profiles 2014, volume 1

FC1 – modular in hard-ware and software

LNG terminal built to replace coal as fuel for Beijing

ISS plus – enhancing security and lifetime for your supervisory system

P r o f i l e sThe Elster-Instromet customer magazine 1/2014

2 EdITorIaL Elster-Instromet Profiles 1/2014

When I started as Electronics Product Manager at Instromet GmbH over 20 years ago, the only thing we were interested in was the number of cubic metres of gas that were transported. Nowadays, the quantity of energy has long been the crucial factor and for trading with gas, the “energy data” must be available and accessible at all times.

Complex systems not only supply the required billing data but also provide infor-mation on the condition of the devices. Using a diagnostic tool, it is possible to determine the “health” of the meter. The entire measur-ing unit can be checked for accurateness by comparing the range of measuring data. Meters and pressure and temperature sensors connected in series can be compared to each other. The ultrasonic gas meter meas ures the speed of sound in the gas, while the measurement result of the gas chromatograph makes it possible to do the calculation. This allows flow and gas quality meas urements to be monitored over a certain range, improve the planning of maintenance work and avoid downtimes to a large extent. The recorded information can be used for trend analyses and internal regulations relating to calibra-tion intervals can be extended. It is also conceivable to cooperate with the statutory national calibration authorities to extend the statutory recalibration periods for certain measuring instruments which would reduce operating costs even further.

But before gas can be sold, it must be extracted and then transported from its source to the end consumer. Over the years, the sources have changed.

Many countries have managed to exploit their own natural gas resources which are now exhausted or no longer adequate to cover domestic demand. Previously unused gas reserves such as shale gas can be developed and turn what used to be a gas customer into a gas supplier. In addition to these changes which are solely due to tech-nical progress, political events also have a bearing on gas supply. Energy trading is an important source of currency for many coun-

tries and is therefore increasingly being used as an instrument of power. Again and again, embargoes are imposed against countries such as Iran, but unpaid gas bills in transit countries (such as Ukraine in 2009) also pose a supply problem to downstream customers if a blockade is imposed or the pressure is reduced. Currently, the conflict in Crimea has given rise to new discussions about the dependence of the EU on gas supplied from Russia. The “South Stream Gas Pipeline” project, which is currently at the planning stage, is thus being questioned at the current time. The failed “Nabucco” gas pipeline project, which was supposed to transport gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, is once again becoming the focus of attention. The construction of new liquefied gas (LNG) terminals is under discussion but this involves massive investment costs and also requires access to high-pressure gas distribution networks, which would also cause costs. State subsidies and a guaranteed minimum purchase volume would definitely be pre-requisites for such projects to actually come about.

Security of supplies must be guaranteed – but this objective can only be achieved by independence from gas purchases. The high-pressure gas supply pipelines must allow gas to be transported in both direc-tions. Security of supplies can be assured to a large extent using gas storage facilities owned by national gas companies. End customers need to know that they will not be left in the cold and industry needs to be able to plan investments in plants, gas networks and new products.

Safe, reliable and low-cost procurement of energy is one of the most important founda-tions of a society, both for industrial growth and for enhancing everyone’s quality of life. Energy supplies remain one of the most important topics of our time. A new general framework is emerging, such as the liberal-ization of the gas market, the reduction of CO2 emissions, targets for reducing energy consumption, reducing the use of nuclear power and incentives for renewable energy

types. Biogas generation, for example, is be -coming more important, particularly in Europe, and also new ideas such as “Power to Gas” are being implemented as pilot projects.

End customers too have become sensitized and strive to manage energy with greater awareness. This is made possible by interest in technologies such as smart residential gas meters and lean, intelligent systems. Successful companies have modern struc-tures, operate internationally and work together with strategic partners in order to create cost-conscious access to new markets and provide customers with an optimum range of products and services.

Today’s focus is on safety, reliability, availability and minimizing costs. We must confront these demands and shape the change positively within the framework of the given political and economic capabilities.

Today, Elster offers a very large range of product solutions through to complex instal-lations with data transfer systems on a global gas market which imposes an extremely wide variety of technical or customer-specific requirements.

One thing will never change despite technical progress and new opportunities – it is we humans who are able to counter change in a positive and constructive manner. Let’s face up to this challenge together.

Yours,

Andreas DirksDirector Integrated Metering Solutions/ Elster Gas

Striving for positive change responsibly

ProduCTS 3 Elster-Instromet Profiles 1/2014

In the next few editions of Elster Profiles, we will provide more details on the most diverse topics (firmware, hardware, enSuite configuration software, applications, etc.). This edition starts with a general overview of the concepts and ideas of the enCore FC1. The smart basic principle of the enCore FC1 is its modularity:

Modular name structureThe structure of the enCore FC1 name is such that “enCore” designates the device series:e = elstern = newCore = device coreFC1 = international flow computer

Flow computer enCore FC1

Modular in hardware and software

The flow computer enCore FC1 has been developed to replace the flow computer series gas-net and Model 2000. It has already been unveiled in various markets and it is now time to roll out the enCore FC1 to a wide range of users and customers.

