ALTOSONIC V12

ALTOSONIC V12
12-Chord ultrasonic gas flowmeters for custody transfer
Setting a new standard with its OIML R137 Accuracy Class 0.5 approval
Dedicated diagnostic cords for bottom fouling detection
Minimal straight inlet requirement due to excellent swirl immunity
Built-in redundancy through dynamic chord substitution

More than just a meter –
Measurement systems and solutions
For many years KROHNE Oil & Gas has been supplying
complete measurement systems for gas and liquids,
varying from a simple meter run to complete turn-key
measurement skids.
KROHNE Oil & Gas is fully dedicated to custodytransfer
measurement systems and has their own
portfolio of critical products that include flowmeters,
flow computers and supervisory software.
Being part of the global KROHNE Group a local
sales or service contact is never far away, in fact in
most cases the first contact would already be local
and in the local language. By using our own
KROHNE portfolio of instrumentation there is
never a discussion about responsibilities.
2

superior Performance
Certainly the lowest uncertainty
While all flowmeters may show excellent accuracy in
a calibration facility, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
After the meter has been installed in the field,
installation effects and contamination can have a
significant impact on the meter’s overall uncertainty.
Yet, just like the underwater part of an iceberg,
these effects cannot be seen during a calibration.
Looking at the overall uncertainty instead of only
the calibration result, there is a significant difference
between flowmeters approved to OIML R137 class 1
and flowmeters approved to the more stringent
class 0.5. Besides the OIML accuracy, it is also the
ability to detect contamination inside the meter that
will make a significant difference to the overall
uncertainty of your metering installation.
Uncertainty
from calibration
Uncertainty due to
installation effects
Uncertainty due
to contamination
Total uncertainty
after installation
3

Setting a new standard with its
OIML R137 Accuracy Class 0.5 Approval
Where more traditional flowmeters are typically
approved to OIML* R137 class 1, ALTOSONIC V12
is the first flowmeter that has been approved to
class 0.5. The main difference between class 1 and
class 0.5 meters is their immunity to installation
effects such as swirls and distorted flow profiles.
With OIML approvals being issued by independent
third parties such as NMi, the OIML class is a truly
independent approval to prove immunity to
installation effects.
As part of the OIML type testing also non-ideal,
more real life conditions such as upstream bends are
tested. During these tests, class 1 meters are allowed
an additional deviation of 0.33 %, class 0.5 meters are
allowed a deviation of 0.17 %.
The difference in overall accuracy between class 0.5
and class 1 meters is only 0.17 %, however, on a
12” flowmeter, running at 50 bar and at 15 m/s,
this represents a potential loss of € 275,000 per year.
Typically ultrasonic flowmeters will meet a ± 0.2 %
accuracy (or ± 0.1 % after multi-point linearization) in
a calibration facility where the installation conditions
are ideal.
* OIML is the Organization Internationale de Métrologie Légale =
international organization for legal metrology.
4

superior Performance
+1.0
MEASUREMENT ACCURACY
+0.5
0
-0.5
CLASS
1.0
Other
Meters
Installation Uncertainty
Installation Uncertainty
CLASS
0.5
V12
ACCURACY ACHIEVED DURING CALIBRATION
-1.0
The difference in measurement uncertainty between class 1 and class 0.5 meters is 0.17 %.
The example below shows what this means in terms of financial risks:
12”, 600#, flowmeter (ID 0.295 m)
P = 50 bar
V = 15 m/s
Z (compressibility) = 0.89
Costs = € 0.1/Nm 3
Measurement area:
0.25 x Pi x 0.2952 = 0.068345 m 2
Flow per second:
Measurement area x 50 x 0.89 x 15 = 45.6 Nm 3 /s ≈ € 4.50/s
Per year this is
Flow per second x 60 x 60 x 24 x 365 ≈ € 145 million/year
0.017 % uncertainty results in
0.0017 % x Flow per year ≈ 275,000/year
5

superior Performance
Dedicated diagnostics cords
for bottom fouling detection
Contamination inside a flowmeter will influence its
accuracy. Where mechanical meters have no means
to detect contamination, ultrasonic flowmeters have
diagnostics to monitor what is happening inside the
meter. More standard ultrasonic flowmeters have
basic diagnostics that allow detection of major
contaminations such as a blocked hole in a flow
conditioner. ALTOSONIC V12 uses a single bounce in
each chord to detect even the smallest amount of
contamination. In addition, it is the first flowmeter
that has a vertical acoustic chord to detect
contamination on the bottom of the meter. A thin
layer of contamination will have a big impact on the
financial risks; even a layer of contamination as thin
as 0.5 mm in a 12 ” flowmeter can result in a financial
loss of € 485,000 per year.
ALTOSONIC V12 reliably sees local fouling. Due to a single bounce in plane,
contamination will be detected long before the measurement is impaired.
6

