Coriolis flow meters for methanol dosing

The measurement uses the Coriolis effect: the sensor tubes vibrate, and the flowing methanol shifts the phase of their oscillation. The shift is proportional to the mass passing through the sensor per unit of time, so the meter reads flow directly in kilograms — without volumetric conversions.

The injection points are the wellbore, flowlines and the inlet of gas treatment facilities; the dose is set for each of them. With common methanol headers, per-well distribution is very hard to verify, so metering is installed on the individual injection lines.

Underdosing leads to a hydrate plug, emergency heating and a well shutdown; overdosing means direct losses of the chemical and exposure to environmental limits. In published cases of control-grade chemical injection with Coriolis measurement, chemical overconsumption was reduced by ≈20–25%.

A plunger pump delivers methanol in strokes, so the instantaneous flow swings from zero to peak values. On such pulsating flow volumetric counters and rotameters show large errors, while mass measurement counts the mass that passes through the sensor, regardless of the flow profile.

Those are indirect estimates: the actual line flow stays unknown, and the chemical distribution across the injection points sticks at maximum. A mass meter reads kg/h and a running total, so the pump is adjusted against actual data, not nameplate strokes.

Yes. The standard tube material is 316L steel, compatible with methanol and methanol-water mixtures. The material portfolio also includes C4 steel, Hastelloy, titanium, tantalum, 904L and duplex; the exact option is confirmed against your fluid composition.

No. The dose is regulated and measured in kilograms, so the density, viscosity and temperature of the chemical do not distort the result — no conversions are needed. Density and temperature are measured simultaneously to check the chemical concentration in the tank.

For 12.5 and 25 MPa lines, D-type sensors measure from 0.1 kg/h; for 45 MPa the P version is used; for ultra-high pressures, the PK series: up to 96 / 50 / 40 MPa across sizes depending on the connection type. Combining high pressure with a few kilograms per hour is exactly what these versions are for.

Each line gets its own meter, so you can see how much chemical actually went into a particular well. Without it, the distribution across the injection points remains an estimate, and neither the chemical balance nor the effect of dose adjustments can be verified.

Varying injection regimes are covered by the turndown ratio of up to 100:1, and for the lowest flows a D-type size starting from 0.1 kg/h is selected. Seasonal changes and night-time flow drops do not require any changes to the metering scheme.

The minimum methanol rate is calculated per protected point using industry methods (VRD 39-1.13-051-2001, RD 39-1-212-79), in kilograms per 1000 m³ of gas, with a 15–20% margin above the theoretical concentration. Metering confirms that the margin has not become permanent overconsumption and feeds the chemical balance.

The ultra-compact D-type (Δ) DN01–DN02 measures from 0.1 to 96 kg/h at pressures up to 25 MPa, has minimal internal volume and is designed for 12.5 and 25 MPa lines. The exact size is selected against the working flow of the line.

The P version covers above 10 up to 45 MPa depending on size and fits methanol headers. The PK series — a reinforced wide U-shaped sensor for ultra-high pressures: up to 96 / 50 / 40 MPa across the 003..PK range depending on the connection type, for the most demanding injection conditions.

The lineup includes two transmitters, ME100 and ME200; both support 4–20 mA with HART and RS-485 Modbus RTU. The recommended injection line configuration uses ME200 with a frequency-pulse output to the dosing controller; the choice between the models depends on the required interfaces and Ex version.

The range includes GOST and ANSI flanges, high-pressure fittings and 13/16–16 UNF threads, so the meter fits into the existing injection line. Standard 316L steel is compatible with methanol; where needed, the material is confirmed against the fluid.

Send the line parameters — pressure, working flow, connection type — or fill in the datasheet and the online configurator. We will match a sensor, version and transmitter and prepare a quote; the price depends on line size, materials, pressure and Ex execution.

Compatibility is checked against mounting and connection dimensions — on high-pressure lines these are flanges and fittings first. If Micro Motion or Endress+Hauser meters are installed on site, replacement is possible, and in many cases it is done without welding.

Injection lines use versions with ±0.1–0.2% error depending on size; across the liquid range, accuracy is rated from ±0.1% to ±1.0%. Every meter is calibrated individually on a flow calibration rig, and the injected dose is compared with the norms directly, in kilograms.

The entry opens up use of the meter in the sphere of state metrological regulation of measurements — wherever metrological requirements apply. The meter's State Register number is 98506-26.

There is no need to remove the sensor for verification: the approved procedure MP 98506-26 allows checking the meter either on a reference flow rig or on site, with provers used as the reference. For an injection line that means verification without demounting.

The total is counted by mass: individual pump strokes do not accumulate into a systematic error, so the running consumption per shift, day or month stays reliable. This total is used to balance the chemical and to tune the injection regime.

No straight runs are needed upstream or downstream of the sensor: the meter fits compactly into the metering pump piping. This simplifies skid layout and replacement on existing lines, where free space is usually tight.

Through the connections typical for such lines: GOST or ANSI flanges, high-pressure fittings, 13/16–16 UNF threads. The D-type sensor has minimal internal volume, so it takes up little space in the dosing pump piping.

Outputs are 4–20 mA with HART, RS-485 Modbus RTU, CAN and frequency-pulse. Flow and the running total are brought into the system, where archives and flow deviation alarms are set up.

ME100 is rated Ex db ib IIC T6 Gb, ME200 — Ex db ia IIC T6 Gb, and ME200 also has dust protection Ex ia tb IIIC T80 °C Db. The sensor is rated Ex ib IIC T6…T1 Gb (with ME100) or Ex ia IIC T6…T1 Ga (with ME200).

Transmitters run on a low-voltage DC supply; the stainless steel housing provides IP66/IP67 protection, which suits open installations. The mounting point and wiring arrangement are agreed at the selection stage.

Coverage lasts 18 months from delivery; if the meter is installed while that term is still running, the 12-month-from-installation window decides — whichever deadline is earlier. The delivery package is the full metrological set: type description, operating manual, verification procedure and EAEU (TR CU) certificates.

Yes: installation supervision, commissioning, service and verification are performed on the territory of Russia by us's team. For field facilities this covers everything from line startup to scheduled verification.

Service planning is simple: the sensor contains no moving parts and no wear items, so none of the usual maintenance routines apply. Longevity is rated at 20 years on average, with 100,000 hours between failures.

Based on Mass-EXPERT the company builds metering units for a specific facility. The reference list includes a methanol control block for the Urengoyskoye field and three methanol supply blocks for the Tympuchikanskoye field — both Gazpromneft-Zapolyarye projects. ---