The corresponding PC configuration tool uses the same principle as this name structure and is called enSuite.e = elstern = newSuite = software suite

Modular hardwareThe enCore FC1 hardware is designed in such a way that all the input and output boards and the communications boards can be selected and used to suit specific needs. The input boards, for example, can

be varied depending on the number of streams and the type of connections. This means that, on the one hand, boards with integrated Ex-barriers are available alongside boards that work with external isolators. In addition to a multi-functional output board with 8 outputs, there is also a multi-serial board and shortly, there will also be a version with an additional net-work interface.

There is a CPU board in every device, providing two serial ports and a TCP/IP network port as standard.

enCore FC1: successor to M2000 and gas-net F1

4 ProduCTS Elster-Instromet Profiles 1/2014

Even the housing is modular since it is available in two versions. On the one hand, in 1/3 design width (Fig. 2) with the facilities for using 4 I/O boards and on the other, in 1/2 design width with 7 I/O slots. This means that the space requirement can be optimized for every application.

Modular firmwareThe firmware also has a modular struc-ture to match the modular hardware. The various functions are divided into so-called application function blocks (AFB) which are all anchored in the basic system (Fig. 3). The various tasks (flow conversion, Modbus communication, archiving, …) are thus separated from each other and can also be updated, loaded and approved for fiscal use separately. This makes it possible to ensure that only the required functions are available in the device so as to avoid unnecessary over-head.

This also means that it is no longer impor-tant which peripheral is connected to which port or to which input. Depending on the required wiring, the internal con-

nections to the AFBs are configured – completely at random. The free combina-tion, for example of ultrasonic meters, turbine meters or orifice measurement systems, is therefore also possible.

Modular configuration softwareThe enSuite PC tool allows various devices and functions to be configured from a single

user interface. Not only does enSuite con-tain the enCore FC1 configuration, but it also provides facilities to read its archives, display operating panels, update the firm-ware and other benefits.

These functions are not just limited to the enCore FC1; other device types such as the EK280, DL230 and Q.Sonicplus are supported, too.

The next edition will provide you with more details on the hardware and firmware. You will also receive information on the technical highlights. .Michael Pellmann [email protected]

Fig. 2: I/o boards

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Fig. 3: Modular firmware

Fig. 4: enSuite configuration tool

PETRONAS, a wholly government-owned national oil and gas company incorporat-ed in Malaysia, is engaged in a wide spectrum of activities in the petroleum industry ranging from upstream explora-tion to the distribution consumer market. In order to monetize upstream stranded gas assets off the coast of East Malaysia and to reduce the substantial costs nor-mally arising in providing fixed infrastruc-tures such as subsea pipelines to onshore facilities, TechnipGeoproduction, Technip France together with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering of Korea have been awarded an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commis-sioning (EPCIC) contract by PETRONAS to supply its first FLNG facility. This LNG facility, which is designed to pro-duce 1.2 million tons per annum (MTPA), will be one of the world’s first FLNG plants operating at the Kanowit gas field, 180 km off the coast of Bintulu, Malaysia.

As the leader in gas measurement sys-tems and due to its team of competent engineers, Elster was awarded the contract to provide an all-in turnkey gas and liquid Integrated Metering Solution (IMS) for this prestigious project. Two skids for measuring both gas and condensate with custody measure-

ment accuracy were designed strictly in accordance with PETRONAS Technical Specifications and all relevant international standards. A 3 x 50% 12” 600# RF gas metering skid comprising Malaysian National Measurement and Standards Laboratory (SIRIM-NML) approved Q.Sonic-4C gas ultrasonic flow meters will be used to accurately measure the gross volumetric flow of natural gas prior to the liquefaction process without compromising on quality. The Petroleum Management Unit (PMU) of PETRONAS, which acts as resource owner and manager of Malaysia’s domestic oil and gas assets, dictates a total measure-ment uncertainty for custody transfer gas metering systems of within ±1.0%, and this

is achievable without any problem. Con-densate produced will be measured by a 3 x 50% 8” 150# RF condensate metering skid using a Faure-Herman TZN series helical-type liquid turbine flow meter.

The skid was designed to meet PMU custody transfer requirements with an uncertainty of within ±0.25% of the stan-dard volume. All instruments used for measurement that are supplied along with the skids are trace able to SIRIM-NML as part of PETRONAS’ requirements.

