Meter testing, maintenance and repair
We’re always adding new gas and electric meters to our accreditation program. We’re reviewing and testing a number of meters and hope to service them in the future. Our equipment, methods and people all support a quality management system to service your devices.
Coriolis meters
We test the accuracy of mass flow meters at operating conditions using pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) gas as the test medium. Using pure CO2 gas as a test medium allows us to test Coriolis meters with better calibration uncertainty than what can be achieved by using multicomponent gases such as natural gas or air.
FortisBC’s measurement facility is currently the only facility in Canada, and one of the few in North America, that is accredited for this type of mass flow meter testing and able to produce a mass flow calibration certificate, which is the type of verification needed for custody transfer (sale) applications.
Calibration capabilities
| Manufacturer | Micro Motion1 |
| Size | NPS 2 |
| Pressure rating | 150, 300, 600, 900 ANSI |
| Test temperature range | 10–30 °C (50–86 °F) |
| Test pressure range (CO2 test medium) | 150–240 psia (1,050–1,650 kPa) |
| Measurement uncertainty | 0.29% |
| Reproducibility | > +/-0.2% |
| Traceability | Force, Pigsar |
| Qualifications | ISO 17025, Measurement Canada G-16 Bulletin |
1Additional meter manufacturers expected to be available in future.
2Capabililty for NPS 4 size expected to be available by late 2022. Capability for other sizes such as NPS 3 expected to be available in the future.
Remote witnessing of high-pressure meter testing
For high-pressure testing services on your Coriolis meter that require witnessing, you can save time and money by watching your meter being tested remotely.
To arrange this service, please contact us at 1-800-667-4338 or [email protected]. We’ll send you an email with the test date and time, website address and login information.
Diaphragm and Sonix meters
Services for small and large diaphragm meters include:
- meter inspections/repairs
- testing and calibrations
- verification/re-verification
- compliance sampling
- seal extensions
- AMR retrofits
- other services available upon request
Testing and verification services for diaphragm and Sonix 880 meter
| Calibration standard | |
|---|---|
| Prosonic Prover, Measurement Canada certified, NIST traceable to within +/- 0.5% | Maximum capacity 7,000 ACFH Minimum capacity 30 ACFH |
| CanTronic NoBell Provers, Measurement Canada certified | 125–1,230 ft3 and 20–750 ft3 |
| RTP Provers, Measurement Canada certified | Maximum capacity 1,500 ACFH |
Rotary meters
Our services for rotary meters include:
- meter inspections/repairs
- mechanical and electronic module servicing
- high-pressure (>175 psig) rotary meter servicing
- testing and calibrations
- verification/re-verification
- other services available upon request
Calibration standard
Rotary Transfer Prover, Measurement Canada Certified
- maximum capacity 35,000 ACFH
Test medium: Air
Request rotary meter testing
Turbine meters
We test flow meters over a wide range of operating conditions, using carbon dioxide (CO2) matched to true operating conditions. For high-pressure testing, we match the Reynolds Number using the same gas density of CO2 as that of natural gas in field conditions.
| Calibration capabilities | |
|---|---|
| Flow range | 350 - 230,000 ACFH (10 - 6,500 m3/hr) |
| Pressure range
(CO2 test medium) | 70 - 225 psig (490 - 1,575 kPa) Equivalent pressure 610 psig natural gas, based on flow rate and density |
| Temperature range | 5 °C - 35 °C (41 °F - 95 °F) |
| Fluid type | CO2 |
| ANSI rating & size | ANSI 150, 300, 600 and meters sized NPS 2 to NPS 12 |
| Maximum Reynolds number | 9,800,000 |
| Measurement uncertainty | +/-0.27% |
| Reproducibility | +/-0.2% |
| Traceability | Traceable to international standards through Force, Pigsar |
| Qualifications | ISO 17025, Measurement Canada G-16 Bulletin |
| Meter Runs | Complete meter runs up to 22' (6.7 m) by special arrangement |
Request flow meter testing
- Turbine meter testing service request for Canadian customers
- Turbine meter testing service request for non-Canadian customers
Higher pressure, more accurate meter testing results
Traditional tests use air at atmospheric pressure. As a result, some measurements, and consequently calibrations, are inaccurate. By using CO2 at high pressures—duplicating a range of true operating conditions—our high pressure testing process can significantly reduce the margin of error. Here’s what you should know about meter testing:
- Turbine meters need to be calibrated under in-service conditions for acceptable accuracy. The best calibration results are obtained by matching the in-service Reynolds Numbers and flow rates to the meter being tested.
