Gas Meters,, how accurate are they

kippen_noedel

I had an interesting conversation with a design engineer with one of the major gas meter manufacturers today.

There are 2 main designs, one measures the sound of gas passing to estimate usage the other pressure. The one favoured by installers (Transco etc) are the pressure mesuring ones, they are much cheaper.

Apparently the flow meter design is based on a patent that was registered by a round the worlds yachtsman who wanted to measure airflow/speed to help estimating how fast he was traveling.

Then he told me is that the meters aren't that accurate, they actually estimate usage based on a combination of pressure, bore,. However this can be affected by temperature.

funnily enough the most accurate type are not used for domestic properties because they cost twice as much.

C_Mababejive

kippen_noedel wrote: »

I had an interesting conversation with a design engineer with one of the major gas meter manufacturers today.

There are 2 main designs, one measures the sound of gas passing to estimate usage the other pressure. The one favoured by installers (Transco etc) are the pressure measuring ones, they are much cheaper.

Apparently the flow meter design is based on a patent that was registered by a round the worlds yachtsman who wanted to measure airflow/speed to help estimating how fast he was traveling.

Then he told me is that the meters aren't that accurate, they actually estimate usage based on a combination of pressure, bore,. However this can be affected by temperature.

funnily enough the most accurate type are not used for domestic properties because they cost twice as much.

Your design engineer was kinda right but didnt tell the full story..

In the domestic field,the traditional method of measurement is using positive displacement measurement in which gas enters and exits sets of bellows of known volume. The expansion and contraction of the bellows as they fill and empty is translated into movement which drives an index and so gives a reading.

Maybe 10 to 15 years ago,another type if domestic meter became more common. Known as an inferential meter simply becuase it infers a reading based on other parameters. This type was ultrasonic and featured a tube of known length and diameter which housed an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver at either end. They have a digital index and are battery powered.Both types are available as credit or PP.

The use of ultrasonic credit meters is being discontinued by many due to various issues..notably that..surprise surprise..the battery runs out and needs changing !!

Ultrasonic PP meters are becoming more widespread as a replacement for the positive displacement quantum meter,some makes of which are rubbish and unreliable.

For domestic useage,such meters are considered accurate.

In larger volumetric useage i.e large factories etc,,volumetric correction may be employed to take account of temeprature and other factors.

lemontart

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Your design engineer was kinda right but didnt tell the full story..

In the domestic field,the traditional method of measurement is using positive displacement measurement in which gas enters and exits sets of bellows of known volume. The expansion and contraction of the bellows as they fill and empty is translated into movement which drives an index and so gives a reading.

Maybe 10 to 15 years ago,another type if domestic meter became more common. Known as an inferential meter simply becuase it infers a reading based on other parameters. This type was ultrasonic and feared a tube of known length and diameter which housed an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver at either end. They have a digital index and are battery powered.Both types are available as credit or PP.

The use of ultrasonic credit meters is being discontinued by many due to various issues..notably that..surprise surprise..the battery runs out and needs changing !!

Ultrasonic PP meters are becoming more widespread as a replacement for the positive displacement quantum meter,some makes of which are rubbish and unreliable.

For domestic useage,such meters are considered accurate.

In larger volumetric useage i.e large factories etc,,volumetric correction may be employed to take account of temeprature and other factors.

and the scary thing is I actually know and understand this...............omg I was paying attention when the engineer was talking to me about the meters!!!!!!!!!

C_Mababejive

lemontart wrote: »

and the scary thing is I actually know and understand this...............omg I was paying attention when the engineer was talking to me about the meters!!!!!!!!!

The time to really worry LT is if you start collecting them as a hobby..!!

lemontart

C_Mababejive wrote: »

The time to really worry LT is if you start collecting them as a hobby..!!

ummm well how do I say this...............eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk ! lol nah I spend enough of my time talking about anacondas, faulty governors not to mention asking if there is a leak at a split nipple without coming home to anything other than the gas meter already installed and working in my home......after all it would get jealous and imagine the confusion with the suppliers when billing...lol then again I have the perfect spot in my dining room and would be a definite conversation piece