Smart meters and flow computers: A test proposal for metrological reliability

Authors

  • Rodrigo De Almeida National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology - Inmetro, Av. Nossa Sra. das Graças, 50, 25250-020 Duque de Caxias, Brazil
  • Edisio A. Junior National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology - Inmetro, Av. Nossa Sra. das Graças, 50, 25250-020 Duque de Caxias, Brazil
  • Rodrigo P. B. Félix National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology - Inmetro, Av. Nossa Sra. das Graças, 50, 25250-020 Duque de Caxias, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21014/actaimeko.v14i4.1967

Keywords:

flow computer, smart meters, measurements, tests

Abstract

Smart meters are a trend in gas and oil measurement. These meters communicate with flow computers through digital signals, unlike older meters that use analogue signals. Currently, the metrological reliability of flow computers is assessed solely using these analogue signals. This article presents and compares the results of a set of tests performed on a flow computer with analogue and digital signals. The methodology involved simulating secondary meters for pressure and temperature, using both analogue (current and resistive decade) and digital (Modbus TCP/IP protocol) communications, in order to obtain the Volume Conversion Factor calculated by the flow computer. These tests are part of a proposal for new evaluation methods for this instrument when connected to smart meters that make use of digital communication, as opposed to existing evaluation methods that focus exclusively on analogue communication. The uncertainty of the old and new methods is calculated and presented, as well as a comparison of the complexity of the test platform necessary for their execution.

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Published

2025-11-06

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Rodrigo De Almeida, Edisio A. Junior, Rodrigo P. B. Félix

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