Petroleum - Oil Production - Separation - Metering Chambers

Oil Volume Metering Chambers:

The Oil Volume Metering Chamber (VMC) is installed downstream of a Heater Treater or Separator to receive oil from the separation equipment and store it until 1 bbl of oil has been collected. It then dumps the oil and each cycle is recorded by a counting device.

Operation:

The VMC is placed downstream of the heater or separator and the oil outlet of the separation equipment is piped into the VMC through a 3-way valve. The valve is opened to the heater by a float when the VMC is empty. The vessel fills to a pre-set level where the valve is switched and the oil is dumped to the oil storage tank.

A counting device records each time the VMC is filled and dumped to obtain an accurate reading of barrels produced through the system for a pre-determined period of time.

Once the VMC is emptied the float switches the valve back to the fill position and the cycle begins again. This type of Metering equipment is more reliable in some situations due to its ability to handle trash and solids better than the turbine-type equipment.