Installation & Part s Manual
MS-Series Spherical Two-Case Meters
Installation: M100-20 www.lcmeter.com
Table of Contents
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WARNING WARNING
WARNING WARNING
WARNING
• Before using this product, read and understand the instructions.
• Save these instructions for future reference.
• All work must be performed by qualified personnel trained in the proper application, installation, and
maintenance of equipment and/or systems in accordance with all applicable codes and ordinances.
• Failure to follow the instructions set forth in this publication could result in property damage, personal injury,
or death from fire and/or explosion, or other hazards that may be associated with this type of equipment.
Description Page Number
Safety Precautions ..............................................3
How LC Meters Work ..........................................4
Owner’s Information Packet ................................5
Installation Requirements................................... 6
System Design Considerations .......................... 7-10
Operation Requirements .................................... 11
Meter Start Up and Operation ............................ 12-14
Reversing the Meter Registration .......... 13
Setting the Standard Adjuster................ 14
Meter Maintenance ............................................ 15-16
Servicing the Drive Components........................ 17-20
Removing the Dust Cover ..................... 17
Removing the Adjuster
& Adjuster Driver Assembly ................... 17-19
Servicing the Packing Gland ................. 19
Packing Gland Components.................. 20
The Retaining Plate............................... 20
Disassembling the Meter.................................... 21-26
Draining Fluid from the Meter................ 21
Opening the Weldment Assembly ......... 21-22
Removing Rotor Gears.......................... 22-24
Removing the Bearing Plate & Rotors... 24-25
Removing Meter Housing Assembly...... 25
Universal Joint Assembly ...................... 26
Reassembling the Meter .................................... 27-30
Installing the Meter ................................ 27
Assembling the Meter............................ 27-28
Rotor Gear Timing................................. 29
Reassembling Weldment Assembly ...... 30
Bolt Tightening Sequence .................................. 31
Wrench and Socket Size Chart .......................... 31
Fastener and Torque Chart ................................ 32
Identification of Bolt Grades ............................... 33
Troubleshooting.................................................. 33-34
How to Order Replacement Parts ...................... 35
Parts Breakdown ................................................ 36-39
Publication Updates and Translations
The most current English versions of all Liquid Controls publications are available on our website, www.lcmeter.com.
It is the responsibility of the Local Distributor to provide the most current version of LC Manuals, Instructions, and
S pecification Sheets in the required language of the country, or the language of the end user to which the products are
shipping . If there are questions about the language of any LC Manuals, Instructions, or Specification Sheets, please
contact your Local Distributor.
Please have the following information available when making inquiries, ordering replacement parts, or
scheduling service. If a specific meter accessory is involved, please provide the model and serial number
of the meter in question (see page 5).
Meter Serial Number ________________________________________
Full Service Distributor ________________________________________
Full Service Distributor Phone Number ________________________________________
2
Safety Precautions
All internal pressures must be relieved before disassembly of the meter , strainer, vapor eliminator ,
any valves in the system, the pulse output device, or the front and rear covers. LINE PRESSURE
MUST BE 0.0 PSI. See “Meter Maintenance” on Page 15 for the procedures to relieve internal
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WARNING WARNING
WARNING WARNING
WARNING
NOTICE:
This manual provides warnings and procedures that are
intended to inform the owner/operator of the hazards
present when using the Liquid Controls Meter on LPG
and other products. The reading of these warnings and
the avoidance of such hazards is strictly in the hands of
the owner/operator of the equipment. Neglect of that
responsibility is not within the control of the manufacturer
of the meter.
SAFETY PROCEDURES:
Remember to relieve internal pressure before
disassembly or inspection of the strainer, vapor eliminator ,
valves, POD pulser, and the front or rear covers. See
“Meter Maintenance” on Page 15 for the steps to relieve
internal pressure in your system.
BE PREPARED:
• Make sure that all necessary safety precautions have
been taken. Provide for proper ventilation,
temperature control, fire prevention, evacuation, and
fire management.
