Technology

Endress+Hauser factory tour series: Oil calibration of Singapore’s bunkering master meter

Stephan Natter, Principal Business Development Manager of Endress+Hauser Flow, explains to Manifold Times the importance of having an in-house oil calibration rig.

Published

2 months ago

August 26, 2024

Admin

EHFL Reinach customer visit Metcore Manifold Times MEKR042 MT

Manifold Times gained exclusive access into the mass flowmeter (MFM) production factory of Reinach-based Endress+Hauser Flow in Switzerland during February. This will be the third in a series of five articles produced offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of the intricate process on what goes into perfecting MFMs.

The following are key takeaways from the tour to understand more about the MFM calibration process:

The cornerstone is a particularly important reference point, setting the foundation of historical buildings, and ultimately determines the position of the entire structure. In similar significance, situated in a corner of Endress+Hauser Flow’s Reinach factory lies a particularly important facility – the metrological test centre with its calibration rigs for flow measurement using water and oil.

This oil calibration rig is the only one of its kind owned by an independent MFM manufacturer, and its responsibilities include performing the yearly calibration of Singapore’s only bunkering master mass flowmeter (MMFM) which the world’s largest bunkering port depends on.

EHFL Reinach Manifold Times Stephan Natter Calibration MEKR 026 MT

Stephan Natter, Principal Business Development Manager of Endress+Hauser Flow, was on location to explain the rig’s raison d'etre.

“You might have to question why we built such an oil calibration facility whose measurement can be directly traced back to the national standard,” Natter shared.

“By far not all MFM manufacturers have an oil calibration rig. Because common sense is that a MFM which is calibrated on water can be also used in oil, keeping the uncertainty limits given by the different custody transfer standards.

“However, under OIML R117 and API MPMS 4.5 a master MFM has to be three times more accurate than duty meters, calibrated on products equal to the final product measured at site and possess expanded measuring uncertainty of up to 0.067% verified by an independent notified body such as NMI Certin B.V.

“Every Coriolis MFM shows a measuring effect based on Reynolds number (a mathematical formula derived from combining density flow rate and viscosity). The higher the viscosity the higher the effect is on the measuring signal and this needs to be compensated. Every MFM of Endress+Hauser has a Reynolds number compensation built into its electronics.

“With the oil calibration rig, we have the possibility to fine tune the Reynolds number compensation for specific meters because every meter is a little bit different due to production tolerances. With this rig we are able then to make for example, the Metcore master meter perfect.”

Coincidentally, the master meter of Metcore , a Singapore-based Authorised Verifier and accredited certification body for MFM bunkering systems, was at Endress+Hauser Flow’s Reinach factory to perform its yearly calibration in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025.

EHFL Reinach customer visit Metcore Manifold Times MEKR023 MT

Since 1 November 2020, the master meter has been used for verification of duty MFMs installed on Singapore bunker tankers due for yearly re-validation.

Singapore bunkering industry players have regarded the master meter as a ‘game changer’ as it shortens the time and reduces resources, making it the most practical and efficient method of validating the duty MFMs performance.

The master MFM verification service operates on the principles of TR 80:2020 – Meter Verification using Master Mass Flow Meter; the standard guidelines stated the master MFM has to be three times better in terms of performance when compared to duty meters.

Darrick Pang, Managing Director of Metcore International Pte Ltd, commented:

“Meter verification using master meter provides the alternative option for the MFM users other than the regular meter re-calibration as it is more efficient, less costly and time-consuming process to monitor the measurement performance of the duty MFM over its metrological requirements.”

“It is under that notion that the master meter must be calibrated under the acclaimed ISO/IEC 17025 environment to ensure a high level of performance accuracy of the master meter needed for meter verification.”

Photo credit: Endress+Hauser
Published: 26 August 2024

Related Topics:Features Technology - Mass flowmeter

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China: Zhoushan to host 7th IPEC commodities, bunker conferences on 16 to 17 October

Global marine bunker development will be among main topics of discussion at the 7th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC).

Published

2 days ago

October 11, 2024

Admin

China: Zhoushan to host 7th IPEC commodities, bunker conferences on 16 to 17 October

The 7th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC) is taking place at Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China between 16 to 17 October.

The agenda, provided by the Zhoushan High-tech Zone Administrative Committee to foreign event media partner Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times, is as follows:

16 October

Registration and sign-in for participating guests
Meetings between Zhejiang Provincial and Zhoushan Municipal leaders with VIPs

17 October

Morning

Plenary Session of the Conference (Oriental Hall, Zhoushan International Conference Center)

Leader’s speech, guest keynote speech, signing of major projects

Discussion Topics [*17 October, 2pm to 5pm]

Focus Topic Meeting: Global marine bunker development*
Location: Haitian Hall, Haizhongzhou International Hotel, Zhoushan

14:00-14:05 - Opening of the Meeting

14:05-14:15 - Speech by Leaders

14:15-14:30 - Announcement of "Top Ten Global Bunkering Ports" and "Top Ten Global Bunkering Companies"

14:30-14:40 - Announcement of Construction Work of Northeast Asia Bonded Marine Fuel Bunkering Hub

14:40-14:50 – Launch ceremony of Zhoushan "White-list" Bunker Barge Mass Flow Meter System Pilot Certification Programme

14:50-15:10 - Signing Ceremony

15:10-16:10 - Keynote speech

16:10-16:35 - Coffee break

16:35-17:05 - Roundtable forum (Topic: Facing green and low-carbon transformation in global shipping, how do marine fuels change in response to the trend?)

