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Viscosity (m), or the molecular friction within a At higher velocities or low viscosities the flow
fluid, negatively affects the flow rate of fluids. breaks up into turbulent eddies where the majority
Viscosity and pipe friction decrease the flow rate of of flow through the pipe has the same average
a fluid near the walls of a pipe. Viscosity increases velocity. In the “turbulent” flow the fluid viscosity is
or decreases with changing temperature, but not less significant and the velocity profile takes on a
always as might be expected. In liquids, viscosity much more uniform shape. Turbulent flow is
typically decreases with increasing temperature. represented by Reynolds numbers above 4,000.
Between Reynolds number values of 2,000 and
However, in some fluids viscosity can begin to
4,000, the flow is said to be in transition.
increase above certain temperatures. Generally, the
higher a fluid’s viscosity, the lower the fluid flow FIGURE 1. Velocity Profiles
rate (other factors remaining constant). Viscosity is
measured in units of centipoise. Another type of Pipe Wall
viscosity, called kinematic viscosity, is measured in
units of centistokes. It is obtained by dividing
centipoise by the fluid’s specific gravity. Streamline
HTG-FLOW-0478a
more dense fluid requires more head pressure to Parabolic
maintain a desired flow rate. Also, the fact that
Laminar Flow Laminar Flow Turbulent
gases are compressible, whereas liquids essentially Uniform Non-Uniform Flow
are not, often requires that different methods be (Axisymmetric) (Asymmetric)
used for measuring the flow rates of liquids, gases,
or liquids with gases in them.
It has been found that the most important flow
factors can be correlated together into a
MEASUREMENT OF FLUID FLOW IN
dimensionless parameter called the Reynolds
number, which describes the flow for all velocities, PIPES
viscosities, and pipeline sizes. In general, it defines Of the many devices available for measuring fluid
the ratio of velocity forces driving the fluid to the flow, the type of device used often depends on the
viscous forces restraining the fluid, or: nature of the fluid and the process conditions under
which it is measured. Flow is usually measured
indirectly by first measuring a differential pressure
RD = VD r
-----------
-
m or a fluid velocity. This measurement is then related
to the volume rate electronically. Flowmeters can be
At very low velocities of high viscosities, RD is low grouped into four generic types: positive
and the fluid flows in smooth layers with the displacement meters, head meters, velocity meters,
highest velocity at the center of the pipe and low and mass meters.
velocities at the pipe wall where the viscous forces
restrain it. This type of flow is called laminar flow
and is represented by Reynolds numbers below
2,000. One significant characteristic of laminar flow
is the parabolic shape of its velocity profile
(Figure 1).
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Positive Displacement Meters The first term of the equation is called “potential
head” or “potential energy”. The second term is
Positive displacement meters measure the volume known as the “velocity head” or “kinetic energy”.
flow rate (QV) directly by repeatedly trapping a Because potential and kinetic energy together are
sample of the fluid. The total volume of liquid constant, it is clear that an increase in velocity as
passing through the meter in a given period of time described by the Equation of Continuity must also
is the product of the volume of the sample and the be accompanied by a decrease in potential energy or
number of samples. Positive displacement meters line pressure. It is this relationship between velocity
frequently totalize flow directly on an integral and pressure that provides the basis for the
counter, but they can also generate a pulse output operation of all head-type meters.
which may be read on a local display counter or by
transmission to a control room. Because each pulse Head meters are generally simple, reliable, and
represents a discrete volume of fluid, they are offer more flexibility than other flow measurement
ideally suited for automatic batching and methods. The head-type flowmeter almost always
accounting. Positive displacement meters can be consists of two components: the primary device and
less accurate than other meters because of leakage the secondary device. The primary device is placed
past the internal sealing surfaces. Three common in the pipe to restrict the flow and develop a
types of displacement meters are the piston, oval differential pressure. The secondary device
gear, and nutating disc. measures the differential pressure and provides a
readout or signal for transmission to a control
Head Meters system. With head meters, calibration of a primary
measuring device is not required in the field. The
Head meters are the most common types of meter primary device can be selected for compatibility
used to measure fluid flow rates. They measure with the specific fluid or application and the
fluid flow indirectly by creating and measuring a secondary device can be selected for the type or
differential pressure by means of an obstruction to readout of signal transmission desired.