• Provide easy access to the appropriate fire
extinguishers for your product. Consult with your local
fire department, state, and local codes to make sure
that you are adequately prepared.
• Read this manual as well as all the literature provided
in your “Owner’s Information Packet”. If you have
any questions, consult your full-service distributor or
call the Service Department at Liquid Controls.
IN THE EVENT OF A GAS LEAK:
In the event of a large gas leak:
Evacuate the area and notify the fire department.
In the event of a small, contained gas leak:
1. Stop the leak.
2. Prevent accidental ignition.
3. Prevent entrance of gas into other portions of the
building. Some gases, such as LPG, seek lower
levels, while other gases seek higher levels.
4. Evacuate all people from the danger zone.
5. See that the gas is dispersed before resuming
business and operating motors. If in doubt, notify your
local fire department.
IN THE EVENT OF A GAS FIRE:
In the event of large fires or fires that are spreading:
1. Evacuate the building and notify your local fire
department.
2. S top the leakage only if the equipment can safely be
reached.
In the event of small, contained fires that you can safely
control:
1. S top the leakage only if the equipment can safely be
reached.
2. Use the appropriate extinguisher: Class B fire
extinguisher, water, fog, etc., depending on the
materials. If in doubt, call your local fire department.
3
How LC Meters Work
Liquid Controls MS-Series meters are positive
displacement flowmeters. They are designed for liquid
measurement in both custody transfer and process
control applications. Because of their simple design, they
are easy to maintain, and can easily be adapted to a
variety of systems.
The meter element (1) is designed with three cylindrical
bores (2). A Blocking rotor (3) and two Displacement
rotors (4,5) turn in a synchronized relationship within the
bores. The three rotors are supported by bearing plates
(6,7). The ends of the rotors protrude through the bearing
plates. Blocking rotor gear (8) is placed on the end of
the blocking rotor (3). Displacement rotor gears (9,10)
are placed on the ends of the displacement rotors (4,5).
These gears create the synchronized timed relationship
between the three rotors.
Capillary seals mean no metal-to-metal contact within
the metering element. This means no wear. No wear
means no increase in slippage, and no increase in
slippage means no deterioration in accuracy.
As fluid moves through the meter element, the rotor
assembly turns. The liquid is segmented into uniform
sections by the turning rotors. Fluid displacement
happens simultaneously . As fluid enters, another portion
of the fluid is being partitioned and measured. At the
same time, the fluid ahead of it is being displaced out of
the meter and into the discharge line. Since the volume
of the bores is known, and the same amount of fluid
passes through the meter during each revolution of the
blocking rotor, the exact volume of liquid that has p assed
through the meter can be determined.
This true rotary motion is transmitted through either the
pulse output device (POD) to the encoder, or the face
gear and drive shaft to the counter/register. True rotary
motion output means consistent accuracy since the
register indication is in precise agreement with the actual
volume throughput at any given instant.
At any position in the cycle, the meter body, the blocking
rotor, and at least one of the displacement rotors form a
continuous capillary seal between the un-metered
upstream product and the metered downstream product.
Throughout the metering element, the mating surfaces
are either flat surfaces or cylindrical faces and sections
that are accurately machined. These relatively simple
machining operations, plus the fact that there is no
oscillating or reciprocating motion within the device,
permit extremely close and consistent tolerances within
the LC meter.
The product flowing through the meter exerts a dynamic
force that is at right angles to the faces of the
displacement rotors. The meter is designed so that the
rotor shafts are always in a horizontal plane. These two
facts result in no axial thrust. Therefore, with no need
for thrust washers or thrust bearings, the rotors
automatically seek the center of the stream between the
two bearing plates eliminating wear between the ends of
the rotors and the bearing plates.
Liquid Controls meters are made of a variety of materials
to suit a variety of products. Because of our no-wear
design, capillary seals, and unique rotary metering, LC
meters provide unequalled accuracy, long operating life,
and unusual dependability.
4
Owner ’s Information Packet
Is all the documentation included with the meter? LC
meters come in many variations. The information sent
depends on the accessories ordered with the meter.
