ULTRASONIC FLOW METERS

BY
CHUKWU NGOZI CHIMAZURU
20141922493
Introduction to Ultrasonic Flow Meters.

• Principle of Operation
• Types/Application(s)
• General Equation(s)
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Reference materials.

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 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

• Ultrasonic flow meter measures the velocity of a fluid with ultrasound to calculate
volume flow.
• Using transducers, it measures the average velocity along the path of an emitted
beam. It measures the difference between the transit time of pulse propagating
with and against the flow direction.
• At no flow condition, it takes same time to travel upstream and downstream
between the transducers.
• Under flow condition, the upstream wave will travel slower and take more time
than the (faster) downstream wave.
• When the fluid moves faster, the difference between the upstream and
downstream increases.

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 TYPES/APPLICATION(S)
1. Ultrasonic Transit time
• This utilizes two transducers which function as both ultrasonic
transmitter and receiver.
• They Operate by alternatively transmitting and receiving a
frequency modulated burst of sound energy between the
transducers.

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2. Ultrasonic Doppler
• This continuously transmits high frequency sound that travel the pipe
wall and into the flowing liquid, sound is reflected back to the sensor
from solids or bubbles in the fluid.
If the fluid is in motion, the echoes return at an altered frequency
proportionate to flow velocity.

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3. Open Channel
• This includes a non-contacting sensor mounted above the flume.
• By measuring the time from transmission of an ultrasonic pulse
to receipt of an echo, the water level is accurately measured.

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 EQUATIONS
• C – V cos a = L/t  
u
p

• C + V cos a = L/t d
o
w
n

By adding and Subtracting, we get: 

• V = L/2 cos a × t –t / tu
pt d
o
w
n u
pdo
w
n

And
• C = L/2 × t + t
u
p /td
o
w
ntu
pdo
w
n
 

Where:
• V = average velocity of the fluid
• C = speed of the sound
• t = transit times.

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 ADVANTAGES

• High Accuracy.
• Approved for Custody transfer.
• Can clamp on pipe with no penetration.
• Tolerate extreme temperature.
• Long term reliability.

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 DISADVANTAGES

• Cost of flow meter is high.

• Ultrasound flow meter is sophisticated and requires an expert to
repair and maintain the flow meter.
• Pipe walls can interfere with ultra sonic signals for clamp on
meter.
• Build up on the inside pipe wall can reduce inside diameter of
pipe and reduce accuracy.

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 REFERENCE

• Liptak, Bela G…process measurement and Analysis, Vol 1 CRC

press (2003).
• www.britannica.com/technology
• www.smartmeasurement.com/advantages of ultrasonic flow
meter
• en.m.wikipedia/ultrasonic flow meter
• www.flowmeters.com