1. What Is It?
The Small Volume Prover is the next generation of unidirectional captive displacement provers. The small volume prover offers unrivalled uncertainty that surpasses the American Petroleum Institute (API) requirement of 0.02 percent, while its turndown flow range ratio of 1200:1 ensures calibration flexibility. Coupled with its compact size, high accuracy and low pressure drop, these factors make the small volume prover number one choice for proving Coriolis mass flow meters, Ultrasonic, positive displacement (PD) and turbine meters.
Seven models are available for flow ranges from 715-17,500 BPH, with pressure ranges up to 3600 psig. These provers can be used in either standby or bypass mode on a wide range of process applications from crude oils, refined products, chemical liquids, to LPG.
2. How Does It Work?
The Small Volume Prover is a precise instrument that receives a command from the flow (proving) computer to initiate the retraction of the displacement piston and start the meter proving process. When the piston is released, the controllers send back pulses to the computer counter during the movement of the piston for the activation time between optic switch one and two position. These provers come with a precision smooth bore cylinder and measurement piston that contains an integral bypass (poppet) valve, with the “fail-safe” valve design reducing the possibility of process interruption. Regardless of the meter location, a constant displaced volume of 100 percent leads to results that exceed the API requirement for repeatability of 0.02 percent. Additionally, the PTFE seal provides these provers with unmatched fluid compatibility. The prover’s design enables remote installation and operation.
3. What Problems Does It Solve?
Errors in meter factors can have a significant financial impact. The Small Volume Prover offers enhanced precision and rapid proving cycle to allow the proving of flow meters at the start of every single process transfer, thus ensuring precise measurements, while optimizing profitability.
Flow meters are often proven several times a day, so any reduction in the time taken by the process increases transfer accuracy and significantly improves productivity. This level of accuracy beats all international benchmarks and enables greater fiscal accountability of expensive fluid products.
The SVP is a compact, cost-effective device that allows users to verify the accuracy of flow meters used to measure product and process materials.
Stationary model:
The Stationary Small Volume Prover (SVP) or model (S) is ideal for pipelines, refineries, ship loading and unloading facilities and chemical plants for verifying the accuracy of custody transfer-approved flow meters. It has been deployed by more than 800 users across the world.
Offshore model:
The Small Volume Prover (SVP) offshore model (O) is suitable for production platforms and floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units. It has a small footprint and reduces uncertainties by providing faster and more efficient results. With more than 100 units in use today, it improves profitability for upstream operators. The product is manufactured using 316 stainless steel and can resist harsh external environments. With a footprint that is one-fourth the size of traditional technologies, the Offshore SVP helps save real estate costs, and improves production efficiency and profitability. The Offshore Small Volume Prover is used in offshore oilfields worldwide, either on platforms or FPSOs working with varying crude oils, and is compatible with all custody transfer metering technologies, including Coriolis and Ultrasonic flow meters.
Due to its small footprint and relatively light weight, the cost of offshore platform real estate is reduced considerably.
Portable model:
The Truck/ Trailer Mounted Small Volume Prover (SVP) or model (P) offers the quickest and most precise method for load rack meter proving. Targeted at marketing terminals, aviation refueling farms, refineries and pipelines, it is utilized globally by companies for calibration of all types of flow meters. It enables load rack operators to continue the fuel loading operations, while simultaneously proving the accuracy of their flow meters. This helps reduce load rack unavailability and adhere to regulatory norms. By utilizing Prove-it software, instant test data is produced, which minimizes proving time. Truck/ Trailer Mounted SVPs can be utilized in multiple locations for proving a wide range of meter sizes with a 1200:1 turndown ability.
A battery-powered version of the SVP and Prove-it software is also available for portable proving of flow meters where AC power is either unavailable or difficult to access.
