REFERENCE MANUAL FLOW MEASUREMENT Quantitative determination of flow rates and mass flow of gases and liquids is important in many fields of engineering , especially process control. The type of fluid and its properties are the major factors which dictate the method of measurement suitable [0 the purpose. CLASSIFICATION OF FLOW METERS : Flow measurement are classified under two reogings (1) quantity, and (2) rate of flow. A quantity meter is defiened as one in which fluid passing through a primary element is accurately quantified in terms of the weight or volume of the fluid. Examples are the positive - displacement meters, reciprocating piston, nutating discs, etc. For gases, the conventional wet-gas meter is perhaps the best-known example. By constrast , the rate of flow meter can be defined as one in which the fluid Passes through the primary element in a continuous stream. The movement of the fluid has an effect on the primary element according to some physical load, known or unknown and as a result , the quantity of flow per unit time is defined . In practice the relationship between the flow rate and signal obtained is always an empirical one established for the type of device from experience and calibration. Examples include the orifice plate, turbine and electromagnetic flow meter. r The three most important factors which form the basis for the type of device applicable either for flow measurement or flow metering , are repeatability, and accuracy, in that order of priority. The term accuracy comprises of linearity , response and calibration factors. Other important constraints are operational convenience, maintainance and cost. BEDARE ELECTRONICSPVT.LTD. INSTRUMENTATION TUTORREFERENCE MANUAL All flow - rate meters can be classified under the following types, depending upon the physical principles of operations as well as other characteristics 1. Head-type flow meter based on differential pressure measurements (a) orifice plate , (b) venturi tube, (c) flow nozzle , and (d) pitot tube. 2. Electromagnetic - flow meters. 3. Rotameters (variable - area meters) 4, Mechanical - flow meters :(a) positive dispalcement , and (b) turbine 5. Anemometer 6. Ultrasonic - flow meter 7. Vortex-flow meter. Electronic Wheel Flow Meter WFT ) Now a days turbine ype flow meter principle is used in Electronic Wheel Flow Meter. WEFT operates on the principle of measuring the speed of wheel which is proportional to flow rate. The Optical sensor ( Tx and Rx opto transducer ) is mounted across the wheel. As the wheel rotates through this opto sensor it produces the pulses Corresponding to flow rate. thes pulses are converted into voltage using frequency to voltage or current converter. . Hence for proper operation of WFT, flow must be clear and there should not be any air bubble in line. BEDARE ELECTRONICSPVT.LTD. INSTRUMENTATION TUTORREFERENCE MANUAL ROTAMETER A rotameter consists of a vertical tube with a tapered cone in ghich a float assumes a vertical position corresponding to each flow rate through tube. The conical tube is made of glass, stainless steel, or monel, or special plastics. The rotameters are sometimes reffered as constant pressure drop, variable area or variable aperature meters. flow zero posi- tion flow FORCES ACTING ONAFLOAT INAROTAMETER The variable area meter is analysed as follows. Consider the forces acting on the float in the vertical column of liquid, as shown in figure. These are: (2) The effective weight W acting on the float, W=V,(P,-P,) (1) BEDARE ELECTRONICSPVT.LTD. INSTRUMENTATION TUTORREFERENCE MANUAL = Volume of the float, p, = material density of the float , and P, = density of the liquid (b) Force Fd acting in a downward direction on the upper surface of the float (2) Where P2 = Pressure per unit area on the upper surface of the float, and A, = Surface area of the float () The force Fu acting upwards on the lower surface of the float, @) (4) Adrag force D tending to pull the float in an upward direction (in the direction of flow) . The value of this force depends on the float design and the conditions of fluid flow. The force may be represented by an equation of the form DE KV. KL, @) ‘Where K = a constant, v= velocity of the fluid , L, = a dimensional function equiva- lentto length and 1 = absolute viscosity of the fluid. Under equilibrium, neglecting viscous drag effects, F\+D=W+F, ©) Ifthe viscous drag force effects are neglected ,D=0, and PLAY; (Po Py) +P Ag an 6) When the flow increases from an equibrilium value, an increased differential Pressure (P, - P, ) results and the ratio P, / P,, increases which means that the force P, Af is now greater than [V,(p, - p,) + PA]. Since the float is free, it will be moved in the direction of flow. BEDARE ELECTRONICSPVT.LTD. INSTRUMENTATION TUTORREFERENCE MANUAL As it moves upwards, it increases the orifice area due to the expanding sectional area of the tube and the pressure differential falls proportionately. The operation continues until (P2 - P1) reaches its original value, when the forces as indicated in equation (6) are in equilibrium again. The new float position is the measure of the new flow rate. The operation is reversed when the flow rate decreases. From Eq, (6), (7) (8) Where A2 is the gap area between the float and the tube . If the displacement of the float . (9) Where d, = tube diameter at a distance x from the inlet of the tube, and d,= diameter of the float. Equation (8) can be rewritten as Q, = Kexe (8) BEDARE ELECTRONICSPVT.LTD. INSTRUMENTATION TUTORREFERENCE MANUAL Where K = is a proportionality constant x In rotameters, the velocity approach factor E is of no sigficance. Hence, Ve Pa Py Q,= Kex ac) If itis desired to obtain the mass flow Qm in gravimetric units (kg/s) instead of volume flow , equation can be rewritten as , ce (1) BEDARE ELECTRONICSPVT.LTD. INSTRUMENTATION TUTORREFERENCE MANUAL Experimental Setup = 1) Process tank afd storage tank is mounted on MS structure. 2) Level in process tank is measured on side capillary as marked on side scale 3) Water from storage tank is circulated using motor pump , through Rotameter and collected in process tank. Rotameter is mounted in series with line to measure the flow of water. 230 volt AC operated Motor pump circulates the water in tank through pipe line 4) Bypass manual valve is provided in system to adjust flow. The flow can be changed by adjusting Mariual valve, 5) With sufficient water in storage tank make motor pump on. (Keep outlet valve of process tank off and outlet valve of storage tank on ) Adjust bypass valve and manual flow control valve for some fixed flow rate (say 250 LPH) as observed on rotameter and note the water collected in process tank in terms of litre upto five minutes. 6) To drain the process tank or to recollect the same in storage tank keep the outlet vaive of storage tank off and and outlet valve of process tank on so that motor motor pump suction will be from process tank and water will get collected in storage tank by keeping corre sponding valve on BEDARE ELECTRONICS PVT.LTD. INSTRUMENTATION TUTORREFERENCE MANUAL Procedure : 1) Keep Bypass valve half open 2) Keep sufficient water in storage tank Keep zero cm water level in process tank. 3) Make power on to motor pump. 4)Adjust Input flow to say (200 LPH ) by flow control valve and bypass valve 5) Note the water level in process tank afert every one minute. Tabualte the result Water Flow rate ~ LPH (Litre per hour) PM (Litre per minute) S.No} Time Water level in Water collected in (minutes) process tank (cm) | process tank (iter) Water collected in tank ( Litre) = LX BX water level / 1000 where L = length of process tank in cm B = breadth of process tank in em Repeat step 4 and 5 for different flow rate ( say 150 LPH and 250 LPH ) Verify the observed flow rate value with calculated value BEDARE ELECTRONICS PVT.LTD. INSTRUMENTATION TUTORREFERENCE MANUAL FLOW MEASUREMENT SYSTEM Hv2 ROTA METER BY PASS VALVE HV4 STORAGE PROCESS TANK TANK BEDARE ELECTRONICSPVT.LTD. INSTRUMENTATION TUTOR