Summary
Once flared gas is measured and analysed, this data must be presented in recognised reporting units as required by regulatory and operational agreements.
This can be done in recognised and approved flow computers systems following the guidance given in global industry standards.
How it Works
A flow computer is an electronic computer which implements algorithms making use of the analog and digital signals received from flow meters, temperature, pressure, and analyser systems, to determine volume and mass flowrates at base conditions.
They are used for custody or fiscal transfer and allocation measurement, for which flare volumes are applicable.
The flow computer also audits changes that have been made to any of the parameters required to turn the raw flow meter and analytical data into volume and mass. It records events and alarms related to the flow meter and analyser systems and keeps a running tally of the volume and mass for each flow meter it monitors and creates a record of this volume and mass on an hourly, daily, batch or monthly basis.
Flow computers are highly regulated by industrial standards dependent on the application required.
Flow Computers are used widely in the Oil and Gas Industry.
Advantages
On-line calculations at regular intervals
High accuracy
Low uncertainty
Limitations
High level of expertise required for maintenance
High equipment costs
High maintenance costs
Case study
No case study available at this time.
Direct measurement calculations are implemented by using direct inputs from instrumentation installed on the flare system