While PETRONAS’ first FLNG plant intends to start operation in 2015, the second FLNG facility, which has a higher capacity, is underway. We will strive to provide the best-in-class measurement equipment for this upcoming project.

Chan Kuan Yue [email protected]


PETroNaS’ first FLNG facility:

ELSTEr plays an important part as a key supplier

The liquefaction of natural gas offshore utilizing the floating LNG con-cept has opened up opportunities to develop stranded natural gas fields that would otherwise not be feasible from an economic point of view. Floating above offshore natural gas fields, the technology allows the production, liquefaction, storage and transfer of LNG at sea to LNG carriers before it is shipped to onshore receiving terminals for regasifi-cation and distribution to consumers.

Q.Sonic-4C on PFLNG custody gas metering skid


Enhancing security and lifetime for your supervisory system:

Time to act!

Is your supervisory system still up to date? The typical lifecycle of a supervisory system can be 15 years or more, which means that you might need to consider migration to a more modern operating system at some point during its life.

Microsoft ended support for Windows XP on 8 April 2014. From this day on, there will be no more security updates or tech-nical support for the Windows XP operat-ing system. Since most modern supervisory systems run on a Microsoft Windows plat-form and are typically connected to the “production” network, this could cause unwanted vulnerabilities. It is therefore time to upgrade to a modern operating system for your supervisory system. For over 15 years, Elster-Instromet has been offering super visory solutions combined

Flow rates measured by the gas meter (trending)

Metering system overview


with metering skids to provide accurate measurements and reliable control of gas and liquid metering installations. ISS plus is the software package for the Elster-Instromet measurement and control system for gas and liquid metering installations. It is an all-in solution based on our extensive experience in the automation of bulk gas control and monitoring with the latest technologies.

With ISS plus, Elster-Instromet provides a total solution for all your metering applica-tions: stations from a single stream up to 100 streams, control systems for high-pressure calibration facilities and remote metering applications. The supervisory system can consist of a single supervisory computer or can be redundant, with a server-client architecture as an option. It integrates the measurement devices, automatically monitors performance values, supervises and controls the metering pro-cess as well as performing data acquisi-tion for billing purposes.

The ISS plus software package forms the basis of a supervisory system. It can be easily customized to meet individual project needs. This configuration can be carried out at Elster-Instromet Integrated Metering Solutions. If you already have a supervisory system based on ISS, you may be interested to learn that existing applications do not have to be rewritten when moving to the

new ISS plus platform: the application can be ported.

Please contact your local sales office for more information or details on the benefits and possibilities of upgrading your system to a supervisory system based on ISS plus.

Eric Bras [email protected]

Proving report

Performance of the ultrasonic meter


Is less more?

It is with the TwinSonic plus

This meter combines two measurements in one meter body: the Q.Sonic plus 6-path (two single and four double reflection paths) for fiscal measurement and the CheckSonic 2-path (two single reflection paths) for verification of the primary

meas urement. Each measurement has its own independent signal processing unit (SPU) with colour graphic touch screen display.

The TwinSonic plus is available from nomi-nal size 10” and is a valuable additional family member of the Q.Sonic® Series 6 in addition to the Q.Sonic plus and the CheckSonic vx.

Eric Bras [email protected]

In 1996, Instromet introduced the TwinSonic on the market. This TwinSonic concept included complete redundancy, taking advantage of multi-path configuration, with separate electronics.

It was the first time that two independent ultrasonic measurements had been com-bined in a single meter body, sharing the same spool piece, thus offering economic advantages.

Last year, Elster-Instromet expanded the Q.Sonic (series 6) family to include the TwinSonic plus. Again, the TwinSonic plus offers this two-in-one redundancy for custody transfer applications, with an additional totally independent measure-ment in the same meter body for verifica-tion of the primary measurement.

The primary flow measurement for custody transfer is performed by the Elster-Instromet patented multi-path Q.Sonic plus. The con-tinuous verification of this primary meas-urement is achieved using additional 100% redundant electronics and dual-path configuration built into the primary meter body.

TwinSonic 5+1 (1996)

TwinSonicplus path arrangement


residential, commercial and industrial diaphragm gas meters:

New technology – innovative index solutions

The modular concept allows for a large variety of connection options for different types of communications technology. Current standards, such as GSM/GPRS, M-Bus and ZigBee, have been taken into account here. Simple commissioning due to delivery of individually ready-configured indexes reduces installation work to an absolute minimum. The implementation of current safety standards ensures as high a level of data security as possible.

