Abstract: A pipeline flow measurement proving system has a custody transfer insertion turbine meter mounted at a first location on a fluid pipeline. A proving insertion turbine flow meter is mounted at a second location on the pipeline upstream from the custody meter at a distance of approximately ten diameters of the pipeline. This offset spacing reduces the fluid turbulence which may be produced by the turbine head of the proving meter. The proving meter is calibrated against a standard at the National Bureau of Standards. Each of the flow meters produces a pulse signal which is proportional to the rotation of the corresponding turbine head. The calibration is carried out by counting the number of pulses produced by the two meters during a selected time period. The ratio of the counts of the pulses comprises a calibration constant which is utilized by a custody transfer flow computer for producing a flow measurement.

Abstract: An insertion flowmeter apparatus for measurement of the fluid flow in a pipeline, particularly an oil and gas pipeline, utilizes a fluid-pressure actuated piston within a cylinder to insert and retract a stem having a turbine meter at the end laterally through the side wall of the pipeline. The retractable insertion flowmeter apparatus disclosed includes an hydraulic cylinder having a mounting flange on a first end for attachment to a flanged riser extending out of the wall of the pipeline, with an end plate provided on the second end of the cylinder. Both the mounting flange and the end plate have ports that communicate with the interior of the cylinder. A piston is disposed in the hydraulic cylinder for longitudinal movement therein in response to the introduction through the ports of pressurized fluid. The stem that carries the turbine meter extends longitudinally through the hydraulic cylinder and is secured to the piston.