Emerson Process Management has released the Micro Motion Compact Density Meter, a multi-variable density meter designed for the custody transfer metering of crude oil, refined hydrocarbons, alcohols and many aggressive process liquids. The meter is suited for users who confront measurement challenges on a daily basis such as minimising product give-away and reducing gain/loss errors.
The meter combines Multivariable Digital technology, a high speed signal processing technology, with an optimised meter design that ensures outstanding performance under varying process and external environments. This is achieved through innovative compensation techniques where the Compact Density Meter measures both the fluid temperature and its own meter case temperature. This information is then used to minimise any measurement errors due to changes in environmental conditions. The Compact Density Meter is the first online density meter to offer this unique functionality and address this known effect, which allows it to deliver improved measurement performance in the harshest of environments.
Multivariable digital technology further enhances the design of the Compact Density Meter by incorporating the unique feature of fluid flow rate indication. Fluid flow rate indication allows users to have confidence in their density measurement and diagnose installation problems such as product build up or tube blockages prior to significant errors occurring.
Micro Motion Compact Density Meters are calibrated over a wide range of combined temperatures and pressures to provide a verification of performance under conditions where the meter will actually be used. Every meter calibration is traceable and accredited to ISO17025 and covers both density and temperature measurements, which minimises the need for external field devices. The meter conforms to fiscal and custody transfer industry best practice standards with direct communication to either flow computers or distributed control systems (DCS) supported.
The meter’s transmitter module can output sensor data in four formats simultaneously including: Sensor frequency (time period), 4-20mA, HART® and RS485 Modbus. This allows users to view meter health and performance indicators while using a frequency signal output when it’s connected to a flow computer. Previously unavailable in on-line density meter devices, this new technology provides diagnostic information in critical density measurement applications which can result in significant reductions in maintenance costs and cycle times.
In addition to improvements in availability of meter information, the Compact Density Meter design offers a new diagnostics capability called Known Density Verification. Known Density Verification checks the meter for measurement alarm conditions, sensor integrity and the presence of coating, erosion or corrosion. This functionality allows users to make quality decisions about their meter health and maintenance schedules at the touch of a button, minimising total meter cost of ownership and maximising process measurement up-times.
