Newsletter Task 2.2

Durability test protocol

The combined capabilities of the NEWGASMET partners will be employed to study of the effect of renewable gases on existing gas meters. Domestic gas meters from market-leading suppliers Flonidan, Honeywell, Itron, and MeterSit, will be exposed to biogas and hydrogen.

Gas exposure

For biogas exposure, the gas meters will be installed in a sewerage treatment plant for 12 months under the supervision of ISSI. Hydrogen exposure will take place at the premises of ISSI and PTB for a duration of 12 months.

Sewerage treatment plant near ISSI

The effect of exposure to these gases on meter performance will be determined through comparison of air calibrations conducted at CMI prior to and after exposure to each gas. In parallel to the renewable gas exposure, gas meters will be exposed to ordinary natural gas at CMI, providing a baseline assessment of meter durability.

Natural gas closed loop calibration bench at CMI

Impact of the tests

From these activities, durability effects of biogas and hydrogen exposure on the accuracy of the domestic gas meters will be determined in a quantitative and SI-traceable manner. This will enable partners in the NEWGASMET-project to make recommendations on the suitability of existing gas meter standards (within CEN TC237 and OIML R137) for using renewable gases.

Additionally, the project will support the evaluation of the CEN TC237 (Gas meters) standards for conformity with the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) for renewable gas use of gas meters, which is a requirement for type approvals of the gas meters. Therefore, the knowledge and recommendations obtained during the project will be crucial in the widespread uptake of renewable gases in the EU gas grid.