the fluid flow. Using well-established conversion
coefficients which depend on the type of head meter Orifice Plates
used and the diameter of the pipe, a measurement
A concentric orifice plate is the simplest and least
of the differential pressure may be translated into a
expensive of the head meters (Figure 2). Acting as a
volume rate.
primary device, the orifice plate constricts the flow
From the Equation of Continuity, assuming of a fluid to produce a differential pressure across
constant density (incompressible fluid) it can be the plate. The result is a high pressure upstream
seen that: and a low pressure downstream that is proportional
to the square of the flow velocity. An orifice plate
QV = V 1 A 1 = V 2 A 2
usually produces a greater overall pressure loss
This equation is one of the most important than other primary devices. A practical advantage
relationships in fluid mechanics. It demonstrates of this device is that cost does not increase
that for steady, uniform flow, a decrease in pipe significantly with pipe size.
diameter results in an increase in fluid velocity. In
addition, from Bernoulli’s equation on the FIGURE 2. Thin Plate Orifice Meter
conversation of energy, it is further seen that total
D D/2
head pressure (H) must remain constant
everywhere along the flow or: D and D/2
Pressure Taps
P V2
--- + ------ = H = Cons tan t
r 2 D d Square-edged
Orifice Plate
FLOW-0475A
Flange
Pressure
Taps
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Fundamentals of Flow Metering
FLOW-0479A
Convergent
Entrance Throat
Cylindrical Divergent
Inlet Outlet
Pitot Tubes
D d
In general, a pitot tube for indicating flow consists
FLOW-0474A
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Rosemount Inc.
Target
Tapered
Elbow Tap Meters Tube
Direct
An elbow tap operates by using a 45 degree pipe Reading
elbow in the fluid flow. A high pressure tap is taken Scale
from the outside of the elbow and a low pressure tap
FLOW-0476A
Float
is taken from the inside of the elbow. This provides a
differential pressure which is proportional to the
flow rate. Measuring the differential pressure
depends on the centrifugal force of the fluid flowing
through the elbow. Hence, gas with its low density is
not a good application for elbow taps. This also
explains why a short curvature in the elbow
develops a much greater differential pressure than
a long curvature. The pressure drop of an elbow tap
is no greater than that of the elbow. Though
repeatable, accuracy of an elbow tap meter is only
within ±5 percent.
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Fundamentals of Flow Metering
When using velocity to measure a fluid flow rate, The operating principle of magnetic flowmeter
the primary device generates a signal proportional system is base upon Faraday’s Law of
to fluid velocity. The equation QV = A ⫻ V electromagnetic induction, which states that a
illustrates that the generated signal is linear with voltage will be induced in a conductor moving
respect to the volume flow rate. Velocity meters are through a magnetic field.
usually less sensitive than head meters to velocity Faraday’s Law: E=kBDV
profile, some are obstructionless, and because they
provide linear output with respect to flow, there is The magnitude of the induced voltage E is directly
no square-root relationship as with differential proportional to the velocity of the conductor V,
pressure meters. This eliminates the potential conductor width D, and the strength of the magnetic
inaccuracies associated with square-root extraction field B. Figure 8 illustrates the relationship
and explains the greater rangeability of velocity between the physical components of the magnetic
meters in comparison to most head meters. flowmeter and Faraday’s Law. Magnetic field coils
placed on opposite sides of the pipe generate a
Turbine Meters magnetic field. As the conductive process liquid
A turbine meter uses a multi-bladed rotor that is moves through the field with average velocity V,
supported by bearings within a pipe section electrodes sense the induced voltage. The width of
perpendicular to the flow (Figure 7). Fluid drives the conductor is represented by the distance
the rotor at a velocity that is proportional to the between electrodes. An insulating liner prevents the
fluid velocity and, consequently, to the overall signal from shorting to the pipe wall. The only
volume flow rate. A magnetic coil outside the meter variable in this application of Faraday’s law is the
produces an alternating voltage as each blade cuts velocity of the conductive liquid V because field
the coil’s magnetic lines of flux. Each pulse, strength is controlled constant and electrode
therefore, represents a discrete volume of liquid. spacing is fixed. Therefore, the output voltage E is
Since the rotor is usually made of stainless steel, it directly proportional to liquid velocity, resulting in
is compatible with many fluids. However, the the linear output of a magnetic flowmeter.
