DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.12679614
title: SoA of measuring devices installed in NG transmission and distribution networks

description: Deliverable D1.1 aims to design the state of the art of measuring devices in natural gas transmission and distribution networks. 

Transporting green hydrogen into existing gas assets requires carefully assessing its effect on the existing components. Since several projects have already been completed or have planned research activities to answer still-existing technical questions, the THOTH2 project focuses on the existing measuring devices. Specifically, the focus of the project regards the identification of the existing gaps in normative standards and the suggestions for solutions to cover them (if any). To contribute the hydrogen readiness of the existing gas transport and distribution infrastructures, new methodologies and protocols have to be developed to perform validated tests for metering devices. Suggestions on the need to change the standards or develop new ones will be based on the results of these experimental tests. Despite the simplicity of the methodological approach, it would be very critical when applying it to measuring devices. Several technologies are available in the market to measure gas properties. Furthermore, the operators can select more than one configuration based on the expected field conditions.

Since limited resources are available, testing all the possible configurations would be impossible. Prioritization is required. Task 1.1 aims to collect all the information to provide a clear overview of the measuring devices installed in the existing gas assets. Specifically, this document includes the state of the art of measuring devices installed in gas assets. Different technologies are available to measure gas parameters. For example, turbine, rotary piston, ultrasonic, diaphragm, thermal mass, orifice, and Coriolis meters are available to measure flow rate. These technologies differ not only for the operating principle but also for the material used, the size available on the market, and the effect that different conditions could have on the metrological performances like, for example, overload conditions, flow rate pulsations, leakages through the clearance and pressure drops. Furthermore, different maintenance activities are usually expected, resulting in different operative costs throughout the lifetime. To date, turbine, rotary piston gas, and ultrasonic meters are used for fiscal gas metering in transmission networks. Specifically, based on the data collected, turbine gas meters are the most installed technologies for medium to high flow rate, followed by rotary piston and ultrasonic (for high flow rate). Few cases of use of Coriolis meters have been found. Regarding distribution, a different situation results. Despite the fact that few answers have been received to date, and only from Italy, it appears that diaphragm gas meters are the prevailing technology installed, even if a greater penetration is expected for thermal mass meters. THOTH2 also includes other measurements like gas quality by chromatographs, pressure and temperature, and trace water dew point. Regarding temperature, it was assumed that since the sensor is not in contact with the fluid but is protected by the thermowell, it can be assumed that no problem would arise. However, further investigation should be performed to investigate if any effect of hydrogen on response time exists. Regarding pressure measurement, many models are commercially available, but attention should be given to the effect of hydrogen on the material with which the fluid is in contact. Specifically, identifying critical materials that can be affected by hydrogen among those available in commercial products should be the next step to identifying the products to be tested. Gas chromatographs are also present in different models and configurations in the existing networks. Usually, different columns are used based on the specific analysis to be performed. Even if the range of the concentration allowed for each molecule is usually known for each model, more details about the configuration of each gas chromatograph are needed to complete the analysis and check the capability to handle hydrogen. Only some models of trace water sensors have been identified in the investigated networks. Specifically, impedance sensors result in the most implemented devices. Other devices are also typically used in the networks. Electronic Volume Converters and Flow Computers convert measurements into standardized gas volumes for fiscal purposes. The main issues to be investigated are the implemented algorithms and their capability to consider hydrogen. The main algorithms are AGA8, SGERG, and AGA-NX19, and the Operators can check the hydrogen limits. The main issue is that many different models are installed in gas transmission and distribution networks. Furthermore, based on the conclusion about pressure and temperature sensors, the potential effects of hydrogen on the metrological performances of those devices that have these sensors integrated have to be carefully assessed not to overcome the limits on errors provided by the standards. Last, leak detection is essential to detect fugitive emissions to the atmosphere and to minimize the risk of failures or accidents . To date, many devices are supplied to the technicians on the field to verify the presence of hazardous substances. Since different sensors can be implemented in the same devices to measure different quantities, attention should be given in Task 2.1 to selecting those sensors that, on the current knowledge, appear to be most critical when being in contact with hydrogen.