Flow measurements using tracers are performed in all piping systems carrying oil, gas or water including separators, compressors, injector systems, and flares. Tracer flow measurements are well suited for special purposes at locations, where flow is not normally metered.
Calibration of elsewhere difficult accessible flow meters is regularly performed by the tracer methods, which are based on international standards. Examples are given on offshore flare gas flow measurements (1) and the current development of a calibration method for multiphase flows is described (2).
Residence time distribution measurements are illustrated with performance studies on separators.
Methods for measurements of leakage between flow streams in heat exchangers at oil refineries are described. A novel system for leak detection down to approximately 1 litre/hour in buried oil pipe lines by tracer assisted pigging is presented (3).
References:
1. Sevel, T., Morch, E., and Pedersen, N.H., North Sea Flow Measurements Workshop, 1995, Lillehammer, Norway
2. Sevel, T., Pedersen, N.H., Weinell, C.E., Lind-Nielsen, B., North Sea Flow Measurements Workshop 1996, Peebles, Scotland
3. Final Technical Report, Thermie Project OG/203/94, "Development of a Novel Super Sensitive Leakage Inspection Pig for Inspection of Oil Pipelines", FORCE Institute, 1997
Abstract Source:
Book of Abstracts, 7th European Conference on Non-Destructive Testing, 26-29 May 1998, ISBN: 87-986898-0-00
Full-Text Source:
Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Non-Destructive Testing, 26-29 May 1998, ISBN:
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