The oil & gas industry continues to grow in importance, as countries seek clean, decarbonized alternative energy sources. However, this increased demand for oil has also put additional pressure on existing infrastructure, which is subject to unprecedented standards of productivity, reliability and efficiency.
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To meet these requirements, companies have turned to non-intrusive ultrasonic clamp-on fuel meters from companies such as Fuji Electric, specialized in providing innovative solutions for measuring liquids under severe and complex processing conditions, from upstream to downstream production, transport and storage.
In this article, we'll look at some of the advantages of using ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeters in oil industry applications.
During the exploration and production phases, measuring the flow of oil and gas is essential to optimize the drilling stage and bring the oil to the surface.
The crude oil flowmeter is used to monitor the wellhead and measure the quantity of oil produced and the amount of waste generated. Flowmeters also optimize production by determining how much steam to inject into wells, or how much heat to add to bring up cold oil from great depths.
Ultrasonic flowmeters are used upstream to calculate the mass flow or volume flow of fluids in pipelines, tanks and other process equipment. They also monitor equipment such as control pumps, valves, flow lines or any other component requiring precise flow, which is essential to maintain oil flow.
Ultrasonic petroleum flowmeters are ideal for measuring liquids such as water, petroleum, diesel fuel, lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids.
In the oil and gas sector, the midstream segment comprises everything needed to transport and store resources prior to refining. This includes pipeline systems and the infrastructure required for long-distance movements, such as pumping stations and tankers, barges and transcontinental tankers. Flowmeters can be used to maintain product quality by detecting leaks in pipelines, or by using sensors to detect impurities such as water in hydrocarbons.
Accurate flow measurement is essential in this segment, and a clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter can be used to measure the flow of a variety of liquids, including steam, hot water and oil.
This technology enables non-intrusive measurement without interrupting ongoing operations. Overall, reliable midstream flow measurement is essential for the efficient transport and storage of petroleum products.
Fuji Electric's ultrasonic flowmeter features integrated algorithmic systems that eliminate external noise sources and provide accurate measurements, even at low speeds or with high-viscosity fluids.
The flow sensor is IP68-rated, which means it can be used in extremely harsh environments without being damaged. Our products are easy to install and require no maintenance. So there's no need for frequent cleaning or repairs. You can concentrate on other aspects of your business.
The downstream sector consists of transforming crude oil and natural gas into finished products for consumption.
Ultrasonic flowmeters are often used to measure liquid volumes during various chemical reactions in the refining and purification stages.
Fractional distillation is one of the methods used in refining. Crude oil is heated and transformed into gas before being condensed into liquids such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, heating oil and road asphalt. Other hydrocarbon-related processes produce synthetic rubbers, fertilizers, plastics, paints and fibers from long-chain hydrocarbons.
Flow measurement is essential to optimize production and ensure that the right proportions of chemicals are used in these reactions.
Petrochemical plants and refineries are often subject to harsh conditions, including high temperatures, abrasive media and toxic residues. Over time, traditional flow measurement technologies such as DP flowmeters, Vortex meters and Coriolis meters become clogged with dirt and debris. This wear and tear renders the instrument inaccurate and inoperative, leading to unplanned maintenance downtime and costly cash losses.
Fuji Electric's ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeter is the ideal tool for the downstream sector to replace aging instrumentation and meet these demanding new process conditions.
Check metering is a form of quality control that uses flow measurement equipment to verify the accuracy of existing flow measurement instruments in your system. This can be done at any point in your process. Check metering is most commonly used for verifying the accuracy of flow rate measurements for processes with high capital costs or regulatory requirements. Check metering can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of new technologies like LNG.
Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters provide accurate verification measurements for existing instruments thanks to their high accuracy, repeatability, linearity, deadband and stability compared with other technologies. The data logging function facilitates diagnosis, troubleshooting and system optimization, helping to improve the overall efficiency of your operation.
