Flow Measurement
Flow Measurement
Flow Measurement
Velocity Type
Magnetic
Ultrasonic - Transit Time, Doppler
Turbine
Vortex
Other Types
Positive Displacement
Target
1#
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
The Ratio Of The Density Of A Material To The Density Of Water Or
Air Depending On Whether It Is A Liquid Or A Gas.
COMPRESSIBLE FLUID
Fluids (Such As Gasses) Where The Volume Changes With Respect
To Changes In The Pressure. These Fluids Experience Large
Changes In Density Due To Changes In Pressure.
NON-COMPRESSIBLE FLUID
Fluids (Generally Liquids) Which Resist Changes In Volume As The
Pressure Changes. These Fluids Experience Little Change In Density
Due To Pressure Changes.
2#
Square Root
Flow is proportional to the square root of the measured value.
Pressure Head
The Pressure At A Given Point In A Liquid Measured In Terms Of The
Vertical Height Of A Column Of The Liquid Needed To Produce The Same
Pressure.
3#
Gas or Vapor
ft3/hr, m3/hr, etc.
4#
LAMINAR FLOW
Laminar Flow - Is Characterized By Concentric Layers Of
Fluid Moving In Parallel Down The Length Of A Pipe. The
Highest Velocity (Vmax) Is Found In The Center Of The Pipe.
The Lowest Velocity (V=0) Is Found Along The Pipe Wall.
SIDE VIEW
END VIEW
VMAX
TURBULENT FLOW
Turbulent Flow - Is Characterized By A Fluid Motion That
Has Local Velocities And Pressures That Fluctuate Randomly.
This Causes The Velocity Of The Fluid In The Pipe To Be
More Uniform Across A Cross Section.
SIDE VIEW
VMAX ~ VAVG
6#
REYNOLDS NUMBER
7#
REYNOLDS NUMBER
Dvr
Re = mC
D = DIAMETER (FT)
v = VELOCITY (FT/SEC)
r = DENSITY (LB/FT3)
m= VISCOSITY (cp)
C = CONSTANT (6.72X10-4 LB/FT SEC cp)
0
2000
LAMINAR
4000
TRANSITION
TURBULENT
8#
9#
PV = nRT
Where: P = Pressure (psia)
V = Volume (FT3)
n = Number of Moles of Gas
(1 mole = 6.02 x 1023 molecules)
R = Gas Constant (10.73 FT3 PSIA / lb-mole oR)
T = Temperature (oR)
10#
REAL GASES
Compressibility Factor (Z) - The term "compressibility"
is used to describe the deviance in the thermodynamic
properties of a real gas from those expected from an
ideal gas.
Real Gas Behavior can be calculated as:
PV = nZRT
11#
STANDARD CONDITIONS
P = 14.7 PSIA
T = 520 deg R (60 deg F)
Behavior of gases in a process can be equally compared
by using standard conditions This is due to the nature
of gases.
12#
ACTUAL CONDITIONS
PAVA = nRTA
PSVS = nRTS
PAVA
TA
PSVS
TS
VA = VS
PSTA
PATS
13#
BERNOULLIS LAW
14#
BERNOULLIS EQUATION
Bernoullis Law Is Described By The Following
Equation For An Ideal Fluid.
15#
qm = Flow
C = Constant
= Expansion Factor
a = Orifice Area
p = P1 - P2
1 = Density
=d/D
d = Diameter of Orifice
D = Diameter of Pipe
17#
METER RANGEABILITY
METER RANGEABILITY
NORMAL
RANGE
18#
ORIFICE PLATE
A simple device, considered a precision
instrument. It is simply a piece of flat metal
with a flow-restricting bore that is inserted
into the pipe between flanges. The orifice
meter is well understood, rugged and
inexpensive. Its accuracy under ideal
conditions is in the range of 0.75-1.5%. It can
be sensitive to a variety of error-inducing
conditions, such as if the plate is eroded or
damaged.
