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Flow Measurement: Priyatmadi
Flow Measurement: Priyatmadi
PRIYATMADI
INTRODUCTION
Flow measurement is an everyday event.
The world market in flowmeters was estimated to be
worth $2500 million in 1995, and is expected to grow
steadily.
The value of product being measured by these meters is
also very large. For example, in the U.K. alone, it was
estimated that in 1994 the value of crude oil produced
was worth $15 billion.
It is somewhat surprising that both the accuracy and
capability of many flowmeters are poor in comparison to
those instruments used for measurement of other
common process variables such as pressure and
temperature.
INTRODUCTION
For example, the orifice plate flowmeter, which was first
used commercially in the early 1900s and has a typical
accuracy of 2% of reading, is still the only flowmeter
approved by most countries for the fiscal measurement
of natural gas.
Although newer techniques such as Coriolis flowmeters
have become increasingly popular in recent years, the
flow measurement industry is by nature conservative and
still dominated by traditional measurement techniques.
Fluid motion in a pipe can be characterized as one of
three types: laminar, transitional, or turbulent.
The Nozzle
The nozzle combines some of
the best features of the orifice
plate and Venturi tube.
It is compact and yet, because
of its curved inlet, has a
discharge coefficient close to
unity.
There are a number of designs
of nozzle, but one of the most
commonly used in Europe is the
ISA-1932 nozzle, while in the
U.S., the ASME long radius
nozzle is more popular. Both of
these nozzles are covered by
international standards.
Installation
Correct installation is essential for successful use of a
DP flowmeter because the assumption of a steady flow,
with a fully developed turbulent velocity profile, is
passing through the flowmeter.
Standards contain detailed recommendations for the
minimum straight lengths of pipe required before and
after the flowmeter, in order to ensure a fully developed
flow profile.
Straight lengths of pipe are required after the flowmeter
because disturbances caused by a valve or bend can
travel upstream and thus also affect the installed
flowmeter.
If it is not possible to fit the recommended lengths of
straight pipe before and after the flowmeter, then the
flowmeter must be calibrated once it has been installed.
Installation
The Minimum Straight Lengths of Pipe Required between
Various Fittings and an Orifice Plate or Venturi Tube (as
recommended in ISO 5167-1) to Ensure That a Fully
Developed Flow Profile Exists in the Measurement
Section. All Lengths Are Multiples of the Pipe Diameter
Installation
The other problem one faces during installation is the
presence of a rotating flow or swirl.
This condition distorts the flow velocity profile in a very
unpredictable way, and is obviously not desirable.
Situations that create swirl, such as two 90 bends in
different planes, should preferably be avoided.
However, if this is not possible, then swirl can be
removed by placing a flow conditioner (also known as a
flow straightener) between the source of the swirl and
the flowmeter.
There many flow conditioner designs which can be used
to both remove swirl and correct a distorted velocity
profile.
Because they obstruct the flow, all flow conditioners
produce an unrecoverable pressure loss,
which in general increases with their capability (and
complexity).
Rotameter
Rotameter consists of a conical
transparent vertical glass tube
containing a bob.
The flow rate is proportional to the
height of the bob.
The rotameter is characterized by:
Simple and robust construction
High reliability
Low pressure drop
Rotameter
Weir
Summary
For pipe flows, variable area flowmeters are suitable for
low flow rates of gases or liquids at moderate
temperatures and pressures.
Advantage rugged construction, high reliability, low
pressure drop, easy installation, and low cost.
Disadvantages measurement uncertainty of 1% or more,
limited range (10:1), slow response, and restrictions on
the meter orientation.
Variable area flowmeters in open-channel flows have
applications for flow measurements in waste water
plants, waterworks, rivers and streams, irrigation, and
drainage canals.
Advantages PD Meters
Advantages PD Meters
High-quality, high accuracy, a wide range, and
are very reliable, insensitive to inlet flow profile
distortions, low pressure drop across the meter.
Until the introduction of electronic correctors
and flow controls on other types of meters, PD
meters were most widely used in batch loading
and dispensing applications. All mechanical
units can be installed in remote locations.
Disadvantages PD Meters
bulky, especially in the larger sizes.
the fluid must be clean for measurement accuracy and
longevity of themeter.
More accurate PD meters are quite expensive.
Have high inertia of the moving parts; a sudden change
in the flow rate can damage the meter.
Only for limited ranges of pressure and temperature
Most PD meters require a good maintenance schedule
and are high repair and maintenance meters.
Recurring costs in maintaining a positive displacement
flowmeter can be a significant factor in overall flowmeter
cost.
Impeller Flowmeters