CUBIC INSTRUMENTS UFM-7200-DN Series Ultrasonic Gas Flowmeter

Overview

The CUBIC INSTRUMENTS UFM-7200-DN Series Ultrasonic Gas Flowmeter is an engineered solution for high-reliability, custody-transfer-capable volumetric measurement of single-phase gaseous media—including natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and compressed air—in municipal gas distribution networks. It operates on the ultrasonic time-of-flight (TOF) principle, precisely measuring the transit time difference of high-frequency acoustic pulses traveling with and against the direction of gas flow within a meter body. This differential time measurement—converted to axial velocity via calibrated path geometry—is mathematically integrated across multiple chordal paths to yield volumetric flow rate with minimal dependence on flow profile distortion. Designed specifically for mid-to-large-diameter pipeline applications (DN50 to DN300), the UFM-7200-DN series delivers Class 1.0 accuracy (±1.0% for Qₜ ≤ Q ≤ Qₘₐₓ; ±2.0% for Qₘᵢₙ ≤ Q < Qₜ) under real-world operating conditions, meeting the metrological rigor required by national gas billing standards (GB/T 32201–2015) and urban infrastructure guidelines (CJJ/T 262–2017).

Key Features

• Multichannel architecture (2–4 independent acoustic paths, depending on nominal diameter) enables cross-sectional velocity profiling, mitigating errors from swirl, asymmetry, or partial blockage—critical in branched or low-velocity distribution lines.
• Ultra-low start-up flow threshold (as low as 0.0125 m³/h at DN50), ensuring accurate measurement during off-peak demand periods without signal dropout.
• Integrated Pt100 temperature sensor and piezoresistive pressure transducer enable real-time compensation for thermal expansion and compressibility effects, supporting standardized volume conversion per NX-19 mod methodology (equivalent to ISO 6976 Annex B).
• Carbon steel meter body with titanium alloy ultrasonic transducers provides long-term corrosion resistance in humid, sulfur-containing, or particulate-laden gas streams—no moving parts, zero pressure loss, and negligible maintenance over 15+ years of service life.
• Modular, field-replaceable transducer design with sealed, pre-calibrated probe assemblies simplifies cleaning, recalibration, and verification without process shutdown.
• Dual-power architecture (24 VDC primary + non-rechargeable 3.6 V lithium thionyl chloride battery) guarantees uninterrupted operation during grid failure, with battery autonomy exceeding 8 years at typical data logging intervals.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The UFM-7200-DN series is validated for use with dry, clean, single-phase gaseous media meeting ISO 8573-1 Class 4 (solid particle size ≤15 µm) and Class 3 (dew point ≤–20 °C). It is not rated for wet gas, two-phase flow, or corrosive process streams containing H₂S >20 ppm or CO₂ >5%. Conformance includes mechanical design per EN 1092-1 (PN16 flanges), electromagnetic compatibility per EN 61000-6-2/6-4, and intrinsic safety options (Ex d IIB T4) available upon request. The device supports audit-ready data logging compliant with GLP-aligned record retention protocols and interfaces with SCADA systems via Modbus RTU over RS-485 or encrypted GPRS telemetry.

Software & Data Management

Embedded firmware supports configurable data acquisition intervals (1 min to 24 h), local storage of ≥12 months of hourly flow, temperature, pressure, and diagnostic logs (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio, transducer health index). Wireless transmission employs TLS 1.2-secured GPRS payloads compatible with MQTT and HTTP(S) endpoints. Remote configuration, firmware updates, and alarm threshold adjustments are performed via secure web interface or dedicated PC utility. All stored and transmitted data include UTC timestamps, CRC-32 integrity checks, and write-protected memory sectors—enabling traceability aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation requirements.

Applications

• City gate stations and regional pressure reduction stations for inlet/outlet gas accounting.
• Commercial and industrial customer metering points where wide turndown (up to 1:160) accommodates variable load profiles.
• Gas-fired boiler feed monitoring in district heating plants requiring continuous thermal energy reconciliation.
• Biogas upgrading facilities measuring raw and purified methane stream volumes prior to grid injection.
• Leak detection support through synchronized network-wide flow balance analysis using time-synchronized UFM-7200-DN deployments.

FAQ

Does the UFM-7200-DN series support bidirectional flow measurement?
No—it is unidirectional by default; bidirectional capability requires factory configuration and dual-path transducer alignment, available as a custom variant (UFM-7200-DN-BD).
What is the maximum allowable gas velocity before measurement uncertainty increases significantly?
For optimal accuracy, recommended gas velocity remains below 35 m/s; above this, turbulence-induced phase noise may degrade TOF resolution—consult application engineering for high-velocity installations.
Can the device be certified for fiscal metering under national regulatory frameworks?
Yes—when installed per GB/T 32201–2015 and verified with accredited calibration rigs (e.g., NIM traceable sonic nozzle banks), it qualifies for Class 1.0 legal metrology approval in China; EU MID certification requires additional CE marking with notified body involvement.
Is remote firmware update supported over GPRS without physical access?
Yes—OTA (over-the-air) updates are implemented with rollback capability, digital signature validation, and staged deployment to prevent service interruption.
How frequently should transducer performance be verified in dusty environments?
Annual verification is recommended; the built-in self-diagnostic suite monitors SNR decay and acoustic coupling integrity, triggering maintenance alerts when deviation exceeds ±3 dB from baseline.