Proline Promass Q 300/500 4-tube technology for precise measurement of large flows

Around the world, over 90 million barrels of crude oil, natural gas and refined hydrocarbons are produced, transported, stored, and sold to end customers every day. In transactions like these, any measuring inaccuracy, no matter how small, results in enormous shortfalls for the supplier or buyer. This is not the case with Promass Q. Thanks to its revolutionary 4-tube technology and an extended measuring range for pipelines up to DN 250, operators of loading stations are just one example of those who enjoy its many benefits. These benefits include low pressure loss and outstanding measuring accuracy for both minimal and very high flow rates.

Promass Q, the high-tech Coriolis flowmeter from Endress+Hauser, has some new additions to its lineup. This device is now also available for larger pipe sizes DN 150 to 250 with maximum flow rates between 850 and 2400 t/h (6700 and 18 900 bph). Furthermore, the implementation of the revolutionary 4‑tube technology opens up numerous promising applications in the oil and gas industry — for example, as a highly accurate duty meter for custody transfer and fiscal metering, or as a precision reference device (master meter) for on-site verification measurements. In addition to mass and volume flow, Promass Q also records density and process temperature. This enables fluctuating process and ambient conditions to be incorporated into the measurement and compensated for reliably. This way, top measuring accuracy is achieved, which deviates from the measured value by only ±0.05% for mass flow.

4-tube technology is one-of-a-kind

A revolution in the flow market, 4-tube technology offers customers unbeatable advantages. Compared to Coriolis flowmeters with two measuring tubes, four tubes allow up to 25% higher flow rates. This clearly speeds up all transactions in the oil and gas business and thus saves money by reducing, for example, standstill times for loading and unloading oil tankers, resulting in lower port charges. Another advantage is that unwanted pressure losses are much less significant with four measuring tubes during pumping and measuring operation due to the larger flow cross-section. This enables plant operators to use smaller pumps, thus saving electricity costs relative to the overall pump output. The reduced pressure loss also avoids unwanted cavitation effects or gas break out, such as for very light hydrocarbons like liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), natural gas liquids and condensates (NGL), liquefied natural gas (LNG) or other cryogenic fluids.

Robust and compact

Promass Q sensors, which are available in stainless steel and in IP66/67, ensure reliable and low-maintenance long-term operation. Therefore, the sometimes harsh environmental conditions in the offshore area with humid atmosphere and salty splash water do not pose a problem for smooth measurement operation. Promass Q can be used for process temperatures up to 205°C or in the low temperature range down to –196°C for measuring cryogenic fluids. Due to the SIL-compliant device development in accordance with IEC 61508, Promass Q is also suitable for safety-related applications. And last but not least, the numerous approvals for hazardous areas (e.g. ATEX, IECEx or CSA) ensure a broad range of applications. The compact design of Promass Q is unparalleled relative to the flow capacity that can be reached (maximum of 2400 t/h or 18 900 bph). It allows for installation even in the most confined spaces, such as on stationary or mobile skids for custody transfer.

Best measuring performance in the industry

Numerous test measurements have proven Endress+Hauser Coriolis flow measurement technology to be the best method for viscous hydrocarbons (heavy oils, bitumen, etc.) or fluids with entrained gas. This is particularly true for Promass Q with line sizes DN 150 to 250. Thanks to its special measuring tube geometry and the innovative 4-tube technology with two independent measuring tube pairs ('2-in-1'), both flow and density measurements can be carried out with unmatched performance.

• Best measuring accuracy (±0.05% o.r.), tested and confirmed on various external, accredited oil and gas calibration facilities
• Outstanding density measuring accuracy (tested by H&D Fitzgerald/UK) of ±0.2 kg/m³ (±0.0002 g/cm³)
• Best turndown and zero point stability in the industry
• Excellent measuring performance for liquids with microbubbles thanks to patented MFT (Multi-Frequency Technology)
• Lowest pressure loss compared to conventional devices on the market with the same line size
• Exceptional repeatability (±0.025%) over the entire measuring range
• Highest immunity of the measurement to greatly fluctuating process and ambient conditions such as pressure, temperature or vibration

Proline 300/500 transmitters — proven for years

The Proline 300/500 transmitters that can be combined with Promass Q sensors offer numerous innovations that have been proven for years and give customers genuine added value in their plants. These include WLAN (web server) for wireless operation and configuration on site, HistoROM for safe storage of configuration and device data, as well as Heartbeat Technology for diagnostics, device verification and process monitoring.