Abstract: An ultrasonic flow metering system includes a condition monitor. For each chordal path of a plurality of chordal paths of an ultrasonic flow meter the condition monitor is configured to compute: 1) a reference chordal velocity ratio; 2) a predicted chordal velocity based on the reference chordal velocity ratio for the chordal path and measured flow velocities for all other chordal paths of the plurality of chordal paths; 3) a first estimated mean flow velocity for the ultrasonic meter, the first estimated mean flow velocity based on the predicted chordal velocity for the chordal path and the measured flow velocities for all other chordal paths of the plurality of chordal paths; and 4) for each other chordal path of the plurality of chordal paths, a predicted chordal velocity ratio based on the measured flow velocity for the other chordal path and the first estimated mean flow velocity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for verifying temperature measurements in an ultrasonic flow meter. An ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a flow processor. The temperature sensor is disposed to provide measured temperature of fluid flowing in the passage. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid. The flow processor is configured to 1) compute speed of sound through the fluid based on the transit time; 2) calculate a computed temperature of the fluid based on the speed of sound; 3) apply compensation, based on a historical difference between the computed temperature and the measured temperature, to a temperature verification parameter; and 4) determine, based on the temperature verification parameter, whether a current difference between the measured temperature and the computed temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for verifying temperature measurements in an ultrasonic flow meter. An ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a flow processor. The temperature sensor is disposed to provide measured temperature of fluid flowing in the passage. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid. The flow processor is configured to 1) compute speed of sound through the fluid based on the transit time; 2) calculate a computed temperature of the fluid based on the speed of sound; 3) apply compensation, based on a historical difference between the computed temperature and the measured temperature, to a temperature verification parameter; and 4) determine, based on the temperature verification parameter, whether a current difference between the measured temperature and the computed temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring operation of a flow metering system. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter, a first and second pressure sensors, a flow conditioner, and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure the volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The first pressure sensor is disposed proximate the flow meter to measure pressure of the fluid proximate the flow meter. The flow conditioner is disposed upstream of the flow meter. The second pressure sensor is disposed upstream of the flow conditioner to measure pressure of the fluid upstream of the flow conditioner. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter and the pressure sensors, and is configured to identify a potential discrepancy in operation of the flow metering system based on a difference between pressure measurements of the first and second pressure sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring flow meter operation. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure the volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter is and configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the flow meter, and to record values of the parameter over a predetermined time interval. The condition monitor is further configured to determine reference values for the parameter based on the recorded values, and to apply the reference values to values of the parameter acquired after the predetermined time interval to validate operation of the flow metering system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring operation of an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a condition monitor. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid flowing in the passage. The condition monitor is coupled to the ultrasonic flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of ultrasonic meter operation with respect to Reynolds number. The condition monitor is further configured to determine whether a value of the parameter at a Reynolds number of the fluid flowing in the passage at a time associated with the value is within a predetermined range of values for the parameter at the Reynolds number.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring operation of an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a condition monitor. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid flowing in the passage. The condition monitor is coupled to the ultrasonic flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the ultrasonic meter, and to acquire a plurality of values of the parameter over time. The condition monitor is also configured to compute, for each of the acquired values, a difference between the acquired value and a predetermined reference, and to arrange the differences in time sequence.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring flow meter operation. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the flow meter, and to compare a value of the parameter to a threshold. The condition monitor is also configured to generate an alarm based on the value exceeding the threshold, and to compute, based on the alarm, a confidence level indicating a degree of certainty that the system is operating in accordance with predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for verifying temperature measurements in an ultrasonic flow meter. An ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a flow processor. The temperature sensor is disposed to provide measured temperature of fluid flowing in the passage. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid. The flow processor is configured to 1) compute speed of sound through the fluid based on the transit time; 2) calculate a computed temperature of the fluid based on the speed of sound; 3) apply compensation, based on a historical difference between the computed temperature and the measured temperature, to a temperature verification parameter; and 4) determine, based on the temperature verification parameter, whether a current difference between the measured temperature and the computed temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring flow meter operation. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the flow meter, and to compare a value of the parameter to a threshold. The condition monitor is also configured to generate an alarm based on the value exceeding the threshold, and to compute, based on the alarm, a confidence level indicating a degree of certainty that the system is operating in accordance with predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring operation of an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a condition monitor. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid flowing in the passage. The condition monitor is coupled to the ultrasonic flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the ultrasonic meter, and to acquire a plurality of values of the parameter over time. The condition monitor is also configured to compute, for each of the acquired values, a difference between the acquired value and a predetermined reference, and to arrange the differences in time sequence.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring flow meter operation. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the flow meter, and to compare a value of the parameter to a threshold. The condition monitor is also configured to generate an alarm based on the value exceeding the threshold, and to compute, based on the alarm, a confidence level indicating a degree of certainty that the system is operating in accordance with predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring operation of a flow metering system. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter, a first and second pressure sensors, a flow conditioner, and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure the volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The first pressure sensor is disposed proximate the flow meter to measure pressure of the fluid proximate the flow meter. The flow conditioner is disposed upstream of the flow meter. The second pressure sensor is disposed upstream of the flow conditioner to measure pressure of the fluid upstream of the flow conditioner. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter and the pressure sensors, and is configured to identify a potential discrepancy in operation of the flow metering system based on a difference between pressure measurements of the first and second pressure sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring flow meter operation. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure the volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter is and configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the flow meter, and to record values of the parameter over a predetermined time interval. The condition monitor is further configured to determine reference values for the parameter based on the recorded values, and to apply the reference values to values of the parameter acquired after the predetermined time interval to validate operation of the flow metering system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring operation of an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a condition monitor. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid flowing in the passage. The condition monitor is coupled to the ultrasonic flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of ultrasonic meter operation with respect to Reynolds number. The condition monitor is further configured to determine whether a value of the parameter at a Reynolds number of the fluid flowing in the passage at a time associated with the value is within a predetermined range of values for the parameter at the Reynolds number.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow metering system includes a condition monitor. For each chordal path of a plurality of chordal paths of an ultrasonic flow meter the condition monitor is configured to compute: 1) a reference chordal velocity ratio; 2) a predicted chordal velocity based on the reference chordal velocity ratio for the chordal path and measured flow velocities for all other chordal paths of the plurality of chordal paths; 3) a first estimated mean flow velocity for the ultrasonic meter, the first estimated mean flow velocity based on the predicted chordal velocity for the chordal path and the measured flow velocities for all other chordal paths of the plurality of chordal paths; and 4) for each other chordal path of the plurality of chordal paths, a predicted chordal velocity ratio based on the measured flow velocity for the other chordal path and the first estimated mean flow velocity.