Alba Instrumentation, recently carried out a Full and Intermediate on Lindsey Oil’s two GF868 Ultrasonic Flaregas Flowmeters. Stage 1 & 2 flowmeter had the transducers upgraded and lengthened to include for a double block and bleed system, this will allow the transducers to be safely removed even whilst the plant is in process, instead of the usual ‘on a shutdown only’ procedure.

A full Health and Safety Risk Assessment was completed for site and all necessary checks and measurements were carried out over a two day period (including a ‘Zero flow check’) and the instruments were found to be within manufacturers specifications and a ‘Certificate of Validation’ was issued. Although stage 3&4 was still in process an ‘intermediate validation’ was carried out with all necessary checks and measurements carried out, again the meter was found to be within manufacturers specifications and a ‘ Intermediate Certificate of Validation’ was issued. Alba has developed the intermediate validation, along with Total Lindsey Oil, as a way of demonstrating to the regulatory authorities that the meter is still within the specifications measured on the last full system validation.

Both of the above installation benefitted from a dimensional survey to accurately measure the Path and Axial lengths (P&L) to within 0.1mm. The use of this survey removes any inaccuracies in an otherwise theoretical measurement.

The validation ensures Total reports accurately any flare activity accurately to the Environment Agency, to ensure compliance with their license.