Orifice Plate
Orifice Flanges
19#
20#
21#
22#
23#
24#
26#
Gas
Liquid or Steam
27#
VENTURI TUBE
In a Venturi tube, the fluid is accelerated through a converging cone,
inducing a local pressure drop. An expanding section of the meter
then returns the flow to near its original pressure. These instruments
are often selected where it is important not to create a significant
pressure drop and where good accuracy is required.
28#
FLOW NOZZLE
DP Type Flowmeter
Used when higher velocity & pressure recovery are required
Better suited for gas service than for liquid
29#
WEDGE METER
Wedge flow meters can be used on just about any liquid or gas, just like
orifice plates. However they are generally chosen for dirty service
applications, or high viscosity applications such as slurry or heavy oil, or
where solids are present. For regular service applications consider other
types of meters first unless wedge meters are specified by customer as
preferred.
Since they are a differential pressure device their sizing calculation is
similar to that of other dP flowmeters.
Seal pots
P1
LP
HP
Seal fluid
D
P2
Transmitter
H
30#
V-CONE
The V-Cone is similar to other differential pressure (Dp) meters in the
equations of flow that it uses. V-Cone geometry, however, is quite different
from traditional Dp meters. The V-Cone constricts the flow by positioning a
cone in the center of the pipe. This forces the flow in the center of the pipe
to flow around the cone. V-cones can be used with viscous fluids and require
little straight run.
31#
32#
PITOT TUBE
In a pitot tube (insertion DP meter), a probe
consisting of two parts senses two
pressures: impact (dynamic) and static. The
impact pressure is sensed by one impact
tube bent toward the flow (dynamic head).
The averaging-type pitot tube has four or
more pressure taps located at
mathematically defined locations, averaging
the velocity profile across the pipe or flow
area, to measure the dynamic pressure.
The static pressure is sensed through a
small hole on the side (static head). They
develop low differential pressure and like all
head meters they use a differential pressure
transmitter to convert the flow to an
electrical transmission signal.
33#
34#
PIP PCCFL001
STRAIGHT RUN REQUIREMENTS
PIP PCCFL001 includes tables for
minimum straight run lengths with
various upstream disturbances,
providing upstream requirements for
different beta ratios and downstream
requirements per beta ratios
regardless of upstream disturbance
type.
35#
DP METER CHARACTERISTICS
Recommended Service: Clean & Dirty Liquids, Gases,
Some Slurries
Rangeability: 3:1 to 6:1
Maximum Flow: 95% of Range
Pressure Loss: 20 to 60% of Measured Head
Accuracy: 0.5 to 4%
Straight Run Reqd: 5 - 40D Upstream, 2-5D Downstream
Viscosity Effect: High
Size: 2 to 24
Connection: Dependent on meter type
Type of Output: Square Root
36#
37#
38#
CORIOLIS
Direct mass flow measurement is
generally chosen for more critical
control applications such as the
blending of feedstocks or the
custody transfer of valuable fluids.
Generally chosen for high
rangeability and mass flow
applications, Coriolis technology is
unaffected by changes in
temperature, density, viscosity and
conductivity. In most flow meters
changes in these conditions require
monitoring and correction.
39#
CORIOLIS
FLOW PRINCIPLES
When the fluid is flowing, it is led through two
parallel tubes. An actuator (not shown) induces a
vibration of the tubes. The two parallel tubes are
counter-vibrating, to make the measuring device
less sensitive to outside vibrations. The actual
frequency of the vibration depends on the size of
the mass flow meter, and ranges from 80 to 1000
vibrations per second.
When no fluid is flowing, the vibration of the two
tubes is symmetrical.
Flow is measured by using velocity sensors to detect the twist in the tube
and transmit electrical signals having a relative phase shift that is
proportional to mass flow.
Coriolis meters also measure density, whereby the resonant frequency of
the forced rotation is a function of fluid density.
