Square-Root Characterizations

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Square-Root Characterizations
It should be apparent by now that the relationship between flow rate (whether it be volumetric or mass) and differential
pressure for any fluid-accelerating flow element is non-linear: a doubling of flow rate will not result in a doubling of
differential pressure. Rather, a doubling of flow rate will result in a quadrupling of differential pressure.
This quadratic relationship between flow and pressure drop due to fluid acceleration requires us to mathematically
condition or characterize the pressure signal sensed by the differential pressure instrument in order to arrive at an
expressed value for flow rate. The traditional solution to this problem was to incorporate a square root function relay
between the transmitter and the flow indicator, as shown in the following diagram:

Dead Weig
Many mode
Quick Shipp

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Druckmes
Differenzdr
0-100 kPa

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The modern solution to this problem is to incorporate square-root signal characterization either inside the transmitter or
inside the receiving instrument (e.g. indicator, recorder, or controller).
In the days of pneumatic instrumentation, this square-root function was performed in a separate device called a square root
extractor. The Foxboro corporation model 557 pneumatic square root extractor was a classic example of this technology1:

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