Frequently Asked Questions
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Product Receiving and Installation
Weamco Products are carefully packed and prepared for shipping specifically to best prevent damage during transportation. Care should always be taken during product unpacking and installation to prevent damage to the product including all flange or sealing surfaces, along with any additional instrumentation or attachments that may be present. Any handling instructions shown on the product, product drawings, packing and or containers should be closely adhered to.
An initial inspection of all products and packaging should be done at time of receipt. Upon inspection, if any “damage to product or packaging” is evident, immediately bring this to the attending delivery persons attention and document the damage including pictures if possible. If they are no longer present, contact the company or individual responsible for shipping and request that a representative of the shipping carrier be present before further removal or unpacking of the product. Please feel free to contact Weamco or your local Weamco representative at any time for assistance.
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Where is the best place to buy a strainer?
Weamco, of course!
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Where are Weamco strainers manufactured?
All of the Weamco fabricated strainers and products are manufactured at our plant in Sapulpa, OK, USA. All manufacturing, including design, engineering, testing, paint and packaging for shipment takes place at this location. With Weamco always in control of the production and quality, you will find a reliability that is unsurpassed.
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Is there an order minimum?
Typically we require a minimum order amount of $100.00, but under extenuating circumstances this may be waved.
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By what methods can you purchase from Weamco?
Direct PO, cash in advance without credit approval.
Direct PO, payment terms with credit approval.
All International orders typically require payment in advance unless special terms are prearranged.
AMEX, MC, VISA accepted.
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Can I buy directly from Weamco?
Yes, anyone can buy directly from Weamco. End users, supply houses, equipment manufacturers, etc. can all buy directly from Weamco. We do not have any exclusive distributors, but Weamco does offer some OEM and resale discounts to specific manufacturers and supply companies. Weamco also has a network of independent sales representatives that are there to promote sales and offer customer service and technical support. Orders from these areas should be sent directly to Weamco and the representative will get credit for the sale.
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By what methods can Weamco ship their products?
Dedicated Truck,
LTL Carriers,
Delivery Services such as UPS, FedEx, etc..
Expedited, hot shot and overnight services available.
International methods available.
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Strainer purpose?
Strainers are typically used for the protection of equipment that is crucial to an operation or process where the costs or damages involved in any interruption or disturbance can be much costlier than the total installation and operation costs of a strainer. In short, a strainer is a safety net or insurance.
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Strainer definition?
A strainer is a mechanical device which provides a means of removing solids from a flowing fluid or gas.
Strainers typically use perforated and/or wire mesh media for straining purposes. These materials are “two dimensional”, meaning they do not have a “depth” or “material holding” capacity. This means that when a material particle is caught in the straining media the opening is blocked or plugged. This results in an immediate reduction of available open area for flow. With this in mind, strainer sizing and selection are critical to ensure good cleaning cycle times, desired particle size retention, desired pressure drop, and acceptable velocity requirements are achieved.
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Strainer flow velocity guidelines?
The following is a general guideline in regards to acceptable pressure drops across our Strainer Baskets. Excessive flow velocities through strainers can cause problems such as pressure loss, flow generated pulsations disrupting meter readings, pipe-wall erosion, annoying audible noise, acoustic-noise-induced fatigue, basket damage and in extreme cases failure. The service type and conditions should always be part of the discussion when deciding what is acceptable flow velocities through a basket.
Caution: The following recommendations are based on Weamco’s heavy duty, high quality manufactured Baskets and Internals. Strainer baskets manufactured by other entities could be inferior, therefore subject to failure under the same conditions.
Liquids – maximum of 15 fps is recommended
Gases – maximum of 80 fps is recommended
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Strainer Basket Media Selection?
The following is a general guideline of media we have typically seen used in the various applications shown, but is in no way intended to supersede your specific requirements. We always recommend checking with the manufacture of the equipment you are protecting for direction on the strainer media requirements or information on the size and type of material that the equipment can handle without experiencing damage, disruption or failure. This also protects you from possibly voiding any equipment warranty.
Liquid Turbine Meters: 1/8” or 3/16” dia. perforated support with 40 x 40 mesh liner
1/2” flattened expanded metal support with 10 x 10 mesh liner
Positive Displacement and Coriolis Meters: 1/8” to 1/4” dia. perforated material.
