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Research paper−53−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.3 No.1 pp.53-63 (Jul. 2010) Therefore, AIST newly constructed the national primary standard facility for hydrocarbon flow in 2001, and after conducting the uncertainty evaluation and building up the quality system, it was designated as the specific standard for hydrocarbon flow according to the Measurement Law of Japan in 2005. Since the range of the national primary standard for hydrocarbon flow was limited, under a government-supported research project and with cooperation from private petroleum companies, the technologies to expand the range of liquid types and flow range were developed at the level of secondary standards that were in possession of the calibration laboratories. This completed the traceability system of measurement in Japan, and the Japan Calibration Standard Service (JCSS) for hydrocarbon flow was established utilizing the capabilities of the private companies.2 Social objective for creating the hydrocarbon flow standardThe annual petroleum trade in Japan is approximately 29 trillion yen[1], and the merchandise value is said to be several times that amount. Tens of thousands of hydrocarbon flowmeters that provide the basis for the quantity entered on the trading certificates are in operation in the petrochemical complexes throughout Japan. Accurate measurement using the hydrocarbon flowmeter is in demand by industry and society. The range of flow measurement is mostly 1~1000 m3/h, and particularly the measurement of several hundred m3/h used for tanker truck is most frequently used. There are many types of petroleum, including gasoline, kerosene, light oil, heavy oil, and crude oil. Positive displacement flowmeter and turbine flowmeter are 1 IntroductionThe measurement of hydrocarbon flow is important as a basis of quantity for the trade and taxation of petroleum products, and for the production control at the petrochemical plants. The accuracy of the flowmeter used in flow measurement is influenced by the property of liquids, the condition of flowmeter installation, and the condition of the flow. Therefore, to operate the flowmeter in a condition that ensures high accuracy, it is necessary to conduct a calibration where the flowmeter is adjusted to indicate the correct value or to calculate the correction value by flowing the liquids in the flowmeter at a standard flow rate and comparing the standard flow rate and the readings of the flowmeter. Also, regular calibration is necessary to guarantee the performance of the flowmeter currently used.Until now, strict quality control for the hydrocarbon flowmeter used in trade was practiced according to the law, but with the advances in measurement technology, there is a rising demand for the ability to conduct voluntary advanced quality control using high accuracy flowmeters. There are demands for accuracy, low cost, and coverage of varied calibration subjects, including the demand for establishment of a highly accurate flow standard for diverse petroleum products, as well as the demand for international integrity. However, in flow measurements, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) possessed the national primary standards for water and air flow only. There was no national primary standard for hydrocarbon flow, and the demands of industry could not be met.- Approach to construction of an effective and reliable traceability system -Takashi Shimada*, Ryouji Doihara, Yoshiya Terao and Masaki TakamotoNational Metrology Institute of Japan, AIST Tsukuba Central 3, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba 305-8563, Japan *E-mail : Original manuscript received September 1, 2009, Revisions received February 5, 2010, Accepted February 9, 2010 It is of importance to establish the hydrocarbon flow standard which acts as the basis for vast dealings and taxation for hydrocarbons, enforcement of the policy on energy savings and high quality management of industries. As a result of investigation into calibration methods, reliability, and effectiveness, the specification of the national primary standard and the traceability system for hydrocarbon flow in Japan was designed. We took the technical initiative in establishing the traceability system using JCSS (Japan Calibration Service System) as basis of the national primary standard in the limited region of flow rates and various kinds of liquids. The national primary standard of high accuracy and safety has been developed. This project was evaluated through verification of international consistency by way of international key comparisons.Development of primary standard for hydrocarbon flow and traceability system of measurement in JapanKeywords : Flow rate, uncertainty, measurement, traceability, national primary standard[Translation from Synthesiology, Vol.3, No.1, p.26-35 (2010)]

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