Professional Documents
Culture Documents
October 2015
Process Control
PIP PCCFL001
Flow Measurement Design Criteria
PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES
In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major
industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical
requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering
costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice
is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual
applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take precedence
over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters
or application of the Practice to particular project or engineering situations should not
be made solely on information contained in these materials. The use of trade names
from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of preference but rather
recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the same specifications
are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines
are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations including OSHA
requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or
other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or regulations must be followed.
Consult an appropriate professional before applying or acting on any material
contained in or suggested by the Practice.
PUBLISHING HISTORY
June 1998 Issued
August 2006 Complete Revision
October 2015 Complete Revision
Process Control
PIP PCCFL001
Flow Measurement Design Criteria
Table of Contents
1. Introduction .................................2 3.11 Mass Meter (Thermal) .................. 10
1.1 Purpose ...........................................2 3.12 Ultrasonic Meter (Transit Time &
1.2 Scope ..............................................2 Doppler) ........................................ 10
3.13 Vortex Meter ................................. 10
2. References ..................................2 3.14 Variable Area Meter ...................... 10
2.1 Process Industry Practices .............2 3.15 Wedge Type Meter ....................... 10
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards .......2 3.16 V-Cone Meter ............................... 11
2.3 Other References............................3 Tables
Table 1 Minimum Straight Run Lengths for
3. Requirements ..............................3 Orifice Runs and Other Flow
3.1 General ...........................................3 Elements in Accordance with
3.2 Orifice Meter ...................................5 ISO 5167-2 Column B ............... 12
3.3 Flow Nozzle ....................................7 Table 2 Minimum Straight Run Lengths for
3.4 Venturi (Classical and Proprietary Orifice Runs in Accordance with
Designs) ..........................................7 ANSI/API (ISO 5167-2,
3.5 Averaging Pitot Element .................7 Column A) ................................. 14
3.6 Integral Orifice .................................8 Table 3 Minimum Straight Run Lengths for
3.7 Turbine Meter ..................................8 Venturi Nozzles and Flow Nozzles
3.8 Positive Displacement Meter ..........9 in Accordance with ANSI/API
3.9 Magnetic Flow Meter.......................9 (ISO 5167-3) ............................. 16
3.10 Mass Meter (Coriolis) ......................9
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This Practice provides requirements for the design of flow measurement systems.
1.2 Scope
This Practice describes the design requirements for flow measurement systems that
include head (differential pressure), velocity, oscillatory, electromagnetic and mass flow
meters.
This Practice does not cover:
a. Restriction flow elements and flow switches
b. Process isolation (root) valves, secondary transmitters, or process piping
c. Custody transfer measurement requirements
2. References
Applicable parts of the following Practices, industry codes and standards, and references shall be
considered an integral part of this Practice. The edition in effect on the date of contract award
shall be used, except as otherwise noted. Short titles are used herein where appropriate.
3. Requirements
3.1 General
3.1.1 Data
3.1.1.1 A data set shall be provided for each flow meter.
3.1.1.2 The data set shall be provided in electronic and/or hardcopy format, as
specified by owner.
3.1.1.3 The minimum data set shall be in accordance with ISA S20, Specification
Forms for Primary Elements, Sections 20.21, 20.22, 20.23, 20.24, and
20.25.
3.1.1.4 For flange tap orifice meters, gasket thickness shall be specified.
3.1.2 Instruments Sizing
3.1.2.1 Calculation methods and tools used shall be subject to owners approval.
a. All calculation results shall be provided to the owner.
b. Unless otherwise specified by owner, calculations for sizing of
concentric, square-edged orifice meters shall be in accordance with
ANSI-2530/API-14.3/AGA-3/GPA-8185.
c. Nozzle, venturi, and other differential pressure device calculations
shall be in accordance with Flow Measurement Engineering
Handbook.
d. For any other proprietary meter, the manufacturers sizing and
calculation methods shall be used.
e. Piping from taps to and through first isolation (root) valve shall be in
accordance with applicable piping specifications.
f. Unused orifice taps shall be plugged in accordance with piping
specifications.
g. Meter tube pipe and orifice flanges internal dimensional tolerances shall be
in accordance with ANSI 2530/API 14.3/AGA-3/GPA-8185.
h. If there is a need to frequently inspect or change orifice plates (e.g., custody
transfer applications), retractable orifice holder assemblies shall be used for
concentric orifices.
3.3 Flow Nozzle
3.3.1 Unless otherwise required by service application and piping specifications, flow
nozzles shall be designed to bolt between flanges.
3.3.2 In high pressure (1000 psig or higher) applications, the flow nozzle shall be
welded directly into the pipe.
3.3.3 Tap connections shall be installed 1 inside pipe diameter upstream and 1/2 inside
pipe diameter downstream in accordance with ASME-MFC-3M.
3.3.4 Minimum straight run pipe length requirements shall be in accordance with
Table 3.
Comment: Where owner approves additional metering uncertainty, minimum
piping run lengths may be in accordance with ASME-MFC-3M.