Gas Turbine Meters and Regulators: 1/8” or 3/16” dia. perforated support with 40 to 100 mesh liner.
Centrifugal Pump Service: Crude Oil 1/4” dia. perforated
Refined Products 1/8” dia. Perforated
Coke Fines 3/4” flattened expanded metal
Water 1/8” to 3/8” dia. perforated
Natural Gas Compressors: Varies by manufacturer recommendations, but typically a 1/8” or 3/16” dia. perforated support with 100 x 100 mesh.
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Strainer Design and Selection?
Weamco fabricated strainers are manufactured in several styles or types to meet various applications. Strainer type selection should be based upon your specific requirements. A general guideline is as follows:
Weamco High Capacity Type: FV, FT, FH (See Web Site or Catalog Strainer Section for details)
Applications: Pumps, Flow Meters, Compressors and Control Valve Protection, low pressure drop, high capacity, and ease of maintenance. Several optional features available.
Strainer Style: Vertical and Horizontal Baskets (See Strainer Section for details)
Weamco TEE Type: TS, TL & TV (See Web Site or Catalog Strainer Section for details)
Applications: Pumps, Gas Regulators, relatively clean product, adaptable to various piping arrangements. Strainer has a smaller basket open area due to Tee size restrictions.
Strainer Style: Tee Strainer for Horizontal or Vertical Pipe Run
Weamco Fabricated Y Type: FY (See Web Site or Catalog Strainer Section for details)
Applications: Pumps, HVAC, various types of water service, boiler feed water, and industrial piping systems, for relatively clean product service, a blowdown is sometimes required for basket cleaning. Strainer has a smaller basket open area due to design restrictions.
Strainer Style: FY Strainer for Horizontal or Vertical Pipe Run
Weamco Cast Y Type: WM Series (See Web Site Cast Strainer section for details)
Applications: Areas where a less expensive lighter weight less robust strainer is acceptable, such as cleaner services with lower pressure drops. Industries such as Power, Chemical, Oil and Gas, Pulp and Paper, Metals and Mining and Water and Waste use the lighter weight Cast Strainers.
For services where higher pressures, temperatures and viscosities may exist, Weamco recommends our fabricated strainer products.
Strainer Style: Y Strainer for Horizontal or Vertical Pipe Run
Weamco Cast Simplex Type: WM Series (See Web Site Cast Strainer section for details)
Applications: Areas where a less expensive lighter weight less robust strainer is acceptable, such as cleaner services with lower pressures. Industries such as Power, Chemical, Oil and Gas, Pulp and Paper, Metals and Mining and Water and Waste use the lighter weight Cast Strainers.
For services where higher pressures, temperatures and viscosities may exist, Weamco recommends our fabricated strainer products.
Strainer Style: Simplex Strainer for Horizontal Pipe Run
Weamco Temporary/Start Up Type: Cone & Truncated (See Web Site or Catalog Strainer section for details)
Applications: The name Temporary or Startup for this strainer alludes to the application that so aligns with its name. When new construction or maintenance takes place where liquid or gas flow is involved they will typically install these in main areas to catch debris that has accumulated from the preceding activities. Once operations have stabilized the strainers are typically removed. However, there are liquid and or gas systems that use this type of strainer as a permanent strainer, i.e. gas compressor skids.
Strainer Style: Temporary/Startup Strainer for Horizontal or Vertical Pipe Run
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Strainer Pressure Drop Guidelines?
The following is a general guideline in regards to acceptable pressure drops across Weamco Strainer Baskets. Service type and conditions should always be part of the discussion when deciding what is an acceptable pressure drop across any basket.
Caution: The following recommendations are based on Weamco’s heavy duty, high quality manufactured Baskets and Internals. Strainer baskets manufactured by other entities could be
inferior, therefore subject to failure under the same conditions.
Fabricated and Temporary / Startup strainers: Maximum Pressure Drop: 30 PSI
Recommended time to clean basket: 10-20 PSI
Cast products: Maximum Pressure Drop: 20 PSI
Recommended time to clean basket: 5-10 PSI
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Estimating pressure drop across strainers?
Weamco has pressure drop charts and graphs available for a variety of our strainers. (Please see specific strainer on web site or feel free to contact us at your convenience.)
