GE DigitalFlow GF868-1-2-1-2-0-4-1-4-0-0-0-CC Ultrasonic Flare Gas Mass Flowmeter

1. Product Description

GF868-1-2-1-2-0-4-1-4-0-0-0-CC is a modular clamp-on ultrasonic transit-time gas flowmeter under Baker Hughes Panametrics (GE DigitalFlow) GF868 series, specially engineered for flare gas, associated petroleum gas and vent gas measurement. The long hyphenated suffix string represents full hardware & functional configuration codes, and CC suffix stands for Clamp-On transducer mounting type without pipeline cutting.

• Full Model Code Breakdown        
  GF868 = Base ultrasonic gas flowmeter series for flare emission monitoring;        
  1 = Single measurement channel (1 pair ultrasonic transducers);        
  2 = Standard transit-time signal processing board;        
  1 = 2-channel isolated 4-20mA analog input (for pressure & temperature transmitters);        
  2 = 6-channel assignable 4-20mA analog output module;        
  0 = No RTD temperature input expansion board;        
  4 = Modbus RS485 digital communication interface;        
  1 = Standard local LCD operator display;        
  4 = ATEX II2G Ex d IIC T6 explosion-proof certification;        
  0-0-0 = No extra limit switch, pulse output or fieldbus expansion options;        
  CC = Clamp-On non-intrusive transducer installation type.
• Core Measurement Principle: Patented Correlation Transit-Time ultrasonic technology, calculates gas velocity, volumetric flow, molecular weight and mass flow via sound speed difference.
• Mechanical & Enclosure Specs: IP66 cast aluminum explosion-proof cabinet, operating temperature -20℃ ~ +60℃; supports pipe diameter 50mm ~ 6000mm; no internal pipe obstruction, zero pressure loss.
• Electrical Parameters: 24VDC loop power supply; analog input range 4–20mA; analog output 4–20mA with configurable measurement assignments; RS485 Modbus RTU communication.
• Certifications: ATEX, IECEx, CSA Class I Div 2 hazardous area approvals, meets global environmental emission monitoring standards.
• Modular Hardware Design: Hot-swappable signal, I/O and communication boards, convenient on-site maintenance without meter overall replacement.

2. Core Product Functions

• Multi-Parameter Gas Flow Calculation: Real-time measurement of gas velocity, actual volumetric flow, standard volumetric flow, sound speed, molecular weight and mass flow rate for flare gas balance accounting.
• Temperature & Pressure Compensation: Receives PT transmitter 4-20mA signals to automatically compensate flow data under varying process pressure and temperature conditions.
• Multi-Channel Analog Signal Output: Six isolated 4–20mA outputs to transmit mass flow, volume flow, velocity and molecular weight to DCS/PLC control systems.
• Modbus Digital Data Upload: Transmits full measurement trends, totalized flow data and equipment diagnostic status via RS485 Modbus for remote plant SCADA monitoring.
• Continuous Self-Diagnosis System: Real-time monitor transducer signal strength, cable integrity and internal circuit health; output fault alarms for transducer failure, signal loss or communication breakdown.
• Accumulated Flow Totalization: Separate forward/reverse mass & volume flow totalizer storage, supports historical data record for environmental compliance report submission.

3. Typical Application Scenarios

• Oil refinery, LNG plant and onshore/offshore oil & gas flare stack gas emission monitoring systems.
• Petrochemical factory associated petroleum gas, vent waste gas mass flow measurement and material balance statistics.
• Industrial chemical plant waste gas pipeline flow monitoring for national environmental protection emission reporting.
• Large-diameter natural gas pipeline non-intrusive flow measurement without pipeline shutdown for cutting.
• Maintenance spare replacement for existing GF868 series flowmeters with matching Modbus + clamp-on configuration.

4. Common Issues & Troubleshooting