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Q. What is a flow computer?
A. It functions as both a data recorder and valve controller. A flow computer replaces a chart recorder (such as a Barton) and provides digital
data rather than an analog line drawn on paper. For instance, using a flow computer you can see exactly how many gallons of oil went through
the oil dump line on a specific day or even a specific hour. Being a computer,
it can show that in BBL or liters or cubic meters. Daily, weekly and monthly averages can be easily provided. The
data recording capability of a flow computer is very precise and "granular". Flow computers
can store one month's worth of data, although in a testing environment, data is typically dumped to a laptop once each day.
Flow computers can record a variety of data inputs. On a typical test separator we configure the flow computer to record
five data inputs: oil dump flow, water dump flow, static gas pressure (high side of the gas meter), differential gas pressure
(low side of meter) and gas temperature (taken downstream of gas meter). You can record additional data points as well should
you have the need.
As a controller, a flow computer can also be used to open and close the dump valves when floats trigger the contact points. In addition
to controlling the dump valves the computer records when a valve is opened and when it closed. This data can be interpreted
to provide viscosity information.
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Flow Computer Mounted in
Enclosed Test Separator
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Q. Can data be retrieved from the flow computer remotely?
A. Yes. A flow computer can have modular telecommunications equipment added that allows the stored data to be downloaded
into another computer. Telecommunications are typically done in one of three ways: satellite, cell network, or radio. Data
can be downloaded as often as desired; however, it is typically automatically downloaded once each day. |
Q. How much does a flow computer cost?
A. A flow computer installed on Test Separator will cost betwen $5,500 and $8,000 depending on the model and number of inputs. Other
features such as a keypad, solar power panels, telecommunications, and/or a gas chromatograph will add to that.
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Natural Gas Chromatograph mounted
in an Enclosed Test Separator
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Q. What is a Gas Chromatograph?
A. It is a device that samples the natual gas downstream of the gas meter and deterines the components of the gas. The red
circled area shows the sampling point. Natural gas is a mixture of methane, pentane, ethane, and other gasses such as CO2.
Knowing the exact mole composition of the natural gas allows the tester to determine the gas's BTU rating; that is, how many BTUs each
standard cubic foot (or cubic meter) of natural gas will yield.
The unit works automatically and sends the sampling data to a flow computer for calculations and storage. The flow computer can store up 30
days worth of sampling data.
Q. Does Mountain Equipment sell and install Gas Chromatographs?
A. Yes, we have experience with ABB/Totalflow products, in particular the 8206 natural gas chromatograph.
The 8206 gas chromatograph (circled in green) works in conjunction with a flow computer such as a Totalflow 6413 or 6713.
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