Integrated Production Unit/Meter Run Process Safety
Integrated Production Unit/Meter Run Process Safety
(OP)
I'm a Facilities Enigneer, and I recently started working in the Marcellus. A lot of the production units installed in Appalachia have meter runs integrated with the production unit skids (picture attached) - installed on the exterior of the cabinet. Our first generation pad design has the traditional set-up with separate meter houses, but the integrated design would save up significant space on the pads and time/materials for construction. I am working on reviewing the safety of this design. I believe the new hazard would be the potential for flash fire from the gas cloud released when changing the meter orifice plates.
I can quantify the volume of gas released from the chamber of the meter body when changing plates and I have the size of the orifice through which it is vented (1/4") - my question is how to then calculate the radius of flammability from the release to see if there is potential to reach the unit burner? My though was to calculate the release as dispersion from a single relief source. I have been reviewing API 521 section 6.3.2.2 Vapor emission. Would these equations be applicable if the release is indeed a (very short) jet exit?
Anyone else already using this design? Any suggestions on how to correctly evaluate the flash fire hazard?
I can quantify the volume of gas released from the chamber of the meter body when changing plates and I have the size of the orifice through which it is vented (1/4") - my question is how to then calculate the radius of flammability from the release to see if there is potential to reach the unit burner? My though was to calculate the release as dispersion from a single relief source. I have been reviewing API 521 section 6.3.2.2 Vapor emission. Would these equations be applicable if the release is indeed a (very short) jet exit?
Anyone else already using this design? Any suggestions on how to correctly evaluate the flash fire hazard?





RE: Integrated Production Unit/Meter Run Process Safety
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Integrated Production Unit/Meter Run Process Safety
We are using a dual chamber currently and plan to use them going forward. There is no way I will get approval for installation inside the cabinets. My I&E TL says that it will be too difficult to change plates in the dual fitting in the enclosed space. Also, my management is convinced that there is a greater safety risk with the gas release inside the cabinet, as opposed to outside. (Though I believe installation inside the cabinet offers better isolation from the burner, if that is the concern.)
Part of the push back from management on any integration is that "this isn't done anywhere else" - have you seen the meters inside the cabinets in the basins out west?
RE: Integrated Production Unit/Meter Run Process Safety
Other than nearly every field I've ever worked in (which is a large number of fields), I guess it isn't done anywhere.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Integrated Production Unit/Meter Run Process Safety
"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek