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Flow Meter Satam Positive Displacement: Technical Overview of Hydrocarbon Metering Skids
Quick Answer: A Satam positive displacement flow meter is a mechanical batch meter used on hydrocarbon metering skids for diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, and light crude. Silver Instruments supplies oval gear positive displacement meters with matching signal outputs for these skids. Send us your flow range, viscosity, pressure, temperature, and pipe size for a technical quote.
We see many skid builders replace Satam positive displacement meters with our oval gear flow meters. The reasons are simple. Delivery time is shorter. Support is direct. The meters fit existing piping between flanged connections. Most engineers skip this part but the signal type matters on these skids.
What Is a Satam Positive Displacement Flow Meter?
Satam positive displacement flow meters are common in hydrocarbon metering skids for fuel loading terminals and truck loading stations. They measure volume by passing liquid through a measuring chamber with rotating elements. Each rotation equals a fixed volume. This is not an inferential reading. The meter counts actual volume.
Typical models are used on diesel loading skids in the Middle East and jet fuel hydrant dispensers in Southeast Asia. We have seen names like Satam on old skid drawings from French and Italian EPC projects. Because the meter is mechanical, it can run without external power for local totalization. But when a skid has a PLC or flow computer, you need a pulse output or a 4-20 mA HART signal.
How Does a Positive Displacement Meter Work on a Hydrocarbon Skid?
A hydrocarbon metering skid usually has a strainer, a positive displacement flow meter, a control valve, and a batch controller. In practice, the meter sits between the pump discharge and the loading arm or delivery pipe. The meter measures volume in litres or gallons. The batch controller opens and closes the valve based on the pulse count.
For example, a fuel oil distributor in Malaysia set up a truck loading skid with a DN40 oval gear flow meter. Flow range was 2 to 20 cubic metres per hour. Viscosity was 5 centipoise at 40 degrees Celsius. The meter sent a pulse output to a batch controller. The skid loaded diesel into road tankers with a repeatability of plus or minus 0.03 percent. This is the kind of detail we ask for when you send a quote request.
Key Technical Parameters for Hydrocarbon Metering Skids
Specify the meter for the liquid and the skid duty. Do not copy a water meter specification and expect it to work on diesel or jet fuel. Hydrocarbons have low viscosity and high vapour pressure in some cases. The meter materials and clearances matter.
Common parameters we ask for include:
Pipe size in DN or inches. Typical sizes are DN15, DN25, DN40, DN50, DN80, and DN100.
Flow range in litres per minute or cubic metres per hour.
Liquid type and viscosity in centipoise or cSt.
Process pressure in bar.
Process temperature in degrees Celsius.
Signal output: pulse, 4-20 mA, HART, or Modbus RTU.
Hazardous area certification: ATEX Zone 1, IECEx, or no certification.
Silver Instruments oval gear positive displacement meters can be configured with a mechanical register, a pulse transmitter, or a 4-20 mA HART transmitter. Many skid builders use the pulse output for batching. Others use HART for asset management and diagnostics. The mechanical register remains as a local backup. This is useful during power loss or PLC failure.
Why Silver Instruments Supplies PD Meters for Skid Builders
We supply positive displacement flow meters to skid builders and end users in Southeast Asia, Oceania, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. The meters are not marketed as a Satam clone. They are a direct replacement for many positive displacement meters on hydrocarbon skids. The face to face dimensions match common flanged installations. The measuring chamber is available in aluminium, stainless steel, or cast iron depending on the liquid.
Here is the thing. Many skid builders cannot wait 12 to 16 weeks for a bran
Another point is spare parts. Positive displacement meters have rotating gears that wear over time. When you buy from a large brand, spare parts cost can reach 40 percent of a new meter. We keep gear sets and seals in stock for our oval gear and gear flow meters. This matters on fuel loading skids that run 10 hours per day.
Installation and Maintenance Notes
Install a strainer upstream of the meter. Hydrocarbons from storage tanks carry rust and scale. A 60 mesh strainer is a good starting point for diesel. For heavy fuel oil, use a 40 mesh strainer. Do not use a fine mesh on viscous oil because the pressure drop will hurt performance.
Calibrate the meter with the actual liquid or a liquid with similar viscosity. Water calibration is not enough for diesel or jet fuel. The slip or leakage between the rotating elements and the chamber depends on viscosity. A meter calibrated on water may under register when used on low viscosity solvent. This is a common issue we see on customer sites.
Most engineers skip this part but air in the line causes measuring errors. Install an air eliminator or a back pressure valve if the skid delivers to open tanks. A back pressure of 0.5 to 1 bar keeps the chamber full. This improves repeatability.
How to Specify a PD Flow Meter for Your Skid
Send us five data points and we will return a model number and price within one working day. The data points are:
Liquid type and viscosity
Flow range in cubic metres per hour
Pipe size in DN
Pressure and temperature
Required output signal and hazardous area certification
For example, a customer in Nigeria asked for a DN50 positive displacement flow meter for a jet fuel loading skid. Flow range was 5 to 50 cubic metres per hour. Pressure was 10 bar. Temperature was ambient up to 45 degrees Celsius. They needed ATEX Zone 1 certification and a pulse output. We recommended an oval gear flow meter with stainless steel internals and a two wire pulse transmitter. The total cost was below their budget.
Contact Silver Automation Instruments for a quote. Tel +86-25-68650347. Whatsapp +86-25-52155837. WeChat ID +86 15365082610.
FAQ on Satam Positive Displacement Flow Meters for Hydrocarbon Skids
What is the typical accuracy of a Satam positive displacement flow meter?
Most positive displacement meters on hydrocarbon skids achieve plus or minus 0.5 percent of rate or better. Oval gear meters can reach plus or minus 0.2 percent after calibration. Accuracy depends on viscosity, flow profile, and installation conditions.
Can I replace a Satam meter with a Silver Instruments oval gear flow meter without changing the piping?
In many cases yes. We ask for the flange standard, face to face dimension, and pipe size. Our technical team checks the drawing before quoting. We have replaced Satam meters on fuel loading skids in Malaysia and the UAE without piping modification.
What signal output does a hydrocarbon skid PLC require?
Most skid PLCs accept pulse, 4-20 mA, or Modbus RTU. Pulse is standard for batching. HART is useful for diagnostics. We can supply one meter with pulse and HART together.
Do you supply meters for Jet A1 fuel?
Yes. We supply positive displacement meters with stainless steel measuring chambers and viton or PTFE seals for Jet A1. The meters can meet ATEX Zone 1 when paired with certified transmitters.
What is the delivery time for a positive displacement flow meter?
Standard delivery is 2 to 4 weeks for common sizes like DN25, DN40, and DN50. Special materials or flanges may take 4 to 6 weeks. We also keep some DN25 and DN40 oval gear flow meters in stock for urgent diesel skid projects.
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