SFC3000 Flow Computer

What Is the SFC3000 Flow Computer?

The SFC3000 flow computer processes the signals arriving from the metering streams and calculates the corrected volume, mass and energy of the fluid, and documents the result with reports and auditable records. The device is not limited to the calculation of a single stream: it can act as a station supervisor, produce stream totals, issue valve commands and feed data to host systems.

The platform is built on a modular board structure. The chassis accommodates up to six user plug-in cards, with stream input/output boards for the metering streams and serial or Ethernet boards for communication. Each stream board provides the complete capability for single-stream fiscal measurement with redundant inputs, and in non-fiscal applications the same board can serve two streams. With up to five stream boards the chassis reaches a five-stream fiscal capability, and different meter types can work side by side in the same chassis.

The 5.7 in colour VGA touch screen on the front panel, together with the QWERTY keyboard and the 360° rotary navigation control, makes menu work straightforward in the field. High brightness indicator LEDs keep the device status visible from a distance. Local configuration and data downloading are carried out with Windows based software over the high speed USB port on the front panel, while serial and Ethernet boards provide remote access.

Operating Principle and Computing Platform

The SFC3000 flow computer runs the measurement chain on processing power distributed down to board level:

1. Reading the field signals: The stream board collects meter, transmitter and analyser data over pulse and frequency inputs, HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) loops, a direct four-wire PRT (platinum resistance thermometer) input and serial communication.

2. Pre-processing on the board: Each plug-in card runs the measurement, communication and input/output functions on its own 32-bit processor, which leaves the central processor free for calculation and display work.

3. Applying the standard calculations: The central 32-bit processor performs the correction and totalising calculations with the standard method that suits the fluid, using 64-bit double precision arithmetic and a half second cycle time.

4. Logging, reporting and communication: Results are written to the alarm, event and data logs; reports go to a printer or to the network, and data is passed to the host system over Modbus.

Stream board architecture and processors

The distributed processor structure keeps calculation performance from degrading as the stream count rises. The six card slots in the chassis are shared between stream and communication boards; where a proving application needs a large number of valve signals, the switch stream board supplies additional digital inputs and outputs. The detailed input/output capacity of each board option is given on the optional boards page.

Gas calculations

For dry and wet natural gas, calculations can be performed with ISO 5167, AGA 3, EN 12213-2 (AGA 8), AGA 10, ISO 6976, PTZ, NX19, EN 12213-3 (SGERG) and ISO 20765, or from measured density. Volume and energy calculations for differential pressure streams and for pulse or ultrasonic streams therefore run in the same device. Nitrogen, steam and CO2 emission calculations are supported as well.

Liquid, LNG and LPG calculations

For hydrocarbon liquids the available methods are API 11.2.1, API 11.2.2, API 12.2.5.3 (54A), ASTM D1250 (54), API 12:2004, GPA TR25, GPA TR27 (24E, 54E, 60E) and OIML R022, with multiple product operation supported. ISO 6578 comes into play for LNG and LPG applications. Non-hydrocarbon liquids such as water can also be measured.

Proving and meter verification

Meter verification is supported through bi-directional and uni-directional ball provers, small volume provers, master meter and dual chronometry methods. The valve commands and timing signals needed during a prover run are handled through the digital inputs and outputs of the stream boards, and the first digital output of a stream board can carry the prover output frequency.

Supervisory and station functions

The device can take on alarm, event and data logging, printer reports, system diagram display, network communication, station controller functions, valve control and remote operation, maintenance functions, stream summation, PID and sampler functions, and batch loading management. The display is freely configurable, so system diagrams, trending and graphical displays and language options can all be defined.

An optional 2 GB SD card extends the capacity available for alarm, audit and data logging; the card sits in a slot on the rear panel of the device and can be read on a PC.

Key Features

· Five-stream fiscal capacity: Fitting up to five stream boards in the chassis gives five-stream fiscal measurement; in non-fiscal applications each board serves two streams.

· Mixed meter support: Turbine, rotary, positive displacement, ultrasonic, Coriolis and differential pressure elements can be used together in the same chassis.

· Distributed processing power: A 32-bit processor on every plug-in card plus a central 32-bit processor; 64-bit double precision computation and a 0.5 second cycle.

· Colour touch screen: High resolution 5.7 in colour VGA screen, QWERTY keyboard, 360° rotary navigation and high brightness indicator LEDs.

· On-site USB access: High speed USB connection on the front panel, with Windows based software for configuration, data downloading and diagnostics.

· Broad calculation library: Gas, liquid, LNG/LPG, steam and nitrogen calculations using AGA, ISO, EN, API, ASTM, GPA and OIML methods.

· Prover methods: Meter verification with ball provers, small volume provers, master meter and dual chronometry.

· Flexible communication: RS232/RS485 serial ports up to 38400 baud, 10/100 Ethernet, Modbus master/slave, Modbus over TCP/IP, web server and network printing.

· Logging and audit trail: Alarm, event and data logging; capacity expandable with an optional 2 GB SD card; security mode switches on the rear panel.

· Compact chassis: Half width 3U 19 in chassis, 130 × 210 × 240 mm, approximately 2.0 kg; panel or chassis mounting.

· Auxiliary supply output: A 24 V 500 mA auxiliary output helps to power field devices.

· Environmental robustness: Environmental class M2/E2; operation in humidity to 90% non-condensing.

Technical Specifications

The values below are the specifications published by the manufacturer for this device.

Key Advantages

·         Saves panel space: Because five streams and station supervision are gathered in a single half width chassis, panel volume and field wiring are reduced.

·         One solution for mixed stations: Ultrasonic, turbine and orifice streams can be managed in the same device, which lowers the spare part and training load.

·         Consistent accounting: Double precision arithmetic and a half second cycle help totals stay consistent when flow rates change quickly.

