Gas Flow Calibrator Test System
Base Unit Dimensions: 
67 in. H x 53 in. W x 32 in. D

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TEST SYSTEM for the METROLOGY INDUSTRY

Gas Flow Calibrator

 
DESCRIPTION


FLOW SYSTEMS is excited to introduce a highly automated, scaleable, Sonic Nozzle, Piston-Prover-based Gas Flow Calibrator designed to provide exceptional metrology for all gas metering technologies. Accuracy, repeatability, expansion, throughput, availability and value were all key design concepts.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

» Scaleable Expansion in terms of both Mass Flow and Accuracy.

» Able to test flowmeters at Atmospheric & Elevated Pressures.

» Compatible with common Calibration Gasses.

» No Constraints on Test-Section Diameter or Length.

» Highly Automated, User-Friendly, MS Windows™-based Software with Sophisticated Data Management and Analysis Capabilities.

SOLUTION

FLOW SYSTEMS has designed and engineered a system including hardware, software and accessories, that is fully customizable for each application or customer. By using a modular design philosophy, clients may expand system capabilities or add custom features to meet the ever-changing needs of tomorrow. At FLOW SYSTEMS, the test stand is continuously undergoing improvements in component hardware and control software.


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Advantages Over Traditional Gas Calibrators:

»  Scaleable Range and Accuracy Utilizing a Single System Controller.
»  Extremely Large Turndown in a Compact, Mobile Package.
»  Meters can be Tested at Pressures Ranging from Atmospheric to 150 psig.
»  Does Not Require Tight Environmental Temperature Control.
»  No Oils or Hazardous Materials (Mercury) Required.
»  Total Automation with Closed Loop Control.

Meter Types Supported:

»  Turbine
»  Vortex
»  Dp (Venturi, Flow Nozzle, Orifice, Annubar, Vcone) 
         (Dp Transducer Optional)
»  Laminar Flow (Dp Transducer Optional)
»  Thermal Mass
»  Visual (Variable Area (Rotameter), Target)
»  Sonic Nozzle / Critical Flow Venturi
»  Positive Displacement / Rotary
»  Ultrasonic
»  Coriolis


SYSTEM SCHEMATICS 


The test stand utilizes a dried and filtered, compressed gas supply, provided by the customer. Metering is provided by a manifold of FLOW SYSTEMS' Sonic Nozzles, having a binary progression in throat area. New, low flow capacity is achieved using a Bios International Dry Cal ML Series Dry Seal Piston Prover (no mercury).  The nozzles are calibrated by Colorado Engineering Experiment Station, Inc. (CEESI), an internationally recognized laboratory, and are traceable to NIST standards.

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The system may be configured with one, two, or three manifolds depending on the desired flow range. Calibrations may be performed by installing a Unit-Under-Test (UUT) either upstream or downstream of the Sonic Nozzles. The upstream location is for testing at elevated pressures, while the downstream location is designed to test UUT's at near atmospheric conditions. Instrumentation  (pressure and temperature) monitors the inlet conditions to both the Sonic Nozzles and UUT.  The GFC Vacuum System (below) includes a Dew Point Sensor.

All Test System designs, data acquisition, control subsystems and all instrumentation are standard, readily available, Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) items. This ensures that servicing or replacement of any item can be achieved in a timely manner, providing for high availability of the Test System.

  


Click to view enlarged image

 

VACUUM SYSTEM

For those customers needing only to calibrate meters with air at atmospheric conditions, FLOW SYSTEMS offers a vacuum system. This system uses a single Sonic Nozzle manifold that may be populated with 11 nozzles having a binary progression on throat area.  The Vacuum System includes a Dew Point Sensor.


Click to view enlarged image

 

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VACUUM SYSTEM

 

SYSTEM CONTROLLER SOFTWARE 
Data Management Functions include: 

»  Test Configuration
»  Test Sequencing
»  Status & Error Message Management
»  Results Storage
»  Data Reporting
»  Data Analysis
»  Historical Analysis 
The System Controller provides Automated Control of the Hardware. Functions include: 

»  Flow Measurement
»  Flow Control
»  Pressure Regulation
»  System Diagnostics
»  Transducer Calibration 


The system is configured to accept the following inputs from the UUT. The scaling for the signal is selected by the operator. A differential pressure transducer or signal conditioning for the input signal are also available options.

Frequency 1 Channel 10 to 5000 Hz +/- 1 Microsecond
Current 1 Channel 4 to 20ma dc +/-0.015% of Reading
Voltage 1 Channel 0 to 10v dc +/-0.06% of Reading

Outputs:

Current 1 Channel 4 to 20ma dc +/-0.015% of Reading
Voltage 1 Channel 0 to 10v dc +/-0.06% of Reading


These channels in addition to all pressure, temperature, and flow measurements are calibrated against NIST traceable standards. 

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Shown below is a picture of the System Standard Production Screen:

Control System Operator Interface

 

As with all FLOW SYSTEMS Test Systems, the System Controller was developed using National Instruments™ LabVIEW™. Many of the user interface features of this system were jointly developed under a licensing agreement between FLOW SYSTEMS and CompuFlow Solutions in the creation of a custom version of CompuFlow's Cflow+® software.


