Sierra Introduces QuadraTherm 640i/780i Gas Mixing Software

Jan. 18, 2016
QuadraTherm with qMix is suited for shale gas upstream production.

Oil/gas engineers can field adjust their gas composition on thermal mass flow meters in the field for flare, Vapor Recovery Unit (VRU) and storage vessels without sending the meter back to the factory for recalibration with Sierra’s QuadraTherm 640i/780i with qMix gas mixing software. Sierra’s gas mixing software package is a feature of the Smart Interface Program (SIP).  

qMix is a user-customizable gas mix feature that allows oil/gas engineers and operators to create custom gases or gas mixtures to compensate for gas compositional changes in the field without accuracy loss, according to Sierra. Oil/gas engineers can meet US EPA Directive 40 CFR Part 98 for shale gas upstream production operations since they can use qMix when the gas composition changes in the pipe or when moving the meter to another location with a different gas composition.

QuadraTherm with qMix Gas Mixing Software allows end users to:

• Field adjust and maintain flow meter accuracy if gas composition changes.

• Avoid recalibration.

• Create and upload unlimited gas mixtures onto one meter.

• Save custom gas mixtures onto “My Gases Database” for later use.

• Download more accurate gases with qTherm “Gas Database.”

The QuadraTherm reportedly provides the best accuracy +/- 0.5% of reading above 50% of full scale for flow meter air measurement and other gases; built-in flow conditioning (inline version);  has high turndown to handle low flows to high flows during upset conditions; multivariable outputs; flow ranges up to 60,000 sfpm (305 smps); qTherm, Dial-A-Gas, Dial-A-Pipe;  accurately measures very low pressure vapors with no pressure loss, and has Hazardous Area approvals (ATEX, IECEx, CE, cFMus). The QuadraTherm is available in two models: the 640i insertion and 780i inline.

The QuadraTherm family has a no-drift sensor with lifetime warranty; multivariable output: mass flow, temperature, pressure (optional); measures all inert and all non-condensing clean gases; flammable gases (methane, propane, hydrogen and digester gas); repeatability for mass flow rate is +/- 0.15%; ValidCal Diagnostics to validate calibration in the field; gas accuracy is +/- 1°C (1.8°F) and includes qMix.