HelplineNews for the Flow Measurement website
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Date: 2 July 2009
The Government has created a new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whose key role will be to build Britain's capabilities to compete in the global economy. The Department will be created by merging BERR and DIUS. The National Measurement Office will therefore be an Executive Agency of the new Department. http://www.nmo.dius.gov.uk/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=140
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technical forum
Date: 2 July 2009
TUV NEL has launched a new Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technical forum to address the many issues and challenges associated with CCS. http://ccs.tuvnel.com/
Joint ISO/OIML Working Group
Date: 2 July 2009
NMO's participation in the joint ISO/OIML Working Group on 12-15 May 2009, in Canada, Ottawa http://www.nmo.dius.gov.uk/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=138
Carbon capture technology
Date: 2 July 2009
New carbon capture technology is being tested for the first time in the UK on a working coal-fired power station. Carbon dioxide will be removed using chemicals and turned into a liquid, ready for storage underground. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8072583.stm
The Engineer Technology + Innovation 2009 Awards
Date: 2 July 2009
The Engineer Technology + Innovation 2009 Awards is now open for entries. All technology and engineering universities and their industry partners are welcome to enter now at http://www.theengineerawards.co.uk/
Fluid mixture calculations made easy for process industries
Date: 2 July 2009
The modelling of chemical plant demands a proper understanding of thermo-physical properties and of the phase behaviour of fluid mixtures. No matter how well it models the physical processes, any simulation package will only be as good as the fluid properties data on which it is based.
Offshore Techology Conference 2009
Date: 2 July 2009
2009 heralded the 40th anniversary of the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas. More than 66000 delegates from over across the globe attended the conference in May with delegates seizing the opportunity to attend technical sessions and share experiences.
The Engineering & Flow Programme formulation
Date: 9 February 2009
The Engineering & Flow Programme welcomes industry input to help with the formulation of the 2009 Programme. Register your contribution on the website or contact TUV NEL. http://www.flowprogramme.co.uk/formulation/default.asp
Maximising Recovery of UK’s Oil & Gas Resources
Date: 9 February 2009
The Technology Strategy Board has just (January 2009) launched a new research & development competition for funding entitled “Maximising Recovery of UK’s Oil & Gas Resources”. http://www.apgtf-uk.com/
The Energy Institute Awards
Date: 9 February 2009
Information on the winners of The Energy Institute Awards, with categories including
innovation, communication, environment and technology, is available on the website. http://www.energyinst.org.uk/eiawards
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Date: 9 February 2009
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Innovation Awards for 2008 have been announced. See website for more information. http://www.npl.co.uk/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.2937
The 9th Advanced Power Technology Forum Workshop
Date: 9 February 2009
The 9th Advanced Power Technology Forum Workshop on “Carbon abatement technologies for fossil fuels: Development and implementation of future UK strategy” will take place on 11-12 February, London. http://www.apgtf-uk.com
International key comparison
Date: 9 February 2009
Final report by TUV NEL on international key comparison of liquid hydrocarbon flow facilities is available from Metrologia. http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/0026-1394/45/1A/07019
OTC
Date: 9 February 2009
OTC (Offshore Technology Conference), the premier world offshore industry event,
takes place from 4-7 May in Houston, Texas. http://www.otcnet.org/2009/
UK Manufacturing benefits from European R&D funds
Date: 20 October 2008
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the European Economy, contributing over €6,500 billion in GDP and providing 20% of all employment. In addition manufacturing enables Europe to play a vital role in the global economy with over 42% of world-wide manufacturing exports and 18% of global trade volume
World Bank seeking feedback on draft guidelines
Date: 9 July 2008
The World Bank, who manage the Global Gas Flaring Reduction (GGFR) Partnership are seeking feedback on their new draft Guidelines covering flare and vent measurement. Feedback can be provided via the TUV NEL Emissions Club. Contact Lynn Hunter
Measurement Metrology Opportunities in the Hydrogen Economy
Date: 22 April 2008
A number of key stakeholders met at the recent Measurement Metrology Opportunities in the Hydrogen Economy event. The group, which included representatives from gas suppliers, fuel cell companies, combustion specialists and consultants, identified a range of issues which were grouped in structured mind maps.
The Engineering and Physical Science Research
Date: 18 April 2008
The Engineering and Physical Science Research
Council (EPSRC) has posted its three-year Delivery
Plan. The specific research themes to be
supported are Energy, The Digital Economy,
Nanoscience and Next Generation Healthcare.
Further details can be found on the EPSRC website http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/Publications/Corporate/DeliveryPlan2008-11
Innovation Nation
Date: 18 April 2008
The White Paper, Innovation Nation, published
on 13 March 2008, sets out the Government’s
aim to make the UK the best place in the world
to run an innovative business or public service.