The functional characteristics and the higher-level system have an effect on how well and how efficiently battery-operated

Thanks to the variety in index technology of the themis series, Elster provides a wide range of meter data logging solutions.

absolute ENCodEr technology and the new series of electronic indexes

EK280External volume conversion device

absolute ENCodEr technology

uMI GSM

uMI ZigBee uMI M-Bus

themis log

Meter with integrated data

logger

themis plus

Meter with integrated volume conversion device

themis alpha

Meter with electronic index(WaN data communication)

themis alpha

Meter with electronic index(LaN data communication)

devices can be read. Elster meters are suitable for operation in different system environments: for meters that communi-cate via WAN, an efficient and easy-to-integrate system for data acquisition, data processing and if necessary, transfer to advanced processing systems, is possible. For further information, please contact: [email protected]


Fast conversion of the oldest biogas injection plant

Turn oLd into NEW!

renewing old measuring equipment – aimed at making the systems state-of-the-art – is one of Elster’s day-to-day tasks. There are projects whose implementation takes a somewhat unusual course and is thus a special challenge. We shall now give a brief report on one such project in Maihingen (Germany).

In Autumn 2013, schwaben netz gmbh issued a call for tender in respect of a refurbishment of the Maihingen biogas injection plant to various companies, including Elster. The task in hand was to bring the technology of this system in line with the state-of-the-art. This biogas injection plant in Maihingen is schwaben netz gmbh’s oldest system of this kind.

The system dating from 2008 was equipped with a standard process gas chromato-graph (PGC) for natural gas with external analyzers to determine the hydrogen and oxygen content in the biogas. This tech-nology is now being criticized by the responsible Board of Weights and Meas-ures because the PGC does not have a PTB (German National Metrological Institute) type approval. Recalibration was performed last year subject to the condi-tion that the existing gas quality analysis system would be replaced as soon as possible by an approved system.

Keeping system downtime as short as possible is, of course, a key requirement of the planned conversion project. This is because every standstill means that the operators of the biogas plant cannot rely on the usual availability of 96%.

One of the biggest challenges was inter-working of the (OMNI) control systems of the biogas upgrading plant and the biogas injection plant.

The boundary conditions and the required measures were discussed during the joint on-site inspection. This on-site inspection resulted in two variants for implementing this conversion project.

One option was to remove the control system and the measuring equipment of the plant so that state-of-the-art equip-ment could be installed. Including installa-tion and commissioning, this would mean a system downtime of approx. three weeks.

The other option was to set up and com-mission a new plant next to the existing biogas injection plant. The new biogas injection plant would then be connected to the pipework and take over operation of the old system fully. The old Maihingen biogas injection plant could then be dis-mantled after this work had been com-pleted. This option would mean a system downtime of only two to three days.

Elster held a discussion with the Project Manager of schwaben netz gmbh after the bids had been evaluated. For him, the suggested bid variants involving a great deal of conversion work were out of the question.

A second on-site inspection of the Maihingen biogas injection plant was proposed at short notice in order to talk through how to achieve an optimum mode of conversion.

According to schwaben netz’s Project Manager, Mr. Klaus Barra, the old Maihin-gen biogas injection plant was actually still operating reliably and did not cause many problems. So there was no need to renew the control system which had been

schwaben netz gmbh’s first biogas injection plant in Maihingen


optimized over many years. Consequently, he tasked Elster with planning an effec-tive, quick solution.

The idea was to exchange the old PGC, the heart of the plant, with a system which could be calibrated. Elster’s EnCal 3000 Bio process gas chromatograph seemed to be the optimum product for this solution. The replacement was to involve as short a system downtime as possible.

Mechanical exchange of the PGC did not appear to be the problem. The greater challenge was in fact to integrate the data communications system of the modern EnCal 3000 Bio in the old control system of the biogas injection plant. The new EnCal 3000 Bio was to be calibrated before switchover to the new system in order to further shorten the downtime.

The client and Elster ran through the con-version scenario on the Maihingen biogas injection plant and reached the conclusion that all conversion work could be com-pleted within one working week. The downtime could even be reduced to two days under specific conditions and with appropriate coordination.

“Elster can do it” – and so the approach to solving the problem was in good hands. A corresponding bid with conversion con-cept was elaborated on a realistic basis. In late 2013, Elster received an official order from schwaben netz gmbh to carry out the conversion work. After the plan-ning and preparation work had been completed, conversion of the gas quality analysis system was started in mid-March of this year.

Installation of the measuring equipment was completed as scheduled so that the new EnCal 3000 Bio could start operation and was initially calibrated “offline”. But then something else had us on the edge of our seats: how long will the downtime now be?

After injection of bio natural gas by the Maihingen biogas injection plant had been interrupted for the conversion work, we worked briskly to replace the old PCG with the EnCal 3000 Bio and install all components of the measuring system at the corresponding locations.

Initial problems of making the data communications system of the new

EnCal 3000 Bio compatible with the old station automation system could quickly be solved together with the manufacturer of the Maihingen biogas injection plant.The Elster Service Team was able to report that the converted biogas injection plant was ready for production after a system downtime of only one and a half days. A great success based on careful planning by Elster’s Project Team in Dortmund, Ger-many, and the commitment of the Service Team. This strength of Elster was reflected in the cost savings to the benefit of the energy utility company/operator.

