Abstract: A flow conditioner for use in pipelines to isolate a measuring device from the effects of piping induced disturbances thereby allowing more accurate metering of fluids flowing in pipelines. The device comprises three sections: an anti-swirl device; a settling chamber; and a profile device. The three sections are installed in a pipeline at a predetermined distance upstream from a metering device and at a minimum predetermined distance downstream from a pipeline disturbance. In the pipeline, the anti-swirl device is the furthest upstream, followed by a settling chamber of a specified length, which in turn is followed by the profile device. The anti-swirl device substantially eliminates swirl, the settling chamber minimizes interaction between the anti-swirl device and profile device. The profile plate produces pseudo-fully developed turbulent structure and velocity profile so there is a minimum deviation of the empirical discharge coefficient or meter calibration factor for both short and long piping lengths.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 24, 1995
Date of Patent:
June 25, 1996
Assignee:
Integrity Measurement Partners
Inventors:
James E. Gallagher, Ronald E. Beaty, Paul J. Lanasa
Abstract: A flow conditioner for use in pipelines to isolate a measuring device from the effects of piping induced disturbances thereby allowing more accurate metering of fluids flowing in pipelines. The device comprises three sections: an anti-swirl device; a settling chamber; and a profile device. The three sections are installed in a pipeline at a predetermined distance upstream from a metering device and at a minimum predetermined distance downstream from a pipeline disturbance. In the pipeline, the anti-swirl device is the furthest upstream, followed by a settling chamber of a specified length, which in turn is followed by the profile device. The anti-swirl device substantially eliminates swirl, the settling chamber minimizes interaction between the anti-swirl device and profile device. The profile plate produces pseudo-fully developed turbulent structure and velocity profile so there is a minimum deviation of the empirical discharge coefficient or meter calibration factor for both short and long piping lengths.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 31, 1994
Date of Patent:
March 5, 1996
Assignee:
Integrity Measurement Partners
Inventors:
James E. Gallagher, Ronald E. Beaty, Paul J. Lanasa