Digital transformation is equally important in regions where gas infrastructure spans large geographical areas. In Tanzania, Plum MacBAT5 Electronic Volume Correctors (EVCs) have been deployed on industrial gas metering stations equipped with rotary and turbine gas meters.
before
digitalization
For gas installations located across large geographical areas, access to data can be just as important as measurement accuracy. When each reading requires a long journey, operators receive information with a delay, while every inspection generates additional costs.
This was the challenge faced by operators of industrial gas metering stations in Tanzania. For many years, installations equipped with rotary and turbine gas meters were managed in the traditional way, with gas consumption data collected during monthly field visits.
The situation changed with the introduction of MacBAT5 electronic volume correctors
Once MacBAT5 devices are installed, each site automatically performs:
pressure compensation
temperature compensation
gas volume correction
continuous data logging
remote transmission of operating parameters
What data does the operator receive?
corrected gas volume
pressure
temperature
flow
gas composition
historical operating data
The data is transmitted over 4G LTE networks, allowing operators to check the status of each installation every day without travelling to the site. They also gain a more complete view of infrastructure performance, can respond to changes more quickly and reduce the number of routine service visits
reliable performance
in demanding environments
Industrial installations in East Africa often operate under challenging conditions. High temperatures and humidity, continuous exposure to outdoor conditions and long distances from service facilities place particularly high demands on measurement equipment.
MacBAT5 is designed to maintain measurement accuracy when operating:
- at high ambient temperatures,
- in high humidity,
- outdoors,
- in locations with limited access to technical support.
Compliance with internationally recognised metrological requirements confirms that the device can provide long-term measurement accuracy at a level expected in European and North American markets.
fewer journeys,
faster access to information
The digitalisation of metering stations has brought operators two key benefits. The first is a reduction in the number of routine field visits. The second is access to current data without having to wait for the next monthly reading.
Technicians can still visit the installations whenever servicing or physical inspection is required, but these visits can now be planned more effectively. Instead of travelling regularly to every location, the operator can first analyse the remotely available data.
This helps reduce transport and operating costs while improving oversight of the entire infrastructure.
Approximately 50 MacBAT5 devices are currently operating in Tanzania. Around 15 additional installations are commissioned each year as the country’s natural gas infrastructure continues to expand.
The Tanzanian example shows that digitalisation removes distance as a barrier to information. Installations can be monitored continuously, regardless of how far they are located from the control centre.
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