I. Coriolis Mass Flowmeter | Dedicated for High‑End Custody Transfer
Measuring Principle It generates the Coriolis force via vibrating measuring tubes, and directly obtains the mass flow rate by detecting the vibration phase difference between the inlet and outlet. Medium density is calculated from vibration frequency, with built‑in temperature acquisition; no additional temperature‑pressure compensation is required.
Product Features Delivers high measurement accuracy and is insensitive to fluctuations in temperature, pressure and medium density. A single instrument outputs multiple parameters including mass flow rate, density and temperature. It is compatible with high‑value media such as crude oil, refined oil products and liquefied natural gas. With explosion‑proof certification, it suits oilfield gathering and transportation, precise batching in refineries, material balance calculation and custody transfer applications. Free of wearing parts like impellers and throttling elements, it maintains stable performance over long‑term operation.
Oil & Gas Applications Crude oil export custody transfer, refined oil loading by quantitative batching, precise proportioning of chemical feedstock, small‑flow LNG metering, and dynamic monitoring of water‑bearing crude oil.
Precautions for Use The meter is sensitive to on‑site vibration; mounting positions shall keep away from pumps and compressors. A filter shall be installed upstream if the medium contains abundant hard impurities. The procurement cost is relatively high for large‑bore pipelines.
II. Turbine Flowmeter | Metering for Refined Oil and Clean Oil‑Gas Branch Lines
Measuring Principle Fluid drives the internal impeller to rotate. The impeller speed presents a linear relationship with fluid velocity. Pulse signals are collected to calculate volumetric flow rate. Temperature‑pressure compensation is required for gas service to convert readings to standard conditions.
Product Features Fast metering response, compact structure and favorable cost‑performance. Applicable to gasoline, diesel, light clean oil products and dry natural gas. It has proven performance for small‑and‑medium‑diameter gathering pipelines, depot loading and gas station metering. Explosion‑proof versions comply with specifications for high‑risk petrochemical zones.
Oil & Gas Applications Refined oil pipeline transportation, depot loading metering, urban gas branch lines and monitoring of clean process pipelines in oilfields.
Precautions for Use The rotating internal impeller is vulnerable to wear or jamming when exposed to sand and coking impurities; an upstream filter is mandatory. Measurement error increases for high‑viscosity heavy oil. Control valves are recommended to be installed downstream of the flowmeter.
III. Ultrasonic Flowmeter | Preferred for Large‑Bore Long‑Distance Oil‑Gas Transmission Pipelines
Measuring Principle It adopts the transit‑time difference method. Fluid velocity is calculated based on the time difference of ultrasonic waves travelling downstream and upstream to obtain volumetric flow rate. Temperature‑pressure compensation is needed for gas metering. Two configurations are available: inline custody‑transfer type and clamp‑on type for comparison monitoring.
Product Features No intrusive components inside the pipeline, resulting in extremely low pressure loss. It offers remarkable construction advantages for large‑diameter pipelines; clamp‑on models can be installed or retrofitted without pipeline shutdown. Multi‑path units provide stable metering performance for long‑distance natural gas trunk lines and large‑bore crude oil pipelines, with low long‑term maintenance demand.
Oil & Gas Applications Natural gas trunk networks, large‑bore long‑distance oil‑gas transmission pipelines, oilfield water injection pipelines, and comparison metering for revamp projects without production shutdown.
Precautions for Use Bubbles and massive sediment impurities attenuate ultrasonic signals and reduce accuracy. Sufficient straight pipe sections are required for installation. Clamp‑on units are generally used for internal assessment; integrated inline models are preferred for custody transfer.
IV. Orifice Differential‑Pressure Flowmeter | Proven Universal Solution for Refineries and Legacy Pipeline Networks
Measuring Principle Fluid forms a pressure differential when passing through the throttling orifice plate. Volumetric flow rate is derived from the differential‑pressure signal based on Bernoulli’s principle. A complete temperature‑pressure compensation system is compulsory for gas and steam service.
Product Features Proven and reliable technology with resistance to high pressure and temperature and low overall procurement cost. Its simple structure facilitates maintenance and inspection. Widely deployed in early‑stage oil‑gas plants and refining units, it adapts to multiple utility media including oil products, fuel gas, steam and circulating water.
Oil & Gas Applications Process pipelines in refineries, utility pipelines for oilfields, plant‑wide energy consumption assessment and non‑commercial internal flow monitoring.
Precautions for Use Long‑term erosion wears the orifice plate and gradually impairs metering accuracy. It features a narrow turndown ratio and causes considerable pipeline pressure loss. Periodic inspection and cleaning of throttling elements are required for media prone to scaling and fouling.
V. Horizontal Comparison & Summary of Four Types of Oil‑Gas Flowmeters
- Coriolis Mass Flowmeter: Direct high‑accuracy mass measurement, the preferred option for custody transfer and precise batching; for small‑and‑medium‑diameter pipes with relatively high cost and integrated multi‑parameter output.
- Turbine Flowmeter: Cost‑effective and responsive; for clean light oil products and gas branch‑line metering, suitable for small‑and‑medium bore sizes.
- Ultrasonic Flowmeter: Low pressure loss, ideal for large‑bore long‑distance transmission pipelines, natural gas trunks and revamp projects without shutdown.
- Orifice Flowmeter: Mature and economical, mainly deployed for in‑plant energy monitoring and retrofitting of legacy pipelines in refineries.
VI. General Installation and Selection Specifications for the Oil & Gas Industry
- Instruments deployed in explosive‑proof zones shall feature full explosion‑proof certification, paired with qualified explosion‑proof wiring and sealing accessories.
- High‑precision models with verification credentials and minor long‑term drift shall be prioritized for custody transfer applications.
- Volumetric flowmeters (turbine, ultrasonic, orifice) used for compressible gas shall be equipped with temperature‑pressure compensation systems.
- Filters shall be installed upstream for sand‑laden and impurity‑bearing media to protect the core sensing components of flowmeters.
- Calibration and pressure testing shall be carried out after instrument commissioning in compliance with oil‑gas industry standards to control transmission error within acceptable limits.
VII. Selection Guidance
The oil‑gas flowmeter series from VTON covers the full product portfolio including Coriolis, turbine, ultrasonic and orifice flowmeters. It adapts to full‑process operating conditions such as oilfield wellheads, gathering pipelines, depot loading and refining processes. Complete factory documentation and explosion‑proof certificates are available, with one‑on‑one customized selection based on working conditions. Submit details of medium, pipe diameter, pressure, temperature and custody‑transfer requirements to obtain a tailored solution.
