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Measurement of Gas 1

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There are many different designs of gas metering devices, each using a different
method to record the volume of gas flow. Some record the amount of gas used
for billing purposes, whereas others give an indication as to the rate at which the
gas is flowing, possibly for test purposes. Gas meters fall into two distinct classes:
Displacement and Inferential.
Displacement Meters
These meters record a definite volume by the displacement of gas through one of the
following methods:

r
r

a bellows chamber or compartment; or

spaces between impellers or vanes.

Positive Displacement Meters

This type of meter is a unit construction (U-meter). It is a design that has been around
since the 1800s. Since then it has undergone many improvements, but it still operates
along the same principles of the early design. The U-type meter uses diaphragms
that are alternately inflated and deflated by the gas pressure flowing through. The
movements of the diaphragms, via pivoting flag rods, opens and closes two valves
located at the top of the meter. These valves control the passage of gas through the
four measuring compartments. The diagram opposite illustrates the cycle of opening
and closing each compartment.
1. The gas flows into the inner chamber at the front of the meter, and in so doing
allows gas to pass out into the system from the adjoining front chamber. As the
diaphragm moves, it causes the flag rods to turn, which cause the valves at the top
to move.
2. Owing to the movement of the flag rod, the inlet port to the front inner chamber
eventually closes, as does the outlet from the outer front chamber and gas can now
only pass into the rear outer chamber, causing the gas to flow out from the inner
rear chamber.
3. and 4. As the rear inner chamber empties, so the movement of the flag rods continues and eventually the gas is allowed to flow into the front outer chamber and out
from the front inner chamber filled during (1) above, and so the process continues.
As the flag rods pivot back and forth, opening and closing the valves, they cause
a worm wheel to turn. This, via a gear box, slowly turns the dial to register the
quantity of gas used. The diaphragm used in the movement is made from a synthetic
fibre called reinforced nitro-rubber. The typical U6 and U40 meters shown in the
photograph opposite are two of the many meters that use this design. The number
following the U indicates the volume that the meter is capable of passing in m3 /h.
This range of meters is from U4 (4 m3 /h) 25 mm (1 inch) connections, through to
U160 (160 m3 /h) 100 mm (4 inch) connections.

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gas 'in'

gas 'out'
valve

gas 'in'

gas 'in'

gas 'out'

front of meter

back of meter

front of meter

diaphragm

gas 'out'

gas 'out'
4

front of meter

back of meter

front of meter

back of meter

Operational cycle of a 'U' type Positive Displacement Diaphragm Meter

U Type Meters
Type

Badged rating
m3/h
ft3/h

Connection type

U4

141

25 mm (1) threaded

U6/G4

212

25 mm (1) threaded

U10

10

353

32 mm (11/4) threaded

U16

16

565

32 mm (11/4) threaded

U25

25

883

50 mm (2) threaded

U40

40

1412

50 mm (2) threaded

U65

65

2295

65 mm (21/2) flanged

U100

100

3530

80 mm (3) flanged

U160

160

5650

100 mm (4) flanged

Typical 'U' type

Diaphragm Meters

2 Gas Utilisation

back of meter

gas 'in'

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Measurement of Gas 2

2 Gas Utilisation

Rotary Displacement Meters

An example of a rotary displacement meter is shown opposite. It measures the gas
flow by trapping it between two impellers that rotate in opposite directions. From
the diagram of the meter, one can see that the bottom impeller turns anticlockwise,
allowing the gas to enter the space between the impeller and the casing. As the impeller
reaches the horizontal position the measured quantity of gas is contained between the
impeller and case wall. As the impeller continues to turn, the gas discharges through
to the outlet. This design of meter ranges in sizes from 43 m3 /h to 9063 m3 /h, and
therefore can measure much greater volumes than the previous type of meter. All
rotary displacement meters operate at pressures up to 2 bar and some can operate up
to 100 bar.
With both the positive displacement and rotary displacement meter, the moving parts
are activated by the gas flowing through the meter. Should the meter seize up, the gas
supply will shut off. So if the supply needs to be continuous, a by-pass would need
to be fitted or two meters would need to be fitted in parallel, to allow continuity of
supply during shut down, or for maintenance purposes.
Inferential Meters
Inferential meters record the gas flow by deducting one known quantity from another.
These include:

r
r
r
r

the rotation speed of a turbine;

the measured differential across an orifice;
the measured difference between static and kinetic pressures;
the measured temperature changes across a wire.