long-term Reliability
Built-in redundancy through
dynamic chord substitution
In the rare case of a transducer failure,
ALTOSONIC V12 uses dynamic chord substitution.
If a chord did fail, the previously stored velocity ratios
between the different chords are used to calculate
the exact velocity at the position of the failed chord.
This method allows ALTOSONIC V12 to remain within
custody transfer accuracy even if two paths were
to fail.
ALTOSONIC V12
measures the flow in
five horizontal planes.
Compared to a more
traditional four-path
configuration, a fifth
measurement plane
was added to improve
the sensitivity to
distorted flow profiles.
While some meters offer
a fifth path through the
centre as an option,
ALTOSONIC V12 offer this
as a standard. The single
bounce in each plane
makes ALTOSONIC V12
virtually immune to swirl
and cross-flows, thus
permitting the shortest
upstream requirements.
ALTOSONIC V12 is the
first meter to offer an
ultrasonic chord that
is fully dedicated to
detection of bottom
fouling.
While more traditional
meters can find major
blockages, such as a
blocked hole in the flow
conditioner, the vertical
diagnostics chord allows
ALTOSONIC V12 to detect
very thin layers of
contamination at the
bottom of the meter.
7

innovative Construction
ALTOSONIC V12 –
12 chords using a single V-bounce
ALTOSONIC V12 uses 10 horizontal measurement
chords to measure the flow inside the meter.
Two additional vertical chords are used to detect
bottom-fouling, making a total of 12 acoustic chords
using a single V bounce configuration.
The single V-bounce gives ALTOSONIC V12 its
extremely high immunity to swirl. In addition, it gives
ALTOSONIC V12 the ability to detect contamination on
the pipe wall. As explained on the previous page,
a 0.5 mm layer of contamination in a 12” meter could
have a massive financial impact; this contamination
should not remain undetected! The single bounce
permits detection of small layers of contamination
while AGC (Automatic Gain Control) guarantees the
integrity of the ultrasonic signal.
The positioning of the measurement paths close to the
top and bottom of the meter as well as in the centre
makes the meter virtually immune to flow profile
changes and distorted flow profiles. Especially the
path in the centre of the meter is important; at this
position, the flow is most sensitive to flow profile
changes and, for a meter to be fully immune to flow
profile changes, it is important to understand how the
profile has changed.
The result is a flowmeter that is more resilient to
distorted flow profiles and swirl, therefore being
awarded OIML R137 class 0.5 approval versus class 1
approval for more traditional meters. Moreover,
it only requires only half the upstream inlet piping,
5D with flow conditioner compared to 10D with
flow conditioner for more traditional meters.
9

What the standards say
AGA 9 Upstream piping requirements
An often heard
misunderstanding
is that AGA 9
prescribes meters
have to be installed with 20D upstream
piping with a flow conditioner. This is
not the case; AGA 9 (paragraph 7.2.2)
states ‘The manufacturer shall
recommend installation criteria that
will not create an additional flow rate
measurement error of more than
± 0.3 %. If this option is not available,
one conservative design is to use 20D
upstream piping with a flow conditioner.
Where more traditional flow meters
might need 20D straight upstream piping
with a flow conditioner to remain within
the 0.3 %, ALTOSONIC V12 only requires
5D and flow conditioner or 10D without
flow conditioner to guarantee a deviation
of less than 0.17 % about responsibilities.
Easy to engineer:
Minimal straight
inlet requirements
Due to its integrated swirl compensation,
ALTOSONIC V12 only requires 5D with
flow conditioner or 10D without flow
conditioner. This not only minimizes the
weight and footprint of your installation,
but also saves on installation- and
shipping costs, both during new
installation as well as during re-calibration.
This much shorter installation
length permits planning more compact
new metering runs and slot-in
replacement of conventional meters
such as turbines during revamps.
OIML R137
Upstream piping requirements
OIML R137
(paragraph 7.4.8)
prescribes that a meter
shall be type-tested with
vendor recommended upstream piping
against the upstream disturbances as
per annex B. During these tests the
shift of the error curve shall not exceed
1/3rd of the accuracy class. This means
that meters that have an OIML R137
class 1 approval are allowed to deviate
up to 0.33 % during type-testing. With
its class 0.5 approval ALTOSONIC V12
is only allowed to deviate 0.17 %.
10

