Smart buildings, smart tracking and smart metering.

Wirepas Mesh powered by Silicon Labs SoCs bring low power, high security and cost that enables high scale for smart buildings, smart tracking and smart metering; complete the Silicon Labs SoC portfolio for Wirepas partners.

Wirepas has announced its Wirepas Mesh 2.4 GHz connectivity suite will soon be available on Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 and that their Sub Ghz connectivity is now available on EFR32FG23 SoCs. The MG24 features high security, large memory and low power which makes it particularly interesting for smart building applications. The FG23 is designed for smart metering that requires high performance long range at a highly cost-effective price point with Wirepas’ advanced low memory footprint routing. The SoCs adds to Silicon Labs’ BG21 and BG22 on which Wirepas Mesh 2.4 GHz is already available and targeted especially for smart tracking.

Wirepas and Silicon Labs have further strengthened their partnership with the addition of these SoCs to our portfolio, which provide highly competitive and affordable solutions for IoT projects in smart buildings, smart metering, and smart tracking at massive scales. We are actively participating in several ongoing India smart metering tenders and expect the majority of the 250 million smart meter tenders to be awarded by the first half of 2023, where our EFR32FG23 SoC and Wirepas Mesh 865-868 MHz profile are an excellent fit for the smart metering market needs. That is continuation of the success story of millions of smart meters together in the Nordic countries. While EFR32MG24 with Wirepas Mesh 2.4 GHz profile is a perfect match for various smart building applications like occupancy sensing and condition monitoring. Chosen already by leading Building Management System companies. Customers can upgrade their designs from BG21 to MG24 with minimum software effort thanks to one SDK.” says Jani Vehkalahti, head of Sales at Wirepas.

“Within the building automation market and use cases that range from simple water leak detectors to building access control systems and all the way up to full room controllers, the EFR32MG24 paired with Wirepas can connect entire buildings” said Mark Beecham, Staff Product Manager of Building Automation at Silicon Labs. “This offers residents a seamless and pleasant experience while allowing building management companies the ability to scale to larger networks and to more services.

@Wirepas @siliconlabs #IoT#BAC #Smart

Thermal-mass standard.

EN 17526 is the new European standard dedicated to thermal-mass gas metering. It can now be used to certify new thermal-mass gas meters deployed in the field. EN 17526 is the first standard for a static technology to cover not only residential but also commercial and industrial gas meters. It is also a harmonized standard, which ensures continuity with existing regulations – this means that thermal-mass gas meters certified according to proceeding standards do not have to be re-certified.

EN 17526 is the first gas meter norm to be updated to include renewable gases such as hydrogen and biomethane. This confirms that thermal-mass technology is suitable to work with green gases. Moreover, thermal-mass technology is the best solution on the market for measuring hydrogen in terms of accuracy, safety, cost and the variety of parameters that can be extracted from the gas composition. Not only that, it improves gas network management and, importantly, increases satisfaction levels for end users. Crucially, the meter can remain the same compact size, no matter whether it is measuring 100% natural gas or 100% hydrogen – even if the flow of hydrogen is three times higher to account for its lower calorific value. This is a unique feature that sets thermal-mass technology apart from other solutions.

The release of EN 17526, a standard dedicated to thermal-mass technology, underlines the maturity of the technology and is an acknowledgment that over 6 million meters have been successfully installed in the field over the last 15 years. The standard will also serve as the inspiration for the creation of national gas metering norms across the world, a process that is currently underway in multiple countries.

@sensirion @enstandards #PAuto 

Gas meter modules for a sustainable future.

Multi-gas meter modules measure pure hydrogen, hydrogen blends and natural gas

The Sensirion SGM64xx is the first gas metering module on the market able to measure any gas mixtures, including pure hydrogen, blends of hydrogen, biomethane and natural gas types H, L, and E. Therefore, no meter replacement nor any firmware update will be required for meters that feature the SGM64xx product line when natural gas is gradually or fully substituted with hydrogen. Since replacing even a small fraction of meters currently in use is significantly more expensive than installing multi-gas capable meters today, utility companies can rest easy and cut future costs significantly.

Proven technology for years
Thermal-mass technology has been proven over the years by more than six million meters in the field and billions of hours of reliable metering. Two third-party studies confirm the long-term reliability of this technology for applications in extreme environments. These studies investigated gas meters that were in the field for more than a decade. All meters operated well within the accuracy limits set for field operation, and most of them met the requirements placed on brand-new gas meters. In addition, Sensirion’s gas meter modules are certified according to the EN 14236 and OIML R 137 standards, with EN 17526 certification on its way. These evaluation certificates facilitate MID approval for gas meter manufacturers.

