas Meters
• The Bellows meter can be further divided into two categories, the tin case meters, and hard case meters.
• The tin case meter, because of its soft metal construction can only be installed inside the building.
• The tin case meter is being replaced by the hard case meter, which can be installed outside.
Introduction to Gas Meters
• Rotary meter installations which are used to supply commercial and industrial customers, usually have a by-pass arrangement.
• The by-pass will facilitate continuous gas supply to the customer during meter removal due to service or replacement.
Bellows Gas Meter Operation
• When any appliance are is turned in a gas system the pressure drops slightly in the gas outlet line from the meter to the appliance.
• The outlet line has gone from static to a working pressure, however gas pressure in the inlet line going to the meter stays high.
• This causes an unbalanced pressure in the meter, the unbalanced pressure pushes on a diaphragm.
Bellows Gas Meter Operation
• The unbalanced pressure on the bellows, makes the bellows expand like an accordion creating a gas flow through the meter.
• The flow of gas into and out of the separate chambers in the meter is controlled by sliding valves so that the gas output is smooth and steady.
• The meter dials track the number of times the meter chambers are filled and emptied.
Bellows Gas Meter Operation
• The volume of gas that passes through the meter is recorded, as long as a gas appliance is on there is an unbalanced pressure in the gas meter and the meter operates.
• There are three types of meter dials found on standard bellows or diaphragm types of meters.
• Consumptions Dials, Indicating Dials and Test Dials
Gas Meter Consumption Dials
• Consumption Dials record the gas consumption over a period of time for billing purposes.
• On small domestic meters there are four consumption dials rated at 1000 ft3; 10,000 ft3; 100,000 ft3; 1,000,000 ft3
• On the larger bellows meters used for commercial application, there are five dials. The fifth dial being 10,000,000 ft3.
Gas Meter Indicator Dials
• The indicating dial is a 100 ft3 dial and is only found on some of the larger commercial bellows type of gas meters.
• The indicating dials function is to give accuracy to the first consumption dial.
• It is not to be read for billing purposes.
Gas Meter Test Dials
• Test dials on bellows type of gas meters range from ½ ft3, 1 ft3, and 2 ft3 found on domestic gas meters.
• On the larger commercial meters there are 5ft3 and 10ft3 test dials.
• The test dial has two functions, first as a device to determine the appliance input. The second function is to test the gas line for leaks.
Reading the Gas Meter
• The gas meter keeps track of how much gas flows through it by counting the filling and emptying of the four compartments.
• Since each compartment fills with the same amount of gas each time, the measuring is very accurate.
• As one compartment is being emptied another is being filled, delivering a smooth flow of gas.
Reading the Gas Meter
• Always read the meter from right to left, smaller dial to larger dial.
• The dials are divided into tenths, and dials that are next to each other rotate in opposite directions.
• To read the four consumption dials, take the numbers that the dial pointers have just passed and add two zeros.
Reading the Gas Meter
• The accuracy of the dial that you are reading is determined by the dial reading of the next lower dial.
• Example the 10,000 ft3 dial pointer has just passed a reading of 1 indicating that approximately 1,000 ft3 of gas has been recorded.
• The 1,000 ft3 dial has also just passed a reading of 1 indicating 100 ft3 of gas has also been recorded.
Reading the Gas Meter
• Combining the two consumption dial readings gives a true reading of 1,100 ft3 of metered gas.
• To determine how much gas the appliances have consumed, take the readings several days apart.
• Subtract the first reading from the second to find out how much gas was used during time between readings.
Direct Reading the Gas Meter
• At present the gas industry meters are designed to totalize the cubic feet of gas measured, and provide a continuous indication of the gas volume registered.
• Today the trend is towards a direct reading digital index, known as an odometer index.
• The circular consumption dials are replaced by a direct digital read out displayed on the index.
Function of the Test Dial
• The two main functions for the test dial are to determine the appliance input, and testing the downstream gas line for leaks.
• Determining the appliance input or what is called clocking the burner input.
• Testing the meter and downstream gas line for leaks is another function of the test dial.
Clocking the Burner Input
• The following is a method by which the test dial is used to determine the gas appliance input.
𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝐓
X D = Q
• 3600 = the number of seconds in one hour • T = the number of seconds for one complete
revolution of the test dial. • D = the size of the test dial, i.e. 2cf or .05 m3 • Q = the gas flow rate in ft3/hr or m3/hr
Clocking the Burner Input
• Determining the appliance input by clocking the meter is done using the test dial of the meter.
• When clocking appliances make sure there is no other gas flowing other than the appliance being checked.
