Advancements in flow metrology with SAFEST

Greenhouse gas emissions produced by the road and maritime transport sector significantly contribute to climate change, therefore these emissions need to be reduced, and a decarbonisation of these sectors is being pursued. Recent measures to achieve this have focused on alternative and synthetic fuels, improvements in engine testing and setting up tightened emission standards. However, advances also need to be made in flow metrology as these new measures directly depend on the quality of flow measurements for determining engine efficiency through fuel consumption and emissions measurements. 

The purpose of the EMPIR project 'Sustainable advanced flow meter calibration for the transport sector' (SAFEST, 20IND13) was to provide the foundation for advanced flow metrology in this sector, leading to reliable fuel consumption measurements. Infrastructure was developed which makes it possible to assess the measurement performance of flow meters for flow changes associated with fuel demands of vehicle and ship engines, the impact of flow properties on flow meter performance assessed. Moreover, a flow property matrix of several alternative and synthetic fuels was provided. This matrix served as basis to develop means to significantly improve the quality of commercial inline densimeters and viscometers. Both, the advancements in flow metrology and the expanded knowhow on fuel properties and improved capabilities of fuel property measurements will foster innovation in the transport sector. They are backbones for engine development and optimized engine performance. 

The project results contribute to remove obstacles in the deployment of sustainable alternative and synthetic transport fuels. Moreover, the results will contribute to appropriate emissions calculations.

EMPIR 20IND13 - SAFEST
Project duration: 1 September 2021 – 31 August 2024
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