The FMC Technologies Flow Research and Test Center located in Erie, Pennsylvania is capable of testing meters over the widest dynamic measurement range of any test facility in the world.
Lab Features
- NVLAP accredited ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for High Flow and Multi-Viscosity Systems
- Traceable to international standards and meets all requirements for OIML
- Maximum Flow capability of 5 to 42,000 bph (1 to 6,675 m3/h)
- Viscosity Testing range of 2 to 500 cSt (2 to 500 mm2/s)
- Can test meter sizes from 1 to 30 inches (25 to 750 mm)
- Dynamic testing range of 10 to 1,000,000 Reynolds Number
Test Systems
The Flow Research and Test Center utilizes three testing systems to ensure accurate meter testing depending on the application: High Flow (HF), Multi-Viscosity (MV) and Low Flow (LF). Both the HF and MV systems are covered by the NVLAP scope of accreditation for ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The HF System is capable of sustaining test flowrates up to 42,000 bph (6,675 m3/h) on a Brad Penn oil (10 to 25 cSt), whereas the MV system can test up to 8,000 bph (1,270 m3/h) across a variety of oils from 2 to 500 cSt. For smaller meters, the LF System operates from 5 to 1,700 bph (1 to 270 m3/h) on multiple fluids of viscosities varying from 2 cSt to 225 cSt (2 to 225 mm2/s)
Scope of Accreditation
NVLAP has granted ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation (NVLAP Lab Code 200939-0) for the HF and MV test systems at the Flow Research and Test Center. This is in accordance to all national standards and is traceable to international standards. The Flow Research and Test Center is also compliant with all OIML requirements. The summary of accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 is as follows. Please Consult the factory for the full range of lab testing capabilities.
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Prove Method
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Test System
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Viscosity Range (cSt)
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Flow Rate (m3/h)
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Flow Rate (bph)
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Expanded Uncertainty
|
|
min
|
max
|
min
|
max
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min
|
max
|
|
Direct Proving
Method
|
MV System
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2
|
250
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135
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1,270
|
850
|
8,000
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< 0.050%
|
|
HF System
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10
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25
|
135
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2,775
|
850
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17,500
|
|
Master Meter
Proving Method
|
MV System
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2
|
150
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105
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1,270
|
650
|
8,000
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< 0.085%
|
|
HF System
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10
|
25
|
160
|
6,675
|
995
|
42,000
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Proving
To achieve its high rate of accuracy, the FMC Technologies Flow Research and Test Center employs a combination of Master Provers and Master Meters. All meters tested in the flowlab will either be tested directly against a prover using the Direct Prove Method (DPM) or against one or more Master Meter Provers via the Master Meter Prove Method (MMPM). For DPM we use a Honeywell Calibron SYNCROTRAK S120 prover. The LF stand uses a Smith Meter® Model SVP 1 displacement prover. For MMPM, the HF System uses 3 Smith Meter 16" M16 Positive Displacement meters. The MV System uses either a Smith Meter 12" K12 or a Smith Meter 16" M16 Positive Displacement meter for Master Meter Proving. The LF System uses a Smith Meter 6" Model G6 Positive Displacement meter.