Make an inventory of the “Owner’s Information Packet”.
First, find the LC packing slip with the computer printout.
Locate the serial number and the meter model number
on this printout. Cross-reference the packing slip with
the actual meter serial numbers.
Included in the “Owner’s Information Packet” are the
following:
• Installation, Operation & Parts Manuals (for all
elements supplied such as LectroCount Register,
Valves, Air Eliminators, etc.)
• Bill of Materials
Record the meter serial number in the space provided
on Page 2 of this manual. This page also provides a
space for the full-service distributor’s name and telephone
number, if applicable. Fill in this information and keep it
handy. The meter serial number and model number will
be required when calling for service or parts. See “How
to Order Replacement Parts” on Page 35 in this manual.
Serial Plates
5
Installation Requirements
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! WARNING
All internal pressures must be relieved before disassembly of the meter, strainer , vapor eliminator ,
any valves in the system, the pulse output device, or the front and rear covers. LINE PRESSURE
MUST BE 0.0 PSI. See “Meter Maintenance” on Page 15 for the procedures to relieve internal
pressure.
• Make sure that all necessary safety precautions have
been taken. Provide for proper ventilation,
temperature control, fire prevention, evacuation, and
fire management.
• Provide easy access to the appropriate fire
extinguishers for the product. Consult with the local
fire department and state and local codes to make
sure that you are adequately prepared.
• Read this manual as well as the literature provided
in the “Owner’s Information Packet”. If there are any
questions, consult with the full-service distributor or
call the Service Department at Liquid Controls.
• Install the meter and accessories in conformance with
all applicable federal, state, local, construction,
electrical, and safety codes.
• Class 10 meters for LPG must be installed in
accordance with the requirements of ANSI-NFPA 58
in addition to all other state and local codes.
• Before shipment, protective thread caps were placed
in all meter and accessory openings. They should
remain in place until ready to attach piping.
• Prior to meter installation, the entire piping system
should be thoroughly flushed of all debris, with a liquid
that is compatible with the construction of the meter.
• Keep all external surfaces of the meter clean.
• The meter must always be securely bolted to a
platform or supporting member, regardless of the
mounting position of the meter. Never “hang” a
meter on the connecting pipe.
• Prevent pipe strain or stress from occurring when
making meter or accessory repairs. Pipe strain and
stress occur when the pipes are not supported or
are not aligned correctly to the meter. The weight of
the pipes must always be supported independent
of the meter. This means that the meter and
accessories can easily be removed without affecting
the pipes or the pipe alignment. Never leave any of
the pipes hanging.
• Apply pipe compound to male threads only.
• Install the meter down stream of the pump.
• Position the meter with service in mind. Provide
ample work space. Removing covers can be difficult
when work space is not available. Always supply a
platform or support for the meter mounting.
• A meter is metallurgically designed to be physically
compatible with a given type of liquid, as originally
specified by the customer, and as indicated on the
Serial Number Plate. A meter should not be used
with a liquid different from the liquid originally
specified, unless the physical characteristics and pH
rating are similar and the application has been
checked with Liquid Controls Sales or Engineering.
NOTE: Always request up-to-date, engineering approved, dimensional drawings before starting any construc-
tion. Do not rely on catalog pictures or drawings which are for reference only. After receiving prints,
check to see that all equipment ordered is shown and that any extra pressure taps, plugs, etc. are
noted and their size specified.
6
System Design Considerations
Flowmeters must be installed properly if accuracy and
repeatability of measurements are to be sustained over
long periods of time. The system in which the meters
are to be used must have provisions for controlling flow,
transitional, and no flow conditions. Pressure, both
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic, must be an integral part
of the variables controlled in the flowing system. Systems
in which meters are to be installed must be designed to
eliminate transient pressure conditions, eliminate
thermally induced pressure increases, and to exclude
air or vapor.
