Precision thermal air/gas flow meters provide invaluable help to the oil and gas industry in achieving environmental compliance and lowering methane waste emissions

Fluid Components International (FCI) has introduced a innovative solution to help meet the stringent methane reduction regulations set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under "40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOO."

The EPA, under the Inflation Reduction Act, Section 136 of the Clean Air Act, has introduced new regulatory requirements with the purpose of reducing methane (CH4) emissions within the petroleum and natural gas industries. The Methane Emissions Reduction Program, supported by financial and technical assistance worth over $1 billion, will significantly change how the industries approach emissions control.

One the significant developments is the introduction of methane waste emission charges; these will affect facilities submitting yearly reports of over 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). These charges will take effect in 2024 at a cost of $900 per metric ton, rising to $1,200 per ton in 2025 and $1,500 per ton from 2026 onwards. These facilities will also be required to implement control procedures to minimise gas wastage and reduce emissions.

FCI’s ST80 Series and ST100A Series CH4 Flow Meters provide an excellent solution to overcome these new environmental regulations; they exceed the EPA's criteria for accuracy. These highly advanced devices offer a multitude of benefits for the oil and gas industry, especially in demanding flare gas and emission control system applications.

These instruments excel in precision measurement, providing extremely accurate and repeatable gas flow measurements even in hazardous areas, to ensure compliance with stringent environmental legislation. Moreover, FCI's meters provide mass flow measurements directly, delivering flow rate and totalised flow output signals and readouts in pounds, kilos or tons/tonnes, simplifying the process of monitoring and reporting emissions significantly. Their sensitivity sets them apart, enabling the detection of even the slightest changes in flow, making them ideal for leak detection applications.

The versatility of FCI's thermal mass gas flow meters is globally renowned, finding deployment in air pollution monitoring and various industrial air/gas measurement and control applications across a wide range of different industries. As well as providing excellent levels of performance, these devices are easy to install, require minimal maintenance, and boast an extended lifespan, all contributing to a very low cost of ownership. FCI design their instruments to be user-friendly; they typically require a single insertion point into a pipe or stack and are available for various line sizes, from 0.25 to over 100 inches (6.35 – 2,540 mms). The ST80 and ST100A incorporate cutting-edge technology, including patented Adaptive Sensing Technology™ (AST™), ensuring fast response and range-ability. They operate over a wide range of flow rates, catering to diverse industrial needs.

These devices integrate seamlessly with existing plant systems, offering compatibility with conventional 4-20 mA analogue or advanced digital bus communications including HART, Foundation Fieldbus, PROFIBUS PA, PROFIBUS DP, or Modbus. For local display, the models have a graphical, backlit LCD that provides real-time data on flow rate, totalised flow, and temperature.

ST80 and ST100A meters include a unique in-situ calibration self-test as standard, so there is no need to retract or remove the meter from the process’ piping and calibration accuracy, adhering to operator preferences or local regulatory requirements is guaranteed. FCI's precision factory calibrations are matched to the end-user's specific installation application, conditions, and gas properties, to ensure ±1% reading accuracy and ±0.5% of full scale, exceeding the stated acceptable accuracy within the latest EPA regulations and reporting requirements.

FCI's ST80 and ST100A Gas Flow Meters will be indispensable in leading the oil and gas industry towards cleaner and more sustainable operations and regulatory compliance. Thanks to their superb levels of precision, reliability, and adaptability, they will be invaluable in our efforts to lower methane emissions and protect the environment.