There are many designs of inferential gas meter, including the turbine meter, orifice
meter and Ultrasonic meter.
Turbine Meter
With this design the gas impinges on to specially shaped air-foil blades that rotate at
high speeds as the gas flows through. The speed of rotation of the blades is proportional to the velocity and volume of gas passing over them. The meter records both
the velocity and volume per hour. The drive from the turbine spindle is transferred
by a magnetic coupling to record the flow on to an index mechanism counter. This
type of meter could not record the amount of gas consumed because when the gas
stops flowing the turbine blades do not stop immediately. They are available in a full
range of sizes from 249 m3 /h to 6514 m3 /h with operating pressure ranging from 7 to
100 bar. With these meters, the gas can still flow freely through, should the vanes
stop for any reason. The rotary anemometer is similar to the turbine meter, but has
flat aluminium blades. It is usually mounted vertically into a central housing, so that

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rotating impellers

2 Gas Utilisation

measured
quantity of gas

Rotary Displacement Meter

Rotary Displacement Meter

Turbine Meter

meter index
mechanism
air-foil blades

gas
flow

Turbine Meter

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it can be easily removed for servicing. The drive shaft of the rotor spindle operates
a set of internal gears to indicate the gas flow on an index plate at the top of the
unit. These meters are much smaller than turbine meters and are ideal for use as
commercial secondary meters to monitor local flow of gas. They have an operating
range up to 200 m3 /h and work in supplies of up to 1.7 bar pressure. Note: They
must only be installed in horizontal pipework.
2 Gas Utilisation

Orifice Meter
This is a type of inferential meter, and measures a pressure differential between points
each side of an orifice plate that has been positioned in the pipeline. This method of
metering is only suitable where the flow is constant. Owing to its simple design and
its ability to operate at very high pressures, it is often used for measuring the gas flow
through transmission networks. The orifice plate itself is usually made of thin stainless
steel or a material that would not be subject to corrosion. It is usually located between
two flange joints allowing for regular maintenance to ensure that it does not become
dirty, distorted or eroded. This access also allows the orifice plate to be changed for
one with a different sized hole, so that different flow rates can be metered. Meter
failure does not affect the gas flow as it is completely detached.
Ultrasonic Gas Meter
The first ultrasonic gas meters began to appear in about 1995. They are currently
only used in the domestic market with meters operating up to 6 m3 /h, the meter being
designated the E6. The meter consists of just a tube with a transducer located at each
end. A transducer is a device that converts a mechanical signal into an electrical
impulse or vice versa; it can also act as a transmitter and receiver.
A 3.6 V battery, with a 10-year life, housed in the base of the meter provides power
for the transducer to generate a sound wave. This is sent as an impulse through the
moving gas flow, alternately, from each direction. The time of travel each way is
measured and the difference between transmission and receiving in each direction
is computed to provide an indication of the volume of gas consumed. The flow is
displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) readout, located on the meter face.
On the right-hand side of the meter is an optical communication port with a standard
magnetic coupling from which information can be transmitted into or out of the meter,
for purposes such as meter reading. There are several advantages to using this kind
of meter including: its compact size (it is smaller than the U series of meters); it is
unaffected by air moisture and temperature and it also includes a fraud detection
system. Care needs to be taken when removing these meters as some, especially those
that use a smartcard credit system, have a tamperproof device fitted that will prevent
gas flow until the problem has been investigated by the supplier.

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2 Gas Utilisation