Volumetric Meter (Positive Displacement Flow meter)

Positive displacement flow meters, also known as PD meters, measure volumes of fluid flowing through by counting repeatedly the filling and discharging of known fixed volumes. A typical positive displacement flow meter comprises a chamber that obstructs the flow. Inside the chamber, a rotating/reciprocating mechanical unit is placed to create fixed-volume discrete parcels from the passing fluid. Hence, the volume of the fluid that passes the chamber can be obtained by counting the number of passing parcels or equivalently the number rounds of the rotating/reciprocating mechanical device. The volume flow rate can be calculated from the revolution rate of the mechanical device. The behavior and the minimum amount or maximum amounts of flow that can be reliably read by a specific positive flow meter will depend on the geometry used in the mechanical rotating and moving parts. Many types of positive displacement flow meters are used in the industry. They are named after the mechanical device inside the chamber. They all share the same principle of operation and are volumetric flow measuring instruments.

Oscillating Piston

1.1 Definition Liquid enters a precision-machined chamber containing an oscillating (rotating) piston. The position of the piston divides the chamber into compartments containing an exact volume. Liquid pressure drives the piston to oscillate and rotate on its center hub. The movements of the hub are sensed through the meter wall by a follower magnet. Each revolution of the piston hub is equivalent to a fixed volume of fluid, which is indicated as flow by an indicator/totalizer. Close clearances between the piston and the chamber ensure minimum liquid slip for highly accurate and repeatable measurement of each volume cycle. Maximum viscosity allowed: 4,000 centipoise.

1.2. Operating parameters Accuracy Turndown Pipe sizes Maximum pressure Temperature range 0.2% - 0.5% in full rate 10:1 10 to 50mm 2.94MPa 10 to +120C

1.3 Applications Positive Displacement Flow Meters high precision has allowed it to be almost universally accepted for billing and transfer standard applications, such as gasoline and fuel oil dispensing, natural gas or water measurement.

Oval Gear Flow meter

2.1 Definition The design of the oval gear flowmeter is relatively simple; oval shaped gear-toothed rotors rotate within a chamber of specified geometry. As these rotors turn, they sweep out and trap a very precise volume of fluid between the outer oval shape of the gears and the inner chamber walls with none of the fluid actually passing through the gear teeth.

Normally, magnets are embedded in the rotors which then can actuate a reed switch or provide a pulse output via a Hall Effect sensor. Each pulse or switch closure then represents a precise increment of liquid volume that passes through the meter. The result is a high degree of accuracy (.5 percent of reading) and resolution and almost negligible effects for varying fluid viscosity, density and temperature. 2.2. Operating parameters Accuracy Turndown Pipe sizes Maximum pressure Temperature range 0.5% - 2% in full rate 10:1 10 to 250mm 6.4MPa -20 to 200C

2.3 Applications Gear flow meter provides precise volumetric flow measurement of clean liquids found in a broad range of industries including automotive, aviation, mining, power, chemical, pharmaceutical, food, paint & petroleum. Applications include the distribution of fuels, fuel oils, lubricants, alcohols, solvents, blending of bio & ethanol fuels, metering of chemicals, grease, adhesives, ink, insecticides & non-conductive liquids either pumped or gravity fed.

Nutating Disc 3.1 Definition The movable element is a circular disk which is attached to a central ball. A shaft is fastened to the ball and held in an inclined position by a cam or roller. The disk is mounted in a chamber which has spherical side walls and conical top and bottom surfaces. The fluid enters an opening in the spherical wall on one side of the partition and leaves through the other side. As the fluid flows through the chamber, the disk wobbles, or executes a nutating motion. Since the volume of fluid required to make the disc complete one revolution is known, the total flow through a nutating disc can be calculated by multiplying the number of disc rotations by the known volume of fluid.

3.2. Operating parameters Accuracy Turndown Pipe sizes Maximum pressure Temperature range 0.5% - 1.5% in full rate 10:1 1 inch 125psi -10 to 130F

3.3 Applications Nutating Disc positive displacement flowmeters measure any liquid including viscous fluids such as asphalt, corn syrup, glue and corrosive liquids.

Roots (Rotary)

4.1 Definition Rotary meters are highly machined precision instruments capable of handling higher volumes and pressures than diaphragm meters. Within the meter, two figure "8" shaped lobes, the rotors (also known as impellers or pistons), spin in precise alignment. With each turn, they move a specific quantity of gas through the meter. The operating principle is similar to that of a Roots blower. The rotational movement of the crank shaft serves as a primary flow element and may produce electrical pulses for a flow computer or may drive an odometer-like counter.

4.2. Operating parameters Accuracy Turndown Pipe sizes Maximum pressure Temperature range 0.2% - 0.5 % in full rate 20:1 50 200mm 6.3Mpa -30 to 200C

4.3 Applications Root Flow Meter measure non-corrosive gases like natural gas, inert gases, air, coal gas, and many others. The gas must be dry and filtered. Diaphragm Flow meter 5.1 Definition Diaphragm meters have several diaphragms that capture the fluid as it passes through the meter. Differential pressure across the meter causes one diaphragm to expand and one to contract. A rotating crank mechanism helps produce a smooth flow of gas through the meter. This mechanism is connected via gearing to the index, which registers the amount of fluid that passes through the meter. Diaphragm meters are used for gas applications.

5.2. Operating parameters Accuracy Turndown Pipe sizes Maximum pressure Temperature range 0.5% - 1 % in full rate 15:1 20 300mm 4Mpa -40 to 55C

5.3 Applications Diaphragm gas meters most often are used to measure the flow of natural gas, especially in metering consumption by households.

For all positive displacement flow meters: Pros: Cons: be -

Low to medium initial set up cost Can be used in viscous liquid flow Higher maintenance cost than other non-obstructive flowmeters High pressure drop due to its total obstruction on the flow path Not suitable for low flow rate Very low tolerance to suspension in flow (particles larger than 100 m need to filtered before the liquid enters the flowmeter) Gas (bubbles) in liquid could significantly decrease the accuracy