- For a true representation of how a meter will operate in the field it is recommended that it be tested at a higher pressure than atmospheric if the meter is being used at higher pressures in the field.
- Meters in low-pressure, low-flow applications operate at the lowest Reynolds conditions. Meter performance can change up to several percent when comparing low-pressure test conditions (typically under 1 to 1.5 million Reynolds Numbers) to high-pressure test conditions.
The benefits of our high-pressure turbine meter testing service
In addition to our commitment to providing the most accurate test results possible, you can count on us to be:
- Flexible: we can change pressure and temperature in order to meet your company standards.
- Certified: our repair facility is certified for Sensus and Instromet meters, and we have extensive experience in Elster and Daniel products.
- Efficient: we have fast turnaround times, and we complete all shipping and customs documentation and keep a large volume of spare parts on hand to reduce delays.
- Accessible: all tests can be remotely witnessed, and you can access our test facilities year-round.
Reynolds Number
The Reynolds Number is used to predict fluid flow patterns. It’s a dimensionless ratio of inertial to viscous forces that takes into account the flow rate and physical properties of a fluid. It’s proportional to flow rate and density and inversely proportional to meter diameter and viscosity.
Industry recommendations
American Gas Association (AGA)
Report No. 7 (February 2006), Measurement of natural gas by turbine meter, recommends:
- A meter calibration carried out in a test facility over a particular range of Reynolds numbers characterize the meter’s performance when used to measure gas over the same range of Reynolds number when the meter is in service. (section 6.3.1.1)
- The expected operating Reynolds number range and/or density for a meter needs to be taken into account when designing a calibration program. (section 6.3.2)
Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB)
The ERCB regulates the oil and gas industry in Alberta. Directive 17, 2.5.2.1, item 4 recommends:
- Meters with moving parts be proved “….at a pressure that is within the normal operating condition for that meter location.”
European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
The Europeans have a similar requirement for testing turbine meters. The CEN document EN 12261-2002, section 5.2.1.2 recommends:
- For a meter type specified for measurement in a pressure range below or equal to 4 bar, the error of indication test shall be carried out with a gas at atmospheric conditions (± 100 mbar).
- For a meter type specified for measurement in a pressure range extended above 4 bar, the error of indication test shall be carried out with a gas in the range of the specified metering conditions. The tests shall be carried out at least at the lowest and the highest working pressure specified by the manufacturer. However, for specified maximum pressures above 50 bar, a test at 50 bar is deemed acceptable.
Remote witnessing of high-pressure meter testing
For high-pressure testing services on your turbine meter that require witnessing, you can save time and money by watching your meter being tested remotely. We’ll film the whole test while you watch it, live, on a secure website.
To arrange this service, please contact us at 1-800-667-4338 or [email protected]. We’ll send you an email with the test date and time, website address and login information.
Turbine meter resources
Learn more about our turbine meter services, and use our calculators:
Electric meters
Our services for electric meters include:
- testing and calibrations
- verification/re-verification
- compliance sampling
- seal extensions
- asset management
| Calibration standard | |
|---|---|
| Two Power Measurement Technologies (PMT) 10-position test consoles, Measurement Canada certified |
|
| Two WECO test consoles (3-Phase), Measurement Canada Certified |
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