With 4-tube technology and larger sizes, flowmeter series finds new roles in oil and gas

Promass Q 300/500, the Coriolis flowmeter series from Endress+Hauser for demanding fluids, now offers 4-tube technology. The technology is said to open numerous additional applications in the oil and gas industry in particular — for example, as a highly accurate duty meter for custody transfer and fiscal metering, or as a precision reference device (master meter) for on-site verification measurements.

In addition, the Promass Q 300/500 series now is available for three larger pipe sizes: DN 150 (6 in.), DN 200 (8 in.) and DN 250 (10 in.).

Compared to Coriolis flowmeters with two measuring tubes, four-tube measurement allows up to 25% higher flow rates, the company says.

For example, the configuration reduces standstill times for loading and unloading oil tankers, resulting in lower charges. Unwanted pressure losses are much less significant with four measuring tubes during pumping and measuring operations, it adds, so plant operators can use smaller pumps, saving electricity costs.

The reduced pressure loss also avoids unwanted cavitation effects or gas breakout, e. g., for very light hydrocarbons such as liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), natural gas liquids and condensates (NGL), liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as other cryogenic fluids.

Adding 4-tube technology and an expanded measuring range for pipelines up to DN 250 means more users are said to benefit from:

• Best measuring accuracy (±0.05% o.r.): tested on various external, accredited calibration facilities
• Outstanding density measuring accuracy: ±0.2 kg/m³ (±0.0002 g/cm³)
• Best turndown and zero point stability in the industry

The flowmeter also records density and process temperature. This enables fluctuating process and ambient conditions to be incorporated into the measurement and compensated for reliably.

Watch video demonstration of Promass Q with 4-tube technology:

Promass Q sensors are available in stainless steel and in IP66/67, ensuring reliable and low-maintenance long-term operation in process temperatures from -196° to 205°C. Due to their SIL-compliant device development, the series is suitable for safety-related applications and holds several certifications for hazardous areas.

Watch customer case study of Promass Q/4 tube application:

Combining Proline 300/500 transmitters with Promass Q 300/500 sensors is said to enable numerous operational benefits, including WLAN (web server) for wireless operation and configuration on site, HistoROM for safe storage of configuration and device data, and Heartbeat Technology for diagnostics, device verification and process monitoring.