TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM

Flow study
A technique which is able
to accurately measure, with
no effect on the process,
the flow rate of fluids
through pipelines, utilising
novel tracer technology.
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
Technology
Utilises advanced tracers
Active
Short half-life
Chemical
Stable & environmentally friendly
Gaseous, organic & aqueous
Detection
Non-intrusive (Active)
Sample & analysis (Chemical)
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
Features of technique
Pulse velocity or dilution

TRACER INJECTION POINT

MIXING LENGTH

FLOW
DETECTOR 1 DETECTOR 2

DATA
ANALYSIS
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
Features of technique
Pulse velocity or dilution
Accuracy
+/- 1%
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
Features of technique
Pulse velocity or dilution
Accuracy
Pipe diameters
Any greater than 15mm
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
Features of technique
Pulse velocity or dilution
Accuracy 1600
Typical Graphical Results

Pipe diameters
1400

Detector Response
1200
1000

Results
800
600
400

Active tracer
200
0

2
4
6
8
11
13

17

21
23

27

32
34
36

38
40
15

19

25

29
Immediate
Tim e after Initial Injection (seconds)

Stable chemical
2 to 3 days
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
Features of technique
Pulse velocity or dilution
Accuracy
Pipe diameters
Results
No effect on process
Active tracer
Short half-life
Stable chemical tracer
Environmentally friendly
p.p.b levels
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
Benefits of technique
Decrease inspection costs
Eliminate shutdown need
On-line flow meter calibration
Reduce safety risks
Flow meter removal
Blow down requirement
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
Case study 1 - Gas transfer line - UK
Problem
12 gas transfer line
Installed flow meter
Required calibration
Options
Shut-down process
Calibration off-line
Carry out TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM Flow study
Calibration on-line
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
Case study 1 - Gas transfer line - UK
Study
Pulse velocity measurement TRACER INJECTION POINT

Active tracer - Kr79

Non-intrusive detectors MIXING LENGTH

2 detectors 5 meters apart

3 different flow rates FLOW
DETECTOR 1 DETECTOR 2
High, medium & low
Order of magnitude change
5 injections for each DATA
ANALYSIS
Statistical verification
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
Case study 1 - Gas transfer line - UK
Results High Flowrate

Velocity measurements 1600

1400

Detector Response
Pipeline measurements 1200
1000
800

Internal diameter 600

400
200

Flow rate calculation 0

0
2
4
6
8

12
14
16
18

23

25
27

31
33
35

39
10

21

29

37

41
Tim e after Initial Injection (seconds)

Comparison with flow meter Run 1 Run 2 Run 3

Indicating 5% error on high flow

Indicating 12% on low flow
Outcome
Installed flow meter re-calibrated on-line
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Flow study
A technique which is able
to accurately measure, with
no effect on the process,
the flow rate of fluids
through pipelines, utilising
novel tracer technology.