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FLOW MEASUREMENT

THERE ARE TWO TYPE OF FLOW


Stream Line Flow: when a liquid flows such that each particle of the liquid,
passing a point, moves along the same path and has the same velocity as its
preceding particles, the flow of the liquid is called streamline or orderly.
Turbulent Flow: the flow of the liquid remains streamline only as long as
the velocity does not exceed a certain value, called critical velocity. Beyond
the critical velocity the flow of the liquid ceases to be streamline, but become
zigzag and paths and velocity of the liquid changes continuously and
haphazardly. This unsteady flow of the liquid is called turbulent flow.
Rate of Flow: is the amount of fluid that flows past a given point at any
given instant
Total Flow: is the amount of fluid that flows past a given point in a definite
period of time
CONTINUITY EQUATION:

A1.V1=A2 .V2

FLOW MEASUREMENT METHOD


The flow measurement methods includes:

A2

Differential pressure

A1

Variable Area
Magnetic
Turbine

V1

Tube of
Flow

Target
Vortex
Positive displacement type

V2

Pressure Differential Method


When a suitable restriction or obstruction is placed in flow stream causes a
differential pressure across it. This differential pressure is measured by
suitable meters, and is an indication of flow.
As the flow depends on both head (p) and area, either head or area or both
can be made to vary for varying flow. Hence three further subdivisions are
possible in this type of method:
Constant Area, Variable Head:
Primary Element

Orifice Plate

Venturi Tube

Flow Nozzle &

Pitot Tube
Secondary Element: The instruments that are used for the measurement
of differential pressure are called as secondary element. This may be:

U-Tube manometer
D.P. cell

Variable Area, Constant Head:


(a) Rotameter
Variable Area, Constant Head

(a) Weirs
- V-notch weir
- Trapezoidal weir

(b) Flumes
These devices are used in open channels.

ORIFICE PLATE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

It is a cheap device
It can be installed between existing pipe flanges
Pressure recovery is very poor
Low cost & simplicity
Availability of more test data

VENTURI TUBES

It can be used to handle any fluid an orifice plate can handle, plus
fluids that contain some solids because they contain no sharp corners nor
project into the fluid stream

The high cost of venturi tube and the greater length required for their
installation limit their use.

Used for higher flow rates


Not available in pipe sizes below 6 inches
More accurate over wide flow ranges than orifices
Permanent pressure loss is low
Well known characteristics
THROT

UP Stream
Flow

FLOW

HP
side

LP
side
Diverging Cone
Converging Cone

FLOW NOZZLE

Used for flow measurement at high fluid


velocities.

This is compatible for gas service than for


liquids.

Differential pressure taps are located one


diameter down stream from the inlet faces of the
nozzle.

Permanent pressure loss is lower than that


of Orifice.
Example : FI246; FT165

Down Stream
Flow

solids containing and it is


available in numerous materials.
PITOT TUBE
They are rarely used in process
streams but are used
occasionally in utility streams
where high accuracy is not
required.

Essentially
no
pressure
loss.

Economical to install.

Some
types
can
be
removed from line.

Accuracy is poor.

Not recommended for dirty


or sticky fluids.

Sensitive to upstream
disturbances.

HP connection

LP connection
Packing Nut
Stuffing Box

Corporation Cock

Static Opening

Flow

Impact Opening

Example: FI63
Magnetic Meter
In a magnetic meter the flow tube is lined with a nonconducting material with
two or more metal electrodes mounted flush with the liner wall.
Electromagnetic coils surrounding the tube generate a uniform magnetic field
within it. By Faradays law of electromagnetic induction, the motion of a
conducting fluid through the magnetic field induces a voltage that is directly
and linearly proportional to the velocity of the flowing fluid. This velocity can
be calibrated in terms of flowrate . Since the induced voltage depends on
velocity only, changes in the viscosity or density of the liquid have no effect
on the meter reading.
Example: FT34.
Turbine Meter
In turbine meter, a bladed rotor is suspended axially in the flow stream and
spins at a rate proportional to the fluid velocity. In some models the rotor
blades are made of a magnetic material that induces an alternating voltage
in the signal pickoff coil. In other designs the rate of rotation is detected by a
radio-frequency pickoff, with a high-frequency carrier signal modulated by
the spinning blades. Turbine meters are exceptionally accurate when used
under proper conditions, but they tend to be fragile and their maintenance
costs may be high.

Example: Ammonia flow meter in NH3 plant and NH3 storage (Cold NH3
pump discharge pump).
Target Meters
In a target meter a sharp-edged disk is set at right angles to the direction of
flow and the drag force exerted on the disk by the fluid is
measured. The flow rate is proportional to the square root of this
force and to the fluid density. Target meters are rugged and
inexpensive and can be used with a variety of fluids, even viscous
liquids and slurries. The bar mechanism, however tends to clog if
the solids content of the slurry is high.
Vortex meters
In a vortex meter the target is a bluff body, often trapezoidal in cross
section. This body is designed to create, when flow is turbulent, a
vortex street in its wake. Sensors close to the bluff body
measure the pressure fluctuations and hence the frequency of the
vortex shedding, from which the volumetric flow rate may be
inferred. These meters are applicable to many types of fluids,
including high-temperature gas and steam. The minimum Reynolds
number required for a linear response is fairly high, so the flow
rate of highly viscous liquids can not be measured by this type of
instrument.
Positive-Displacement Meters
Many of the positive-displacement pumps and blowers can be made to
function as flowmeters, essentially by running them bachkward
and counting the number of times the moving compartment is
filled and emptied. Nutating disk, oscillating piston, sliding vane
and other types of positive displacement meters are also
available. They are highly accurate and applicable to clean gases
and liquids, even viscous ones; in fact, the higher the viscosity, the
better the performance. These meters can not handle dirty liquids
or slurries. They are relatively expensive and may be costly to
operate.

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