FUNDAMENTALS OF GAS TURBINE METERS
Class 1170
Robert Bennett
American Meter Company
INTRODUCTION
3. The output and readout device which may be
Gas measurement in the U.S. and around the world either a mechanical drive to transmit the indicated
is dominated by diaphragm, rotary, turbine, and meter revolutions outside the body for
orifice meters. Each serves a different segment of uncorrected volume registrations or for electrical
the gas industry and each has its own set of pulse meters, it would be the pulse detector
advantages and disadvantages. system and all electrical connections needed to
transmit the pulses outside.
These four main types of meters can be broken into
two distinct categories: positive displacement, and
inferential. Diaphragm and rotary meters fall into the
positive displacement group because they have
well-defined measurement compartments that
alternately fill and empty as the meter rotates. By
knowing the volume displaced in each meter
revolution and by applying the proper gear ratio, the
meter will read directly in cubic feet or cubic meters.
Turbine and orifice meters have no measurement Figure 1.
compartments to trap and then release the gas.
These meters are categorized as inferential meters
in that the volume passed through them is "inferred"
by something else observed or measured. In the
orifice meter the volumes are determined only by
knowing the inlet pressure, differential pressure,
plate size, and piping characteristics, all of which
"infer" the flow rates that in turn can be integrated
over time to provide the volume.
Turbine meters, also called velocity meters, "infer"
the volume of gas passing through them by Figure 1A
measuring the velocity of the gas stream. Gas
moving through the meter impinges on a bladed
rotor resulting in a rotational speed that is Gas entering the meter increases in velocity as it
proportional to the flow rate. The volume is flows through the annular passage formed by the
determined by counting the number of meter nose cone or upstream stator and the interior of the
rotations. The purpose of this paper is to provide an body. The movement of the gas over the angled
overview for the installation, maintenance, and rotor blades exerts a force to the rotor causing it to
proving of axial flow type turbine meters. rotate. The ideal rotational speed of the rotor is
directly proportional to the flow rate of the gas. The
THEORY OF OPERATION actual rotational speed is a function of the annular
passageway size and shape, and rotor design. It is
As defined in A.G.A. Report #7, the turbine meter also dependent on the load that is imposed due to
consists of three basic components (See Figure 1 internal mechanical friction, fluid drag, external
and 1A) loading, and gas density.
1. The body which houses all of the parts and INSTALLATION
physically contains the gas pressure.
A.G.A. Report #7 was written to provide
2. The measuring mechanism consisting of the recommendations as to the correct method for
rotor, rotor shaft, bearings, and necessary installing turbine meters, using their associated
supporting structure. corrective factors, and meeting the operating
requirements that pertain to axial flow type meters.
Since the turbine meter is a velocity-measuring piping. The distance between the end of the
device, consideration should be given to both the straightening vanes and the inlet of the meter should
upstream and downstream piping to insure a uniform be at least 2 nominal pipe diameters. The meter run
velocity distribution of the gas through the meter and is connected to the vertical risers with standard tees
the rotor by reducing jetting or swirl. Construction of or elbows.
the turbine meter is such so as to minimize minor
flow distortions that could affect meter performance. Reducing fittings may be used at the tee or elbow
but only one pipe size reduction is recommended.
Straightening vanes are recommended to eliminate Valves, regulators, strainers, or filters should be
swirls. These vanes or any type of integral flow installed on the risers
conditioner will not remove any jetting actions and
may actually enhance the jetting effect. The
recommended installation (See Figure 2) for in-line
turbine meters calls for a straight length of 10 pipe
diameters upstream with a distance of 5 pipe
diameters between the end of the straightening
vanes and the meter inlet.
A length of 5 pipe diameters is recommended
downstream. Both inlet and outlet pipe should be the
same size as the meter. Upstream piping should be
clean with no obstructions from flange gaskets,
pressure taps, etc. The pressure tap should come
from the meter as specified by the manufacturer Figure 3. Short Coupled Installation
while the temperature well, if required, should be 2.5
pipe diameters downstream from the meter. Close-coupled installations are shown in Figure 4.
The meter design must incorporate integral flow
conditioners upstream of the rotor. The meter is
connected to the risers with a tee or elbow and the
maximum reduction recommended is one pipe size.
Any valves, regulators, strainers, or filters must be
installed on the risers.
Figure 2. AGA Recommended Installation
Restricting and/or throttling devices, such as partially
opened valves or regulators, are not recommended
in close proximity to the meter since they tend to
increase jetting and swirl. When necessary, any
such throttling device should be installed an
additional 8 nominal pipe diameters upstream or 2
diameters downstream from the meter. Figure 4. Close Coupled Installation
In addition to the recommended installation, Recommendations for angle body turbine meter
alternative types of installations are allowed where installations are shown in Figure 5. The meter run is
there are space limitations with the understanding connected to the inlet riser with either a 90-degree
that there may be some associated loss in meter elbow or tee that may be reduced by one pipe size if
accuracy because of jetting and swirl. necessary. With straightening vanes, the length of
the upstream piping may be 5 pipe diameters with at
Short coupled installations (See Figure 3) use a least 2 pipe diameters between the end of the
minimum of 4 nominal pipe diameters upstream with straightening vanes and the inlet to the meter.
the straightening vanes located at the inlet of the Without straightening vanes, the upstream piping
should be at lease 10 pipe diameters long. Any
valves, regulators, strainers, or filters should be on
the risers
downstream. Because regulators or any throttling
device may tend to cool the gas stream as it
expands, the temperature well should be installed
ahead of any valve or flow restrictor that may be
downstream of the meter.
