Precision Machine Products, Inc.

Badger Meter, Inc.

Other

Precision Measurement, Inc.

William H Clingman, Jr

Lyn R Kennedy

William H Vander Heyden

Kenneth R Hall

Instrument and method for heating value measurement by stoichiometric

The present invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring in real time the mass and energy flow rate of a gas through a pipeline. The invention determines the mass flow ratio of a pipeline gas flowing through a pipeline compared to sample gas tapped from the pipeline line when the volumetric flow of pipeline gas through the pipeline is measured by a linear flow meter. Sample gas tapped from the pipeline is flowed to a chamber having a section with a fixed volume until the pressure in the chamber section is substantially equal to the pipeline gas pressure. The sample gas is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the gas in the pipeline while the sample gas is in the chamber section. A timer measures the time interval for the sample gas to flow from the chamber section at a selected rate for a calculated pressure drop the selected rate being controlled by a flow controller. The mass flow ratio is computed using the measured time interval and a signal from the linear flow meter. The energy flow rate of the pipeline gas is determined by measuring the energy flow rate of the sample gas and relating that value to the mass flow ratio of the pipeline gas compared to the sample gas.

Method and apparatus for measuring mass flow and energy content using a

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for taking a constantly proportional flowing sample of gas flowing through a main line having a first flow restriction therein. According to the teachings of the present of invention, such an apparatus includes a sample line connected to the main line so as to draw a flowing sample of gas from the main line at a point upstream from the first flow restriction; a second flow restriction in the sample line, the second flow restriction being very small relative to the main and sample lines and the first flow restriction; and structure that equalizes the pressure downstream of the first and second flow restrictions.

Method and apparatus for taking a proportional sample of flowing gas in

Disclosed is a method for taking a constantly proportional flowing sample of gas flowing through a line and which is part of measuring and determining the total energy flow, that is, BTUs per minute, of combustible gas flowing through a line such as a pipeline. One method includes taking a continuous sample of the gas flowing through the line which sample is a constant proportion of the gas flowing through the line, and burning the sample in equipment which supplies air to the sample in an amount which maximizes its burning temperature. The flow rate of air which produces the maximum burning temperature of the sample is a flow rate which is directly proportional to the rate of energy flow in the main pipeline. Alternately, the flow rate of air which produces a stoichiometric mixture is directly proportional to the rate of energy flow in the main pipeline. Still further, if an excess of air is flowed to the flame, the amount of excess unconsumed oxygen is also a function of the rate of energy flow in the main pipeline. One or another of these parameters is measured.

Method of taking a proportional sample of flowing gas in a line

Disclosed is an improved proportional gas flow sampler having a combined arrangement of baffles with orifice plates for obtaining proportional flow sampling. Orifice plates may be used alone for this purpose and baffles also may be used alone, but by combining the two, the disadvantages of each are overcome. A spool piece is inserted in the main gas line. In this spool piece a baffle arrangement extracts a fixed fraction of the flow into a bypass line. Downstream of the baffles there are orifice plates in both the main line and the by-pass line. Just upstream of one orifice plate or the other, depending on the gas flow rate, the sample flow is extracted. The sample flow rate typically is a very small percentage of the flow in the main line. The sample flow line also contains an orifice plate. Just upstream of it is a fan and downstream is a control valve. An electronic controller adjusts this valve and fan so that the upstream and downstream pressures at this orifice plate match the corresponding orifice plate pressures in either the main line or by-pass line. When the pressure match is obtained, the sample line flow rate is a reproducible selected fraction of the flow rate in the main line.

Proportional flow sampler

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for measuring and determining the total energy flow, that is, BTUs per minute, of combustible gas flowing through a line such as a pipeline. One method includes taking a continuous sample of the gas flowing through the line which sample is a constant proportion of the gas flowing through the line, and burning the sample in equipment which supplies air to the sample in an amount which maximizes its burning temperature. The flow rate of air which produces the maximum burning temperature of the sample is a flow rate which is directly proportional to the rate of energy flow in the main pipeline. Alternately, the flow rate of air which produces a stoichiometric mixture is directly proportional to the rate of energy flow in the main pipeline. Still further, if an excess of air is flowed to the flame, the amount of excess unconsumed oxygen is also a function of the rate of energy flow in the main pipeline. One or another of these parameters is measured. Also disclosed is equipment capable of effectively performing the several steps of the method.

Method and apparatus for determining total energy flow in a gas line

Method of and means for accurately measuring the calorific value of combustible gases wherein a mixture of combustible gas and combustion-supporting gas is burned in a pair of flames, the temperatures of the burned gases in both flames being monitored and the volume ratios of the combustion-supporting gas to the combustible gas fed to both burners being adjusted so as to maintain the average of said temperatures at substantially maximum; the volume ratio of said gases which produces said maximum average temperatures varying substantially directly with the calorific value of said combustible gas; the aforesaid calorific value being proportional to said volume ratio of said gases which maximizes said average temperatures; the flow rates of said gases being measured by a single flow sensing system, preferably, of the turbine flowmeter types, or the volumetric flow rate of said combustion-supporting gas being maintained at a constant value while the volumetric flow rate of said combustible gas is being measured; said calorific value measuring method and means being unaffected by ambient temperature and other varying environmental factors. In one embodiment, automatic calibration of the device is obtained by alternately feeding a standard gas and the unknown gas to the burners.

Method of and means for accurately measuring the calorific value of

Method of and means for accurately measuring the calorific value of combustible gases wherein a mixture of combustible gas and combustion-supporting gas is burned in a pair of flames, the temperatures of the burned gases in both flames being monitored and the volume ratios of the combustion-supporting gas to the combustible gas fed to both burners being adjusted so as to maintain the average of said temperatures at substantially maximum; the volume ratio of said gases which produces said maximum average temperatures varying substantially directly with the calorific value of said combustible gas; the aforesaid calorific value being proportional to said volume ratio of said gases which maximizes said average temperatures; the flow rates of said gases being measured by a single flow sensing system, preferably, of the turbine flowmeter types, or the volumetric flow rate of said combustion-supporting gas being maintained at a constant value while the volumetric flow rate of said combustible gas is being measured; said calorific value measuring method and means being unaffected by ambient temperature and other varying environmental factors.

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

William H Clingman, Jr