innovative Construction
Without Flow Conditioner
min. 2D
max 5D
min. 10D
min. 3D
With Flow Conditioner
KROHNE
Flow Conditioner
min. 2D
max 5D
min. 2D straight inlet
length required before
flow conditioner
min. 3D
min. 3D
Under specific conditions, ALTOSONIC V12 can
be installed with just 5D and no flow conditioner,
please consult KROHNE if this option is required.
11

long-term Reliability
Can bouncing chords fail due to contamination?
A persistent myth is that bouncing
paths will fail due to contamination.
This is simply not true.
ALTOSONIC V12 uses AGC (Automatic
Gain Control) to compensate for a
possible deterioration of the acoustic
signal due to heavy contamination
inside the flowmeter. Test results show
that even from an extremely rough
surface, simulating a very thick layer
of pollution, the reliability of
ALTOSONIC V12’s acoustic signals
remains 100 %.
Reflectors used for signal reliability testing:
left clean, centre slightly roughened,
right considerably roughened
Transducer extraction –
Hot swapping with zero downtime
With the optional transducer extraction
tool, transducers can be removed even
when the pipeline is under pressure up
to 150 bar.
Optional transducer retraction tool for replacing
transducers without de-pressurizing the pipeline
This tool is only required when the
pipeline is under pressure, in a
depressurized pipeline the transducers
can be removed with basic tools.
12

long-term Reliability
Web-enabled diagnostics
To guarantee the reliability of the flow measurement,
each ALTOSONIC V12 is equipped with basic diagnostics.
Amongst others the velocity of sound per
paths, the SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio), the AGC
(Automatic Gain Control), and the minimum and
maximum velocities are continuously monitored
in the ALTOSONIC V12 electronics.
With the optionally integrated diagnostics board a very
powerful diagnostics expert system becomes available
that allows the user to quickly analyze the meter’s
performance. The diagnostics package can be used
at multiple levels, from a basic level where a ‘traffic
light’ indicates the overall health of the meter to a
detailed view of long term trending of individual
parameters. The whole package runs on an integrated
web server, meaning no software has to be installed
on a PC – a standard web browser is sufficient.
Once a PC is connected to ALTOSONIC V12 the
diagnostics pops up as a web page. In case
ALTOSONIC V12 is connected to the SUMMIT 8800 flow
computer, the diagnostics can even be reviewed on the
full colour touch screen of the flow computer.
To make sure no events are overlooked, or a problem
is only found after the operator connected a PC to
the flow meter, the diagnostics runs 24/7 on a
dedicated diagnostics board that is mounted inside
the ALTOSONIC V12 electronics housing. This board
has also a limited flow-computer functionality.
When a pressure and temperature measurement,
and possibly a GC input, are connected to the
diagnostics board, the board will calculate a
normalized flow using AGA8 or NX19 equations.
Performance monitoring screen
Alarm caused by bottom fouling
13

The ALTOSONIC V12 range –
The right meter for whatever metering situation
ALTOSONIC V12
While ALTOSONIC V12 offers an excellent solution
for high accuracy measurement of natural gas,
the application might have specific requirements that
could demand a different approach. To meet these
requirements ALTOSONIC V12 is available in the
alternative designs below. Detailed informational
material and complete specifications for the special
purpose ALTOSONIC V12’s are available upon request.
Please contact KROHNE.
ALTOSONIC V12 Twin
The ALTOSONIC V12 Twin combines two independent
flowmeters in a single body. The design permits two
completely independent measurements with the
installation of just a single flowmeter.
ALTOSONIC V12
With reflective chords
ALTOSONIC V12 Twin
Two meters in a single body with
essentially identical upstream conditions
14

ALTOSONIC V12 Direct
To measure natural gas with extremely high
concentrations of CO 2
the ALTOSONIC V12 Direct is the
answer. This meter uses direct paths instead of single
bounces. The main advantage is a shorter path length,
meaning the ultrasonic sound signal travels a shorter
distance through the highly attenuating CO 2
gas.
The trade-off is that a direct path design has
limitations in detecting small amounts of
contamination inside the meter and is more sensitive
to upstream disturbances than a design that
compensates for swirl by a single bounce.
As a result, ALTOSONIC V12 Direct requires
a 10D straight inlet with flow conditioner.
ALTOSONIC V12 Reference
ALTOSONIC V12 Reference is designed to guarantee
the absolutely highest level of immunity against
upstream disturbances and contamination.
The instrument has an integrated flow conditioner
and is standard produced in Stainless Steel 316.
The standard calibration of ALTOSONIC V12 Reference
is done at 10 different flow rates.
ALTOSONIC V12 Reference is specifically designed for
use in calibration facilities and very high-end
custody-transfer applications.
ALTOSONIC V12 Direct
Transducer arrangement for high CO 2
ALTOSONIC V12 Reference
For use in calibration facilities
15