The complete system must be kept full of product at all
times. The photograph below is a typical fuel delivery
gantry designed for loading rail tank wagons. This
particular gantry has provisions for loading 152 rail tank
wagons at one time. Four different fuels are supplied to
the gantry through 16 inch pipe lines which are
approximately ½ mile long. The pumps are centrifugal
type and are located between 100 and 300 yards from
the storage tanks.
The next photograph shows a typical gantry position.
From left to right, there is a supply line attached to an
isolation valve, a second isolation valve and piping
leading vertically to the loading arm. The meter is
equipped with a dual channel, quadrature pulse
Strainer/Air
Eliminator
Supply Side
Isolation Valve
transmitter connected directly to a batch controller. The
batch controller provides preset batch capability, flow rate
control, and slow flow start and stop. There is one batch
controller for each metering position.
MS Series Meter
Outlet Side
Isolation Valve
Pulse Output
Device (POD)
7
System Design Considerations
Design For Calibration
Field calibration of meters is essential. Calibration
conducted during meter production is to confirm the meter
is capable of attaining the required accuracy/linearity and
repeatability.
Typically, the meter characteristics are:
Mechanical Registration
• Repeatability: Capable of .02% or better at any flow
rate over entire range
• Linearity: ± .125% over a 5:1 range
• Linearity: ± .22% over a 10:1 range
• Linearity: ± .5% over a 40:1 range
Electronic Registration
• Repeatability: Capable of .02% or better at any flow
rate over entire range
• Linearity: ± .1% over a 5:1 range
• Linearity: ± .1% over a 10:1 range
• Linearity: ± .15% over a 40:1 range
The meters are normally tested against a master meter
that has been proven against a Weights & Measures
certified, volumetric prover.
The pictures below show a properly configured meter
installation and mobile master prover. The prover
connections are at the right. The two valves to the left of
the meter are for connecting the volumetric prover or
Volumetric Prover
master meter to be used for calibration. The valve
mounted in the vertical line between the two horizontally
mounted valves is a double-block, bleed valve used to
ensure there is no leakage through the valve during
calibration.
Proper Meter Installation
Mobile Master Proving Trolley
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System Design Considerations
Design for Standard Mounting Arrangements
(straight through flow)
Regardless of meter mounting configuration,
accessories such as the air/vapor eliminator must
always be mounted in a vertical orientation to permit
proper operation of the float-actuated apparatus.
Design for Special Mounting Arrangements
Special flange arrangements are available as shown.
Contact the factory for details or additional information.
Design for Hot Oil/Steam Jacket Options
Heating a meter can be accomplished by hot oil/steam
jacketing the meter’s rear cover and/or packing gland
boss. A heat jacketed meter does not preclude the
necessity for insulating the meter and surrounding piping.
Design for Ensuring the System Remains Full of Product
The first consideration is merely filling the piping for the
first time. The filling of the system must take place slowly
in order to avoid pressure “spikes” or transients caused
by rapid acceleration or deceleration of the liquid. Under
gravity flow conditions, pressure transients in orders of
magnitude larger than the available head pressure are
possible.
At this time, air must be removed from the system. Make
sure that a positive head condition is always present in
the system (which should be designed into the system).
Air or vapor in the system contributes to error in
measurements while metering. Once air is removed from
the system, ensure that the system design does not allow
for air to re-enter the system once it is full of product.
9
System Design Considerations
Design for Thermal Shock or
Expansion
T emperature considerations in system design should not
be ignored. Care must be taken in the design so that
zones are not created where fluid can be trapped or
locked between two closed valves. For every 1°F
increase in temperature, pressure in the trapped zone
will increase by an amount depending on the product in
the system (70 psi for LPG). A few degrees increase in
ambient temperature may create a serious problem if
thermal expansion pressure relief is not included in
regions where the product may be trapped. Typically,
the pressure setting in a thermal relief valve is set
approximately 10% higher than the nominal operating
pressure.