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills – Talking Innovation
Date: 13 February 2008
There is an opportunity to contribute to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills Science and Innovation Strategy (currently in development).
The Department is aiming for the Strategy to reflect the views and challenges of a wide variety of communities.
Flow Programme Helpline
Date: 6 December 2007
The Flow Programme Helpline – Ask an Expert has a new telephone number. The new contact number for your flow measurement question is: 44 1355 593870
http://www.flowprogramme.co.uk/technology/askexpert.asp.
DIUS
Date: 3 October 2007
The National Measurement System (NMS) is now part of the newly formed Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). Much of the remainder of DTI have now merged into the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR).
Implementation of ISO 5167
Date: 3 April 2007
The DTI Oil & Gas Regulator expects all UK Gas terminals to have implemented ISO 5167:2003 by 1 October 2007. More information is available at http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/upstream/measurement/policy_state.htm
Time Team uncover flow measurement history
Date: 1 April 2007
Channel 4’s Time Team archaeologists excavating at Tintagel, reputed site of King Arthur’s Camelot, have unearthed a painted panel thought to show an early meeting of the ISO 5167 orifice plate committee.
The present Committee Chairman, Dr Reader-Harris of NEL said, “This is an exciting discovery. If authenticated, it will establish that the humble orifice plate is truly of noble birth.”
The panel shows the Committee discussing the use of a small β orifice plate to meter the Camelot water supply.
Office of Science and Innovation
Date: 11 May 2006
A new Office of Science and Innovation has been created within the DTI which incorporates the NMSD, the Research Councils and the Technology Programme.
www.dti.gov.uk/science/
Standardising the standards
Date: 17 March 2006
The value of international standards documents on flowmeters depends on them being kept up to date and reflecting changes in practice and developments in technology. With a number of international bodies producing standards relating to various aspects of the performance of meters, it is also important that the documents complement rather than conflict.
With these objectives in mind, 2005 saw a major push by CEN, ISO and OIML to bring their respective documents up to date: EN 14154 was published in February and ISO 4064 in October. Meanwhile OIML, having published R49 in 2004, has embarked on a further revision to include hot-water meters and combination meters: other changes will ensure compatibility with the ISO and CEN documents and with the EU's Measuring Instruments Directive. All technical issues have now been resolved and R49 will go to final ballot later this year.
Reflecting the need to recognise technical developments, the ISO committee responsible for water meters is in the process of setting up Working Groups on remote reading of meters, communications and data transfer, input/output protocols, and electronic interfaces for water meters.
It is envisaged that a further round of revisions will be required to ensure complete harmonisation of the various standards, to correct any remaining errors and, where necessary, to improve clarity. Industrial input is crucial to ensuring relevance, and so promoting uptake of new standards: if you are interested in becoming involved in committee activity or wish to comment on documents or simply have questions about the development process, please contact Dr Michael Reader-Harris at NEL.
New Three Year FlowProgramme - Now Started
Date: 16 December 2005
The 2005-2008 Flow Programme has now been approved by DTI. It has been formulated with the aim of increasing collaboration with industrial companies, universities, other research organizations and government bodies.
If you would like to become involved in the Programme please contact Jane Sattary and indicate which research areas are of interest to you.
The overall strategy for the Programme and details of the individual projects are contained in the reports page.
Two major research projects will address measurement technologies for LNG, LPG, CNG, hydrogen, challenging fluids and high viscosity fluids (such as heavy oil). Other projects impacting the environment on emissions and monitoring of discharge flows from waste water treatment works are planned to follow-on from work completed in 02-05 Programme.
The Programme aims to extend its reach and impact a greater number of market sectors and technical areas as well as addressing new technologies to measure ultra-low flows (microfluidics) and new micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors.
NEL will run the Programme on behalf of DTI advised by an independent working group of UK experts in the field of flow measurement, drawn from appropriate industrial, academic, and government bodies.
The Impact of Documentary Standards
Date: 1 September 2005
Standards contribute £2.5bn to the UK economy according to a new study published by the Department of Trade and Industry and the British Standard Institution.
Oil & Gas Measurement Guidelines
Date: 1 September 2005
DTI’s Oil and Gas Directorate has, as part of its remit, a responsibility for overseeing the metering of oil and gas flows from the UK continental shelf. To assist those designing and operating metering systems for this application the Oil and Gas Directorate publishes a Guidelines document setting out the minimum standards required. This is a live document and is continually updated to reflect changing technologies and requirements. Issue 7 was released in December 2003 and can now be accessed from the http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/upstream/measurement/MeasGuidelines_V7.pdf
For more information contact Douglas.Griffin@dti.gsi.gov.uk