As we enter the second decade of use of Low Power Flow Computers (LPFCs), we do so with significantly different hardware, software, economics and motivating forces. These differences are worthy of close examination, as they ultimately will affect all of us in this industry. In order to focus on the majority of applications for LPFCs, we will limit this discussion to those operating on battery only or batteries with recharging systems. We will particularly focus on the stand-alone flow computing RTUs and their measurement and control functions. Remote communication, data gathering, data concentration, editing, automatic billing and remote gas system control are of such importance in this era of low gas prices as to be a virtual requirement for staying efficient enough to be competitive. These considerations significantly effect the selection criteria of LPFC hardware, software, telemetry and gas control schemes
January 12, 2001
- AUTHOR: Rick Heuer, Charles Derr
- January 12, 2001