GE Sensing PT878GC Data sheet

GE

Sensing

TransPort

®

PT878GC

Panametrics Portable Gas
Ultrasonic Flowmeter

TransPort PT878GC is a Panametrics
product. Panametrics has joined
other GE high-technology sensing
businesses under a new name

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GE Industrial, Sensing.

Applications

The TransPort PT878GC clamp-on gas flowmeter is a
complete ultrasonic flow metering system for
measurement of most gases, including:

• Natural gas

• Compressed air

• Fuel gases

• Erosive gases

• Corrosive gases

• Toxic gases

• High-purity gases

• Air separation gases

Features

• Clamp-on unobstructed installation

• No wetted parts

• No moving parts

• No pressure drop

• Sound speed output

• Standard volumetric flow calculation

• Small, lightweight and easy to use

• Large, backlit LCD display

• Rechargeable battery pack

• Logs over 100,000 flow data points

• Submersible package

• 32 site locations

• Optional thickness gauge

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GE’s technologically advanced clamp-on gas ultrasonic transducers

The TransPort PT878GC flowmeter is a highly versatile,
self-contained, portable transit-time system with options
and accessories to meet a variety of gas flow
measurement needs. Its compact size, lightweight,
rechargeable battery pack, and universal power supply
charger make it the ideal go-anywhere flowmeter.

Historically, clamp-on flow metering was limited to
liquids because existing methods could not work on metal
pipes containing gases. GE developed new technology
that extends all the benefits of clamp-on flow metering
to gas measurement. This remarkable ultrasonic
technology works with gases at high or low pressure in
pipes made of metal and most other materials.

The TransPort PT878GC flowmeter can be used to
measure the flow of any gas. It is especially useful for
metering erosive, corrosive, toxic, high-purity or sterile
gases, or in any application where penetrating the pipe
wall is undesirable. Since no tapping or cutting of the pipe
is required, permanent installation costs are
significantly reduced. The meter has no wetted or
moving parts, causes no pressure drop and has very
wide rangeability.

The new meter was tested extensively on metal pipes
with diameters as small as 0.75 inches (20 mm) and as
large as 24 inches (600 mm). This meter is suitable for
measuring the flow of air, hydrogen, natural gas and
many other gases.

Portable Flow Metering at Its Best

Because the transducers clamp onto the outside of the
pipe, they do not obstruct the flow inside the pipe. This
prevents the pressure drops typically caused by other
types of flowmeters. The TransPort PT878GC has no
components that will foul or collect debris, and there are
no moving parts to wear out. As a result, it requires no
lubrication and little or no routine maintenance.

No Pressure Drop, Low Maintenance

Advanced Clamp-On Ultrasonic
Transducers

One of the biggest challenges in developing clamp-on
ultrasonic transducers for gas applications is the
difficulty in transmitting a coded ultrasonic signal
through a metal pipe wall, through the gas, and then
back through the pipe wall to the second transducer that
is waiting to receive the signal. In gas systems, only

4.9 x10–7percent of the transmitted sound energy is
actually received by traditional ultrasonic transducers.
This simply isn’t enough to produce reliable
measurements.

The new line of clamp-on gas transducers produces
signals that are five to ten times more powerful than
those of traditional ultrasonic transducers. The new
transducers produce clean, coded signals with very
minimal background noise. The result is that the
TransPort PT878GC flowmeter system performs well even
with low-density gas applications.

TransPort PT878GC portable flowmeter and accessories

GE

Sensing

Optional pipe wall thickness gauge

Optional Pipe Wall Thickness-Gauge
Transducer

Pipe wall thickness is a critical parameter used by the
TransPort PT878GC flowmeter for clamp-on flow
measurements. The thickness-gauge option allows
accurate wall thickness measurement from outside the
pipe.

The TransPort PT878GC Flowmeter
Uses the Transit-Time Flow
Measurement Technique

The transit-time technique uses a pair of transducers,
with each transducer sending and receiving coded
ultrasonic signals through the fluid. When the fluid is
flowing, signal transit time in the downstream direction is
shorter than in the upstream direction; the difference
between these transit times is proportional to the flow of
velocity. The TransPort PT878GC measures this time
difference and uses programmed pipe parameters to
determine flow rate and direction.

Alphanumeric and Graphic Liquid
Crystal Display Completes the Picture

A large, multifunction LCD presents measured data in
both alphanumeric and graphic forms. In addition, it
helps make programming easy by presenting a software
menu that walks you through data entry and function
selection.

Standard alphanumeric functions include flow velocity,
volumetric or mass flow, and totalized flow in either
English (U.S.) or metric units.

Quick and Easy to Use

It’s possible to make the first flow measurement within
minutes of opening the box—the TransPort PT878GC
flowmeter is that easy to use. Input the site parameters,
clamp the transducers onto the pipe, and adjust the
spacing. No ancillary equipment is needed, and there’s
no need to break into the pipeline. An experienced user
can make scores of different measurements in a single
day. The TransPort PT878GC flowmeter is ideal for all
kinds of flow survey work.

Built to Be Economical and Stay
Economical

To be of real value, a portable flowmeter must be as
economical to own and operate as it is capable in the
field. The TransPort PT878GC flowmeter is built to stay in
service for many years. Completely solid state, the device
rarely wears out or needs servicing, resulting in little
downtime and low maintenance costs.

In graphic mode, the LCD shows both real time and
logged data. The result is a chart recording right on the
display, which is very useful for reviewing data and
observing trends while on site.

Ultrasonic

signal path

Gas flow

Transducer

Transducer

Transit-time flow measurement technique

GE

Sensing