Technical Data
Functions
Device
Description
Measurement functionality
Applications
Nominal diameter
[mm]
[inches]
Measurement accuracy
Accuracy
(relative to calibration facility)
Repeatability ≤ ± 0.1 %
Ultrasonic gas flowmeter
ALTOSONIC V12 consists of a meter body with ultrasonic transducers and a converter box for signal
processing and counter display mounted on top of the meter body
Actual volume flow rate and totalized volume; bi-directional
Natural gas with a minimum of 75 % methane, other applications on request
100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 750, 900, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, others on request
4 ”, 6 ”, 8 ”, 10 ”, 12 ”, 14 ”, 16 ”, 18 ”, 20 ”, 24 ”, 30 ”, 36 ”, 40 ”,42 ”, 48 ”, 56 ”, 64 ”, others on request
Other diameters on request
≤ ± 0.5 % of measured value, uncalibrated
≤ ± 0.2 % of measured value, high-pressure flow calibrated
≤ ± 0.1 % of measured value, high-pressure flow calibrated and linearized
Operating conditions
Flow range
See flow table (last page)
Pressure
4...450 bar; 0.4...45 Mpa; 60...6,525 psi
Ambient temperature -40...+60 °C / -40…+140 °F
Process temperature
Wet gas content
CO2 content
Materials
Flanges
Measuring tube
Electronics housing
Finish
-20...+100 °C; -4…+212 °F (-40…+100 °C; -40…+212 °F optional)
Contact KROHNE
Contact KROHNE
Low temperature carbon steel A350 LF2, stainless steel, duplex
Low temperature carbon steel A350 LF2 (≤ 12 ”) or A333 GR6 (≥ 14 ”), stainless steel, duplex
Stainless steel A316
Outside: 3-layer epoxy coating RAL 9006 (silver)
Inside: corrosion preservative oil film
other finishes on request
16

Electrical connection
Power supply 24 VDC / ≤ 10 W
Inputs / Outputs without integrated diagnostics board with integrated diagnostics board
Digital output 4x output 5x output
Serial 2x modbus over RS 485 3x modbus over RS 485
Ethernet
2x Ethernet
Analog Output
1x 4-20 mA
Input
1x multidrop (dual) HART
Approvals
Custody transfer OIML R137 class 0.5 by NMi
MID (Measurement Instrument Directive 2004/22/EC) by NMi
Fully complaint to AGA 9 and ISO 17089
Hazardous Area
Protection
Verifications
Standard
ATEX: II 2G Ex de ma IIB T5
IECEx: Ex de ma IIB T5 Gb
CSA: Class I, Div 1 and 2, Groups B, C, D T6 …T4 and Class II, Div 1 and 2, Groups E, F, G
FM: Class I, Div 2, Groups C, D T5 and Class II, Div 1, Groups E, F, G (Type 4X)
FM: Class I, Zone 1, Aex de ma IIB T5, IP66
IP66 and NEMA4X NEMA 4x
Hydrostatic pressure test, leakage test on nitrogen
17