17:05-17:35 - Roundtable forum (Topic: The road to develop high-quality offshore fuel bunkering metering under the new developments)

17:35-17:40 - Moderator’s summary

Utilising financial innovation, futures and spot cooperation to promote the construction of a hub for the allocation of bulk commodity resources*
Location: Putuo Hall, Zhoushan International Conference Center

Open development of global shipping trade*
Location: Donghai Hall, Hilton Zhoushan

International iron ore trade development*
Location: Banquet Hall 1/3, The Westin Zhujiajian Resort, Zhoushan

Development of China's new chemical materials industry during the “15th Five-Year Plan”*
Location: Banquet Hall 1/3, The Westin Zhujiajian Resort, Zhoushan

Development of non-ferrous metal mining industry*
Location: Lianhua Ocean Hall, Hilton Zhoushan

16 and 17 October
International maritime law of the free trade port (zone)
Location: Fortune Hall, Zhoushan CaiFu Hotel

Photo credit: Zhoushan High-tech Zone Administrative Committee
Published: 11 October, 2024

Technology

Study finds OCCS could reduce up to 20% CO2 emissions on “Stena Impero”

Engineering project found that the technology could reduce the vessel’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by as much as 20% per year, with a fuel consumption penalty of just under 10%.

Published

3 days ago

October 11, 2024

Admin

Study finds OCCS could reduce up to 20% CO2 emissions on “Stena Impero”

A project assessing the technical feasibility of onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) in the shipping sector has concluded that the technology has the potential to help maritime transport significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, according to a joint statement on Thursday (10 October).

The engineering project analysed the design and cost implications of retrofitting a carbon capture system on the medium-range tanker Stena Impero. It found that the technology could reduce the vessel's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by as much as 20% per year, with a fuel consumption penalty of just under 10%.

The project was carried out by the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and Stena Bulk together with a consortium of maritime organisations.

The project, Realising Maritime Carbon Capture to Demonstrate the Ability to Lower Emissions, (REMARCCABLE) was supported by a consortium comprising American Bureau of Shipping, Alfa Laval, Deltamarin, Lloyd's Register, Seatrium, and TNO. It aimed to assess the viability of deploying carbon capture systems on vessels with minimal impact on operational constraints.

The cost of building and installing the full system on the Stena Impero is estimated at USD13.6 million, with an abatement cost of avoided CO2 for the first-of-a-kind prototype evaluated at USD 769/tonne CO2.

However, the consortium believes that further research and development will drive down costs, making OCCS increasingly viable for the shipping industry.

The study also looked at incorporating OCCS on newbuild vessels, with the findings that improvements to capture rate and fuel penalty may be achieved using more efficient engines, heat pumps, and alternative solvents.

Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD, said: “OCCS has gained traction in recent years as a feasible approach to meet the 2023 IMO revised GHG emissions reduction targets. However, its adoption faces numerous hurdles, including the need to balance the tension between maximising CO2 capture rates while maintaining commercially acceptable CapEx and OpEx. This study provides quantitative insights on managing the trade-offs between the actual cost of operating OCCS and its emissions reductions potential.

“For OCCS systems to be practical, the industry needs to manage captured CO2 effectively. To this end, GCMD has previously completed a study to define the operational envelope for offloading onboard captured CO2, contributing to the whole-of-system approach to emissions reduction via carbon capture.”

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 11 October, 2024

Bunker Fuel

SIBCON 2024: EnterpriseSG to launch new Singapore standard for e-BDN

EnterpriseSG, through the Singapore Standards Council, will launch a new Singapore Standard 709 Specification for Digital Bunkering Supply Chain Documentation.

Published

3 days ago

October 10, 2024

Admin

SIBCON 2024: New Singapore standard on digital bunkering to be launched

Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), through the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), will launch a new Singapore Standard (SS) 709 Specification for Digital Bunkering Supply Chain Documentation, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (9 October).

MPA said the new standard will ensure data consistency and interoperability between digital systems and facilitate smoother transactions through trusted and verifiable digital bunkering documents.

This comes following Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Ministry of Transport, announcing that from 1 April 2025, all bunker suppliers will be required to provide digital bunkering services and issue electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs) as a default.

The move was decided following successful pilots conducted since 1 November 2023 with bunker suppliers, including the top 10 bunker players, in Singapore.

To further enhance transparency and transaction integrity in bunkering operations, MPA will also introduce a centralised e-BDN record verification facility. This enables key stakeholders to verify the e-BDN received against the information transmitted to MPA.

EnterpriseSG has also launched the revised Singapore Standard (SS) 648 Code of Practice for Bunker Mass Flow Metering to include data integrity and transmission requirements in line with this new digital standard.

In the first eight months of 2024, MPA said Singapore saw strong growth of approximately 7% in total bunker sales over the same period last year, reaching over 36 million tonnes. Biofuels and liquefied natural gas bunker sales surpassed 700,00 metric tonnes.

To support the operationalisation of a higher mix of low-carbon alternative fuels, both EnterpriseSG and MPA are developing the Singapore standards for methanol bunkering and ammonia bunkering by 2024 and 2025 respectively.

The standards will cover custody transfer requirements, safety procedures and crew competencies, to ensure safe bunkering operations and handling of these fuels.

MPA also announced that three major shipping lines — Hafnia, K-Line, and MOL — are in early discussions to join the Singapore - Port of Los Angeles (LA)- Port of Long Beach (LB) Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) initiative.

Each partner would be expected to spearhead a project to advance the corridor’s decarbonisation and digitalisation goals, such as the adoption of net-zero fuels, Just-in-Time route optimisation, and energy efficiency technologies such as wind-assisted ship propulsion.

The addition of the new partners will significantly strengthen the GDSC’s capacity to drive innovation in sustainable shipping practices and accelerate the adoption of zero/near-zero emission fuels and green technologies along the corridor.