Metrological Evaluation of the Compatibility of Two Different Digital Density Meter Adjustment Methods

Abstract

Brazilian regulation requires the test methods for analysing the shrinkage factor, and the solubility ratio in crude oils must be estimated under the measurement conditions for appropriation. Since these physicochemical parameters depend upon the density, a Brazilian oil company proposed an adapted and more user-friendly methodology for adjusting the digital density meter under high pressure and temperature conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the metrological compatibility of this proposal by comparing it with the fit model presented by a manufacturer of a digital densimeter and with the tabulated reference values of fluid density. Since the density data behaviour presented non-normal distributions, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed metrological compatibility between the approaches studied in the pressure range from 0 psi to 1200 psi (8.273709 MPa) and the temperature range from 5 °C to 70 °C.