If you have similar challenges, make use of these savings potentials too!

Michael Halm [email protected]

New gas quality analysis system with Elster’s EnCal 3000 Bio

old gas quality analysis system in its container


Shale gas exploration:

Hauck technology at the fore

The North american natural gas industry has experienced a profound transformation with the successful development of several natural gas shale plays in the united States.

At the forefront of this transformation is the advancement of technology for hori-zontal and hydraulic fracturing which has created commercially viable reserves and the allocation of resource capital among natural gas suppliers. These components help reiterate that natural gas will continue to play a vital role in the future of clean energy and also offer important economic, security and environmental benefits to the global market for years to come.

Currently, the technology that is at the forefront of shale gas exploration is hydraulic fracturing. First employed in the 1940s, the United States and Canada have used hydraulic fracking throughout their regions to produce more than 600 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and over 1 million wells. Using water pressure as a main component, fracking creates frac-tures in below-surface rocks that allow oil and gas trapped within to be released and flow directly to a well located above ground. Since shale gas is the largest, and a growing, source of natural gas in North America, fracturing has replaced past ineffective conventional processes and now provides an innovative asset for energy production and exploration in the United States.

In response to OEM customer require-ments for heating water to optimal tem-perature ranges in natural gas extraction fracking units, Elster has developed a por-table Beta Burner Package System that utilizes efficient and reliable combustion technology to superheat water used in a hydraulic well injection system. This highly portable and rugged system consists of 2 BBO 2112X burners and has a typical

energy range of 25 million to 40 million BTU per hour. At the heart of the combus-tion system is Hauck’s BBG combination fuel burner, which allows oil, propane or natural gas to burn efficiently while mini-mizing gaseous emissions. The system is also equipped with a hydraulically driven Hauck turbo blower which is used to adequately process 1 psi of air during the combustion process.

In order to control safety and perfor-mance, an onboard flame burner and temperature control is integrated in the system manifold. The controls are pre-wired and pre-piped so users of the system can have the assurance of safety and performance without any drawbacks on quality.

The combustion systems supplied to the fracking OEMs are a good example of Hauck’s core competence in system solu-tion design and also highlight the range of Hauck’s applications and expertise. The Hauck Manufacturing Company is a subsidiary of Elster Gas North America and supplies knowledge, equipment and controls for industrial combustion. Since 1888, Hauck has manufactured the most reliable industrial burners for global com-bustion. Hauck’s control over a complete line of burners, its knowledgeable staff of engineers and innovative line of controls means it can provide tightly integrated solutions to match any industrial combus-tion needs.

Jonathan Wells [email protected]

aPPL ICaTIoNS 13 Elster-Instromet Profiles 1/2014

Established in the Middle East:

ELSTEr NV/Sa activities in the IMS business

In 1970, Instromet started introducing their products in the Middle East. The Middle East office was opened as a one man show in 2000. Mr. Frank Wendel took over responsibility as area Manager of the Middle East office in 2005. The abu dhabi-based office has grown over the years to a fully developed sales & marketing and after-sales service centre, serving our esteemed customers in the MEa market.

Today, Elster-Instromet Middle East has migrated to one of the major solution providers for highly sophisticated gas metering and regulating stations.

With its workforce boasting over 100 years of consolidated experience, Elster-Instromet Middle East now offers front end support to customers for the selection and design of metering and regulating solutions and manufactures all the necessary system components for these.

Commissioning and start-up as well as after-sales services are provided by our local service centre in Abu Dhabi. We now have a long list of satisfied customers such as SAUDI ARAMCO, DOLPHIN, GASCO,

QATAR PETROLEUM, KUWAIT OIL COMPANY, SABIC, RASGAS, QATAR GAS, OGC, to name but a few.

Elster was able to acquire a market share in fiscal gas measurement within the states of the GCC. The largest skid supplied to date has a capacity of 720 MMSCFD and the ultrasonic flow meters delivered are of sizes up to 36 inches.

The order intake generated year after year has grown considerably and today accounts for a significant share in the solution/station business.

The key to Elster NV/SA’s success in the Middle East is its employees’ excellent technical and service knowledge. Both the Sales and Service Teams have knowledge and experience at their disposal related to

gas and liquid metering solutions and 3rd

party supplied equipment services. The LTSA (Long-term Service Agreement) is one of the key initiatives taken by our Service department and our endeavours have been very successful.

Having tasted success in the IMS business segment in the GCC, markets in countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Iraq and other coun-tries in Middle East and Africa are being targeted to be fully developed within the next 2-3 years.