40#
CORIOLIS CHARACTERISTICS
Recommended Service: Clean, Dirty & Viscous Liquids, Gases, Some Slurries
Rangeability: 10 to 1
Pressure Loss: Medium to High
Accuracy: to 0.1% in liquids & to 0.35% in gas
Straight Run Required: None
Viscosity Effect: None
Relative Cost: High
Sizes: >
Connections: Flanged & Clamp-on Design
Type of Output: Linear
41#
42#
43#
MAGNETIC FLOWMETER
FLOW PRINCIPLES
A magnetic flow meter (mag flowmeter) is a volumetric flow meter which does not have any
moving parts and is ideal for wastewater applications or any dirty liquid which is conductive
or water based. Magnetic flowmeters will generally not work with hydrocarbons, distilled
water and many non-aqueous solutions). Magnetic flowmeters are also ideal for applications
where low pressure drop and low maintenance are required.
The operation of a magnetic flowmeter or mag meter is based upon Faraday's Law, which
states that the voltage induced across any conductor as it moves at right angles through a
magnetic field is proportional to the velocity of that conductor.
44#
MAGNETIC FLOWMETER
CHARACTERISTICS
Recommended Service: Clean, Dirty & Viscous Conductive Liquids &
Slurries
Rangeability: 40 to 1
Pressure Loss: None
Accuracy: 0.5%
Straight Run Required: 5D Upstream, 2D Downstream
Viscosity Effect: None
Relative Cost: High
Sizes: 1 to 120
Connections: Flanged
Type of Output: Linear
45#
ULTRASONIC METER
Transit time ultrasonic meters employ two transducers located upstream
and downstream of each other. Each transmits a sound wave to the other,
and the time difference between the receipt of the two signals indicates the
fluid velocity. Transit time meters usually require clean fluids and are used
where high rangeability is required. Accuracy is within 1% for ideal
applications.
46#
t dn
t up
Transmitter/
Receiver (T/R)
Frequency pulse
Transit length L
Flow is measured by
measuring the difference
in transit time for two
ultrasonic beams
transmitted in a fluid
both upstream and
downstream.
Ultrasonic Meters are
mainly used on large
size lines where high
rangeability is required.
47#
ULTRASONIC (DOPPLER)
FLOW PRINCIPLES
Ultrasonic flowmeters are ideal for wastewater applications or any dirty
liquid which is conductive or water based.
The basic principle of operation employs the frequency shift (Doppler Effect)
of an ultrasonic signal when it is reflected by suspended particles or gas
bubbles (discontinuities) in motion. Current technology requires that the liquid
contain at least 100 parts per million (PPM) of 100 micron or larger
suspended particles or bubbles.
48#
ULTRASONIC CHARACTERISTICS
49#
TURBINE METER
Turbine meter is kept in rotation by the
linear velocity of the stream in which it
is immersed. The number of
revolutions the device makes is
proportional to the rate of flow.
50#
TURBINE METER
CHARACTERISTICS
Recommended Service: Clean & Viscous Liquids, Clean Gases
Rangeability: 20 to 1
Pressure Loss: High
Accuracy: 0.25%
Straight Run Required: 5 to 10D Upstream
Viscosity Effect: High
Relative Cost: High
Sizes: >
Connections: Flanged
Type of Output: Linear
51#
VORTEX METER
Vortex meters can be used on most clean
liquid, vapor or gas. However, they are
generally chosen for applications where
high flow rangeability is required. Due to
break down of vortices at low flow rates,
vortex meters will cut off at a low flow limit.
Reverse flow measurement is not an
option. For regular service applications
this meter is the meter of choice by many
end users.
52#
VORTEX METER
FLOW PRINCIPLES
er
Recov
VORTEX CHARACTERISTICS
Recommended Service: Clean & Dirty Liquids, Gases
Rangeability: 10 to 1
Pressure Loss: Medium
Accuracy: 1%
Straight Run Required: 10 to 20D Upstream, 5D Downstream
Viscosity Effect: Medium
Relative Cost: Medium
Size: to 12
Connection: Flanged
Type of Output: Linear
54#
55#
Liquids inlet
pressure exerts a
pressure differential
against the lower
face of oval gear A,
causing the two
interlocked oval
gears to rotate to
position 2.
57#
59#
Other References
Miller, R.W., Flow Measurement Engineering Handbook
ISA Flow Measurement Practical Guides for Measurement and Control,
Spitzer, D.W., Editor
ASME Fluid Meters, Their Theory and Application
60#