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FLOW MEASURING INSTRUMENT 2018-19

1. INTRODUCTION

Fluid flow measurement can encompass a wide variety of fluids and applications. To
meet this wide variety of applications the instrumentation industry has, over many years,
developed a wide variety of instruments. The earliest known uses for flow come as early as
the first recorded history. The ancient Sumerian cities of UR and Kish, near the Tigris and
Euphrates rivers (around 5000 B.C.) used water flow measurement to manage the flow of
water through the aqueducts feeding their cities. In this age the simple obstruction was placed
in the water flow, and by measuring the height of the water flowing over the top of the
obstruction, these early engineers could determine how much water was flowing. In 1450 the
Italian art architect Battista Alberti invented the first mechanical anemometer. It consisted of
a disk placed perpendicular to the wind, and the force of the wind caused it to rotate. The
angle of inclination of the disk would then indicate the wind velocity. This was the first
recorded instrument to measure wind speed. An English inventor, Robert Hooke reinvented
this device in 1709, along with the Mayan Indians around that same period of time. Today we
would look down our noses at these crude methods of flow measurement, but as you will see,
these crude methods are still in use today.

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2. TYPES OF FLOW MEASURING INSTRUMENT

Fluid flow devices fall into a number of device categories as well as fluid classes. In
general, we can split the fluids into two classes; gasses and liquids. Within these two broad
classes are a number of special classes that one should be careful of. Flammable liquids and
gasses require special handling, as do those that are at temperature extremes (cold or hot).
When selecting a transducer, you should be cautious that the device you are selecting is
compatible with the fluid and conditions you hare working with. A few examples would be
acids, food grade liquids, and DI water. Surprisingly de-ionized water is an extremely harsh
liquid that can cause serious headaches

2.1 ORIFICE PLATE

Fig 2.1 different type orifice plate

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An orifice plate is a device used for measuring flow rate, for reducing pressure or for
restricting flow (in the latter two cases it is often called a ‹See Tfd› restriction plate). Either a
volumetric or mass flow rate may be determined, depending on the calculation associated
with the orifice plate. It uses the same principle as a Venturi nozzle, namely Bernoulli's
principle which states that there is a relationship between the pressure of the fluid and the
velocity of the fluid. When the velocity increases, the pressure decreases and vice versa.

2.1.1WORKING

Fig.2.2 Schematic-diagram-of-Orifice-Plate-Flow meter

 The detail of the fluid movement inside the pipe and orifice plate has to be
understood.
 The fluid having uniform cross section of flow converges into the orifice plate’s
opening in its upstream. When the fluid comes out of the orifice plate’s opening, its
cross section is minimum and uniform for a particular distance and then the cross
section of the fluid starts diverging in the downstream.

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 At the upstream of the orifice, before the converging of the fluid takes place, the
pressure of the fluid (P1) is maximum. As the fluid starts converging, to enter the
orifice opening its pressure drops. When the fluid comes out of the orifice opening, its
pressure is minimum (p2) and this minimum pressure remains constant in the
minimum cross section area of fluid flow at the downstream.
 This minimum cross sectional area of the fluid obtained at downstream from the
orifice edge is called VENA-CONTRACTA.
 The differential pressure sensor attached between points 1 and 2 records the pressure
difference (P1 – P2) between these two points which becomes an indication of the
flow rate of the fluid through the pipe when calibrated.

2.1.2 APPLICATION

 The concentric orifice plate is used to measure flow rates of pure fluids and has a
wide applicability as it has been standardized.
 The eccentric and segmental orifice plates are used to measure flow rates of fluids
containing suspended materials such as solids, oil mixed with water and wet steam.

2.1.3 ADVANTAGES

 It is very cheap and easy method to measure flow rate.


 It has predictable characteristics and occupies less space.
 Can be use to measure flow rates in large pipes.

2.1.4 DISADVANTAGES

 The vena-contract length depends on the roughness of the inner wall of the pipe and
sharpness of the orifice plate. In certain cases, it becomes difficult to tap the minimum
pressure (P2) due to the above factor.
 Pressure recovery at downstream is poor, that is, overall loss varies from 40% to 90%
of the differential pressure.
 In the upstream straightening vanes are a must to obtain laminar flow conditions.
 Gets clogged when the suspended fluids flow.
 The orifice plate gets corroded and due to this after sometime, inaccuracy occurs.
Moreover, the orifice plate has low physical strength.

