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Methane Flow Meters

Prepare for tighter regulations on methane flow monitoring and maximize savings. 

   

Methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, is a byproduct of landfill, manure, wastewater digesters, natural gas, and oil extraction. It‘s also present in coal mine ventilation systems. For operators of these facilities, methane measurement is essential. The EPA and many states have strict regulations about measuring and reporting methane flows and emissions, which will only get tighter in the future. Furthermore, methane is an energy source that can be used in cogeneration/CHP systems and therefore can be sold for such use.

Regulation and monetization both need precise flow measurement. That’s achieved by installing a thermal mass methane flow meter with a wide turndown ratio. High accuracy, low-flow sensitivity, and minimal pressure drop are key requirements. Ease of installation is a bonus.
Thermal mass flow measurement technology checks all these boxes.

  • Wide turndown ratio: Methane flow meter applications can experience wide variations in flow rate. QuadraTherm meters from Sierra Instruments have turndown ratios greater than 100:1, making them the right product where upset conditions are possible.

  • Accurate low-flow measurement: Some methane-producing environments need only small bore pipes to handle low flows. QuadraTherm meters were designed to take these measurements.

  • Easy installation: QuadraTherm meters are produced in both insertion and inline configurations: both were designed with straightforward installation in mind. The 640i with hot-tap probe retractor allows for easy install - no process shutdown. 

 

More About Methane Flow Meters 

EPA 40CFR Part 98 and also Part 60 place strict requirements on flow meter accuracy. Thermal mass methane measurement technology is a cost-effective way of achieving the required performance. Pressure drop in the pipe is negligible and calibration to the specific gas composition eliminates the need for separate temperature and pressure measurement. When evaluating methane flow meters, consider that QuadraTherm from Sierra Instruments:   
 
  • Uses patented 4-sensor technology rather than traditional two-sensor for added reliability and accuracy 
  • High accuracy of +/- 0.75% reading means operators can be confident they are not over or under-reporting gas totals
  • Measures gas mass flow directly, rather than volumetric flow, which needs temperature and pressure measurement 
  • qMix App manages gas composition changes in the field without factory re-calibration
  • Eliminate drift with DrySenseTM sensor technology - Lifetime limited sensor warranty
  • Measures very high flows during upset conditions and more
   

Additional Features 

Sierra Instruments ensures that installation, operation, and calibration are available around the world. A network of technical support experts in over 150 countries, backed by flow centers of excellence strategically located around the globe.

  • Localized and Global Support: Methane is measured in the most diverse locations and environments imaginable. Wherever you are, Sierra Instruments will provide the help you need.

  • Installation and Commissioning: Sierra Instruments experts are available to help you get your flow meters operating as quickly as possible.  

  • Lifetime Support:  Sierra Instruments stands behind every flow meter with calibration, repair, and replacement options for as long as required. 

Methane Flow Meters FAQs

Q: How do thermal mass flow meters handle various gas compositions? 
A: Digester gas is a mixture of methane and CO2.  Traditional thermal mass flow meters require the flow meter to go back to the facility in order for it to accurately measure the change in gas once the meter is calibrated. Sierra’s QuadraTherm thermal mass flow meter gives end users the ability to create pure gases or gas mixtures in the field without factory re-calibration making it ideal for applications with changing gas compositions.  Our BioTrak 645S for wastewater treatment, allows users to select from three gases (Air, Methane, Digester Mix) in the field as well.
Q: Are there any limitations on pipe diameter and flow rate? 
A: Sierra Instruments produces methane flow meters for pipes from up to 72” diameter. Measurable flow rates go from 0 smps (0 sfps) to 305 smps (60,000 sfpm).  Note that best results need a length of straight pipe immediately upstream of the flow meter to reduce flow turbulence.
Q: Which is most accurate, an inline or an insertion meter? 
A: Both exceed the accuracy requirements of the current EPA regulations. The 640i insertion flow meter is accurate to +/- 0.75% of reading above 50% of full-scale flow and +/- 0.75% of reading plus 0.5% of full scale below 50% of full-scale flow. For the 780i inline meter, the equivalent precision is +/- 0.5% of reading above 50% of the full scale flow and+/- 0.5% of reading plus 0.5% of full scale below 50%.