Design for Proper Flow Control
The example on Page 7 shows 152 meters monitoring
the delivery of 4 different products. Thirty eight meters
are used for delivery of HSD. Assume that one (1) pump
is selected to supply product to the meters. Each meter
measures 375 gallons per minute (GPM). The total flow
capacity of the pump must be:
38 X 375 GPM or 14,250 GPM.
Commissioning
Once the metering system is installed, it is ready for
commissioning. Filling the system the first time requires
care and time. Ensure that the isolation valve on the
inlet side of the meter is closed. Pressure the header by
starting the pump. At the meter position to be
commissioned, “crack” or slightly open the inlet isolation
valve until flow into the meter can be heard. Allow the
inlet side to remain in this slightly opened position until
flow stops.
At this time, “crack” or loosen the pipe plug on top of the
meter case to allow air to bleed out. Once the air is
eliminated and product is present, fully tighten the plug.
Open the inlet side isolation valve completely. The
system must be kept full of fluid to avoid damage to the
meter. If air is allowed inside the metering element,
significant damage can occur as this air expands or
compresses due to system flow and pressure conditions.
In extreme cases, the presence of air can cause
catastrophic failure of the measuring element as a result
of liquid velocities and transient pressure spikes that can
bend or break critical measuring elements. The rate at
which the system is filled and pressurized must be
controlled to eliminate the possibility of creating any
pressure transients from excessive liquid velocity . Once
the meter and system are filled, pressurized, and free of
air, flow may begin.
Once the system is in operation, product flows through
the first meter when the control valve is opened. If the
flow rate is not regulated, 14,250 GPM attempts to flow
through the meter. The resulting overspeed will
immediately damage the meter. It is critically important
that a each meter location be equipped with a digital or
hydraulic flow rate controller. These valves must be
downstream of the meter to ensure that the meter remains
full of product at all times.
Control must also be used when beginning or stopping
flow. Proper control will minimize or eliminate transient
pressure conditions brought on by rapid velocity changes
in the system.
Care must be taken during the initial flow condition to
prevent damage to the meter or strainer due to foreign
debris in the piping system. Foreign particles not removed
during flushing and hydrotesting will collect in the strainer
basket. Monitor the strainer differential pressure for the
first month of operation. Clean the strainer basket if
needed. Examine the strainer basket carefully and
replace if damaged.
Assure that the thermal relief valves are installed and
functioning properly.
10
Operation Requirements
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! WARNING
Under normal operation, do not expose any portion of the LP-Gas system to pressures in excess
of rated working pressures without an automatic safety valve to vent the over pressure discharge
to a place of safety away from the operator and other people. Failure to provide such a safety
relief may result in leakage or rupture of one or more of the components in the system. This can
result in injury or death from the gas, a fire, or pieces of flying debris from the rupture.
When a Back Check V alve is used, an automatic safety valve must be installed to prevent pressure
buildup (thermal expansion) in excess of rated working pressure in the meter housing. One
automatic safety valve should be installed in each meter. Remove the pipe plug from the front
cover or rear cover and insert the appropriate automatic safety valve.
The meter must remain full of product at all times.
An easy way to accomplish this is to put the meter
assembly in the line below the piping center-line (a sump
position). This requires adding elbows and flanges prior
to installing the meter. The meter should be inst alled with
a bypass loop, below the pipe center-line, with block
valves upstream and downstream. A block valve should
be located in the mainstream, labeled as the bypass
valve. A word of caution: any portion of pipe system
that might isolate or block flow should be provided with a
pressure relief to prevent damage from thermal
expansion. There are excellent benefits to this type of
installation. First, the meter is kept full. Second, this type
of installation allows the meter to be isolated for servicing
and calibration while continuing flow through the bypass
valve.
Upstream lines must be maintained full to prevent air
from entering the meter. If the upstream or inlet lines are
constructed in a manner which allows reverse flow, foot
valves or back checks must be installed.
NOTE: Use soft seats, not cast iron swing checks.
Every meter should be calibrated under actual service
and installation conditions per the API Manual of
Petroleum Measurement Standards:
Chapter 4: Proving Systems
Chapter 5: Metering
Chapter 6: Metering Assemblies
Chapter 11 Section 2.3: Water Calibration of Volumetric
Provers
Chapter 12 Section 2: Calculation of Petroleum
Quantities
These chapters of the API Manual of Petroleum
Measurement Standards supersede the API Standard
1101.