Carbon neutrality, sustainability and the reduction of CO2 emissions are the main global trends in the energy sector. Our current gas infrastructure must be prepared for the arrival of renewable gases. In one example, starting in 2025, all new gas boilers installed in Britain will have to be compatible with pure hydrogen. Similar requirements for gas meters are expected to follow shortly after. These meters will be ready for whatever the future holds.

The SGM64xx is based on the proven and reliable SGM63xx platform, and brings it to a new level by extending its measurement capabilities to pure hydrogen. This is achieved via an augmented calibration procedure, which otherwise does not introduce any changes to the product’s mechanical, electrical and software interfaces. Furthermore, the hydrogen flow ranges supported by SGM64xx are three-times higher than those of natural gas, which guarantees a compact meter size no matter the hydrogen content.

Gas meters incorporating thermal-mass modules are the best choice for the transition towards a sustainable future. Sensirion’s gas meter modules provide excellent measurement performance and robustness at ultra-low power consumption levels. Therefore, they are suitable for residential and industrial applications covering flow ranges from G1.6 to G25.

@sensirion #PAuto #GasMetering

Advanced chemical injection technology acquired.

TechInvent2 AS, a Norwegian enterprise that holds the rights to FluidCom™, a chemical injection metering valve (CIMV) has been acquired by Yokogawa. FluidCom prevents blockages and corrosion in oil wells, pipelines, and other facilities and employs a patented technology for thermal control. It incorporates the functions of a mass flow meter, control valve, and valve controller and has very few moving parts.

Commenting on the acquisition of this company, Shigeyoshi Uehara, head of Yokogawa’s IA Products and Service Business Headquarters, said: "FluidCom will improve flow assurance, which is a key concern of our customers in the oil and gas industry, and it will make a major contribution to their operations by helping them not only improve production efficiency and reduce operational costs, but also enhance HSE. The combination of FluidCom, KBC’s simulation technology, and Yokogawa field devices will allow us to expand the range of our upstream and midstream solutions and enable the delivery of value in new ways to our customers."

FluidCom has already been delivered to several international oil and gas majors. With TechInvent2 joining the Yokogawa Group, Yokogawa will now target delivery of this solution to the oil and gas upstream and midstream sectors, thereby helping to improve operational efficiency, reduce operational costs, and enhance health, safety and the environment (HSE).

Background Information
Based on its Transformation 2017 mid-term business plan, Yokogawa will continue to focus on the oil and gas industries, and will strive to strengthen its solutions targeting the upstream and midstream sectors, in addition to its forte downstream sector businesses. Following its April 2016 acquisition of KBC Advanced Technologies, a provider of consulting services that are based on its own advanced oil and gas simulation technologies, the company has been striving to work with its customers to create value through the provision of solutions that address every aspect of their business activities.

At oil wells and pipelines, efforts to ensure a secure oil flow path (flow assurance) play an important role in maintaining production efficiency. The adherence of various chemical substances to the inside walls of a pipe can reduces its internal diameter and causes corrosion. To prevent the accumulation of substances and corrosion, certain chemicals must be injected in the pipes. Improving the efficiency of this process is a major challenge in the upstream and midstream sectors.

FluidCom’s CIMV
Chemical injection valves have traditionally been manually operated in the upstream sector, although there are cases where chemical injection has been automated using an actuated solution. In the former case, the valves must be frequently opened, closed, and adjusted by plant personnel. This is costly as it necessitates the hiring of additional staff, and it is work that must be done under very harsh environmental conditions in the field.

It is also a well-known problem that inaccurate and unstable dosing of chemicals leads to additional operational costs and challenges with specific processes. To address and resolve such problems, there is an increasing demand for integrated automatic injection solutions that perform stably and offer a high level of precision in the dosing.

FluidCom’s CIMV has a unique design this is based on a patented technology, providing integrated flow control and metering using a unique combination of material and thermal effects. FluidCom is a fully automated and reliable device with a simple design that performs autonomous valve control and continuous flow metering. The device is able to stably inject chemicals in the required small amounts. It has few moving parts and has proven to be an accurate, reliable solution for the control of chemical injection applications. No regular maintenance is required and remote control features are provided.

The device features a self-cleaning mechanism that reduces maintenance workload, and the automatic injection of chemicals in the correct amounts eliminates the need for manual interventions by plant operators and maintenance workers, thereby enabling personnel to lessen their exposure to harsh environmental conditions in the field. This enhances HSE.

FluidCom is also a valuable solution for downstream operations, where corrosion prevention is always a pressing concern. An ISA100 Wireless™ version is planned.

