MEASUREMENT OF TRANSPORTED GAS CONSUMPTION: ANALYSIS OF MEASUREMENT METHODS
Authors: Gurban İbadli, Ulduz Mammadov Gurban İbadli, Ulduz Mammadov 
Published: February 2024

One of the key aspects in the development of the economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the export of natural gas to foreign countries. The relevance of the issue of measuring consumption increases over time with the expansion of gasification operations in the country and the growth of gas exports to the international market. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of new projects for the improvement of the used metering systems in accordance with modern standards, their reconstruction with more efficient methods, and the discovery and application of new measuring devices and methods. During such reconstruction activities, the main focus is naturally on creating optimal and cost-effective information measurement systems. The measurement process is a precision-demanding operation, and various nuances affect the reliability of the result. Metrology is the scientific discipline that implements measurement processes. The key stage for its accuracy is the proper organization of the measurement device and methods in accordance with the characteristics of these devices. Additionally, the expertise of the personnel involved in the measurement process significantly influences the reliability of the measurement result. Failure to adhere to these processes negatively impacts the reliability of the result. In Azerbaijan, the widely used method of consumption measurement is the orifice metering method (ISO 5167-1), but this method has both advantages and disadvantages for large-diameter flow meters. These include a limited range of measured flow velocities, fouling and contamination of the diaphragm edge during operation, the complexity and high labor intensity of regular technical maintenance, high costs of spare parts, and the construction and installation of measuring devices. These problems lead to inaccuracies in gas consumption measurement, causing time and material losses during the process. Improving the accuracy of gas measurement in Azerbaijan can significantly increase financial gains. Therefore, alongside traditional methods, there is an interest in developing new methods for measuring volume flow with high accuracy and user convenience, as well as lower initial and operating costs. One of the promising areas for the development of modern flow measurement technology is the use of optoelectronics. Among them, the most significant interest lies in the use of Laser Doppler interferometry methods. These methods have been proven to be the most effective for studying physically dispersed environments (such as gas and liquid). The advantages of Laser Doppler anemometry, based on these methods, such as high accuracy and speed, a wide measurement range, resistance to noise, the possibility of simulated calibration, controllability of characteristics, and non-changeability according to the surrounding environment, make them highly favorable. The high accuracy of flow meters based on Laser Doppler anemometry allows them to be used both as working tools and as metrological support means for the verification of flow meters.
Keywords: Gas consumption measurement, Measurement systems, Measurement methods, Orifice metering method, Laser Doppler.