Diaphragm meter

Outlines

1. Diaphragm meter (DM)

2. Operating principles of DM
3. Meter rating and capacity
4. Recent development in diaphragm meter
 Introduction of Gas meter
• Gas meters device for measuring the quantity
or rate of flow of a gas.
• Types of meters
Diaphragm meter
rotary meter
coriolis meter
 1. Diaphragm meter [1]

• A diaphragm meter is a positive displacement

instrument which is used to measure the volume
of gas that passes through it.
• The diaphragm also provides the seal between
the measuring chambers of the device.
• It is an accurate and reliable means of
measurement of gas.
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• This is especially true at low flow rates
because of its positive displacement
characteristics.
• It is use to accurately measure the
consumption of gas.
 2. Operating principles [1]
• A positive displacement meter can be depicted as in
Figure 1.
• A single chamber positive displacement device
accomplished with simple piston and valving
arrangements.
• It is a fixed size and shape.
• A gas enters through the "IN" port the piston is moved
toward the top of the cylinder.
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• The gas pressure acting on the surface of the piston.
• At the end of its stroke at which time the valve is
closed and the motion is stopped.
• The valve is then moved to open the "OUT" port
which allows the measured volume of gas to be
exhausted from the cylinder.
• Thus, returning the piston to the bottom of the
cylinder.
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• The piston is also connected through a series
of links to a counter, which provide a totalized
amount of gas that has been passed through
device.
 3. Meter rating and capacity [1]
• Diaphragm meters are generally designated by class
(ANSI).

• ANSI defines the classes in the B109.1 and B109.2

specifications.

• The capacity is arrived at by measuring the volume of

gas passed through the meter at a given pressure
drop.
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• The drop is the amount of pressure loss from the
inlet to the outlet of the meter.
• As meter moves faster and faster the valve and
other components wear, reducing accuracy.
• Larger the pressure drop, greater the capacity.
• The capacity of a meter can be doubled by
increasing the pressure drop to 2’’ W.C. from 0.5’’
W.C.
4. Recent development in diaphragm
meter [2]
• Hybrid domestic gas meters combine new smart
electronic feature on a traditional diaphragm
mechanical body.
• In such meters mechanical register is replaced
by an electronic unit, equipped with a data
transmission device and a remote firmware
upgrade function.
• All data are recorded on a non-volatile memory
of the electronic device.
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• According to the recent legal metrology
regulations, an hybrid smart meter has also to
be provided with a temperature sensor and
with a remotely controlled mechanical valve
that allows or forbids the gas flow.
References
1. James Thomson, Fundamentals and principles of
diaphragm meters
2. G. Ficco, Metrological performance of diaphragm gas
meters in distribution networks 2014; 37:65–72
3. Sharmila Mukandrai, Fundamental and principles of
rotary displacement meters
Thank you