Provide a means of conveniently diverting liquid for
calibration purposes.
Give careful attention to your system’s pumping
equipment and piping because of their influence on
liquid being measured as it enters the meter assembly.
Systems should be made free of conditions that cause
or introduce entrained air or vapor.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations fully
when installing pumps. Give particular attention to
factors like: use of foot valves, pipe size to the inlet and
conformance to net positive suction head (NPSH)
conditions when suction pumping is required. Following
the manufacturer’s recommendations will minimize air
and vapor elimination problems.
For all products, it is desirable to use flooded suctions
and piping sized larger than the normal pump size.
Hydraulic shock is harmful to all components of an
operating system including valves, the meter and the
pump. In particular, meters must be afforded protection
from shock because of their need to measure with high
precision. Generally the best protection is prevention,
which can be readily accomplished by adjusting valve
closing rates in such a manner that shock does not occur .
Shock pressure and system pressure are independent
of each other.
Thermal expansion like hydraulic shock is a
phenomenon that can easily damage meters and
systems in general. Care should be taken in designing
the system to include pressure relief valves in any portion
or branch of the system that might be closed off by closure
of operating valves or block valves. Note that 1°F is
equivalent to an increase amount depending on the
product in the system (70 psi for LPG).
11
Meter Start Up and Operation
Electronic Registration
Liquid Controls’ family of LectroCount® electronic registers provide near-perfect metering accuracy over a full
range of flow rates and deliver enhanced functions including: automated data collection (i.e., date, time, product,
delivery quantity and more), on-site ticket generation, meter linearization, electronic temperature volume
compensation, real-time communication capabilities (RF, GPS, CDPD), improved security and more.
Prior to meter start up, use extreme caution. Make
sure that:
1. The meter is properly secured
2. All connections are tight
3. All valves are in the closed position
Placing your meter in operation:
Check to determine that all fittings and flanges are tight
and liquid lines are closed.
Open the vapor line to the meter. Using vapor pressure
only, check each joint with a liquid soap solution to see
that no leaks go undetected. When all joints have been
checked, admit liquid SLOWLY to avoid operation on
vapor at speeds greater than the maximum indicated on
the serial number plate and to insure that cover cavities
do not contain vapor which can be compressed. Proper
slow filling can be done by throttling the system with a
valve at the meter OUTLET.
With the valve(s) open between the tank and the meter,
go to the valve located down stream of the meter. Open
the down stream valve slowly until the meter’s register/
counter starts to move. Do not run the meter any faster
than 25% of its maximum rated flow during start-up. Once
the product is flowing out the end of your system, the
outlet valve can be opened all the way provided that the
system is designed not to exceed the flow rate marked
on the meter.
NOTE: If the valves are not manual, consult the valve
manufacturer for slow flow start-up.
Filling the system with a pump:
Consult the pump manufacturer for proper pump priming.
Once the pump is primed with product, proceed.
NOTE: Make sure that your pump can operate against
a dead head pressure. If NOT, consult the factory for
assistance.
Never operate the meter or system when partially
filled with liquid, or with pockets of compressed air
or vapor present. If these conditions cannot be
avoided, air and vapor elimination systems may be
required. If you cannot fill the meter slowly by gravity
or by using a valve to throttle back the flow, consult
the factory.
• Do not operate the meter at a pressure exceeding
that marked on the Serial Number Plate. Under any
and all pressure producing circumstances, for
instance, thermal expansion and hydraulic shock, the
working pressure must not exceed the indicated
maximum.
• If the meter is operated at a rate greater than the
maximum recommended GPM, excessive wear and
premature failure may occur.
The meter can be calibrated for flows below minimum
ratings if the flow remains constant and varies within
narrow limits or if the product is viscous. A meter should
never be run beyond the maximum flow rate determined
for that class meter and/or liquid measured.
12
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