The DigitalFlow
GF868 Mass Flowmeter
Measurement of Flow and
Average Molecular Weight
in Flare Systems
Features
Features
Measures
velocity,
volumetric and mass flow
Measures
instantaneous
average molecular weight
Measures
hydrocarbon gases
Minimal
maintenance:
no moving parts; no holes
or tubes; tolerant to dirty
or wet conditions
Delivers
accurate flow
rate, independent of gas
composition
Measures
very low to
very high velocity
Field-proven
installation
techniques
Built-in
totalizers
Built-in
power supply for
pressure and temperature
transmitters
Turndown
ratio: 2750 to 1
Typical Bias 90
installation
The DigitalFlow GF868 Mass
Flowmeter is designed to meet
the demanding requirements
of flow measurement in flare
stacks and systems. The
microprocessor based GF868
measures mass flow rate by
using a patented algorithm to
determine the instantaneous
average molecular weight of
the gas being flared. These
parameters help operators to
quickly identify and eliminate
leak sources into a flare system
and can be used to accurately
control the amount of steam
fed to the flare tip.
Correlation Transit-Time TM
Technique
The GF868 uses the patented
Correlation Transit-Time TM
technique that has distinct
advantages over other methods
of flare gas flow measurement
and is utilized to solve a variety
of difficult problems. Typically,
gas in flare stacks, headers
or laterals is a mixture of
components from different
sources. Flow rate in flare
systems may be unsteady or
even bidirectional. Pulsating
pressure, varying composition
and temperature, harsh
environment, and wide flow
range further complicate the
measurement. The GF868 is
designed for superior performance under these conditions.
The GF868 flowmeter has no
moving parts to clog or wear
out. Its patented ultrasonic
transducers are constructed
of titanium or other metals
that withstand the corrosive
environment usually found in
flare gas applications. The
transducers are designed for
use in hazardous locations.
Wide rangeability allows
measurement of flow rate
from 0.03 up to 85 meters per
second (0.1 to 275 ft/s). In
contrast to thermal flowmeters,
the ultrasonic transit-time
technique does not depend on
the heat transfer coefficient
of the flare gas and does not
require regular maintenance.
These and other features make
the GF868 unique among flare
gas flowmeters.
Loss Control
Track down or prevent losses
from leakage with positive
material identification
Material Balance
Account for total
plant throughput
Steam Control
Reduce cost of steam usage with
proportional control
Conserve Energy
Eliminate
unnecessary flaring
Pollution Control
Comply with
government regulations
Downstream
Transducer
Upstream
Transducer
Pressure
Transmitter
Temperature
Transmitter
Digital Analog
and Alarm
Outputs
Preamplifier
FLOW
Loss Control
Track down or prevent losses
from leakage with positive
material identification
Material Balance
Account for total
plant throughput
Steam Control
Reduce cost of steam usage with
proportional control
Conserve Energy
Eliminate
unnecessary flaring
Pollution Control
Comply with
government regulations
Downstream
Transducer
Upstream
Transducer
Pressure
Transmitter
Temperature
Transmitter
Digital Analog
and Alarm
Outputs
Preamplifier
FLOW
THE
NEW
Standard
Industry
For improved energy conservation
and reduced product loss
Eliminate flare system leaks
Reduce excess steam delivery
Improve plant material balance
Ensure emission compliance
Reduce maintenance cost
Until 1984, accurate, reliable, maintenance-free methods for monitoring flow rate in flare
systems were not available. Then, Panametrics introduced the Model 7100 Flare Gas Mass
Flowmeter which set the industry standard for monitoring flare gas flow rate and average
molecular weight. In 1990, Panametrics introduced the Model 7168, a new flare gas flowmeter
that retained the accuracy, reliability, and virtually zero maintenance capabilities of the
Model 7100 while it added several significant improvements. It increased the maximum
measurable flow velocity by a factor of 5, to 85 meters per second. It provided a host of
additional built-in hardware and software features including improved self-diagnostics.
Being easier to set up, it reduced startup costs.
Now, Panametrics introduces the new industry standard, the DigitalFlow GF868. New
algorithms are used in the GF868 to determine molecular weight of the flare gas. Combined
with enhanced nitrogen and pressure compensation, the result is significantly improved
mass flow rate accuracy over a greater composition range than was previously possible.
In addition, the GF868 is capable of multitasking, so programming and diagnostics can take
place without interfering with the flow measurement. The GF868 is more compact and has
a larger display. An available dual-channel option gives it the ability to measure two paths
in one pipe for maximum accuracy, or two flow rates in separate pipes with one meter.
With new transducer installation configurations to meet today's regulations and environmental
requirements, the DigitalFlow GF868 meets an even wider variety of needs.
Main Offices
USA
IRELAND
Panametrics, Inc.
221 Crescent Street, Suite 1
Waltham, MA 02453-3497
Telephone (781) 899-2719
Toll-free (800) 833-9438
Fax (781) 894-8582
[email protected]
Website: www.panametrics.com
Panametrics Limited
Bay 148, Shannon Airport
Shannon
County Clare
Ireland
Telephone 353-61-471377
Fax 353-61-471359
[email protected]
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Australia
Telephone 61 (02) 9525 4055
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Tokyo 112-0002
Japan
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Fax 81 (03) 5802-8706
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KOREA
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Waldgasse 39
A-1100 Wien
Austria
Telephone +43-1-602 25 34
Fax +43-1-602 25 34 11
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Mess-und Prüftechnik
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65719 Hofheim
Germany
Telephone +49-6122-8090
Fax +49-6122-8147
[email protected]
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Seoul (mail)
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Fax +31 (0) 33 253 72 69
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Panametrics S.r.l.
Via Feltre, 19/A
20132 Milano
Italy
Telephone 02-2642131
Fax 02-26414454
[email protected]
AUSTRIA
DigitalFlow TM, Correlation Transit-TimeTM, and Instrument Data ManagerTM,
are trademarks of Panametrics, Inc., Waltham, MA U.S.A.
All specifications are subject to change without notice. © Panametrics Inc. 2/01
SPAIN
Panametrics Instrumentación S.L.
Santa Hortensia 15
28002 Madrid
Spain
Telephone 34 (91) 515.59.60
Fax 34 (91) 515.59.63
[email protected]
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Panametrics Exim Ltd.
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Ku Shan District
Kaohsiung
Taiwan
Telephone 886-7-552-5498
Fax 886-7-552-3596
[email protected]
UNITED KINGDOM
Panametrics UK Limited
Unit 2, Villiers Court
40 Upper Mulgrave Road
Cheam
Surrey SM2 7AJ
England
Telephone 020-8643-5150
Fax 020-8643-4225
[email protected]