Gas Meter Calibration

New RTF4000 – Gas Meter Flow Rig

Stream Measurement’s new gas test facility incorporates our new gas meter test flow rig. This significant investment means our new test rig extends our capabilities, improving both capacity and accuracy.

The new RTF4000 will be used to calibrate and verify different meter technologies, from diaphragm, rotary and turbine gas meters to inline ultrasonic, vortex/swirl and Coriolis meters.

The RTF4000 is a test facility working at atmospheric conditions and is operated by sucking air through the system. The air flow first passes through the inlet (mesh filter) of the clamping section, through the meter under test (MUT), then into the inlet header. The air follows its path through the working standard towards the control valve and blower. The layout of the test rig allows the calibration of used and, hence, possibly “dirty” gas meters. Two filters are installed between the reference standard and MUT so dirt in the MUT will not enter the reference meters and affect the working standards’ accuracy.

It contains three reference lines, meter under test (MUT) section, clamping section, flow control section, blower, electronic cabinets, PC and software.

The DUO design eliminates the pulsations generated by conventional rotary meters. By coupling two pairs of rotors in the same body in such a way that their pulsations oppose each other, a smooth movement of gas is obtained. Upstream and downstream of the reference meters, damper vessels are positioned to isolate the reference from the MUT section and eliminate the (rest) pulsation of the working standards.

The master meters are enclosed between two butterfly valves (shut-off). This double block procedure should prevent the smallest internal leakage. The butterfly valves are pneumatically operated with electrically operated actuators. Each master meter has two temperature sensors. One sensor is installed upstream and the other downstream of the working standard. For measurements, these two temperatures are averaged. A pressure hose is connected to the pressure point of the master meter for pressure measurement. Flow control is achieved by a control valve and the frequency controller of the blower.

Reference meters

The RTF4000 has three reference meters installed:

Reference meter 1 – turbine gas meter

Qmax: 4000 m3/h
Qmin: 200 m3/h

Reference meter 2 - rotary gas meter

Qmax: 1250 m3/h
Qmin: 6 m3/h

Reference Meter 3 - rotary gas meter

Qmax: 25 m3/h
Qmin: 0,25 m3/h

Exisitng Gas Meter Flow Rig

Used mostly by the UK Gas Utilities, Stream’s gas meter test facility is fully approved for the testing of fiscal gas meters and is one of only three fiscally approved test facilities in the UK.

Adding to their product support expansion, in 2013 Stream acquired the UK gas meter repair and calibration facility from Itron (now Dresser Actaris Gas) Metering Solutions, providing Dresser Actaris Gas (previously Itron) with a local repair and calibration service for their fiscal range of gas meters. The facility is now further extended to accommodate the repair and calibration of all manufacturer’s gas meters – whilst also enabling our secondary metering customers to benefit by ensuring their gas meters are tested to the same exacting fiscal standards.

To extend product life cycle, Stream offer gas meter a full repair, refurbishment and calibration service at our facility in Oldham.

From major partnership contracts to one off customer requirements Stream offer gas meter services to all types of gas meters and manufacturers equipment. From our facility in Oldham, we can support all Dresser Actaris Gas (previously Itron) gas meter products and can offer complete repair, refurbishment, flow calibration and pressure testing. Repairs to other manufacturers flow metering systems is possible where spares parts and tooling is available.

Stream’s Return to Factory Flow meter calibration services ensure the highest level of calibration accuracy and test rig traceability is achieved. With their wide range of test fluid mediums including Water, Air and Oil, Stream provide one of the largest calibration offerings in the UK.

Our standard service checks the flow meter accuracy at two flow points, the test at each flow point is repeated at least twice to ensure repeatability of the flowmeter (the single most important performance factor of the instrument).

The rigs ensure that a wide range of flow rates can be achieved, with their high capacity flow-rig providing one the highest UK capacities – enabling flowmeters up to 400mm to be verified. Whilst predominantly used for the testing of Rotary Piston (RPD) and Turbine meters, the rigs can also be utilised to verify most flowmeter technologies, using air as the test medium, achieving flow rates from 0.5 to 4,000 m³/hour.

Our service covers any manufacturers flow meter – whether for process or energy measurement, covering any technology, including Positive Displacement, Turbine, Electromagnetic, Coriolis, Vortex or Swirl – and offering a service for Industrial Process, Water, Heat, Gas, Steam, Compressed Air, Oil and LPG meters.

The Facility & Equipment:

Designed for the fiscal calibration of gas meters this test facility is fully environmentally controlled, whilst the testing of standard gas meters is automated to achieve the highest test standards are maintained.

The Test Equipment Includes:

Bell Provers: regarded as the standard for gas meter calibration, used primarily for the testing of Diaphragm, RPD and Ultrasonic meters. Approved and fully traceable the Prover Rig is fully automated and electronically controlled to ensure the highest level of accuracy and test repeatability.

High Capacity Flow Rig: used to test large gas meters (50mm and over). The rig can accommodate meters up to 400mm (16″) in size and can be used to verify many meter technologies including Turbine and RPD.

Approved for accuracy verification of fiscal meters
Flowmeter sizes 4mm to 400mm
UK repair & service center for Dresser Actaris gas meters
Any manufacturers gas meters
Suitable for Diaphragm, RPD, Turbine, Vortex and Swirl Meters
Highest level of calibration accuracy and traceability – Used for Fiscal Verification
Repair, maintenance and refurbishment service
Special quick turnaround repair & calibration service for Dresser Actaris meters
Collection & Delivery arranged with 24hr turnaround for scheduled meters