bearings, which are necessary to support the rotor
FIGURE 8. Cutaway View of a Magnetic Flowmeter Flowtube
and which must allow it to spin freely at high Variable Flow
speeds, require a fairly clean process. Turbine Conductive Rate (FPS)
meters are typically available in pipeline sizes from Process
less than 1/2 inch through 12 inches. They have fast Medium
response and good accuracy. Lining Flange
Sensing
FIGURE 7. Axial-Flow Turbine Meter SST Tube
Electrodes
Pulse-Pickup Coil and Field
Electrical Connector Coils Magnetic Field “B”
(Constant Strength)
Journal or
Ball Bearings
“E”
“E”
FLOW-0485A
Thrust
8800-0471A
Bearing
Turbine
Blades
Straightening and
Supporting Vanes
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K-factor
Electronics
Housing
8800-0073A
Shedder Bar
Linear
Operating
Range
Reynolds Number
Vortex Forming
(Higher Velocity, Lower Pressure)
8800-0317E, 0002D02 A
Alternating
Vortices
Bluff Body
(Shedding Bar)
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Fundamentals of Flow Metering
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8800-8800c03c
the sensor housing, the sensor tube vibrates at its
Angle of
natural frequency (Figure 11). The sensor tube is Twist
driven by an electromagnetic drive coil located at
the center of the bend in the tube and vibrates
Driving Force
similar to that of a tuning fork.
FIGURE 11. Vibrating Coriolis Sensor Tube Due to Newton’s Second Law of Motion, the amount
of sensor tube twist is directly proportional to the
mass flow rate of the fluid flowing through the tube.
Electromagnetic velocity detectors located on each
side of the flow tube measure the velocity of the
vibrating tube. Mass flow is determined by
8800-8800c03a
measuring the time difference exhibited by the
velocity detector signals. During zero flow
conditions, no tube twist occurs, resulting in no time
difference between the two velocity signals. With
flow, a twist occurs with a resulting time difference
between the two velocity signals. This time
The fluid flows into the sensor tube and is forced to difference is directly proportional to mass flow.
take on the vertical momentum of the vibrating
tube. When the tube is moving upward during half
of its vibration cycle (Figure 12), the fluid flowing
into the sensor resists being forced upward by
pushing down on the tube.
Fluid Force
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Fundamentals of Flow Metering
±1 Percent of
( Accuracy A ) 2 + ( Accuracy B ) 2 ¡ ( Accuracy n ) 2
Accuracy (Percent of Rate)
Rate
±1 Percent of
Max. Flow This equation partially accounts for the fact that
5
errors will probably not all be either positive or
4
3 negative simultaneously, and that, therefore, the
2 overall accuracy rating will not reflect a “worst case”
1 condition.
0
HTG-FLOW-0484A
10 20 50 100
–1
–3
Percent of Flow
–2
–5
–4
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TABLE 3. Volume
Gallons (U.S.) Cubic Feet Cubic Inches Barrels (oil) Cubic Centimeters Liters Imperial Gallons
1 0.1337 231 0.02381 3785 3.785 0.8327
7.481 1 1728 0.1781 28320 28.32 6.229
0.004329 0.0005787 1 0.0001031 16.39 0.01639 0.003605
42 5.615 9702 1 159000 15.894 34.97
0.000264 0.0000353 0.06102 6.29 x 106 1 0.001 0.000220
1.201 0.1606 277.4 0.02860 4546 4.546 1
0.264 0.0353 61.03 0.0629 1000 1 0.220
TABLE 4. Velocity
ft/sec ft/min cm/sec meter/sc meter/min
1 60 30.48 0.3048 18.29
0.01667 1 0.5080 0.005080 0.3048
0.03281 1.9685 1 0.01 0.600
3.281 196.85 100 1 60
0.0547 3.281 1.667 0.01667 1
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Rosemount and the Rosemount logotype are registerd trademarks of Rosemount Inc.
Product documentation available at...
www.rosemount.com
00816-0100-3031
Rev BA
3/01