A large North American cogeneration company produces steam, electricity and other utility services for sale to customers. They are using Sierra's Innova-Mass multivariable vortex mass flow meter to measure steam consumption for billing purposes and to enhance system diagnostics. The Innova-Mass meter was specified because it reduced the total installed cost of a measurement system by 50%.
The engineering team first considered a "traditional" vortex flow meter because of its inherent reliability, wide turndown and high accuracy measurement capability. The disadvantage of this compensated system was the high cost of installation. Each system required four man-days to install and commission. The complex electrical and mechanical system required power and signal wiring between the flow meter, the pressure transmitter, the temperature transmitter and the flow computer. Three process penetrations and mounting adapters for mechanical connection to the pipe were also needed. Because the Innova-Mass meter could be installed with a single process penetration and only one set of power and signal wires, they saved two man days of installation time.
The Innova-Mass meter also delivers all of the process information the company needs for billing and efficiency management. The totalized rate is used for custody transfer and billing operations. The mass flow rate measurement is used to provide information on peak demand usage, to ensure consistent steam service. The pressure reading is used as a diagnostic tool to help control the available steam flow capacity. These three measurements are available simultaneously, via 4-20 mA and pulse outputs, from the single transmitter.
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