The oil & gas industry continues to grow in importance, as countries seek out alternative decarbonized clean energy sources. However, this increased demand for oil has also put additional stress on the existing infrastructure held to unprecedented rigorous standards of productivity, reliability, and efficiency.
To meet these requirements, companies have turned to non-intrusive ultrasonic clamp-on fuel meters from companies such as Fuji Electric, which specialize 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 will look at some of the advantages of using ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeters in petroleum industry applications.
During the exploration and production stages, the oil and gas flow measurement is essential to optimize the drilling step and to bring the oil to the surface.
The crude oil flow meter is used for wellhead monitoring and oil flow measurement of the amount of oil produced and the amount of waste generated. Flow meters also optimize production by figuring out how much steam should be injected into wells, or how much heat needs to be added in order to bring cold oil up 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 flow meters are ideal for measuring liquids like water, oil, diesel fuel, lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids.
In the oil and natural gas sector, the midstream segment includes everything required for the transportation and storage of resources before they are refined. This includes pipeline systems and infrastructure necessary for long-distance movements, such as pumping stations and tank trucks, barges, and transcontinental tankers. Flow meters can be used to maintain the quality of the product by detecting leaks in pipelines, or by using sensors to detect impurities such as water in hydrocarbons.
Accurate flow measurement is critical in this segment, and a clamp on ultrasonic flow meter can be used to measure the flow of various liquids, including steam, hot water and oil flow.
This technology allows for non-intrusive measurement without interrupting ongoing operations. Overall, reliable midstream flow measurement is essential for efficiently transporting and storing 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 involves turning crude oil and natural gas into finished products for consumption.
Flow meters are often used to measure liquid volumes during the various chemical reactions at the refining and purification steps.
Fractional distillation is one process method used in refining, where crude oil is heated and turned into gas before condensing into liquids like gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuels, heating oils and asphalt for roads. Other hydrocarbon processes permit the production of synthetic rubbers, fertilizers, plastic products, paints, and fibres from long-chain hydrocarbons.
Flow measurement is essential for optimizing production and ensuring that the correct 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 shutdowns and costly cash losses.
Fuji Electric's clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter is the ideal tool for the downstream sector to replace the ageing instrumentation and to face these new demanding 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 flow meters provide accurate verification measurements for existing legacy instrumentation due to their high accuracy, repeatability, linearity, dead banding and stability when compared to other technologies. The data logging feature allows for easy diagnostics, troubleshooting and system optimization which leads to the improved overall efficiency of your operation.
The ultrasonic flow meters can be easily clamped onto any pipe wall without stopping the flow. This allows plant operators to assess the performance of outdated instrumentation, and perform temporary monitoring of lines where there is no pre-existing flow metering data available.
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.
The clamp on ultrasonic flow meters can be used in a variety of applications. The easy installation and use are some of the advantages of these devices. Moreover, they are cost-effective and reliable.
When it comes to accurately measure liquid flow rates, an ultrasonic flow meter is the way to go. These meters offer high performance and advanced processing capabilities, allowing for sophisticated meter diagnostics. Unlike other flow meters, ultrasonic technology does not experience measurement drift and is highly accurate and reliable, even at extremely low flows and under high-pressure conditions.
Where other oil and gas flow measurement technologies can be sensitive and limited to high pressures, the clamp on ultrasonic flow meter can measure anywhere at any time without pressure consideration.
Plus, there are single and dual-channel options available, as well as the opportunity for bi-directional flow measurement. If you're looking for precision and reliability in your liquid flow measurements, look no further than an ultrasonic flow meter.
When it comes to measuring the flow rate of liquids and steam, ultrasonic technology offers unique flexibility and versatility. Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters are handy for measuring the fluid velocity inside pipelines or tubes such as refinery, chemical and water treatment applications.
With a range of pipe sizes compatible with this technology, ultrasonic meters can be used for measuring liquid flows from tiny pipes in downstream laboratory settings to large pipelines in midstream settings. Today, modern clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters are compact enough to fit easily onto pipes without any modifications required.
Compare to other technologies of flow measurement, like differential pressure flow meters with depressurizing elements and Coriolis oil flow meters types that generate pressure drop, the clamp on ultrasonic flow meter has no moving parts or shrinkage of the pipe that can generate pressure loss.
This innovative technology helps you to 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 flow meter for your needs, safety should always be a top priority. This is where ultrasonic flow meters have an advantage. Unlike traditional flow meters that need to be inserted into the pipeline, ultrasonic flow meters are installed outside the pipe wall using clamp-on technology. This means there's no potential for leaks, making them the ideal solution for corrosive and toxic media. And because they're not inserted into the pipeline, they also eliminate any potential issues with clogging or abrasive wear. Plus, since they don't require any interruption to the process of installation, ultrasonic flow meters are virtually maintenance-free. When it comes to operational safety, ultrasonic flow meters are definitely worth considering.
With its easy installation and retrofit capabilities, it's the perfect choice for any oil and gas application. Plus, it offers a user-friendly interface and a rugged, robust design that can withstand the harshest conditions. Choose ultrasonic for an efficient, reliable solution to your flow measurement needs.
For measuring liquids in the oil industry, as 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.