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2.2VENTURIMETER

Fig 2.3 Venturimeter

A venturimeter is a device used to measure the fluid flow through pipes. This flow
measurement device is based on the principle of Bernoulli’s equation. Inside the pipe,
pressure difference is created by reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow passage. This
difference in pressure is measured with the help of manometer and helps in determining rate
of fluid flow or other discharge from the pipe line. As the main inlet area is more as
compared to throat, velocity of fluid at throat increases therefore pressure decreases. By this,
a pressure difference is created between the inlet and the throat of the venturimeter. Hence,
by reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow passage, a pressure difference is created and
we measure that difference in pressure by using Bernoulli equation and discharge formula.

2.2.1 CONSTUCTION& WORKING

Venturi meter is very simple in construction. It has following parts which are arranged
in systematic order for proper operation these are inlet section called as converging cone,
cylindrical throat and gradually diverging cone.

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Fig 2.3 Construction of venturimeter

It is the region where the cross section emerges into conical shape for the connectivity
with the throat region. The converging region is attached to the inlet pipe (flow upstream) and
its cross sectional area decreases from beginning to ending. One side it is attached with inlet
and its other side are attached with the cylindrical throat. The angle of convergence is
generally 20-22 degree and its length is 2.7(D-d). Here D is the diameter of inlet section and
d is the diameter of throat. Due to the decrease in the cross sectional area the fluid
accelerates and static pressure decreases. The maximum cone angle of the converging area is
limited to avoid the vena-contract so the flow area will be minimum at the throat.

It is middle part of the venturimeter and has lowest cross sectional area. The length is
equal to diameter of throat. Generally, the diameter of the throat is 1/4 to 3/4 of the diameter
of the inlet pipe, but mostly it is ½ of the diameter of the pipe. diameter. The diameter of the
throat remains same throughout its length.

Diverging section is the third part of this device. One side it is attached with outlet
pipe. The diameter of this section is gradually increases. The diverging section has an angle 5

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to 15 degree. The diverging angle is less than the converging angle due to this length of the
diverging cone is larger than converging cone. The main reason of the small diverging angle
to avoid flow separation from the walls and prevents the formation of eddies because flow
separation and eddies formation will results in large amount of loss in energy. To avoid these
losses proper angle of converging and diverging should be maintained.

2.2.2 APPLICATIONS

 As discussed above venturimeter is used to measure the discharge in flow through


pipes.
 In medical applications it is used to measure the rate of flow in the arteries.3. It has
some other industrial applications like in gas, liquids, oil where pressure loss
should be avoided.
 It also measures the discharge of fluid which has some slurry or dirt particles because
of its smooth design.

2.2.3 ADVANTAGES:

 It has high coefficient of discharge.


 Easy to operate.
 It can be installed in any direction between pipe flow i.e. horizontal, vertical and
inclined.
 Venturimeter has high accuracy as compare to other flow measuring devices like
orifice meter, pitot tube and nozzle

2.2.4 DISADVANTAGES:

 it has high initial cost because its calculation is very complicated.

 The major drawback of the venture meter is we cannot use it for small diameter size
pipe.
 It is difficult in maintenance and inspections.
 Initial cost is high.

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2.3FLOW NOZZLE

Fig2.4 Flow nozzle

A nozzle is a device designed to control the direction or characteristics of a fluid flow


(especially to increase velocity) as it exits (or enters) an enclosed chamber or pipe. A nozzle
is often a pipe or tube of varying cross sectional area, and it can be used to direct or modify
the flow of a fluid (liquid or gas). Nozzles are frequently used to control the rate of flow,
speed, direction, mass, shape, and/or the pressure of the stream that emerges from them. In a
nozzle, the velocity of fluid increases at the expense of its pressure energy.

