GAS DENSITY & S.G.

MEASUREMENT

May 2005
Northern Cal ISA
 Gas Density and Specific
Gravity Definitions
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46
9

GD2 2.3
What Changes Density?
 Temperature

 Pressure

 Composition
 Temperature Changes Density

Example:
The density of air changes from 0.0736 lbs/ft3 to
0.0704 lbs/ft3 with a change of 22 degrees F.
 Pressure Changes Density
 Applicable for light hydrocarbons such as LPG

 Applicable for supercritical fluids such as ethylene

and CO2

 Applicable for gases

 Often ignored for crude oil

Example: The density of air changes from 0.700 to

0.793 lbs/ft3 with less than a 2 psi change.
Basic Density Equation

r = K0 + K1t + K2t2
where, r = density of the fluid

K0, K1, K2 = constants determined by

the manufacturer

t = periodic time of oscillation

Temperature Correction on
Density
Dt = D[1 + K18 (t - 20)] + K19 (t - 20)

where: Dt= temperature corrected density

D = density from basic equation
using K0, K1, K2
t = temperature
K18, K19 = constants from calibration
certificate
Pressure Correction on Density
Dp = Dt [1 + K20 (p-1)] + K21 (p-1)

where: Dp = temperature and pressure

corrected density
Dt = temperature corrected density
p = pressure
K20 = K20A + K20B (p - 1)
K21 = K21A + K21B (p - 1)
K20A, K20B, K21A, K21B = constants from
calibration certificate
Ideal vs. Real Specific Gravity

 Real S.G. = ratio of gas density to air density

at reference P&T

 Ideal S.G. = ratio of MW of gas to MW of

air
Gas Specific Gravity

 Independent of changes in pressure,

temperature or compressibility.

 Needed to determine energy content.

Gas Density

 Density is defined as weight per unit volume.

Changes when pressure, temperature or

composition varies.

 Is needed for mass flow.

Gas Compressibility
 Density can be calculated from
compressibility or compressibility can be
calculated from density when the gas
composition, temperature and pressure are
known.

 flowing density is a function of specific gravity,

pressure, temperature and compressibility
Spring - Mass - Damper System

. .
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Resonant Element Density
Transducer

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7812 Gas Density Capabilities
 High accuracy
 Integral temperature sensor
 Excellent thermal
characteristics
 Low velocity of sound effect
 Fast response
 Long term stability
 Intrinsically safe
 Frequency output signal
 Continuous on-line
measurement
 7812 Gas Density Transducer
Specification
Parameter Specification
Density range 0 to 400 kg/m^3 (25 #/ft3 )

Limits of error (10 to 100% FS)

For nitrogen +/- 0.1% of reading

For natural gas, ethylene +/-0.15% of reading

Maximum operating pressure 250 bar (3625) psi (using pocket kit)

Temperature range -20 to +85 °C ( -4 to +185 °F )

Temperature coefficient 0.001 kg/m^3 / °C (0.00003 lb3 / °F)

Safety EEx ia IIC T6

Output signal 6V pk-pk @ 1.5 KHz
7812 Gas Density Transducer

 Requires a clean, dry sample

 For mass flow systems, pressure differences

between densitometer and flow meter are critical

 Have no recognized standard for field proving

 Best guide is published by IP

Typical 7812 Installation
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 7812 Pressure Drop versus
Flowrate

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GD2 8.3
Gas Density Verification

 Check density accuracy compared to PTZ

calculations

 Check with sample gas of known density

 Vacuum check confirms that the calibration has

not shifted with time

 Check instrument stability at different flow rates to

insure good temperature equilibrium
S.G. Calculation from Line Density
using PTZ NX19 or AGA 8 Method
Base Density = Line density Pb T Z
x x
P Tb Zb

Base Density
Relative density =Density of dry air at base conditions

Specific gravity = Ratio of molecular weight of gas to that of dry air

x Zg
= Relative density Za
Errors associated with Z correction at 100bar (1440psi) and
ambient temperature
1. Pressure - 0.4%
2. Temperature - 0.2%
3. Composition - 0.05%
Total uncertainty = 0.65% plus T and P errors
 3098 Gas Specific Gravity
Transducer
3098 NEMA 4X
INSULATING
COVER
DENSITY
TRANSDUCER
CONTROL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR

