The CPA 50E flow profiler (conditioner) is the simplest and most technically advanced solution for your flow conditioning needs. Extensively evaluated by independent laboratories, the affordable CPA 50E provides the fully developed, swirl-free flow profile required for repeatable, error-free measurement with all types of flow meters. And while designed and recommended for high-pressure natural gas applications, the CPA 50E can also be used with other gases and liquids.
The CPA 50E flow profiler (conditioner) provides stable performance downstream of even the most demanding installations-on or offshore-ensuring worry-free measurement.
Features
Low life cycle cost (capital cost installation cost maintenance cost)
An "isolating" flow conditioner
No spool piece or extra flanges required
Compact design allowing for simple installation, removal and inspection
Improvement of accuracy over tube bundle designs
Low pressure drop
Proven design and track record
Rugged, reliable, one-piece construction
Consistent performance throughout all pipe sizes
High manufacturing quality
Measurement Canada approved
Proven performance with orifice and ultrasonic meters
Available for appropriate Reynolds number range
Increase flow capacity without a loss of accuracy
Design permits easy retrofits of existing orifice installations
Functionally eliminates swirl
The CPA 50E flow conditioner can be applied to new installations or to retro-fit, rebuilt or in situ upgrades. They can be used with a wide variety of configurations -including straight pipe, multiple elbows (in and out of plane), and tee installations -are easily installed, and are available for pipe sizes ranging from 1 to 60 inches.
Options to Fit Your Requirements:
Type
Flange Requirements
Comments
A
Raised Face Weld Neck (RFWN), both flanges
Easy retro-fit for tube bundles
B
Wafer
Simple installation/removal
C
Pinned (2",3" and 4" only)
Pinning kit supplied by others
D
RTJ
Manufactured to applicable standards
Information: Fluid Flow Dynamics and Modeling
Swirl Elimination Capability (Requires windows media player)
Computational Fluid Dynamic Results - by Fluent (for qualitative educational purposes only) Go SLOW one frame at a time from start of presentations and it will upload ok.
This paper overviews the installation effects which must be managed when using flow conditioning to create optimal flow conditions. It details the specifics of a fully developed velocity profile, the effect this has on measurement accuracy as well as the significance of the turbulence intensity on meter performance. The goal of this paper is to help clarify the importance of flow conditioning in maximizing meter performance.
A detailed design paper which is the first paper released to industry announcing the development of the NOVA 50 E flow conditioner. This is a detailed paper which links the flow conditioner hole size, placement and plate thickness to metering performance and the underlying screen theory used to determine the flow conditioner geometry (key issue - 0.125D thickness eliminates swirl). Many variations of the same design are presented with high pressure, high Reynolds number values as well.
Presented, are flow profiles downstream of the NOVA 50E downstream of Three Elbows out of Plane, Two Elbows in plane and good flow conditions at high Reynolds Number.
The typical meter run was;
Single elbow low Re - long straight, elbow, 3D, Flow Conditioner, 8.5 and 6.5D to hot wire traverse.
Two elbows out of plane Low Re - elbow, 4D, elbow, 5D, Flow Conditioner, 8.5 and 6.5D to hot wire traverse.
Three elbows out of plane high Re - long straight, elbow, 9.8D, elbow, 4D, elbow, 5D Flow Conditioner, 8D, orifice plate.
Two elbows in plane high Re - long straight, 6D, 5D Flow Conditioner, 8D, orifice plate.
This report presents the results of 4 inch orifice meter installation effects tests performed in the Gas Research Institute Metering Research Facility High Pressure Loop flowing natural gas. A series of orifice meter flow calibrations was performed to aid the development of a flow conditioner performance test. Tests were performed for upstream meter tube lengths of 17, 29, and 45 pipe diameters for orifice diameter ratios from 0.40 to 0.75. Flow conditions upstream of the meter tube were as follows: good flow conditions, swirling flow produced by two 90 %uFFFD out-of-plane elbows separated by a straight spacer length of 1.6D, a gate valve closed 50% against the flow, and very high swirl (swirl angles up to %uFFFD30%uFFFD produced by a swirl generator). Test data provided are taken from the NOVA 50E perforated plate flow conditioner. The sliding flow conditioner technique was used to vary the flow conditioner in the meter tube. A subset of the full test pattern is recommended for use in evaluating flow conditioner performance.
The following test results are provided:
Good flow conditions Strong swirl - two 90%uFFFD elbows out-of-plane Strong asymmetry - partially closed gate valve - very good results, indicate that the NOVA 50E plate isolates and does not freeze the profile. Strong asymmetric profile with swirl - Chevron swirler and a tee. Performance downstream of a tee
NOTE: This information is being used along with NPS - 4" to NPS - 8" scaling performance data to comply with proposed AGA-3 performance requirements.