• Metric meters register gas consumption in cubic meters and metric appliances are rated in Kilowatts.
Meter and Gas Line for Leaks
• With the appliance or appliances turned off, turn on the gas meter and mark the position of the test dial hand.
• If the test dial hand has not moved from its position in 10 minutes, then the gas line can be assumed to be gas tight and leak free.
• If the test dial hand has moved from its mark, then a gas leak is indicated since gas was recorded
Temperature Compensated
• The preferred meter location is outside. All outside meters are temperature compensated as well as inside meters.
• Temperature variations between summer and winter would vary the gas flow through the meter.
• To overcome this inaccuracy in meter operation, temperature compensation is designed into the gas meter.
Temperature Compensated
• The temperature compensating mechanism consists of two bi-metallic elements.
• The bi-metallic elements are linked into the meter’s tangent arms.
• The tangent arms control the movement of the meter valves.
Classify Meters by Capacity
• Standard or imperial gas meters are classified as to capacity in ft3/hr or cfh, at a pressure difference across the meter of 0.5 “wc
• Metric gas meters are classified as to capacity in m3/hr, at a pressure difference across the meter of 0.12 kpa
Rotary Displacement Gas Meters
• Rotary displacement gas meters are designed to be rugged yet compact and light in weight.
• The smaller rotary meters are supported only by the connected piping, and may be mounted in vertical or horizontal pipe runs.
• Larger rotary meters are foot mounted having side connections only.
Operation of the Rotary Meter
• The rotary meter consists basically of two contra-rotating impellers of two-lobe or figure 8 contour.
• Impeller contours are of such form that a continuous seal without contact can be obtained between the impellers at all positions during rotation.
• A seal also exists between the tips of the impeller lobes and the two semi-circular parts of the case.
Operation of the Rotary Meter
• The gas at the inlet side of the meter is always effectively isolated from the gas at the outlet side by the impellers.
• The impellers can be caused to rotate by a very small pressure drop across the meter.
• As each impeller reaches a vertical position, it traps a known specific volume of gas between itself and the semi-circular portion of the meter.
Reading the Rotary Meter
• The counter section of a rotary meter contains a 7 digit counter; 5 of the digits are visible with the smallest visible digit as the 1000 ft3 index.
• The counter reading must be multiplied by 100 to obtain the total displacement volume measured by the meter.
• The normal pressure drop across rotary meters at rated maximum capacities is 1”wc (.25 kpa)
Test Dial Arrangement for Rotary Meter
• On some rotary meters, the 10 ft3 test dial is a series of empty frames located on a test wheel which is the first 7 wheels that are located on the counter.
• The test wheel is marked in ten divisions without numbers, each division or frame representing one ft3.
• One complete frame, as it moves from the bottom of the counter window to the top of the window.
Test Dial Arrangement for Rotary Meter
• For other rotary meters, the test dial is located on the counter’s end section of the meter.
• The test dial is a regular 10 ft3 test dial as you would find on a bellows type of gas meter.
• Also a meter rpm dial is located on the end section next to the 10 ft3 test dial.
Correction Factor for Meter Capacity at Elevated Pressures
• Gas meters are simple, but accurate devices which measure the number of cubic feet of gas passed.
• The absolute pressure in gas meters is equal to the barometric pressure of the atmosphere, plus the pressure in the service line itself.
• The pressure in the service line, houseline pressure, is usually 4 ounces, ¼ pound or 7”wc.
Correction Factor for Meter Capacity at Elevated Pressures
• This absolute pressure within the gas meter is called the base pressure and the meter’s capacity is calibrated at this pressure.
• As we already know the volume of a gas is inversely proportional to the absolute pressure, assuming a constant temperature.
• Thus any quantity of gas will change its volume as the pressure upon it is changed.
Correction Factor for Meter Capacity at Elevated Pressures
• Hence it is necessary to correct flow rates through a gas meter when the pressure of the gas varies from the base pressure.
• The following is a formula of meter capacity of flow rate correction when the gas pressure has changed from the base pressure.
Qa = 𝑸𝑸 (𝑨+𝑷)
(𝑷𝑷)
Correction Factor for Meter Capacity at Elevated Pressures
Qa = 𝑸𝑸 (𝑨+𝑷)
(𝑷𝑷)
• Qa = Actual flow rate in ft3/hr or m3/hr at base
pressure conditions • Qr = Flow rate in ft3/hr or m3/hr as recorded at
the gas meter • P = Actual gas pressure in psig or kpa gauge • Pb = Base pressure in psia 14.73 psia • A = Atmospheric pressure at the point of measure