Ultrasonic flowmeters can be easily attached to any pipe wall without stopping the flow. This enables plant operators toevaluate the performance of obsolete instruments, and tocarry out temporary monitoring of lines for which no pre-existing flow measurement data exists.
The ultrasonic flowmeter offers an alternative to traditional mechanical flowmeters such as orifice plates, venturi tubes and V-Cone flowmeters, which can corrode over time and lose accuracy.
The non-intrusive design of the ultrasonic flowmeter makes it easy to install and maintain without modifying the piping.
Obsolete measuring instruments or out-of-service flowmeters can be replaced without having to cut the existing piping and without loss of production.
Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters can be used in a wide range of applications. Easy installation and operation are just some of the advantages of these devices. They are also cost-effective and reliable.
When it comes to accurately measuring the flow of a liquid, an ultrasonic flow meter is the ideal solution. These meters offer high performance and advanced processing capabilities, enabling sophisticated diagnostics. Unlike other flowmeters, ultrasonic technology has no measurement drift and is highly accurate and reliable, even at extremely low flow rates and under high-pressure conditions.
Whereas other oil and gas flow measurement technologies can be sensitive and limited to high pressures, the ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeter can measure anywhere, anytime, regardless of pressure.
What's more, single- and dual-channel options are available, as well as bi-directional flow measurement. If you're looking for precision and reliability in your liquid flow measurements, look no further than an ultrasonic flowmeter.
When it comes to measuring the flow of liquids and steam, ultrasonic technology offers unique flexibility and versatility. Ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeters are practical for measuring fluid velocity inside pipes or tubes, as in refinery, chemical and water treatment applications.
Thanks to a range of pipe sizes compatible with this technology, ultrasonic flowmeters can be used to measure liquid flows, from tiny pipes in downstream laboratories to large pipes in intermediate plants. Today, modern clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters are compact enough to fit easily into pipes without the need for any modifications.
Compared with other flow measurement technologies, such as differential pressure flowmeters with depressurizing elements and Coriolis flowmeters, which generate pressure losses, the ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeter has no moving parts or pipe constrictions that can generate pressure losses.
This innovative technology helps you save energy.
What's more, these flowmeters are available as portable or permanent flowmeters , making them easy to install and move around.
And with transducers capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from -40°C to +200°C, ultrasonic flowmeters can be used in a wide variety of environments.
Whether you need to measure the flow of liquid nitrogen or high-pressure steam, ultrasonic technology has you covered.
When it comes to finding the right flowmeter for your needs, safety must always be a top priority. That's where ultrasonic flowmeters come into their own. Unlike conventional flowmeters, which have to be inserted into the pipe, ultrasonic flowmeters are installed on the outside of the pipe wall, using fastening technology. This means there's no risk of leakage, making them the ideal solution for corrosive and toxic environments. And because they are not inserted into the pipe, they also eliminate any potential problems of clogging or abrasive wear. And because they require no interruption to the installation process, ultrasonic flowmeters are virtually maintenance-free. When it comes to operational safety, ultrasonic flowmeters are well worth considering.
Easy to install and upgrade, they are the ideal choice for any oil and gas application. What's more, it offers a user-friendly interface and a rugged design that can withstand the harshest conditions. Choose ultrasonics for an efficient, reliable solution to your flow measurement needs.
For measuring liquids in the oil industry, because they are accurate, require minimal maintenance and can be used in harsh environments. They have a long service life thanks to their durability and design. The technology is also non-intrusive, meaning that operations can continue without interruption.
Flowmeters are easy to install and can be used in a variety of applications, from upstream production to downstream refining. With advantages like these, it's no wonder that ultrasonic flowmeters are becoming increasingly popular in industries the world over!
If you're looking for a reliable, non-intrusive ultrasonic flowmeter for your oilfield business, look no further than Fuji Electric.
Our products are built to last and can withstand the most extreme temperature and pressure conditions.
Aurélien BARRA
Technical Manager - Flow measurement and flowmetering systems