Dimensions and weights
Diameter
inch (nom)
Height
inch
Length
inch
Weight
lbs
Diameter
mm (nom)
Height
mm
Length
mm
Weight
kg
Diameter
inch (nom)
Height
inch
Length
inch
Weight
lbs
Diameter
mm (nom)
Height
mm
Length
mm
Weight
kg
4 20.47 11.81 262 100 520 300 119
4 20.47 11.81 284 100 520 300 129
6 22.44 17.27 436 150 570 450 198
6 22.44 17.72 480 150 570 450 218
8 24.41 23.62 664 200 620 600 301
8 24.41 23.62 730 200 620 600 331
ASME 150
10 25.98 29.53 919 250 660 750 417
12 29.13 35.43 1556 300 740 900 706
14 30.71 41.34 589 350 780 1050 267
16 33.07 47.24 827 400 840 1200 375
ASME 300
10 26.77 29.53 1025 250 680 750 465
12 29.92 35.43 1631 300 760 900 740
14 31.89 41.34 756 350 810 1050 343
16 34.25 47.24 1025 400 870 1200 465
18 35.04 53.15 1091 450 890 1350 495
18 36.22 53.15 1369 450 920 1350 621
20 37.01 59.06 1468 500 940 1500 666
20 38.58 59.06 1795 500 980 1500 814
24 41.34 70.87 2381 600 1050 1800 1080
24 43.31 70.87 2901 600 1100 1800 1316
4 20.47 15.75 309 100 520 400 140
4 20.47 15.75 335 100 520 400 152
6 22.64 17.72 547 150 575 450 248
6 23.23 17.72 602 150 590 450 273
8 24.80 23.62 829 200 630 600 376
8 25.98 23.62 950 200 660 600 431
ASME 600
10 27.95 29.53 1208 250 710 750 548
12 30.71 35.43 843 300 780 900 836
14 32.09 41.34 910 350 815 1050 413
16 34.65 47.24 1301 400 880 1200 590
ASME 900
10 28.74 29.53 1334 250 730 750 605
12 31.89 47.24 2075 300 810 1200 941
14 33.07 41.34 1144 350 840 1050 519
16 35.04 47.24 1479 400 890 1200 671
18 36.61 53.15 1687 450 930 1350 765
18 37.80 53.15 2041 450 960 1350 926
20 39.37 59.06 2211 500 1000 1500 1003
20 40.16 59.06 2623 500 1020 1500 1190
24 43.31 70.87 3435 600 1100 1800 1558
24 45.67 70.87 4691 600 1160 1800 2128
18

Flow table
Diameter
inch (nom)
Height
inch
Length
inch
Weight
lbs
Diameter
mm (nom)
Height
mm
ASME 2500
ASME 1500
Length
mm
Weight
kg
Diameter
Qmin
(m 3 /h)
Qmax
(m 3 /h)
Turn down
4 20.87 15.75 399 100 530 400 181
6 23.62 23.62 717 150 600 600 325
8 25.97 31.50 1069 200 660 800 485
10 29.92 39.37 1753 250 760 1000 795
12 33.86 47.24 2734 300 860 1200 1240
14 37.01 55.12 3495 350 940 1400 1585
16 39.37 62.99 4520 400 1000 1600 2050
18 42.13 70.87 tba 450 1070 1800 tba
20 44.49 8.74 tba 500 1130 2000 tba
24 50.00 94.49 tba 600 1270 2400 tba
4 22.61 19.69 677 100 574 500 307
6 26.80 29.53 1217 150 681 750 552
8 28.68 39.37 1819 200 729 1000 825
10 33.21 49.21 3318 250 844 1250 1505
12 37.27 59.06 4961 300 947 1500 2250
Values for larger diameters upon request.
4 25 800 32
6 45 1800 40
8 75 3000 40
10 110 4800 43
12 140 6600 47
14 170 8000 47
16 210 10100 48
18 240 12500 52
20 260 14800 56
24 285 20600 72
28 400 33200 83
30 430 38300 89
32 450 43800 97
36 500 50100 >100
38 520 54900 >100
40 560 58200 >100
42 620 62100 >100
48 810 81200 >100
56 1110 111400 >100
64 1450 145200 >100
Qt = 0.1xQmax
For piping > Sch 80 values might vary.
Calculations are provided as indication,
please ask KROHNE for detailed sizing.
19

© KROHNE 08/2011 - All rights reserved
Subject to change without notice - Errors and omissions excepted
KROHNE Oil & Gas
Overview
Systems
• Flowmeters for custody transfer
• Liquid flowmetering systems
• Gas flowmetering systems
• Wet gas metering systems
• Provers & master meters
• Flow computing, supervisory software &
analyzer management
• Calibration systems
• Tank inventory & management systems
• Analyzer houses and shelters
• Loading & off-loading systems
• Leak detection and localisation systems
• Revamps & upgrades
• Testing, installation, commissioning,
service training
Products
• Gas ultrasonic flowmeters for custody transfer
• Liquid ultrasonic flowmeters for custody transfer
• Mass flowmeters for custody transfer
• Venturis for wet gas metering
• Prover sphere detectors
• Flow computers
• Supervisory systems
• Meter validation software packages
• Electromagnetic flowmeters
• Level measuring instruments
• Variable area flowmeters
• Temperature measuring instruments
• Pressure measuring instruments
• Analyzers
• Vortex flowmeters
• Flow controllers
Contact
Head office KROHNE Oil & Gas
KROHNE Oil & Gas B.V.
Minervum 7441
4817 ZG LH Breda
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 76 711 200 0
Fax: +31 76 711 200 1
koginfo@krohne-oilandgas.com
Global companies and representatives
The current list of all
KROHNE contacts and
addresses can be found at:
www.krohne-oilandgas.com