Pressure taps provided by the manufacturer on the
meter body should be used as pressure taps for any
recording or integrating instruments and during
calibration. Use of any other tap locations may
change the meter's calibration curve.
In any area where liquid contaminants are
Figure 5. Angle Body Installation suspected a separator and/or drip tank should be
considered since a high velocity liquid slug can
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS cause damage to the rotor.
To protect the turbine meter from the dust, dirt, and Over-range protection to prevent the meter from
scale that may occur during certain system overspeeding may be needed. Although it may be
operations, it is important that either a strainer or operated up to 150% of the rated capacity for short
filter be installed upstream of the meter to increase periods of time, it is a good practice to limit the meter
its bearing life. Filters can trap small dust particles to approximately 120% of its maximum capacity.
down to 10 microns. A differential pressure gauge Either a critical flow orifice or sonic venturi nozzle
should be installed across the filter or strainers to may be used downstream of the meter provided that
indicate excessive pressure drops from a build up of adequate pressure is available to compensate for
foreign matter in the strainer screen or filter element. the permanent pressure loss across the flow limitor.
There is about a 50% pressure drop across critical
All foreign material in the upstream piping should be flow orifices and between 10% to 20% drop with a
removed before installing the measuring element sonic flow nozzle.
and placing the meter in service. Special
consideration should be given to the pipe between Blow down valves should be installed downstream of
the strainer and/or filter since it may contain debris the meter and should be no bigger that 1/6 of the
that will not have been removed. meter size
Since upstream disturbances should be kept to a Meter Size Blow Down Valve
minimum, temperature wells should be installed 2" 1/4"
downstream of the meter at a recommended 3", 4" 1/2"
distance of between 2 and 5 pipe diameters 6", 8", 12" 1"
Figure 6. Turbine Meter Installation
A good design for a turbine meter installation running at elevated capacities and/or extended
incorporating many of these recommendations periods should be serviced more frequently.
would look very similar to Figure 6. Manufacturers suggest monthly lubrication with the
period extended as experience permits. Lubrication
INSTALLATION CHECK LIST of the meter with an approved oil is a good, relatively
inexpensive form of preventive maintenance.
-Meter is sized properly for line pressure and load
Periodic internal inspection of the meter should be
-Meter has been lubricated performed to ensure that components are in good
working condition. The frequency of inspection is
-Installation is in accordance with A.G.A. #7 dependent on the severity of the service but should
recommendation and/or company standards be done annually.
-Inlet and outlet meter connections are concentric Follow recommended procedures for taking the
to the pipe flanges and gaskets do not protrude meter out of service and remove any readout
into the flow pattern devices.
-Filters, strainers, and associated equipment are After bypassing if necessary, and isolating the
provided where required meter, relieve the internal pressure using the blow-
down valve. Once the internal mechanism is
-Meter can be isolated and by-passed if needed removed, visually inspect the interior of the meter
body checking the internal flow guides or vanes for
-Pressure blow down is sized properly and damage and removing any liquids or debris. Check
located downstream the inside of the inlet and outlet flanges along with
the gaskets to make sure they are in proper
-Provisions are made for in-line testing alignment and not interfering with smooth gas flow.
Also inspect any seal tape within the body for any
-Pressure and/or temperature taps are provided if cuts or tears. This seal tape prevents gas from
required bypassing the annular passage through the rotor.
Check the internal mechanism flow passages and
-No welding should be done with the internal rotor for damage. The rotor should be checked
mechanism in the meter thoroughly for accumulation of dirt, wear, missing
blades, or other damage. Since it is the essential
-If hydrostatic testing is done, a spool piece is measuring element, any rotor with more than
recommended superficial damage should be replaced and the
meter proved. After completing the visual
MAINTENANCE/FIELD TESTS inspection, the mechanism should be spin tested to
determine its condition.
Normal maintenance and field tests consist of
lubrication, internal inspection, and spin testing. This test determines the relative condition of the
Prior to putting the meter in service, make sure it is meter and is not an accuracy test. With the cartridge
lubricated and perform an initial spin test that will place in a draft-free area and in its normal operating
provide a reference time to future test results. position, place suitable material against the side
away from the rotor and with a finger or air jet; spin
Most turbine meters have provisions for a the rotor briskly, time how long it takes the rotor to
pressurized lubrication system. This consists of an come to a complete stop, and record this time.
external alemite fitting and lever-type oil gun which Repeat this procedure three times to come up with
permits lubrication without taking the meter out of an average spin time. Compare this average time
service. This is a simple procedure and in addition with the tables provided by the manufacturer for
to replenishing the oil supply, it also flushes the each size meter. This average spin time should also
bearing with fresh oil. Older style gravity lubrication be compared with the initial spin test done when the
systems can be converted to pressure systems, meter was first installed.
check with the manufacturer for correct parts.
