Inst Tools

FLOW MEASUREMENT

Transit Time Flow Meter Advantages and Disadvantages

 S Bharadwaj ReddyFeb 12, 20191

Transmit time flow meter sends and receives the ultrasonic waves between
transducers in both the upstream and downstream directions in the pipe.

At no flow conditions, It takes the same time to travel upstream and

downstream between the transducers. Under flowing conditions, The
upstream wave will travel slower and take more time than the downstream
wave.

When the fluid moves faster, The difference between the upstream and
downstream time increases. The difference in transit times in the upstream
and downstream directions(Tu-Td) measured over the same path can be used
to calculate the flow passing through a pipe.

Transmit time ultrasonic flow meters are more accurate and economical than
the doppler ultrasonic flow meters.
Transit Time Flow Meter
Different Types of Transmit time flow meters are available based on their
installation.

They are

1. V – Type Transmit time flow meters

2. Z – Type Transmit time flow meters
3. W – Type Transmit time flow meters

V – Type Transmit time flow meters

The two sensors are installed on a pipeline such that the ultrasonic waves
travel in the form of v-shape, hence called them as V-Type Transmit time flow
meters, as shown in below figure.

Z – Type Transmit time flow meters

The two sensors are installed on a pipeline such that the ultrasonic waves
travel in the form of z-shape, hence called them as Z-Type Transmit time flow
meters, as shown in below figure.
W – Type Transmit time flow meters
The two sensors are installed on a pipeline such that the ultrasonic waves
travel in the form of w-shape, hence called them as W-Type Transmit time
flow meters, as shown in below figure.
Advantages of Transit Time Flow Meters
The main advantage of the transit time flow meter is, that it works non-
invasivelywith clean and ultra-pure fluids.

This allows the user to maintain the integrity of the fluid while still measuring
the flow.

Some of the other advantages include:

1. Easy installation-transducer set clamps onto pipe.

2. No moving parts to wear out.
3. Zero pressure drop.
4. Works well with clean and ultrapure fluids.
5. No leakage potential.
6. Insensitive to liquid temperature, viscosity, density or pressure
variations.

Disadvantages of Transit Time Flow Meters

The transit time flow meter performance can suffer from pipe-wall
interference, accuracy and repeatability problems can result if there is any
Space Gap between the fluid and pipe wall.
The transit time flow meters will not operate on dirty, bubbly, particulate-
ladden fluids. Sometimes, the purity of a fluid may fluctuate so as to effect the
accuracy of the flow measurement.

For such cases, there are Hybrid meters on the market that will access the
fluid conditions within the pipe and automatically choose doppler or transit
time meter operations where needed.

Applications of Transit Time Flow Meter

Transit time flow meter have wide applicability for flow measurement of clean
or ultra-pure streams.

Some of the applications include:

1. Clean water flow rate in water treatment plants.

2. Hot or cold water in power plants.

3. Pure and ultra-pure fluids in pharmaceutical, food and beverage

industries.

4. Liquid to medium crude oils in the petroleum refining industry.

5. Water distribution systems used in agriculture and irrigation.
Articles You May Like :
Flow Meter Turndown Ratio
Ultrasonic Flow meter Performance
Flow Meter K-factor Calculation
Turbine Flow Meter Installation
Flow Measurement Questions
SHARE

PREVIOUS ARTICLE

Rate Compensated Heat Detectors Working Principle

NEXT ARTICLE

Ultrasonic Doppler Flow Meter Advantages and Disadvantages

RELATED ARTICLES

Short Notes on Differential Pressure Flow Meters

What is Averaging Pitot Tube ?
Coriolis Mass Flow Sensor Theory
Thermal Mass Flow Meter Working Principle
Flow Standards
Hot Wire Anemometer Principle
1 COMMENT
SammyFebruary 13, 2019 - 10:05 am
The transit time ultrasonic flow meter has three possible transducer
configurations: Z, V and W. All are recognized as a single measuring path,
whereas the ultrasonic beam follows a single path.

In all three configurations, the output produced by the transducers is

converted to a current, frequency or voltage signal. The preferred
configuration is determined by factors such as:

 Pipe size
 Space available for mounting the transducers
 Condition of the internal walls of the pipe
 Type of lining
The characteristics of the flowing liquid

In the “Z” configuration, the transducers are positioned on opposite sides of

the pipe with one downstream from the other. Usually, the distance
downstream is approximately D/2, where D equals the diameter of the pipe.
The optimum distance is calculated by a converter. This arrangement is only
advisable under conditions where there is limited space, high turbidity, a
mortar lining or a thick build-up of scale on the interior walls of the pipe. It
should be avoided for installations on small pipes, where the accuracy of its
measurements tends to degrade.
The “V” configuration is recommended for most installations. This
arrangement places the two transducers on the same side of the pipe within
approximately a diameter of the pipe from each other. A rail attachment
clamps on the pipe and allows the transducers to be slid horizontally to
position them the calculated distance apart.

A “W” configuration is most often used for installations on pipes with

diameters of ½ inch to 1½ inches. In this arrangement, the ultrasonic signal
rebounds from the wall three times; therefore, it must travel a greater
distance. High turbidity liquids, and scale or deposit build-up on the interior of
the pipe wall can diminish accuracy.

reference – omega
ADD COMMENT
  VIEW DESKTOP VERSION

© Inst Tools
Back To Top