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As we conclude our Flare Gas Measurement series, we consider the Sage Flare Gas Meter for flaring and venting systems in Part VIII.
If you would like to read this report in its entirety, see Flare Gas Measurement Using Sage Thermal Mass Flow Meters.
Flaring and Venting Systems
Flaring and venting systems are used globally to burn off waste gas and excess gases as a safety means to protect process equipment, the system’s processes, and the environment. Flaring systems are used extensively in natural gas drilling, production, transmission, oil drilling and refineries, chemical processing plants, wastewater treatment, landfills, and farming operations.
The extraordinary rangeability and ease-of-installation of SAGE thermal mass flow meters offer economical solutions for measuring, monitoring, and reporting gases flared. The gases may be biogas, landfill gas, and natural gas. They also serve at oil refineries and chemical plants when the gas composition is known.
Also, in cases of varying composition, SAGE can provide an error analysis. If the operator is willing to accept a reduced accuracy, the thermal meter is a viable alternative to the expensive ultrasonic flow meter. Do you know about the challenges of measuring flare gas?
Sage Flare Gas Meter
SAGE provides thermal mass flow meters that are factory calibrated and configured for the specified application, which provides easy installation. They are ready to be installed directly into the pipe without any need for field setup and calibration. SAGE offers insertion and in-line thermal flow meters with integrated flow conditioners that monitor flow rates. These direct mass flow meters are highly accurate and repeatable and have negligible pressure drop.
The SAGE meter has an outstanding rangeability of at least 1000 to 1. Because of its low-end sensitivity and wide turndown, the SAGE flare gas meter can accurately measure extremely low velocity, down to 5 SFPM. This attribute is beneficial for measuring the low flow rates associated with standard venting. It can also accurately measure the extremely high flows associated with upset conditions. In addition to the 4–20 mA control output, the meters also provide pulsed outputs of consumption and Modbus compliant RS485 RTU communications. The meters feature bright graphical displays of flow rate, totalized flow, gas temperature, and ongoing diagnostics. For hard-to-reach pipes or locations with extreme radiant heat, SAGE also offers a remote-style flow meter. The meter has up to 1000 feet of lead length compensated cable, and all electronics and powering occur at the transmitter. The probe or flow body has a simple terminal junction box.
Calibration Verification
The SAGE thermal mass flow meter comes from the factory fully calibrated and can easily verify that it maintains its original factory calibration through an in-situ calibration verification.
All SAGE meters can perform the in-situ calibration check as long as a “no-flow” (0 SCFM) condition is created. “No flow” is easily created using an isolation valve assembly with the insertion meter type. Unlike other thermal flow meters, the SAGE In-Situ Calibration verifies that the unit is accurate and indicates that the sensor is clean. If the meter does not pass the calibration test the first time, in most cases, simply cleaning the sensor and re-testing will confirm that the meter is accurate and hasn’t drifted or shifted.
Hazardous location
The SAGE Prime® is contained within a dual-sided NEMA 4 enclosure with easy access to a separate rear compartment. It is CE compliant and meets Class 1, Division 2 standards for hazardous service. The SAGE RioTM provides the same performance levels found in the Prime with the added ATEX Zone 1 Flameproof approvals. The Rio is housed in an explosion-proof, dual-sided NEMA 4X enclosure.
Sage Metering welcomes the opportunity to review your application and recommend the best solution to achieve your objective.
