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Product category: Oil, Gas, Petrochemical Industry News
News Release from: Emerson Process Management | Subject: Biofuels
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial Team on 10 May 2005

Biofuels provide fuel tax savings

Accurate flow measurement of Biofuels means users can enjoy fuel tax savings: Biofuels are included as part of an EU objective to reduce CO2 emissions and the reliance on external energy sources

The rising price of crude oil worldwide is making life difficult for the consumer and in the UK; this has resulted in a steady rise in petrol prices Biofuels offer the motorist reduced fuel costs and they are included as part of an EU objective to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the reliance on external energy sources

As part of this initiative, the UK Department for Transport is researching ways to introduce these environmentally friendly biofuels.

The proposed target for the minimum amount of biofuel to be sold for transport is on a sliding scale and is currently set at 5% by the year 2009 (represented as a percentage of petrol and diesel fuel sold).

Whilst biofuels may provide a possible lower cost alternative for the hard pressed motorist, the processing of biological components is laborious and the precise, calibrated measurement of the tax advantageous fuel requires the use of new technologies.

Rape oil is one of the most important source materials for biofuels.

However, pure rape oil is too glutinous for use in diesel motors, and this is offset by mixing it with other alcohols.

The result is the so-called rape methyl ester (RME) which is offered as a biodiesel.

Up to 5% RME may be added and this requires the refineries to convert their loading facilities, tanks and blending stations with the appropriate measurement systems.

To encourage production of these new fuels, the proportion of the added biological components has been exempted from the tax on oil by some governments.

Only the 5% proportion of RME is exempt and therefore measurement systems must be installed and inspected by relevant calibration authorities.

Emerson Process Management offers complete solutions for the measurement systems used in loading terminals and blending stations, and the company has already installed several systems in refineries in Eastern Europe.

At the centre of the loading facilities are Micro Motion Coriolis mass flowmeters.

These work with a low level of pressure loss and within a wide measurement range.

The measurement devices can withstand the arduous conditions found in the industry, are unaffected by changes in pressure or temperature, and can resist vibration and dust.

Their measurement accuracy is 0.1%, significantly better than the 0.5% required by the authorities.

In many loading facilities at port terminals, the flow rate is measured with volumetric flow meters.

However, because biofuels are not lubricants, many operators are demanding more robust measurement devices to provide a longer operational life.

The standard measure in the industry is mass flow with the 'flow volume' being of little interest.

Many flow rate counters determine the flow volume and then convert the measurement value - first the density is obtained using the temperature and pressure - into the transported mass.

However, this introduces the problem of errors since with each additional measurement value and calculation, there are rounding and measurement errors.

With Micro Motion flow rate measurement systems, the user has complete flexibility.

They consist of a Coriolis sensor and microprocessor-based electronics that measure the mass flow rate of liquids, gases and sludges simply and easily.

The user also has mass and volume flow rate, density and temperature measurements available in real time, without additional sensors and calculations.

The combination of sensors and modular electronics gives complete versatility and this technology is the first choice across many industries.

The sensors provide very precise measurements and are unaffected by the viscosity of the medium, low flow rates or a loss of pressure.

Micro Motion MVD technology provides high measurement stability through digital signal processing.

The electronics support Modbus, Foundation fieldbus and Profibus communication protocols and the modular structure offers a high level of flexibility and compatibility.

Micro Motion measurement systems feature very low lifecycle costs, are easy to install, have no moving parts and require no inflow or outflow zones.

To speed installation and commissioning, Emerson Process Management supplies a complete, skid mounted system.

This provides a structured assembly process and allows the unit to be tested and calibrated prior to installation.

This means the companies on site are left with a simple assembly job.

The skid contains everything required including filtration system, control valves, temperature and pressure measuring device and the mass flow meter.

All of the mechanical and electrical assembly is completed through to the connection points.

Final installation is quick and easy enabling the measuring system to be quickly put into operation. Request a free brochure from Emerson Process Management ...

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