The information on our charts and graphs is a combination of substantial engineering and a vast amount of actual experience.
In regards to estimating pressure drop across a clogged strainer, Weamco is very cautious and we typically resist engaging in this practice due to our many years of experience. Although there has been an attempt by many to estimate this scenario i.e., pressure drop of a clogged basket, we know from actual test results that the actual area clogged can have a significant influence to the flow and resulting pressure drop results. With this in mind since there is no way to know the pattern of the clogging of a basket at any given time, it is very difficult to accurately estimate the affect to pressure drop.
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Calculating Burst pressure of a strainer basket?
The maximum differential pressure a basket can withstand before it fails is known as the burst pressure. Burst pressure is very difficult to calculate. There are numerous influences that can impact this value, including the type of material (mesh, perf, etc.) of construction, the thickness of the material, the grade or alloy of the material, the size and geometry of the straining element along with the percentage of open area of the basket media used. Therefore, it is advisable to never allow the pressure drop across a strainer to exceed the manufacturers recommended maximums.
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Calculating basket open area ratios (OAR)?
A common term used in strainer design is “Open Area Ratio (OAR)”. This equals the total open basket area divided by the internal cross-sectional area of the inlet pipe.
Published open area ratios for Weamco products are typically figured using a single 40% open area basket media. Open area ratios for Weamco fabricated permanent strainer types are calculated using the line of site method. There are two methods of instruction typically recommended by recognized establishments and manufacturers for calculating the open area of a strainer basket. One method referred to by the US military as “line of sight” uses the accrual of the open areas of the basket medias in series. Using this method, a 40% open area media in series with a 50% open area media has a calculated combined open area of 20%. An alternative method used in accordance with the US Underwriters Laboratories Standards, allows for the use of only the open area of the more restrictive media in the series. This would be 40% for the example above. In either case, the method used should be documented, as it has a direct impact on strainer design parameters such as sizing and estimating pressure drops.
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What are some of the main differences in strainer brands.
1. Quality: While the entire structure is vital to successful operation, typically the exterior or vessel of a strainer is the least difficult piece to manufacture, with the internals being the most difficult and most important (the basket & supporting members). At Weamco, virtually every aspect of the strainer process is completes internally under our control. From design and engineering to all of the manufacturing, testing and paint, the entire process both vessel and basket are completed in house. This gives us enormous control of the quality and production of our products. We are one of very few companies doing this in the world.
2. Service: Weamco’s slogan is “Practical applications with exceptional service”. This slogan was derived from comments and references from both employees and customers. By always giving their best efforts offering honest practical approaches to customer’s needs and requirements, Weamco became what is now one of the most respected and trusted Strainer Brands in the world today.
3. Price: Weamco strives to be as competitive as possible, while maintaining the top level of quality and service folks have come to expect.
We may not always be the cheapest, but you will not find a better built strainer accompanied with our exceptional service.
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Where is the best place to buy a conventional Liquid Meter Prover?
Weamco of course!
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What types of meter provers does Weamco manufacture?
• Bi-Directional pipe provers both stationary and mobile:
A positive displacement type prover with flow and displacer (usually a sphere) traveling in both directions by means of a 4-way diverter valve.
• Uni-Directional pipe provers both stationary and mobile:
A positive displacement type prover with flow and displacer (usually a sphere) traveling always in one direction, by means of a transfer chamber, or interchange.
• Volumetric Tank Prover:
As the name implies, this prover is a calibrated tank or vessel with a sight gauge and scale to read a metered volume. The flow must be stopped to determine the
volume.
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Where are Weamco Meter Provers manufactured?
All of the Weamco Meter Provers are manufactured at our plant in Sapulpa, OK, USA. All manufacturing, including design, engineering, testing, paint, water-draw calibration and prepping for shipment takes place at this location. With Weamco always in control of the production and quality, you will find a reliability that is unsurpassed.
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How long has Weamco been manufacturing Provers?
Since 1973 Weamco has successfully been manufacturing meter provers with several hundred in service around the world today. It is all under the Weamco name now, but several years ago, the owners of Weamco created Precision Measurement Inc. and also purchased the Metric Company, which both were extensive Prover companies in their own right. Now together for several years, these acquisitions and creations have enlarged the technical and practical experience of Weamco substantially, while enriching our long history of quality manufacturing with impeccable service.
