Technology you can trust

Editie04_VSL_Fabienne van BoomaFabiËnne van Booma

A brand new water flow calibration plant will enable VSL to test and calibrate industrial flow meters from next year. The new installation is six times bigger than their current one and will be built on a new location on Rotterdam's Maasvlakte. KH Engineering is closely involved in this project.

The Van Swinden Laboratory (VSL) is a private company with a public task. This is the National Metrology Institute (NMI) of the Netherlands. VSL ensures fair trade and consumer confidence. To this end, VSL has three tasks: managing the national measurement standards, developing new measurement standards - mainly in a European context - and carrying out calibrations, customisation, reference materials, inter-laboratory comparisons and training. Accuracy and traceability are key words here.

Six times bigger

Editie04_VSL picture2 rezVSL has a water flow calibration installation at its Dordrecht site. On behalf of industry, the company calibrates industrial flow meters. ‘On the Rotterdam Maasvlakte we are going to build a new installation, six times bigger than the current one', says Managing Director Fabiënne van Booma. We are doing this because the demand from industry for larger equipment is increasing.'

Accurate measurements

In the oil and gas industry and in petrochemicals, many flow meters are used that measure the amount of product (gas, vapour or liquid) passing through a pipe. To be sure that the meter provides correct and accurate measurements, these meters must be tested and calibrated from time to time. VSL takes care of this with its water flow calibration installation. This uses water to measure the flow through an industrial meter. Van Booma: ‘With the new installation we can handle larger flows. Important, because industry has an increasing need for calibration at higher capacity.'

Editie04_VSL_20210429 094201 akkoord foto rezProject requirements

‘When we developed the first plans, we mapped out what we would need. Firstly, you need a location. This is more complicated than you might think, because we have to be able to work virtually vibration-free and interference-free. This means that not every location is suitable for us. But we found the location quickly where, in addition to the new water flow calibration facility, we will also move our current liquefied natural gas (LNG) calibration and testing facility. We also had to arrange for an environmental permit. Next, the water flow installation requires a building in which the climate has to be kept very constant. But you also have to take into account the requirements for operating the installation in a safe, proper and ergonomic way.'

Relocation

Van Booma continued: ‘We asked a number of parties to submit a proposal for the approach and implementation of this project. We also had to relocate our calibration and testing installation for LNG, because it had to make way for the Porthos CO2 storage project of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. KH Engineering stood out the most with their proposal. They will be handling the relocation of the LNG facility, the project management, the permit application, the engineering and construction of the building and the installation of the water flow calibration system. They made a very professional impression, combined with tight project management. The project manager in question keeps us on our toes in a friendly but resolute manner. I think that's important, because we have to prevent ourselves from coming up with new ideas all the time during the project. We therefore need someone who ensures that the project is completed within budget and on schedule. We found that partner in KH Engineering.'

Preparations are already in full swing and the new installation should be in place by the end of this year. The relocation of the LNG plant and the commissioning of the water flow calibration facility will follow in early 2022. For more information about this project: VSL Builds New European Center for Flow Measurement | Vsl.nl.