3.3.5 Unless otherwise required by process service or piping specifications, flow
nozzles shall be type 316 SS.
3.4 Venturi (Classical and Proprietary Designs)
3.4.1 Classical venturis shall be fabricated in accordance with ASME MFC-3M.
3.4.2 Venturi meter materials and construction shall be compatible with the process
fluid and applicable piping codes.
3.4.3 Flow calculations for proprietary venturi meters shall be provided by
manufacturer.
3.4.4 Minimum straight run pipe length requirements shall be in accordance with
ANSI/API (ISO 5167-3) for Venturi Nozzles. See Table 3. Minimum straight run
pipe length requirements shall be in accordance with ANSI/API (ISO 5167-4) for
Venturi Tubes.
3.4.5 For high accuracy applications, the venturi shall be flow calibrated.
Comment: Where owner approves additional metering uncertainty, minimum
piping run lengths may be in accordance with ASME-MFC-3M.
3.5 Averaging Pitot Element
3.5.1 Unless they are bi-directional, averaging pitot tube elements shall be permanently
marked to indicate proper installation position and flow direction.
3.5.2 Unless otherwise required by process services, averaging pitot tubes shall be type
316 SS.
3.5.3 Minimum straight run pipe length requirements shall be in accordance with pitot
element manufacturers recommended lengths.
3.5.4 For a removable element, the process valve shall have the proper inside diameter
to allow passage of the element. The valve shall meet applicable piping
specifications.
3.5.5 Removable elements shall have blow out prevention.
3.5.6 Extra heavy flow elements and/or double ended support shall be used in large
diameter pipes or ducts or if high flow velocity can cause the element to deflect
or vibrate. Manufacturers installation recommendations shall be followed.
3.5.7 Averaging pitot elements are subject to plugging and shall be limited to clean
process services.
3.5.8 Wake frequency calculations shall be performed in accordance with
manufacturer recommendations.
3.6 Integral Orifice
3.6.1 Process line block and bypass valves or transmitter isolation valves (root valves
or manifold) shall be installed for applications that require servicing while on-
line.
3.6.2 Integral orifices shall be sized and installed in accordance with manufacturers
recommendations. Manufacturer shall provide meter sizing and flow calculations.
3.6.3 Minimum straight run pipe length requirements shall be in accordance with
manufacturers recommended lengths.
3.6.4 Unless otherwise required by process services, wetted metal parts shall be type
316 SS. Other wetted components shall be compatible with the process.
3.6.5 A strainer shall be specified if needed to avoid plugging of the orifice.
Comment: If a small bore orifice is dictated, the fluid shall be of low viscosity
and contain no solids.
3.7 Turbine Meter
3.7.1 Turbine meters shall be installed so that the meters are always:
a. In single phase flow
b. Liquid full in liquid applications
3.7.2 The installation setup shall be designed to avoid creating a pressure drop
condition for the fluid to flash in the meter.
Comment: Flashing will damage the meter and severely impact measurement.
3.7.3 Turbine meters shall be marked to indicate proper flow direction.
3.7.4 In-line type turbine meters 1 inch (25 mm) and above shall be flanged.
3.7.5 A strainer shall be installed upstream of the turbine meter system. Dual strainers
shall be provided if the process flow cannot be interrupted for maintenance.
3.7.6 Strainers shall be installed far enough upstream to prevent the distortion of flow
profile at the turbine meter.
Table 1
Minimum Straight Run Lengths for Orifice Runs and Other Flow Elements
in Accordance with ISO 5167-2 Column B
Beta Ratio
Upstream disturbance Dimension 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.67 0.75
3 3 9 13 20 20
Single elbow
Note 4 Note 4 10 18 18 18
Two elbows in same plane 30D>S>10D
Note 4 Note 4 10 18 20 22
Two elbows in same plane 10D>S
18 18 18 18 20 20
Two elbows in different planes 30D>S>5D
A
Note 4 Note 4 5 5 6 8
Reducer
A
Note 4 8 9 11 14 18
Expander
A
6 6 6 7 9 12
Full Bore Ball or Gate valve, fully open
Downstream Length for all B 2 3 3 3.5 3.5 4
pictured disturbances
Table 2
Minimum Straight Run Lengths for Orifice Runs in Accordance with
ANSI/API (ISO 5167-2, Column A)
Beta Ratio
Upstream disturbance Dimension 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.67 0.75
6 16 22 42 44 44
Single elbow
A
10 10 18 30 44 44
Two elbows in same plane 30D>S>10D
A
10 10 22 42 44 44
Two elbows in same plane 10D>S
A
19 44 44 44 44 44
Two elbows in different planes 30D>S>5D
A
5 5 8 9 12 13.5
Reducer
A
6 12 20 26 28 36.5
Expander
A
12 12 12 14 18 24
Full bore Ball or Gate Valve Fully Open
Downstream Length for all
B 4 6 6 7 7 8
pictured disturbances
Table 3
Minimum Straight Run Lengths for Venturi Nozzles and Flow Nozzles in
Accordance with ANSI/API (ISO 5167-3)