PRESSURE
REGULATOR CHAMBER FILLING
VALVE, E

ISOLATION
VALVE, D
REFERENCE
CHAMBER
Gas
Line INPUT
ORIFICE PRESSURE
DIAPHRAGM CONTROL VALVE
VALVE A

FILTER OUTPUT
ORIFICE
VENT AND INPUT
FOR CALIBRATION
GASES TO SIGNAL
VALVE B CONVERTER
VALVE C
TO VENT
VALVE F
(PURGING VALVE)

OUTLET
PRESSURE
RELIEF VALVE
3098 S.G. Transducer
Specification
SG limits 0.1 - 3 typical
Fluid Dry, clean non-corrosive gas
Accuracy Up to ±0.1% reading
Repeatability ±0.02% reading
Temp. coefficient ±0.01%/°C (0.005% / °F)
Temp range -30 to +50°C (-22 to +122 °F)
Control pressure 1.2 to 7 bar A (17 to 101 psia)
Gas flow rate 0.2 to 60 normal cm3
Filter 7 µm
Response time <5s upon entry - at 60 normal cm3
Output signal 6V peak to peak (3 wire)
2-3V peak to peak (2 wire)
Power Supply +15.5 - 33V dc
Operating freq. ~ 2kHz at 0 kgm-3
Enclosure NEMA 4x box
 3098 S.G. Transducer
Key Features
 Real-time gravity measurement

 Simple calibration using two sample gases

 Low gas consumption

 No mechanical adjustments

 Measures ideal or real SG

 Laboratory accuracy at continuous line conditions

 3098 S. G.Transducer
Calibration
Reference Chamber Gas:
Reference Chamber Pressure:
Calibration with Sample Gas:
GD2 3.3
This gas should be similar to the sample gas in terms of
compressibility characteristics.
(actual line samples are commonly used)
This should be sent to minimize the overall error, particularly
the temperature coefficient.
Temperature coeff minimized High pressure
Z change errors minimized Low pressure
Z effect on calibration Low pressure
Two certified gases should be used that adequately represent
the characteristics and specific gravity range of the line gas.
Typically for natural gas Methane and Nitrogen or Carbon
Dioxide are used.
 3098 S.G. Transducer
Servicing
 What to touch and what not to touch :

 On-site changes Solartron factory changes

Inlet filter Diaphragm
Orifices (input and output) Diaphragm ‘o’ ring
Pressure Gauge valve Reference chamber
Transducer gasket
Amplifier
Cylinder*
Spool body*

* under emergency situations

 Gas Density (7812) or
S. G. (3098)
 Gas Density Advantages and Applications:
 Continuous on-line density at metering point
 No Compressibility Z or temperature T problems
 No errors associated with calculating density
 Used for mass measurement or line volume with Orifice
 Specific Gravity Advantages and Applications:
 Application outside the gas density operating conditions
 Wet gas

 High temperatures

 Contamination problems

 Can derive density from S.G via PTZ

 Applications where Wobbe Index or Calorific Value is
required
 If S.G. and Density both require highest accuracy then
use both transducers
7950/7951 Signal Converters
7950/51 Signal Converter
Software Options
 Version 1020
 Gas applications
 7812
 3098

 Version 2010
 Liquid applications
7950/51 Signal Converter
1020 Software
Gas Density & Gas Specific Gravity Signal Converter
Software
 Instrumentation Connections:
 7812 Gas Density Transducers or 3098 Gas
Specific Gravity Transducers (quantity 2)
 Temperature & Pressure Transmitters
 Basic Functionality :
– Gas Calculations for line and base density
– Density coefficients and live inputs

– PTZ using either NX19, AGA8 or SGERG with P

&T
– Temperature, pressure and VOS correction
 Reporting and Event logging
7950/51 Signal Converter
Summery
 Common hardware with application specific software

 Interfaces with earlier Solartron Density/SG

transducers

 Simple to use configuration menu

 4 line display making simple interrogation of data

 Metric or imperial units of measurement

 Modular design allows customers to upgrade

 PC Configuration tool available