CryoMet showcased last Monday, May 18, the anticipated calibration campaign of the (bio-)LNG flow meters at the 20th International Flow Measurement Conference at Nara, Japan. Menne Schakel, Chief Scientist Flow at VSL National Metrology Institute and project coordinator, explained how CryoMet will develop reference data sets and technical evidence to support the acceptance of measurement methods for liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied biomethane or bio-LNG, and liquefied hydrogen (LH2).
The paper presented, called “Flow metrology for reliable liquefied energy gases measurement”, showcases the calibration campaign of the (bio-)LNG flow meters under variable in-field conditions, such as those occurring at (bio-)LNG dispensing stations. CryoMet also aims to improve accuracy for LH2 measurement systems.
For LNG flow meters, the objective is to demonstrate an accuracy class of 0.5 as applicable to fuel dispensers, (un)loading ships, rail and road tankers, fueling aircraft, and bunkering systems. This is achieved through a systematic investigation of field-influencing variables conducted on representative sets of LNG flow meters, which was recently completed. The results of the calibration campaign will be released later in 2026.
Focusing on the LH2 measurement tests, Menne Schakel presented the project plans for intercomparing LH2 measurement standards and how flow measurement uncertainty changes at different LH2 temperatures. Through this work, CryoMet seeks to improve measurement accuracy across the full range of liquefied gas temperatures and pressures, from ambient conditions and liquid ammonia/CO2 to (bio-)LNG and LH2.
Based on these findings, CryoMet aims to bring the accuracy of LNG and liquefied biomethane to a level comparable to conventional fuels, which is not currently the case, leading to increased financial risk. In addition, CryoMet focuses on fostering the use of LH2 by developing SI-traceable calibration procedures for LH2 flow, composition, and temperature measurement systems.
Alongside Menne Schakel, the paper has been co-written by Ara Abdulrahman, Scientist for Flow Measurement at VSL; Rémy Maury, General Director of Cesame-Exadébit; Hamidou Soumaré, Fluid Mechanics Engineer at Cesame-Exadébit; Jan Sluše, Researcher at the Czech Metrology Institute; Aleksandr Druzhkov, Metrology & Approval Lead at Emerson, Maarten Brugman, Flow Custody Transfer Approvals Manager at Emerson; Osmel Reyes Vaillant, Product Manager Calibration at Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG; Tamara Sarac, Project Officer at the European Gas Research Group – GERG; Jože Kutin, Associated Professor & Head of Laboratory at the University of Ljubljana, and Gregor Bobovnik, Assistant Professor at the University of Ljubljana.
