API MPMS Chapter 14.3 Part 2

This document establishes design and installation parameters for measurement of fluid flow using concentric, square-edged, flanged tapped orifice meters.

This document outlines the various design parameters that shall be considered when designing metering facilities using orifice meters. The mechanical tolerances found in this document encompass a wide range of orifice diameter ratios for which experimental results are available.

For all existing installations, the decision to upgrade to meet the requirements of this standard shall be at the discretion of the parties involved. The parties should be cognizant that if a meter installation is not upgraded to meet this standard, measurement bias errors may exist due to inadequate flow conditioning and upstream straight pipe lengths.

Use of the calculation procedures and techniques shown in the API MPMS Ch.14.3.1/AGA Report No. 3, Part 1 and API MPMS Ch.14.3.3/AGA Report No. 3, Part 3, with existing equipment is recommended, since these represent significant improvements over the previous methods. The uncertainty levels for flow measurement using existing equipment may be different from those quoted in API MPMS Chapter 14.3.1/AGA Report No. 3, Part 1.

Use of orifice meters at the extremes of their diameter ratio (β r) ranges should be avoided whenever possible. Good metering design and practice tend to be somewhat conservative. This means that the use of the tightest tolerances in the mid-diameter ratio (β r) ranges would have the highest probability of producing the best measurement. An indication of this is found in the section on uncertainty in API MPMS Chapter 14.3.1/AGA Report No. 3, Part 1.

This standard is based on β r between 0.10 and 0.75. Minimum uncertainty of the orifice plate coefficient of discharge (C_d) is achieved with β r between 0.2 and 0.6 and orifice bore diameters greater than or equal to 0.45 inch. Diameter ratios and orifice bore diameters outside of this range may be used; the user should consult the uncertainty section in API MPMS Chapter 14.3.1/AGA Report No. 3, Part 1 for limitations.

Achieving the best level of measurement uncertainty begins with, but is not limited to, proper design. Two other aspects of the measurement process have to accompany the design effort; otherwise it is of little value. These aspects are the application of the metering system and the maintenance of the meters, neither of which is considered directly in this standard. These aspects cannot be governed by a single standard as they cover metering applications that can differ widely in flow rate, fluid type, and operational requirements. The user shall determine the best meter selection for the application and the level of maintenance for the measurement system under consideration.