Methane Flow Meter Resources

 
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QuadraTherm 640i
QuadraTherm® 640i

Industry's Most Accurate Air / Gas Thermal Insertion Mass Flow Meters

  • Achieve high accuracy +/- 0.75% of reading
  • Eliminate drift with patented DrySense™ sensor
  • Validate in the field for easy in-situ calibration
  • Use qMix software to easily change gas composition in the field and retain accuracy Download Flare Gas Mass Measuring Tech Note
  • Backed by lifetime sensor warranty
  • Boiler MACT certified for area source boilers (40 CFR 63, subpart JJJJJJ) and for major source boilers (40 CFR 63, subpart DDDDD) Learn more > 
  • Part of Sierra's Big-3 iSeries family of flow meter technologies Learn more >
  • Meet EPA rule 40 CFR 63 for flare gas measurement at ultra-low flows down sfps (0.03 smps) with QuadraTherm® qMix RealTime Flare Measurement System (FMS)
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BioTrak™ 645S/745S Thermal Mass Flow Meter
BioTrakTM 645S/745S

Wastewater Thermal Mass Flow Meter

  • Direct mass flow measurement maintains precise control of aeration, digestion, and cogeneration
  • Microprocessor based, field-programmable electronics
  • Wide measurement range up to 1000:1 turndown; 100:1 typical
  • DigiSense sensor design / Swivel probe ±180° into four positions
  • BioSelect™ menu provides field selectable air, methane, and digester gas
  • BioView™ software provides access to meter data / Configure meter settings in field
  • BioCal™ verifies calibration within five minutes
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BioTrak 645i/745i Wastewater Thermal Mass Flow Meter
BioTrak™ 645i/745i 

Wastewater Dedicated Thermal Mass Flow Meter

  • Field-Selectable Gases-air, methane, digester gas 
  • Direct mass flow measurement maintains precise control of aeration, digestion, and cogeneration 
  • Accuracy: Air: +/-1% of reading +/-0.2% of full scale  - Other gases: +/-1.5% of reading +/-0.5% full scale 
  • Insertion and inline versions
  • AC or DC power input available 
  • Optional hot top packing gland and retractor 
  • Integral and remote electronic configurations available 
  • Wide measurement range up to 1000:1 turndown; 100:1 typical 
  • BioCal Calibration Validation within five minutes  
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QuadraTherm<sup>®</sup> 780i Inline Mass Flow Meter.
QuadraTherm® 780i

Highest Air/Gas Mass Flow Measurement Accuracy in Industry

  • Achieve the highest accuracy +/- 0.5% of reading
  • Eliminate drift with DrySense sensor
  • Reduce straight-run requirements with built-in flow conditioning
  • Needs only 1-diameter up and zero downstream diameters
  • Validate in the field for easy in-situ calibration
  • Backed by lifetime sensor warranty
  • Boiler MACT certified for area source boilers (40 CFR 63, subpart JJJJJJ) and for major source boilers (40 CFR 63, subpart DDDDD), Learn more > 
  • Part of Sierra's Big-3 iSeries family of flow meter technologies, Learn more >
  • Meet EPA rule 40 CFR 63 for flare gas measurement at ultra-low flows down sfps (0.03 smps) with QuadraTherm® qMix RealTime Flare Measurement System (FMS)
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TM500
TM500™

High Performance Industrial Thermal Mass Flow Meter

  • Accuracy 
    • +/- 1.0% of reading plus +/- 0.2% of full-scale – Air, Nitrogen 
    • +/- 1.5% of reading plus +/- 0.5% of full-scale – All other gases
  • Repeatability +/- 0.2% of full scale
  • Direct measurement of gas mass flow / No volume to mass calculations
  • DigiSense™ robust sensor design
  • AC or DC power 
  • Use optional Gas-Mix™ feature to easily change gas selection or create gas mixes in the field - no recal required 
  • 2-3 week delivery lead times / 1 week delivery possible
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TM100
TM100™

Economical Industrial Thermal Mass Flow Meters

  • Accuracy 
    • +/- 1.0% of reading plus +/- 0.2% of full-scale – Air, Nitrogen 
    • +/- 1.5% of reading plus +/- 0.5% of full-scale – All other gases
  • Repeatability +/- 0.2% of full scale
  • Direct measurement of gas mass flow / No volume to mass calculations
  • DigiSense™ robust sensor design
  • 12 to 24 volt DC power 
  • Use optional Gas-Mix™ feature to easily change gas selection or create gas mixes in the field - no recal required  
  • 2–3-week delivery lead times / 1-week delivery possible
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