Honeywell enCore FC-MC1 Flow Computer

Honeywell enCore FC-MC1 Monitoring Unit & Custody Transfer Flow Computer

The Honeywell enCore FC-MC1 (combining the FC1 fiscal flow computer and MC1 monitoring and control system architecture) is a modular, high-integrity measurement automation computer engineered for custody transfer and critical monitoring of gas and liquid hydrocarbons. Originally developed under the Elster-Instromet portfolio and integrated into Honeywell Process Solutions, the enCore FC-MC1 platform executes real-time volume, mass, and energy calculations adhering strictly to AGA, ISO, and API standards.

The FC-MC1 uses a distributed architecture centered on modular hardware boards and verified Application Function Blocks (AFBs). The system features a 4.3-inch graphic color touchscreen, dual-core processing redundancy, hardware calibration lockout switches, and secure metrological audit logging.

Model Details

• Base Series: Honeywell / Elster enCore Device Series
• Platform Model: FC-MC1 (Flow Computer / Monitoring Controller 1)
• Enclosure Variants:
  • 1/3 x 19″ Rack Mount (3U Height, 4 Board Slots)
  • 1/2 x 19″ Rack Mount (3U Height, 7 Board Slots)
• Typical Configured MPN Examples:
  • FC1-MC1-3U-1/3-CPU-MFE7-MFA8
  • FC1-MC1-3U-1/2-CPU-ExMFE5-MFE7-MFA8-ESER4
  • enCore-FC1-MC1-GAS-01
  • enCore-FC1-MC1-LIQ-02

Technical Specifications

Key Features

1. Modular AFB Architecture: Utilizes dedicated software Application Function Blocks (Station AFB, Gas Quality AFB, Flow Conversion AFB, Liquid Conversion AFB) for transparent calculation isolation and metrological certification integrity.
2. High-Accuracy Primary Measurement Support: Direct interface capabilities for ultrasonic flow meters, Coriolis meters, turbine meters, and orifice plates with real-time Velocity of Sound (VOS) verification against AGA Report No. 10.
3. Intrinsically Safe Direct Transducer Inputs: Supports onboard galvanically isolated [Ex ib] IIC inputs for direct 4-wire Pt-100 RTDs and 4–20 mA / HART multi-drop pressure and temperature transmitters without separate external field barriers.
4. Comprehensive Calculation Standards: Fully compliant with AGA 3, AGA 7, AGA 8 (Detailed & Gross characterization), AGA 9, AGA 10, ISO 5167, ISO 6976, SGERG-88, API MPMS Chapter 11/12, and GPA-TP27.
5. Hardware-Secured Fiscal Audit Trail: Metrological calibration switch with physical seal wire points, flash-backed non-volatile event and alarm buffers, and MID-compliant parameter locking.

Compatibility

• Ultrasonic Gas Flow Meters: Honeywell Elster Q.Sonic, Q.Sonic-plus, FlowSonic, Sick FLOWSIC600, Emerson Daniel 3410 series.
• Turbine & Rotary Meters: Elster TRZ2, SM-RI-X, Quantometer series, Dresser Roots rotary gas meters.
• Coriolis Mass Flow Meters: Emerson Micro Motion (ELITE Series), Endress+Hauser Promass, Krohne OPTIMASS.
• Gas Chromatographs: Honeywell EnCal 3000, ABB NGC8200, Emerson Danalyzer 700 / 1000 (continuous gas composition vector x_i injection via Modbus TCP/RTU).
• Pressure & Temperature Transmitters: Honeywell SmartLine (STG700, STT750), Rosemount 3051S / 3144P, Yokogawa EJX series.
• Distributed Control Systems (DCS) & Marine Automation: Kongsberg K-Chief, Wärtsilä Nacos Platinum, Valmet DNA, Honeywell Experion PKS, Yokogawa CENTUM VP.

Applications

• LNG Carrier Custody Transfer (CTS): Calculates standardized custody transfer energy figures, boil-off gas (BOG) return flows, and vapor balancing lines during loading/unloading operations.
• LNG Fuel Gas Supply Systems (FGSS): Precision fuel mass and lower heating value (LHV) monitoring for dual-fuel engines (MAN ME-GI, WinGD X-DF, Wärtsilä 31DF).
• FSRU Regasification & Metering Skids: High-capacity fiscal send-out metering with integrated real-time VOS comparison and multiple stream run-switching.
• Offshore FPSO Production Skids: Wellhead allocation metering, separator gas export, flare gas compliance monitoring, and fuel gas consumption tracking.
• Industrial Fiscal Metering Stations: City-gate custody transfer stations, underground gas storage injection/withdrawal, and high-pressure cross-border transmission pipelines.

Part Number Cross-References

• Honeywell Elster Legacy Models: Elster-Instromet FC2000, Series 6, ERZ 2000, ERZ 2004, ERZ 2002-NG
• Direct Successor Models: Honeywell enCore FC1, Honeywell enCore MC1
• Equivalent Flow Computer Alternatives:
  • Emerson Daniel 3720 / 3814 Series
  • OMNI Flow Computers OMNI 4000 / OMNI 7000
  • Spirit IT eXLhoist / Flow-X series
  • Krohne SUMMIT 8800

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference between the Honeywell enCore FC1 and MC1 units?

The Honeywell enCore FC1 is specifically dedicated to legal custody transfer flow computations for gas and liquids, housing certified fiscal algorithms like AGA 8 and ISO 6976. The MC1 functions as an advanced monitoring and supervisory automation control unit within the same enCore platform. When paired together (enCore FC-MC1), the system handles both strict fiscal metering calculations and station supervisory logic, such as meter run switching, valve management, and diagnostic monitoring.

Can the Honeywell enCore FC-MC1 connect directly to hazardous area field instruments?

Yes. When configured with the optional ExMFE5 process input board, the unit includes certified intrinsically safe [Ex ib] IIC input channels. This allows direct connection to 4-wire Pt-100 temperature sensors and 4–20 mA / HART pressure transmitters located in Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas without the expense and space required for external DIN-rail galvanic zener barriers.

How do I configure the Honeywell enCore FC-MC1 flow computer?

Configuration, parameterization, and diagnostic audits are performed using Honeywell’s dedicated enSuite PC software suite. The field technician connects via the front USB Type-B service port or remotely over a secure LAN connection via Modbus TCP/IP or HTTP. Parameters protected under custody transfer seals require the physical hardware calibration switch to be flipped to the open position before the software will accept changes.

Does the enCore FC-MC1 support dual ultrasonic meter comparison?

Yes. Through the integrated Station AFB (Application Function Block), the enCore FC-MC1 can monitor two flow meters connected in series (e.g., a primary fiscal meter and a secondary check meter). It tracks deviations continuously and triggers alerts if differences exceed predefined percentage thresholds, and runs live AGA 10 Velocity of Sound (VOS) verifications against gas chromatograph composition logs.

Is this flow computer suitable for LNG boil-off gas and fuel gas metering on ships?

Yes. The Honeywell enCore series is widely installed in marine fuel gas supply systems (FGSS), LNG carrier custody transfer systems (CTS), and FSRU plants. Its compliance with marine classification guidelines, high vibration immunity, 24 V DC naval power tolerance, and certified thermodynamic gas tables make it suited for marine cryogenic fuel applications.