@YokogawaIA #PAuto #Oil #Gas

Unique Sensor for SmartGas Metering

The MEMS-based gas-flow sensor first to embed automatic ‘gas-quality’ compensation

OMRON Corporation and STMicroelectronics have completed the development of a MEMS-basedgas flow sensor with industry-unique built-in correction for differences in gas composition. OMRON will start sample shipments of the new sensor in November 2012.

As with electricity-consumption measuring, gas metering is moving from conventional mechanical solutions to smart electronic meters withautomatic meter-reading functions. There are over 400 million mechanical gas meters in the world and most major gas providers are readying to replace their traditional meters with more accurate and reliable electronic devices.

In addition to higher precision and reliability, the OMRON/ST sensor solution enables the development of smart gas meters that are much smaller, less expensive, and more power-efficient than the conventional equipment, resulting in substantial cost savings for the utility companies and end users alike.Industry analysts expect the global smart gas meter market to exceed 10 million units a year by 2015.1

The new gas-flow sensor combines Omron’s state-of-the-art MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) thermal flow transducerwith ST’s high-performance analog front-end IC, delivering high-precision gas flow-rate measurement with excellent reproducibility. Gas meters built around the OMRON/ST solution do not need to be configured for a certain type of gas at the time of shipment or installation, as they are intrinsically compensated for both temperature and pressure variations and a built-in circuit compensates for the variation of multiple gas composition. The sensor is dust-resistant to comply with international gas-meter standards.

“The successful collaboration with OMRON in gas metering expands ST’s foothold in the increasingly important field of ‘intelligent measurement’ and sets us to replicate the great success we have achieved in smart electricity metering,” said Marco Cassis, Executive Vice President and President, Japan and Korea Region, STMicroelectronics.

"We are very much excited to introduce a new powerful one-stop solution that enables a simple and very accurate Smart Gas Meter System for global marketsthroughthe successful collaboration with STMicroelectronics.By enabling IT-based smart metering, this new technology will significantly contribute to energy saving," said Yoshio Sekiguchi, Senior General Manager of the Micro Devices Division of OMRON Corporation.

Water meter test

British water companies as well as process customers can now benefit from the expanding flow meter testing facilities at Stream Measurement.

Stream Measurement Ltd have recently acquired the water meter test capability from Itron Metering Solutions – ensuring one of the most extensive meter testing facilities in Britain.

Designed for the production of water meters the additional rigs utilise water as the test medium and comprise a high volume rig capable of testing 45 small water meters at one time, whilst the larger test rig can check meters upto 8” in size.

Ideal for verifying water utility meters to MID or BS5728 and operated under Stream’s ISO9000 quality assurance program, the rigs provide full calibration traceability back to UKAS.

As part of the acquisition, in addition to supporting their own customers, Stream will operate the meter test service for Itron in support of their Utility customers.

As true flow meter experts Stream have for many years offered a range of onsite and return to factory calibration services to their customers – the new rigs expand this offering and enable Stream to offer ‘benefit of scale’ prices to their existing and prospective process and energy customers.

Stream are able to provide a complete range of calibration services with test fluids including water, oil and air – and with over 80 years of flow meter expertise they are the ideal service partner for your flow meter supply and support requirements.

Multi-year framework agreement for fiscal metering systems

Emerson to supply Daniel® fiscal metering systems for Statoil’s Valemon (N) platform

Emerson Process Management has been awarded a five year Framework Agreement by Statoil to provide a range of its Daniel® fiscal metering systems, as well as related products and support services. The agreement also covers on-going maintenance of existing systems, plus the supply of new systems for all current and future developments.

“Since opening our Larbert facility in Scotland in 1974, we have supplied a significant number of systems for major North Sea projects such as Troll, Heidrun and Draupner,” said Mark Dutton, Vice President & General Manager for Emerson Process Management’s Daniel Measurement and Control in Europe. “This framework agreement recognises the excellent relationship we have with Statoil, and offers Emerson an exciting opportunity to provide Statoil with fiscal measurement systems and solutions for many years to come.”

Statoil's Valemon Platform (N)

In one of the first projects covered by the framework agreement, Emerson will provide a range of integrated fiscal metering systems for Statoil’s new Valemon gas and condensate platform. Located in the North Sea at the Norwegian Continental Shelf, the Valemon development will include ultrasonic metering systems with fully automated controls for the condensate, gas, and HP and LP flare gas. The unmanned platform, which is controlled from the neighbouring Kvitebjørn platform, will begin production in 2014.

To enhance its support for North Sea customers, Emerson is currently renovating its Daniel facility in Stirling, Scotland. Enhancements include a new state-of-the-art training facility, a design development and control panel facility, a service area and a UKAS calibration laboratory for its fiscal metering products. Emerson will also be investing in local resources, which includes hiring local service engineers to improve the range of its Daniel fiscal measurement services available to the Norwegian market.