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What is the life expectancy of a typical conventional ball/sphere prover?
There are many things that can affect the life of a Prover, but in our experience, we routinely see our provers typically be in service well passed 20, 30 years plus depending on the prover and the service. We recently (in 2022) sold some replacement O-Rings for a couple of ball provers Weamco built in 1986 & 1987. Thats 36 years and still going!
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Does Weamco repair or refurbish meter provers?
Yes, at our Sapulpa, OK, USA facility we have the ability to repair, refurbish or replace part or all of the meter prover, including all types of internal and external coatings and we have our own inhouse calibration lab.
Types of Provers we can repair:
• Bi-Directional pipe provers that use a sphere (ball) displacer.
• Uni-Directional pipe provers that use a sphere (ball) displacer.
• Both stationary and mobile units on trucks or trailers.
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What is a displacement type Liquid Meter Prover?
As stated in API Chapter 4 Section 2, all types of displacement prover systems operate on the principle of the repeatable displacement of a known volume of liquid from a calibrated section of pipe between two detectors. This base volume, also referred to as the prover measurement section is calibrated using Test Measures (Cans) certified and traceable to (NIST), the National Institute of Standards and Technologies, US Department of Commerce. Displacement of the volume of liquid is achieved by an oversized sphere or a piston traveling through the pipe. A corresponding volume of liquid is simultaneously measured by a meter installed in series with the prover.
The object of proving meters with a prover is to provide a number with a defined discrimination level, which can be used to convert the meter indication to an accurate quantity of fluid passed through the meter. This number is referred to as a meter factor.
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What is the operating principle of a Positive Displacement Meter Prover?
A bidirectional ball prover will be used as the example.
• To prove a meter, flow is established through the meter, then downstream to the prover via the prover manifold valves.
• Flow goes into the 4-Way diverter valve and forces a sphere (ball) displacer into the pipe section, which seals against the pipe walls.
• The base volume of a bi-directional prover is expressed as the sum of the calibrated volumes between detector switches in two consecutive one-way passes in
opposite directions, each corrected to standard temperature and pressure conditions.
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Who is API?
The American Petroleum Institute (API) represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its nearly 600 members produce, process and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports millions of U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In their first 100 years, API developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.
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Who is NIST?
Founded in 1901, NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. According to NIST, their mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.
The calibration services of NIST are designed to help the makers of precision instruments achieve the highest possible levels of measurement quality and productivity.
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Why does a meter need to be Proved?
As stated in API Chapter 4 Section 8, a meter in service should be periodically proved to confirm its accuracy. A previously determined meter factor may no longer be applicable because of changes in fluid characteristics, operating conditions, or meter wear. Other reasons for proving meters include the following:
Minimize financial impact of potential undetected accuracy changes, contractual requirements, regulatory compliance, integrity management (PLM, Pipeline Leak Management) and environmental considerations.
Contracts are also based on other recognized standards, but all these standards have one thing in common. They all strive to minimize measurement error for a specific application. Essentially
companies, their clients and regulatory bodies are all requiring “verification” of metering accuracy.
i.e., Crude Oil flowing at 2000 BPH at $100/barrel x 24 hours/day = $4,800,000 per day.
A small 0.025% inaccuracy in measurement would yield a $120,000.00 per day error.
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What does liquid custody transfer mean?
Liquid custody transfer is defined as a metering point (location) where a fluid is being measured for sale from one party to another.
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What types of Meters are typically used in custody transfer liquid applications?
There are four types of Meters typically used in liquid custody transfer measurement.
• Positive Displacement (PD) Meters
• Turbine Meters
• Coriolis Mass Flow Meters (CMFM’s)
• Liquid Ultrasonic Flow Meters (LUFM’s)
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What codes and or standards are typically used in the design and construction of meter provers?
API Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards, Chapter 4 Proving Systems is the predominant standard for design, Section 9 Part 1 & 2 for calibration and recommended practices.
ASME B31.4 pipeline (mechanical design)
ASME B31.3 refinery (mechanical design)
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Are there times that a Prover may not work correctly?
Yes, there are a few things that can happen to cause or prevent a meter prover from proving correctly. For assistance contact us for a free initial consultation from one of our very experienced specialists and technicians.
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