Also standard on all Test Systems manufactured by FLOW SYSTEMS is our Remote Internet Diagnostic and Support software. This feature enables FLOW SYSTEMS to provide our customers with rapid solutions for technical support on a global basis. The client is required to provide a temporary, high speed Internet connection. 

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Software Features

Calibration Setup

»  Allows the user to build a meter test plan.
»  Validates all test points based on current system configuration.
»  Instructs operator on test section location.

Control Types

»  Mass Flow Rate
»  Actual Volumetric Flow Rate
»  Standard Volumetric Flow Rate
»  Throat Reynolds Number
»  Pipe Reynolds Number
»  Differential Pressure Range

User Configurable Acceptance Criteria

»  Sample Acceptance 
»  Last Match
»  All Data
»  Average Match
»  All within limits
»  Averaging Length

User Configurable Repeats

»  User Selectable Units and Precision for all fields.
»  User Configurable Report Generation.
»  Analysis including multiple plots and previous calibration comparisons.
»  Real Time Diagnostics.

Internet Support and Diagnostics

»  Allows FLOW SYSTEMS to observe and / or control a system remotely for training, optimization, or troubleshooting purposes. Requires a temporary, high-speed data line.

Pressure, Temperature, Frequency, Voltage and Current Calibration

»  Designed for automated on-bench calibration.
»  Common calibration port for pressure calibration.

System Accuracy Check 

»  Measures the repeatability, mass flow and percent difference of a calibrated master Sonic Nozzle against one or more installed system Sonic Nozzles.

System Diagnostics

»  Leak Testing - pressure decay method.
»  Maintenance - allows the user to manipulate all system controls and read all sensors.

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Accuracy

Mass Flow: +/-0.39% of Reading - Standard
+/-0.30% of Reading - Optional
+/-0.17% of Reading - Optional
Volume Flow through UUT: +/-0.42% of Reading - Standard
+/-0.34% of Reading - Optional
+/-0.20% of Reading - Optional
Pressure:
(Barometric to 100  psig) 

+/-0.12% of Reading - Standard
+/-0.07% of Reading - Optional
Temperature:
(10° to 32°C)  1000Ω Thermister
+/-0.03% of Reading
+/-0.1°C
Currrent:
(4 to 20 ma dc)
+/-0.015% of Reading
Voltage: 
(0 to 10vdc)
+/-0.06% of Reading
Frequency:
(10 to 5000Hz)
+/-1 Microsecond
Repeatability: < +/-0.25% as defined as 2 standard deviations divided by the mean of 20 identical samples using a Sonic Nozzle.
Cycle Time: 90 to 120 seconds depending on flow rate.

 

A technical note is available that contains a more thorough discussion 
of gas flow measurement accuracy using Sonic Nozzles.

       

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Facility Requirements*

Electrical Power 100 - 240 VAC  /  50 - 60Hz  /  1pH  /  7.5 - 15 Amp
 
(Option: 220VAC / 50Hz / 3pH)
Pressure Range 70 to 150 psig
Temperature Range 60° to 90°F
Particulates Less than 5 microns
Oil Content Less than 10 ppm
Pressure Dew Point (Air only) Less than 39°F
Flow Rate: Equal to the lesser of the maximum capacity of the flow bench or the requirement of the largest part for a 100% duty cycle. An air receiver will allow for maximum flow at less than 100% duty cycle. Contact FLOW SYSTEMS for more information.

*The Above Facility Requirements are to be Supplied by the Customer at the Installation Site.



Specifications

A Scalable pressurized system that can be configured with 6, 9, 12 or 13 Sonic Nozzles for a range of 8,192:1 for upstream (elevated pressure) testing or 24,576:1 for downstream (atmospheric pressure) testing with most common calibration gasses.

Vacuum system with 11 Sonic Nozzles will provide a 2088:1 range for testing meters at atmospheric conditions using ambient air.



 

                                                                                          

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To Convert to other Units, click here for  Conversion Chart

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Estimated Performance of FLOW SYSTEMS' Gas Flow Calibrator Low Flow Manifold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assumptions: Gas Temp. = 70F, Barometric Pressure = 14.696psia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UUT at Atmospheric Conditions

Air

Air

Air

Air

Air

Air

 

UUT Press.

14.696

psia

  Actual Barometric Pressure will vary with elevation and seasonal changes

 

 

0

psig

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sonic

Throat

Inlet

Mass

Mass

Mass

Mass

   Actual Volume Flow

Nozzle #

Diameter

Pressure

Flow

Flow

Flow

Flow

Qdot

Qdot

 

 

inches

psia

lbm/sec

SCFM*

SLPM**

g/sec

ACFM

ALPM

 

12

0.2500

100.000

0.11279

90.33

2374

51.16

90.34

2558

 

11

0.1768

100.000

0.05637

45.15

1187

25.57

45.15

1279

 

10

0.1250

100.000

0.02817

22.56

593

12.78

22.57

639

 

9

0.0884

100.000

0.01408

11.28

296

6.39

11.28

319

 

8

0.0625

100.000

0.00703

5.63

148

3.19

5.63

160

 

7

0.0442

100.000

0.00351

2.81

74

1.59

2.81

80

 

6

0.0313

100.000

0.00175

1.40