THE MAIN PROBLEMS OF FLOW MEASUREMENT IN THE GAS TRANSPORTATION AND GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND THE PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

Abstract

Flow measurement is a branch of metrology that deals with the quantitative determination of the medium (gas, liquid or steam) passing through a pipeline or system under certain conditions. In general, metrology is a pillar in the gas transportation and distribution system, the correct operation of which contributes to gas accounting, loss calculation, production cost reduction, as well as accurate assessment of environmental impact and protection of consumer and employee safety. In addition, let's not forget the words of Lord Kelvin: "If you can't measure it, you can't fix it."

The correct and comparable determination of gas flow throughout the gas transportation system contributes to the transparency of energy resource calculations and allows for their real savings, since the quantitative assessment of the impact of energy saving measures allows us to determine the loss of energy resources on the way from source to consumer. In addition, the determination of gas consumption is important for establishing correct commercial relations between the natural gas supplier and the consumer, as well as for analyzing the optimal management of gas supply and transportation modes, compiling a gas balance in gas transportation and distribution systems, and exercising control over the rational and efficient use of gas.

Gas has certain physicochemical properties, and its quantity and volume strongly depend on environmental conditions and on the quantities that can affect the measurement process. Also, in order to ensure the uniformity of measurements carried out in the gas transportation and gas supply system and to make the measured volumes of gas flow comparable, the measured flow should be brought to standard conditions, since in the gas transportation system the gas flow is measured at different temperatures and pressures, and therefore also at different densities.