A method and device for configuring a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device for flow measurement in pipelines, the clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device comprising at least two ultrasound transducers for flow measurement which face one another along the pipeline in a plane or diagonally. The autonomous acquisition and detection of the properties of the pipeline is carried out by means of a determined resistance value on the basis of the dimension of the pipeline and/or a circumferential measurement of the pipeline and/or a determined ultrasound value.

Techniques determine if an appliance having a fixed-rate of gas-consumption is degrading over time. In one example, a flowrate of gas at a service site is obtained. The flowrate of gas is disaggregated to obtain a flowrate of gas corresponding to an appliance having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption. The flowrate of gas of the appliance is compared to historical gas consumption by the appliance. Based at least in part on the comparing, it may be determined that performance of the appliance has changed over time. For example, the gas consumption of a hot water tank may increase due to mineral build-up in the bottom of the tank. Responsive to the determined degradation of the appliance, warnings may be sent, repairs may be made, and/or appliance(s) may be replaced.

A method determines a measured quantity relating to the flow of a fluid through a measuring tube, in two propagation directions, and a receive signal is captured. A transit time difference is determined depending on the position of the main maximum of a cross-correlation of the receive signals. Whereupon the measured quantity is determined depending on the transit time difference, and the transmitting ultrasonic transducer is controlled in each case with an excitation signal. The excitation signal has a fixed carrier frequency. The excitation signal has a phase shift and/or an envelope with a plurality of temporally spaced maxima, and/or, if a trigger condition is fulfilled, the fulfilment of which depends on the height of the main maximum and/or of at least one secondary maximum of the cross-correlation. The determination of the measured quantity is modified compared with a normal operating mode and/or a message is output.

A system and method to detect and quantify integration errors in a transit time ultrasonic flow meter uses dissimilar integration methods or schemes employed simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, a number of chordal paths are arranged in a single meter body such that at least two dissimilar chordal integration schemes can be used to determine the flow rate. At least one of the chordal paths is common to both integration schemes. The total number of chordal paths needed in any chordal measurement plane is less than the sum of the chordal paths used in each of the integration schemes (as is the sum of the planes), thereby reducing hardware requirements.

A system and method to detect and quantify integration errors in a transit time ultrasonic flow meter uses dissimilar integration methods or schemes employed simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, a number of chordal paths are arranged in a single meter body such that at least two dissimilar chordal integration schemes can be used to determine the flow rate. At least one of the chordal paths is common to both integration schemes. The total number of chordal paths needed in any chordal measurement plane is less than the sum of the chordal paths used in each of the integration schemes (as is the sum of the planes), thereby reducing hardware requirements.

A multiphase flow calibration semi-closed loop system includes an oil-gas-water separation unit, a multiphase flow calibration unit, a single phase flow calibration section, a gas flow section, a flow data acquisition unit, and a programmable logic controller (PLC). The system is designed to have a two-step calibration process. In a first step, single phase water flow meters and single phase oil flow meters of the system are calibrated independently. In a second step, multiphase flow meters or multiphase water cut meters are calibrated using the pre-calibrated water flow meter, pre-calibrated oil flow meter, and the pre-calibrated gas flow meter. In doing so, the oil-gas-water separation unit, the multiphase flow calibration unit, the single phase flow calibration section, and the gas flow section communicate with the flow data acquisition unit providing real time data. Thus, the PLC connected to the flow data acquisition unit can perform the required calibration processes.

A multiphase flow calibration semi-closed loop system includes an oil-gas-water separation unit, a multiphase flow calibration unit, a single phase flow calibration section, a gas flow section, a flow data acquisition unit, and a programmable logic controller (PLC). The system is designed to have a two-step calibration process. In a first step, single phase water flow meters and single phase oil flow meters of the system are calibrated independently. In a second step, multiphase flow meters or multiphase water cut meters are calibrated using the pre-calibrated water flow meter, pre-calibrated oil flow meter, and the pre-calibrated gas flow meter. In doing so, the oil-gas-water separation unit, the multiphase flow calibration unit, the single phase flow calibration section, and the gas flow section communicate with the flow data acquisition unit providing real time data. Thus, the PLC connected to the flow data acquisition unit can perform the required calibration processes.

An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs and/or liquid outputs of a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser. The tool may include any number of flow meters, and may also include a flow meter connected to an outlet of a dispenser (22) for providing flow information.

An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs and/or liquid outputs of a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser. The tool may include any number of flow meters, and may also include a flow meter connected to an outlet of a dispenser (22) for providing flow information.

Embodiments of a portable verification system can move from one in-field gas flow meter location to another and temporarily connect downstream of a main pipeline's meter run or station. A control valve of the portable verification system allows volume measurement at different flow velocities to be verified. In some embodiments, the portable verification system is connected to the meter run and the main pipeline by an adjustable pipeline section. This section can extend horizontally and vertically, as well as swivel to provide versatility when connecting in the field. Adaptor fittings having one flange sized for and fitted to the inlet and outlet ends of the portable verification system and another flange sized for the meter run or main pipeline connection provide additional versatility. Downtime is limited to the time required to complete a circuit between the meter run, portable verification system, and main pipeline.