NEL invests in high pressure calibration facility

NEL is set to invest £1 million to construct the UK’s only flow meter calibration facility which is capable of testing at significantly elevated pressures and temperatures. NEL’s flow facilities are widely recognised and they are the primary flow measurement standard for the UK.

More accurate temperatures and pressures

This new test loop will perform meter calibrations closer to actual service conditions which will reduce oil and gas operators’ financial exposure. By reflecting the increasing temperatures and pressures more accurately – at levels that flow meters must ordinarily operate at – the uncertainty of meters deployed in the field will be significantly minimised.

The pressure capability of NEL’s high pressure, high operating temperature liquid flow loop will increase from 5 to 100 bar maximum capability. It will also be able to deal with higher temperatures, increasing from 400oC maximum capability to 800°C.

Comment form the UK Oil and Gas Authority

Douglas Griffin, Head of Petroleum Measurement and Allocation at the Oil and Gas Authority, commented: “Both equipment manufacturers and operators face significant flow measurement challenges, with elevated temperatures and pressures causing a substantial gap between calibration and actual service conditions.”

Comment from NEL

Dr Phil Mark, Group Manager at NEL said: “NEL’s investment means that the UK is leading the improvement of flow meter performance in ever more challenging operating conditions. NEL’s new high pressure/high operating temperature liquid flow loop fills the gap between calibration and service conditions, allowing manufacturers to prove the performance of their meters, while operators and taxation authorities can be assured of more accurate fiscal measures.”

Edited from source by Elizabeth Corner

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/equipment-and-safety/01072015/nel-invests-in-high-pressure-calibration-facility/