BEVERLY, Mass. — KROHNE is spotlighting new advancements in ultrasonic flow meter verification designed to improve accuracy and efficiency in custody transfer applications across the oil and gas sector.
The company said integrating ultrasonic flow meters with small volume provers remains a common yet technically demanding approach for optimizing custody transfer and lowering operational costs. Unlike mechanical meters, ultrasonic systems have no moving parts, reducing maintenance needs and long-term wear while improving reliability.
KROHNE’s ultrasonic flow meters feature Reynolds number characterization to minimize sensitivity to changes in fluid properties, ensuring consistent performance across a range of crude and refined products. Their stable geometry reduces drift over time, cutting the frequency of required proving. Lower pressure loss also translates to reduced pumping costs and the elimination of fine filters used in mechanical systems.
The company noted that real-time coupling of output pulses to actual flow is key for accurate measurements. Updates such as high-speed PLC signal processing and advanced software algorithms have enhanced proving accuracy. Statistical tools, including student t-table analysis, help account for variations in proving data.
Field testing has demonstrated KROHNE’s ALTOSONIC five meter achieves API-compliant repeatability, even with volatile fluids like gasoline. Proper back pressure management—set at twice the pressure drop plus 1.25 times the vapor pressure—helps prevent cavitation and maintain performance.
“KROHNE is committed to providing innovative measurement solutions that optimize custody transfer processes, reduce operational costs, and enhance the accuracy and reliability of flow measurements in the oil and gas industry,” the company said.
