Difference between flow meter and storage tank level raise

[10815L]

Hi Als,
Our refinery facing a problem in Reformer Flow meter and Storage tank level raising?
Storage tank level raise is +2m^3 around while flow meter is temperature compensated.
Feed inlet flow meter is not temperature compensated.
can you please explain this problem why this difference is coming in flow meter and tank level while both FT and LT is calibrated and calibration parameters also OK.
Thanks
10815L

 

[zdas04]

We might be able to explain the phenomenon if you would describe the problem.

What the heck does

Storage tank level raise is +2m^3 around while flow meter is temperature compensated.
Feed inlet flow meter is not temperature compensated.

even mean?

David

 

[10815L]

Hi David,
Flow meter to storage tank is indicating less flow as compare to storage tanks Level transmeter and tank calibration for total volume.
Flow transmeter to storage is temperature compensated while Reformar unit feed inlet transmeter is not temperature compensated.
The problem is Reformate to storage is going less and volume rais is more in storage tank.
Hope you will come up with some solutions.
10815L

 

[zdas04]

What is the meter technology? Is the process mostly continuous or is it intermittent? What is the inlet temp and the tank temp?

This is an engineering problem. Those tend to be kind of difficult to solve with broad generalities and confusing language. Solutions usually require data.

David

 

[jmw]

Is the tank all at the same temperature?
Is the temperature significantly different to ambient?

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[KiwiMace]

You also need to consider the duration of the accumulated error and the size of the tank also, 2m^3 over a day might not be within the specified error of the measurement.

Rarely are you going to get three meters to agree exactly over any useful time period. You need to decide which of the three meters is your primary device, usually based on billing and revenue objectives, make it the most accurate and calibrate it often. The other meters are indicative only.

 

[10815L]

Hi,
This Refinery in middle east, difference is coming hourly basis not per day basis.
Reformate temperature line temperature is maintained 40^0C and Tank temperature is around 40^0C.
Flow transmeter is Honeywell smart transmeter. Ambient temperature difference is about 15^0C day and night.
The density of reformate is 0.82
Thanks
10815L

 

[mbt22]

What are:
* Flow rates
* Flow meter type (orifice, coriolis, ultrasonic...)
* Tank dimensions

Matt

 

[10815L]

Hi Matt,
Flow is in M^3/hr (Feed is 70 and Reformate is 56m^3/hr and LPG is 2m^3/hr)
Flow meter is orfice type.
Tank dimensions no information.
You can guss it and give some input.
Thanks
10815L

 

[mbt22]

So your 2m3/hr difference between tank level is an error of 1.6%. Assuming you're using typical refinery orifice plates, that's probably well within the error margin of the three meters and your level device.

Matt

 

[10815L]

Hi Matt,
Could you please provide error margin reference.
Thanks
10815L

 

[mbt22]

I'd start with Liptak, Process Measurement and Analysis.

Matt