·         Fast intervention in the field: Front panel USB access, the touch screen and the board-level architecture shorten configuration and fault-finding time.

·         Traceable custody transfer: Alarm, event and audit trail records, together with the reports, make it easier to verify an invoiced quantity afterwards.

·         Legal metrology scope: Compliance headings assessed within the MID scope for gas meter conversion and for liquids other than water.

Applications

The SFC3000 flow computer is used in metering applications for dry and wet natural gas, hydrocarbon liquids, other gases and liquids such as water.

Natural gas metering stations

Volume and energy calculation corrected for pressure and temperature, stream summation on multi-stream stations, bringing a standby stream into service and per-stream reporting. The gas meter conversion function has been assessed within the MID scope.

Liquid hydrocarbon transfer lines

Reduction to standard volume on crude oil and product lines, multiple product operation, batch loading and regular meter verification with a prover.

LNG and LPG terminals

Calculation by the ISO 6578 method on liquefied gases, with custody transfer records and reports on ship and tanker transfers.

Utility fluids and emission monitoring

Measurement of nitrogen and steam lines, support for CO2 emission calculations and tracking of in-plant consumption.

Configuration and Selection Criteria

The right SFC3000 flow computer configuration comes from assessing the stream count and the field signals together.

Stream count and board selection

·         Number of fiscal streams and the streams planned for later

·         Meter type per stream and the need for redundant inputs

·         Additional digital inputs and outputs required for a proving application

·         Balance between the number of communication boards and the remaining card slots

Signal and communication requirements

·         Pulse, frequency, encoder or serial meter interface

·         Number of HART loops and use of multivariable transmitters

·         Need for a direct PRT input

·         Host system protocol: serial Modbus, Modbus TCP or both

Panel and site conditions

·         Whether the in-panel temperature suits the analogue and HART input limits

·         Layout in the 19 in panel and the mounting type

·         Hazardous area classification and the need for isolators

·         Spare board and spare part plan

Because the number of card slots is limited, the split between stream and communication boards has to be planned at the start of the project; otherwise a second chassis may be needed to add a stream later.

Compliance and Legal Metrology

The published compliance headings for the device are as follows:

·         MID 2004/22/EC: Scope for gas meter conversion devices; applied together with EN 12405-1:2005.

·         MID WELMEC 8.8: Measurement of liquids other than water; assessment referencing OIML R117-1:2007.

·         EMC Directive 2004/104/EC: Electromagnetic compatibility scope.

·         LVD 2006/95/EC: Low voltage directive scope; EN 61010-1:2001 (2nd edition).

·         Environmental classes: M2/E2 mechanical and electromagnetic environment classes.

·         Signal standards: ISO 6551 or API Chapter 5.5 applies on the pulse and frequency inputs.

TLY Enerji Supply and Commissioning Support

TLY Enerji supplies the SFC3000 flow computer in Türkiye and offers it with engineering support that covers the whole metering point. At the start of a project the stream count, meter types, transmitter selection and calculation method are assessed together, and the board configuration and input/output list are prepared accordingly.

The documentation needed for panel design, field connection drawings and the communication architecture is produced. During commissioning, field support covers device configuration, calculation verification, report templates and host system integration, and operator and maintenance training is planned for the site teams.

For the operating period we plan spare boards and spare parts, keep configuration backups and provide technical support in the event of a fault. On existing stations, improvement proposals are prepared for inconsistent calculations, missing records or communication problems.

·         Definition of the stream and board configuration

·         Input/output list and panel documentation

·         Configuration, calculation verification and report templates

·         Commissioning, training and host system integration

Frequently Asked Questions

How many metering streams can the SFC3000 flow computer manage?

Up to five stream boards can be fitted in the chassis, so a single device can perform five-stream fiscal measurement. In non-fiscal applications one stream board can serve two streams. The chassis carries up to six user plug-in cards in total, so the split between stream and communication boards has to be planned together.

Which meter types does it work with?

Turbine, rotary and positive displacement meters (high and low frequency pulse and encoder types), ultrasonic meters (pulse counting or serial communication), differential pressure elements such as orifice, venturi, V-cone and nozzle, and Coriolis meters are supported. Different types can be used together in the same chassis.

Which calculation standards does it include?

On the gas side ISO 5167, AGA 3, EN 12213-2 (AGA 8), AGA 10, ISO 6976, PTZ, NX19, EN 12213-3 (SGERG) and ISO 20765; on the liquid side API 11.2.1, API 11.2.2, API 12.2.5.3 (54A), ASTM D1250 (54), API 12:2004, GPA TR25, the GPA TR27 series and OIML R022. ISO 6578 is used for LNG and LPG.

How is it connected to the host system?

A communication board provides RS232/RS485 serial ports at speeds up to 38400 baud; an Ethernet board adds a 10/100 connection, Modbus over TCP/IP, web server functions and network printing. Where the topology calls for two Ethernet ports, a dual network board is used.

How is the SFC3000 flow computer configured?

Local configuration and data downloading are done through the high speed USB connection on the front panel with the Windows based software supplied with the product. Remote configuration and diagnostics are possible over the Ethernet connection. The display is freely configurable, so system diagrams, trending displays and language options can be defined.

Can the device be installed in a hazardous area?

The "Ex~i" element of the product name is part of the manufacturer's company name, and no ATEX or IECEx certificate code is published for the device. In plants with a hazardous area classification the unit should therefore be placed in a panel in the safe area, with suitable isolator solutions engineered for the field signals.

Is meter verification with a prover supported?

Yes. Bi-directional and uni-directional ball provers, small volume provers, master meter and dual chronometry methods are supported. Where a prover run needs a large number of valve signals, the switch stream board supplies additional digital inputs and outputs.