New dual chamber orifice fittings help keep fiscal metering lines running

Published: 7th March 2014 | Issue 28 Share article:

Disruption in fiscal metering applications caused by the removal and inspection of orifice plate flowmeters can now be eliminated using ABB’s new meter2di FPD220.

The meter2di is a dual-chamber orifice fitting which enables orifice plates to be inspected or replaced without removing the fitting itself from the pipeline.

Many orifice meters used in the oil and gas industry typically feature a single chamber design. Single chamber fittings have an orifice plate that can be replaced without removing the fitting from the pipeline. However, before the plate can be withdrawn, the flow must first be stopped and the pipeline vented, causing potential disruption for many hours as the line is shut down.

ABB’s meter2di overcomes this by enabling safe removal of the orifice plate while the line remains pressurised and the product is flowing. The orifice plate is withdrawn into a dual chamber, which is then isolated from the pipeline. Although the second chamber must still be vented, there is no requirement for the pipeline itself to be vented.

Added protection against the risk of leakage from the pipeline into the second chamber during plate removal is provided by the meter2di’s dual isolation feature. This uses two independent chamber seals to ensure maximum safety during live orifice plate changes or routine inspections. Valve isolation is provided by ‘Category II Proved Isolation’ using a double block and bleed arrangement. All chamber equalization and venting is controlled by a single manifold that can be supplied as “firesafe” if required.

Two pressure gauges integrated into the unit display the pressures in each chamber, enabling operators to see whether the process is properly isolated.

By enabling an orifice plate to be removed, inspected / exchanged and reinserted into the line within just 30 minutes while the flow line remains live, the meter2dican help operators to achieve annual savings of up to $50k per stream through reduced downtime. Further cost and maintenance savings are also possible through the elimination of parallel streams or bypass lines, which are no longer required to handle flows while the main stream is offline.

ABB Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)1925 741 111
www.abb.co.uk

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