This will be achieved by our current team which is composed of Anupam Goyal, Sundeep Bhan, Roba Amer, Pratik Modak, Vishnu Unnikrishnan and Badhri Rajan.

We express our sincere thanks to our MEA customers for placing in their trust in us and ensuring lasting success.

Ashok Nayak [email protected]

IMS solutions for ME customers

Elster Middle East Team at the adIPEC Exhibition, abu dhabi

14 aPPL ICaTIoNS Elster-Instromet Profiles 1/2014

a major review of Britain’s gas infrastructure:

rIIo – £24 billion spent over eight years

In december 2012, ofgem launched rIIo, an initiative for major investment to upgrade Great Britain’s gas and electricity networks. This followed ofgem’s 2009 Project discovery which reported that Britain faced an unprecedented need to invest in order to replace ageing infrastructure, meet environmental targets and deliver secure supplies.

Ofgem is the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets which supports the Gas and Elec-tricity Markets Authority, the regulator of the gas and electricity industries in Great Britain.

RIIO (Revenue = Incentives + Innovation + Outputs) is designed to incentivize the gas distribution networks (GDNs) to meet the challenges they will face during the next decade: to invest over £30 billion of capi-tal expenditure that will be needed to meet environmental targets and maintain secure energy supplies, while delivering sustainable value for money.

Around £24 billion has been allocated to upgrade, renew and extend Britain’s gas and high-voltage electricity networks. This will ensure that Britain’s networks remain among the most reliable in the world.

In Great Britain, gas leaves the transmis-sion system and enters the distribution networks at high pressure. It is then trans-ported through a number of reducing pressure tiers until it is finally delivered to consumers. There are five regional distri-bution networks, each run by a different company. As part of the RIIO project, the gas trans-

mission and distribution companies will be looking to repair or replace many of their pressure reducing stations. This could involve simple equipment replace-ment, replacement of a stream, or of the entire station.

Long established as a major equipment supplier to the market, Elster is well placed to provide products and assemblies to cover all requirements. A focus of the RIIO project is to reduce environmental impact, so the Elster Orpheus underground pressure reducing station is ideal as it cuts down on visual and noise contamination.

Elster is supplying or expecting to supply the MP to LP market, the IP to MP market in the distribution sector and also the HP market in the transmission sector.Products supplied are:1) Orpheus modules2) Compact twin AGI modules3) Bespoke HP pressure control and

metering modulesorpheus underground station under construction

Gas distribution areas in Great Britain

aPPL ICaTIoNS 15 Elster-Instromet Profiles 1/2014

4) Stream replacement packages, fitting existing sites between inlet and outlet valves – regulators, slam shut valves and spools in pre-piped mini assem-blies

5) Turbine and USM metering equipment as stand-alone items for the transmis-sion market

6) Pressure regulators and slam shut valves as stand-alone items

The programmes will run for 8 years broken down into two separate 4-year programmes.

It is estimated that in SGN’s Southern network approximately £140 million will be spent upgrading the transmission network.

In Wales and the West Network, expendi-ture will be lower, but it is still expected that there will be a £50 million investment during the first 4 years, although what exactly this will be used for is not yet clear.

RIIO has changed the way the gas net-works evaluate and replace their assets. In many instances, we are seeing product

purchase and stream replacement being favoured over complete station exchange. National Grid is currently undergoing an assessment of all MP-LP distribution assets that will likely result in upgrades of various forms – from products only to stream replacement on around 1000 reg-ulator installations. Significant infrastruc-ture upgrades (MP and LP gas networks) are currently being undertaken on the London network which will result in Elster supplying large-scale Orpheus stations to roughly 45 sites in the next 2 to 4 years. The new high-speed rail link is now caus-ing major diversion works resulting in yet more Orpheus stations for Elster.

Northern Gas Networks has been plan-ning major projects involving many high-pressure off-take stations after a lack of investment for years (sweating the assets). This will result in tenders published throughout the next 2 to3 years for which Elster will be looking to supply regulators, ultrasonic and turbine metering as well as gas quality analysis equipment (EnCal 3000). Investment figures are similar to SGN at £140m. The supply of regulators

for the MP-LP distribution sector is histori-cally low with annual volumes of around 20 Orpheus BGI stations. Elster UK is in the process of responding to the first tender from NGN for a Framework agreement.

Scotland Gas Networks has low volumes of work compared to the rest of the country. Stream replacement work on high-pressure installations has already commenced for which Elster has supplied AFVs and slam shut valves. Work is continuing to be planned with more upgrades in the pipe-line on 8 or 9 sites. The second half of the RIIO period (years 4 to8) will again see Scotland commence more upgrades with equipment being chosen via published tenders. Low volumes of MP-LP regulator installations are replaced which will result in Elster supplying 10 to 15 Orpheus stations a year.

