ISA Expo 2003: FCI’s flowmeter measures in flaring, mixed-gas systems

Houston, TX—With a sensing element combining precision thermal mass flow and gas composition sensors, GF03 flowmeter from Fluid Components International (FCI, San Marcos, CA) delivers accurate flow measurement in flaring and other variable, mixed gas composition systems.

By Control Engineering Staff October 21, 2003

Houston, TX— With a sensing element combining precision thermal mass flow and gas composition sensors, GF03 flowmeter from Fluid Components International (FCI, San Marcos, CA) delivers accurate flow measurement in flaring and other variable, mixed gas composition systems. GF03 achieves the accuracy, range and resolution required to meet the stringent air pollution regulations at a total installed costs up to 50% less than alternative technologies. FCI is exhibiting at Booth #2504 during ISA Expo 2003, Oct. 21-23, at the Reliant Center.

GF03 is designed for use in flare systems and similar variable gas applications; regulatory emissions monitoring and reporting; continuous and event flow volume measurement; process leak detection/isolation and reduction; tributary and vent gas monitoring; loss control; material balancing; and pilot/purge gas monitoring. FCI reports that flow measurement with GF03 helps improve process efficiency and plant safety, and helps report gas flow rate and totalization of gas emissions to retain compliance with air quality regulations. Its single-sensing element, single-insertion point design reduces purchase, installation, labor and maintenance costs.

To match the capabilities of one GF03, the company adds, alternative technologies, such as time-of-flight ultrasonic systems, require inserting four sensors. These include two flow sensors, plus a pressure transmitter and a temperature sensor, with precision alignment of the two flow sensors in the piping, all at a significantly higher cost than GF03. FCI says other flow sensing technologies, such as orifice plates and Venturi tubes, do not meet today’s emission reporting regulations; are difficult to install; and are prone to excessive maintenance.

GF03’s temperature-compensated thermal mass flow and gas composition sensor assembly continuously measures mixed gas, and applies a special flow correction technique, which FCI is patenting, to report flow rate and total flow. The flow sensor is housed in an all-welded, 316L stainless steel enclosure, which means there are no holes to leak, clog or foul, and so requires little maintenance. Its single-insertion probe simplifies installation with only one device placed in the flow stream, and reduces tap points to the fewest possible, which minimizes pressure drop and the potential for leaking.

GF03 also meets or exceeds regulatory agency specifications for +5% accuracy, with repeatability of +0.5% of reading over a wide flow range from 0.50 to 275 SFPS. Its performance and programmable outputs mean it is equally effective for reading and reporting both low flows, such as those occurring during a leak, and the high flow rates that occur in a major flaring event.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news editor
jmontague@reedbusiness.com