This report presents the results of NPS - 8" flow conditioner installation effects research work. The intent of this work is to show scalability of the plate in compliance with the NEW AGA -3 metering standard requirements.
Installation:
Two elbows out of plane - zero spacing between elbows, high Re.
This report presents the results of NPS - 8" flow conditioner installation effects research work with ultrasonic meters. The CPACL NOVA 50E flow conditioner improves the performance of both ultrasonic meters resulting in a near baseline performance. The performance of the 19 tube bundle is inconsistent and hence deemed to be unsatisfactory.
Installation:
Two elbows out of plane - zero spacing between elbows, high Re.
An operationally based paper outlining the performance results of a large diameter metering facility utilizing ultrasonic meters and NOVA 50E Flow Conditioners. The facility is a large diameter NPS 20 inch bi-directional facility.
Most noteworthy of this paper are the results attached at the end of the paper outlining typical perfromance results for a multipath ultrasonic meter and a single point ultrasonic meter installed in a series configuration. A primary (multipath meter) to secondary (single path) comparison of very low percent difference can only be achieved if the flow conditions are ideal. This is strong evidence that the NOVa 50 E flow conditioner provides fully developed flow conditions.
Cost saving are substantial when a single point devise can be used for comparitive purposes.
The Centaur project began in January of 1999 as a design for a suitable traceable reference for TransCanada Calibrations multimillion dollar high pressure test facility. It's design includes a NOVA 50E flow conditioner, multipath ultrasonic meter, reference turbine meter and meter tubes with a fusion bonded epoxy coating applied to their internals.
The paper provides results to date of the round robin testing which is being used to provide the accuracy and repeatability of the calibration meter runs. Noteworhty, is the fact that a NOVA 50E flow Conditioner is specified and used for an extremely accurate calibration meter run.
This paper provides a very technical background relating to the effects of velocity profile and turbulence profile on orifice metering. At the time of the writing of this paper, the NOVA model 50E was not yet invented. The paper is the results of work to identify and understand how various installation effects may change the coefficient of discharge utilized in flow standards. This research was the first step in identifying that the 19 tube bundle flow conditioners have drawbacks relating to the stable generation of a zero error repeatable flow velocity profile and why this occurs.
This information initiated a strong efforts to develop the NOVA 50E (CPACL) Flow Conditioner plate. It is essential reading to those who wish to understand the impetus behind the flow conditioner development surge.
This paper does not provide performance of flow conditioner perforated plates, but it does provide clear evidence as to why the classical 19 tube, tube bundle does nor work. A very good reference paper to show why alternate technologies were developed.
With the new AGA-3 standard being issued soon, this is an excellent reference document to help substantiate the need to change from the existing tube bundle technology to new high performance perforated plates.
This periodical provides an overview of research activities at SwRI. It indicates that the GRI and Southwest Research Institute initiated work on Orifice Metering Flow Conditioners and tube bundles approximately 1995, the NOVA 50e Flow Conditioner was included as one of two flow conditioners suited for natural gas measurement.
"Like the Gallagher Plate the NOVA 50E performed well both of the installation configurations." Dr. Morrow Page 9 of the periodical.
This paper is the first to address the performance of the NOVA 50E flow conditioner. After NOVA's initial work on installation effects, namely the velocity and turbulence profiles, NOVA developed a flow conditioning device which truly isolated the effects of upstream disturbances - elbows, tees, etc. This paper provides an indication of the change in orifice meter coefficient of discharge with respect to the orifice plate to flow conditioner distance. Figure 15 - Sliding Conditioner Results for NOVA 50E in 45 D long Meter Tube Downstream of a Tee and Figure 16 - Sliding Conditioner Results for NOVA 50E plate in 17D long meter tube downstream of two out of plane elbows. Figure 15 drives the statement for 13 diameters flow conditioner to orifice plate downstream of a tee, and 8 diameters orifice plate to flow conditioner downstream of an elbow or two elbows in and out of plane.
Installations:
Tee - 45D meter tube, B = 0.67, Re 9 x 105
Two Elbows out of Plane - 17D meter tube, B = 0.67, Re 9 x 105
This is the Canadian Government approval document which approves the use of the NOVA 50E for use in custody transfer measurement applications in Canada. With out this document, the 50E can not be used in Canada for measuring natural gas for fiscal purposes. Noteworthy is the detailed presentation of the tube bundle for inspection purposes, other type of Flow Conditioners can not be inspected due to the secrecy regarding design.
This document is quite conservative, but it can be used as a guide for typical installation design standards and inspection criteria for monthly or yearly inspections.
This document discusses the testing requirements and the compliance of the CPA 50E Flow Conditioner for use in orifice measurement as per the AGA 3 latest revision.