Over the next eight years, the RIIO project will have a big impact on strategic thinking throughout the UK gas industry. As always, Elster will be there to provide the necessary products, service and support to ensure that this initiative can be implemented.

Paul Webster [email protected]

PublisherElster GmbH55252 Mainz-Kastel, Germanywww.elster-instromet.com

Editorial staff Gudrun Biedermann, Elster GermanyPaul Webster, Elster Instromet uKK. C. Tan, Elster-Instromet Singapore

Please write toEurope/africa/america/australia:Elster GmbHGudrun BiedermannSteinern Strasse 19–2155252 Mainz-Kastel, GermanyT +49 6134 6 05-2 18E [email protected]

asia:Elster-Instromet Sdn. Bhd.K. C. Tan29 Tai Seng avenue#06-05a Natural Cool Lifestyle HubSingapore 534119T +65 62477728E [email protected]

England:Elster Metering Ltd.Steve CaseTollgate Business ParkBeaconside, StaffordStaffordshire ST16 3HS, EnglandT +44 1785 275306E [email protected]

authors Eric Bras, Elster Belgium addy Baksteen, Elster-Instromet NLandreas dirks, Elster Germany Michael Halm, Elster GermanySebastian Hintz, Elster GermanyCarsten Lorenz, Elster Germany ashok Nayak, Elster uaEMichael Pellmann, Elster Germany ryan Tian, Elster China Chan Kuan Yue, Elster Malaysia Paul Webster, Elster uKJonathan Wells, Elster uSa

Customer magazine online:www.elster-instromet.com

Page 1/20: © iStockphoto.com/marrakeshh Page 6-7: © iStockphoto.com/ebstock dr Feix Translation agency articles signed by the author reflect their personal opinion.

Publishing dates:Three editions for the year 2014

Imprint

Completed installation has little environmental impact

16 aPPL ICaTIoNS Elster-Instromet Profiles 1/2014

How 4 meters are helping Beijing to get clean air

LNG terminal built to replace coal as fuel for Beijing

With a population of more than 30 million and about 6 million vehicles, air pollution in Beijing is a major challenge. Besides the pollution caused by the many vehicles, one of the biggest sources of pollution is the use of coal for power and heat generation.

Air pollution is indicated using the Air Quality Index which is basically the PM 2.5 level in µg/m3. PM 2.5 stands for the amount of particles in the air measur-ing less than 2.5 µm. The Chinese govern-ment has made the reduction of so-called “fine dust” a high priority and Beijing wants to go the whole nine yards and be the first Chinese city that does not depend on coal for heat and power generation.

Since combustion of natural gas does not generate “fine dust”, it is currently the most attractive option to replace coal. Another benefit of natural gas is that car-bon dioxide emissions can be reduced as well since combustion of natural gas produces about 45% less carbon dioxide.

With an Air Quality Index that is very regu-larly between ‘unhealthy’ and ‘hazardous’, the city of Beijing has been qualified as ‘barely suitable for living’ which is one of the biggest concerns of its inhabitants. On

the very day this article was written, the World Health Organization reported* that 7 million people died in the past year as a result of air pollution related causes world -wide. The vast majority of them were living in the South East Asia and Western Pacific area. This means that 1 out of 8 deaths in the world is related to air pollution caus-ing diseases like heart failure, strokes, COPD and cancer. No wonder the Beijing Municipal Government is doing their utmost to bring the Air Quality Index down to an acceptable level!

However, since the natural gas resources of China are much smaller than the abun-dant coal resources, this is a decision with great impact as regards the natural gas infrastructure required to support this tran-sition. Hundreds of coal-fired boilers have been modified to burn natural gas but the current capacities of natural gas supply to the Beijing area are insufficient to fuel them. This was one of the reasons for building an LNG terminal in Tangshan (a port about 180 km from Beijing).

The air Quality Index in Beijing on the day of writing this article (source: http://aqicn.org/city/beijing/)

* www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/ 2014/air-pollution/en/

acceptance test of LNG metering station

aPPLICaTIoNS 17 Elster-Instromet Profiles 1/2014

The Tangshan LNG projectPetrochina’s Tangshan LNG receiving terminal is expected to have an annual receiving capacity of 10 million tons of LNG. Elster’s contribution was the delivery of the metering skid for Phase I of the project. It consists of 4 lines each designed to cover a capacity of 33% of the total required capacity. The Q.Sonic-5C meters that were selected were of sizes DN 400 and ANSI 600. The skid is designed to transfer a maximum of 24 million cubic metres of gas to Beijing per day and this will be extended to 42 million cubic metres per day in Phase II.