If the spin time has not changed significantly, the
The frequency of lubrication is a function of the meter is clean, and the internal parts show no
operating conditions. Obviously, a meter subject to damage; then the meter should not display any
gas containing dust and/or liquid contaminants or change in its accuracy. If the mechanical friction
has increased, the resultant slower spin times In order to determine the accuracy of any meter, it
indicate that the accuracy of the meter at low flow must be compared to a recognized standard. While
rates has degraded. If decreased spin time is there are several standards available such as low
encountered, the meter should be lubricated and the pressure flow proving, sonic nozzle proving, bell
rotor spun-in to throw off any excess oil which can proving, and transfer proving, the last two are the
also contribute to slow spin times. The spin test
should be redone to determine if acceptable times
can now be achieved.
Whether the spin time is acceptable or not, it is a
good practice to also check the intermediate gear
train for binds. If possible, another spin test should
be run with the readout device in place to also check
it for binds that can affect low flow accuracy.
Figure 7 Transfer Proving
Another factor that can contribute to low spin time is
low ambient temperatures. Even though the oil is a
most prevalent in the gas industry.
light viscosity, low temperatures affect it.
Because of the high flow rates associated with
MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
turbine meters, bell provers are not generally used
for shop proving. However, manufacturers use large
-Meter should be lubricated on a scheduled time
bell provers, 350 cf or 500 cf for special test and
period with recommended oil
establishment of master meters by a process known
as cascading. In this process, an engineering curve
-Filters or strainers should be checked for
(15 points) is established for a 4" meter. Using the
differential and/or pressure drop
4" meter as the master meter, an engineering curve
is established for a 6" meter, 8" meter, and 12"
-Before disassembly, make sure the meter is
meter. All of these tests are traceable to the
depressurized and the readout device is
National Bureau of Standards. These master
removed.
meters are then used to transfer prove production
meters and determine the normal six (6) point curve
-Check the interior of the meter including seal
furnished with each meter.
tape, guides, and/or vanes for damage and
remove any liquids and/or debris
Field or shop transfer provers are also calibrated
using an accepted standard and a thoroughly
-Check the cartridge flow passages and rotor for
defined accuracy curve which is traceable to
damage
National Bureau of Standards that has been derived
and furnished with each prover.
-Conduct the spin test in a draft-free area.
Perform three repetitions and average the spin
Normally a transfer prover system consists of the
times.
master meter, control console, flow rate control
valve, pulse transmitter of gate switch for both
-If low spin time is encountered, lubricate the
master and field meters, blower with muffler, and
bearings, and spin the rotor several times to work
associated pressure and temperature sensors
the new oil in, and repeat the test
(Figure 7). The connection between the master
meter and the field prover is either fixed piping or
-Check the intermediate gear and readout device
flexible hose with quick disconnect couplings.
for binds
Vacuum testing with air drawn through both master
-Spin test with the readout device in place
and field meters is the common method used. In this
procedure, the same volume of air is passed through
PROVING
both meters. By comparing this volume and
applying master meter presets, along with
As stated earlier, the spin test is not an accuracy
corrections for pressure and temperature
test but rather a means to determine the relative
differences, the accuracy of the field meter can be
condition of the meter.
calculated.
One method of proving turbine meter cartridges is to -AIM 4700, Maintenance of American Gas
start an exchange program. A cartridge is tested in Turbine Meters, American Meter Company
the shop, then taken to the field where it is -AIM 4701/AIM 330.2C, Gas Turbine Lubrication
exchanged with the field meter cartridge. The field Instructions, American Meter Company
meter cartridge is returned to the shop, where an in-
test (as found) is done, any necessary repairs made,
cartridge retested, and a new accuracy curve is
generated. This cartridge is then used for field
exchange on another meter.
This method offers the advantage of only having the
meter out of service long enough to exchange
cartridges. Meter manufacturers state maximum
error for this exchange method is +/- .25%
(American) and +/- .6% (Equimeter).
PROVING CHECKLIST
-Purge meter observing safety rules and proper
procedures
-Install pulse transmitter on field meter, place
temperature sensor as close to field meter outlet
as possible
-Connect pressure tubing to tap provided for this
purpose on the meter
-Leak test piping; if in-line proving, make sure
valves are not leaking through
-Observe prover manufacturer's instructions for
initiating prover, self-test, and actual test
sequence
-Record results and calculate corrected proof
-Perform periodic maintenance and re-
certification of the transfer prover
REFERENCES
-Measurement of Gas by Turbine Meters,
Transmission Measurement Committee Report
No. 7, American Gas Association, 1985
-Gas Measurement Manual, Part 4 Gas Turbine
Metering, American Gas Association, 1985
-Gas Measurement Manual, Part 12, Meter
Proving, American Gas Association, 1978
-Mm-1070, Rev 2, Equimeter MK-II and AAT
Turbo-Meter Installation and Maintenance
Instructions