2.3.1 WORKING

The flow is accelerated from the entrance of the nozzle till the end of the convergent
section. From Continuity of the flow-mass flow rate and the Rate of change of momentum of
the fIn a convergent Nozzle (subsonic flow/subsonic to supersonic flow)

The flow enters the inlet section (say from the end of a combustion chamber of the jet
aircraft/from the highly pressurized chamber of a wind tunnel/by sucking the flow using a fan
in the wind tunnel) with a low velocity and as the fluid flows along the length of the nozzle,
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the amount of mass flowing per second would be same. So in the converging area-section
more mass will enter per second than the entering area-section so as to maintain the
conservation of the mass flow, treating the flow of the fluid as a Continuum flow. This
accelerated flow is then used to flow over a body under consideration (test unit) inside the
wind tunnel test section kept under a constant area after the convergent section/this
accelerated flow can also be used as a jet stream coming out of the end of the nozzle of the jet
airplane to propel the airplane at supersonic velocity (suitable for M<1.5–2, considering the
cost and additional weight of C-D Nozzle, we prefer simply Convergent nozzle till our
purpose is solved).

Fig 2.5 Pressure variation along with the pipeline for flow nozzle

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Fig 2.6 complete section of flow nozzle

2.3.2APPLICATION

 A nozzle is often a pipe or tube of varying cross sectional area, and it can be used to
direct or modify the flow of a fluid (liquid or gas).
 Nozzles are frequently used to control the rate of flow, speed, direction, mass, shape,
and/or the pressure of the stream that emerges from them

2.3.3 ADVANTAGES

 Compact-low dimension as compared to venture meter.


 Cheaper and easy to install as compared to venturimeter.
 High coefficient of discharge then the orifice meter.
 Less susceptible to wear.

2.3.4 DISADVANTAGES.

 It has no divergent outlet and hence low pressure recovery.


 It cannot be used in a low-pressure head.
 It cannot use as a flow meter if the meter if the fluid has a high percentages of the
solid particle.

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2.4 ROTAMETER.

Fig 2.7 Rotameter

The rotameter is an industrial flowmeter used to measure the flow rate of liquids and
gases. The rotameter consists of a tube and float. The float response to flow rate changes is
linear, and a 10-to-1 flow range or turndown is standard. In the case of OMEGA™ laboratory
rotameters, far greater flexibility is possible through the use of correlation equations. The
rotameter is popular because it has a linear scale, a relatively long measurement range, and
low pressure drop. It is simple to install and maintain.

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2.4.1 WORKING

Fig 2.8 Basis construction of rotameter

The rotameter's operation is based on the variable area principle: fluid flow raises a
float in a tapered tube, increasing the area for passage of the fluid. The greater the flow, the
higher the float is raised. The height of the float is directly proportional to the flow rate. With
liquids, the float is raised by a combination of the buoyancy of the liquid and the velocity
head of the fluid. With gases, buoyancy is negligible, and the float responds to the velocity
head alone. The float moves up or down in the tube in proportion to the fluid flowrate and the
annular area between the float and the tube wall. The float reaches a stable position in the
tube when the upward force exerted by the flowing fluid equals the downward gravitational
force exerted by the weight of the float. A change in flowrate upsets this balance of forces.
The float then moves up or down, changing the annular area until it again reaches a position
where the forces are in equilibrium. To satisfy the force equation, the rotameter float assumes
a distinct position for every constant flowrate. However, it is important to note that because
the float position is gravity dependent, rotameters must be vertically oriented and mounted.

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2.4.2 APPLICATION

 The rotameter is used in process industries.


 It is used for monitoring gas and water flow in plants or labs.
 It is used for monitoring filtration loading.

2.4.3 ADVANTAGES

 The cost of rotameter is low.


 It provides linear scale.
 It has good accuracy for low and medium flow rates.
 The pressure loss is nearly constant and small.
 Usability for corrosive fluid.

2.4.4 DISADVANTAGES

 When opaque fluid is used, float may not be visible.


 It has not well in pulsating services.
 Glass tube types subjected to breakage.
 It must be installed in vertical position only

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2.5 ELECTROMAGNETIC FLOW METER

Fig 2.9 Electromagnetic flow meter

A magnetic flow meter (mag meter, electromagnetic flow meter) is a transducer that
measures fluid flow by the voltage induced across the liquid by its flow through a magnetic
field. A magnetic field is applied to the metering tube, which results in a potential difference
proportional to the flow velocity perpendicular to the flux lines. The physical principle at
work is electromagnetic induction. The magnetic flow meter requires a conducting fluid, for
example, water that contains ions, and an electrical insulating pipe surface, for example, a
rubber-lined steel tube.