Due to the past deliveries for the WEPP II projects for Petrochina, Elster already has a large installed meter base. With over 300 ultrasonic meters in more than 140 metering systems, Elster has gathered a wealth of experience in all disciplines that

are deemed essential for efficient project execution – project planning, cost plan-ning, risk analysis, contract management, procurement, administration, safety and environment, quality control and commis-sioning. This experience was the basis for Petrochina placing its trust both in Elster products in general and in our metering systems and project execution capabilities in particular.

Elster is proud to play a small role in Bei-jing’s Blue Sky Campaign just by doing what it does best – accurate metering of natural gas! It was a big challenge to make sure the project met the tight schedule, yet thanks to the joint efforts of the teams from Elster Beijing and Malaysia, the job was completed on time.

With the enormous demand for natural gas to replace coal, the future for both LNG and natural gas in China is bright. We sincerely hope that one day, this can also be said of the skies over Beijing.

Addy Baksteen [email protected] Ryan Tian [email protected]

Metering system after installation on site

Tangshan LNG metering system

acceptance test of LNG metering station

18 SErVICE Elster-Instromet Profiles 1/2014

In the past, the NMi (Nederlands Meetinsti-tuut), acting as an independent metrological measuring institute, has already certified that this diagnostic technology can detect the actual flow rate. Thus, TurbinScope is the smart stethoscope among analysis tools.

Elster has now gathered wide-ranging experience in the use of TurbinScope. In fact, the diagnostic tool is suitable for many different applications. For example, you can check the measuring properties of your biogas system at regular intervals, look at your meter park randomly or at regular intervals, or use the analysis tool to assess bearing damage. This means, for example, that possible deformation, bearing damage, pulsation or the like can be detected. In addition, it provides trans-parency and rapid assistance for the pre-vention of potential problems.

The basic requirements for valuable, infor-mative meter or station diagnostics is to record the widest possible bandwidth of the possible meter capacity during the time in which TurbinScope is operating. Ideally, the system will be subjected to a flow rate of Qmin to Qmax so that a com-plete frequency image of the meter can be obtained during the measurement. In addition, the system should allow a “spin-down” by the meter from approx. 50% Qmax until the turbine wheel reaches a complete standstill. This supplies valu-able information about the condition of the bearings in the turbine meter and a forecast of the measurement error at Qmin.

TurbinScope® diagnostic tool

More than just a stethoscope

Prevention is better than cure! Just as a doctor uses his stethos-cope for diagnostics, Elster can assess the condition of a turbine gas meter with its diagnostic tool TurbinScope. This enables Elster to give accurate information about the condition of vital “gas meter organs”.

The grey line in Figure 1 shows the spin-down of the turbine wheel while the orange line is the calculated gas flow rate. Since the two curves are known, the differ-ence and therefore also the deviation of the turbine meter can be calculated. This calculation can be made at any point in the flow path, e.g. if the flow rate fluctu-ates widely. The diagnostic tool can be

networked quickly with our product spe-cialists thanks to its internet connection. This makes it possible to control and con-figure it remotely at any time and meter data can also be recorded while the meter is running. In any case, the rapid evaluation of the meter data is assured. We will be delighted to connect the diag-nostic tool for you. In principle, however,

SErVICE 19 Elster-Instromet Profiles 1/2014

we can also provide the tool for a limited period on hire. This will enable you to decide for yourself when and where you wish to carry out a meter diagnostic.Finally, the use of the diagnostic tool pro-vides an informative analysis of the tur-bine gas meter when it is used as part of a precautionary check. Whatever it is used for, the TurbinScope offers much more than a stethoscope.

We would also be happy to produce solutions with you to ensure that you can use the diagnostic tool efficiently. Contact our project managers and product experts if you would like any advice. Check your “gas meter organs” regularly and make everything transparent.

Sebastian Hintz [email protected]

List of features

Meter analysis

• Detection of possible deformation of the turbine wheel blades

• Detection of possible imbalance on the turbine wheel

• Detection of mechanical bearing damage

• Estimation of measurement error at Qmin

System analysis

• All error analyses for meter analysis A

• Detection of system-related installation effects such as pulsation of the gas column

• Determining the actual flow rate (accredited by NMi)

Benefits at a glance

• Straightforward analysis of the measuring instrument

• No meter removal required

• Analysis of measurement perfor-mance

• Determining the actual flow rate

• Estimation of the measurement performance at Qmin

• Detection of ball bearing damage

• Remote control (remote analysis)

• Training possible for connection by customer

Fig. 1: Spin-down analysis using TurbinScope

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Turbine wheel spin-down

Calculated gas flow rate

The turbine gas meter can be analyzed in ongoing operation using the diagnostic tool.

Vital Connections

Elster GmbHSteinern Strasse 19–2155252 Mainz-Kastel, Germanywww.elster-instromet.com

profiles 2014, volume 1

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