A better way to calibrate chart recorders on natural gas pipelines

A colleague told Todd about Ralston Instruments calibration manifolds. He is interested in this option because the manifolds use compressed nitrogen gas instead of hydraulic fluid. This feature helps to remedy Todd’s concerns because compressed nitrogen eliminates the risk of residual fluid contamination and will not freeze causing damage to the chart recorder. Moreover, unlike hydraulic fluid, compressed nitrogen is very stable because of its ability to expand to fill the test volume. Todd also likes that the Ralston Instruments calibration manifolds come complete with low volume hoses and quick-connect adapters that help to make setup easy and limits the amount of gas that is used with each calibration.

The New Configuration

Todd connects a quick-connect to the pressure regulator on his nitrogen bottle, one to the high side of the chart recorders and one on his pressure reference gauge. He uses the valves and fine adjustment control piston on the calibration manifold to dial in each of the test pressure points quickly and accurately. He is especially pleased that the calibration did not waste very much nitrogen since he was using the Ralston micro-bore hoses. He decides to use this calibration manifold from now on when doing static calibration of chart recorders and pressure transmitters.