2.5.1 WORKING

The purpose of a flow meter system is to live the movement, or rate of flow, of a given
volume of fluid Associate to specific it through an unambiguous electrical signal. a typical
flow meter consists of a series of coupled parts that transmits signals indicating the degree,
rate of flow, or volume of fluid moving through a particular channel, and it ideally functions
with bottom interference from environmental conditions. A magnetic flow meter may be a
comparatively noninvasive measuring system that's well-suited for rate of flow analysis as a
result of its varying of functions.

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Fig 3.0 Schematic view of electromagnetic flow meter

A magnetic or electromagnetic force flowmeter are often put in relatively easy fashion
to that degree as an existing pipe network are often reborn into a measuring system by
applying external electrodes and magnets. These flow meters will track forward and reverse
flow and are minimally laid low with flow disturbances associated with consistency or
density. They’re linear devices which will be label to live a spread of various variables
whereas additionally reacting to changes in fluid movement. Progress in flowmeter
technology has targeted on manufacturing devices that are smaller, less costly, and capable of
constructing additional refined measurements.

2.5.2 ADVANTAGES

 The electromagnetic flow meter provides rapid response to flow changes.


 It provides linear wide range.
 Measuring range setting can be optimized.
 It has ability to measure reverse flow.
 No additional pressure drops.

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2.5.3 DISADVANTAGES

 It is not suitable for low velocity.


 It is more expensive.
 It is suitable for fluids having conductivity greater than 20 micro ohm/cm.
 Gas inclusion cause errors.

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2.6 TURBIE FLOW METER

Fig 3.1 turbine flow meter

Turbine flow meters are used for the measurement of natural gas and liquid flow.[4]
Turbine meters are less accurate than displacement and jet meters at low flow rates, but the
measuring element does not occupy or severely restrict the entire path of flow. The flow
direction is generally straight through the meter, allowing for higher flow rates and less
pressure loss than displacement-type meters. They are the meter of choice for large
commercial users, fire protection, and as master meters for the water distribution system.
Strainers are generally required to be installed in front of the meter to protect the measuring
element from gravel or other debris that could enter the water distribution system. Turbine
meters are generally available for 4 to 30 cm (1 1⁄2–12 in) or higher pipe sizes. Turbine meter
bodies are commonly made of bronze, cast Iron, or ductile iron. Internal turbine elements can
be plastic or non-corrosive metal alloys. They are accurate in normal working conditions but
are greatly affected by the flow profile and fluid conditions.

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2.6.2 APPLICATION

 Turbine flow meters find use in monitoring of clean liquid flows in chemical,
petroleum and water industries.
 The custody transfer of hydrocarbons is one of the petroleum applications of turbine
flow meters.
 In the water industry, turbine flow meters are used in distribution systems between
and within water districts.
 Turbine flow meters are also employed in the food and beverage industries.

2.6.3 ADVANTAGES

 Simple well understood technology


 Suitable for gases and liquids
 Good performance
 Relatively wide operational envelope
 Low cost
 Easy to install and operate

2.6.4 DISADVANTAGES

 Require clean fluids


 Installation must be done carefully to avoid errors
 Problems due to cavitation’s
 Accuracy is affected by bearing degradation
 Errors caused by viscosity changes
 Require frequent calibration checks

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3. REFERENCE

1. H. Masuda, T. Kato, K. Kawashima and T. Kagawa, "Development of a unsteady flow rate


control technique," 2012 Proceedings of SICE Annual Conference (SICE), Akita, 2012, pp.
1319-1324.

2. Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, Volume 66, April 2019, Pages 50-59 Xining
Zhang, Zhou Xiang, XinRui Xia, Haixing Zhang

3. S. Li and W. Su, "Development of Two-Phase Flow Instrument," 2009 International


Conference on Computational Intelligence and Software Engineering, Wuhan, 2009, pp. 1-4.
doi: 10.1109/CISE.2009.5365143

4. W. Zhao, H. Zhou and S. Zhang, "Gas flow measurement with wide range using multi-
thermistors," 2016 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology
Conference_Proceedings,Taipei2016,pp.1-6.
doi: 10.1109/I2MTC.2016.7520529

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