How do you do a zero check on a differential pressure transmitter?

Zero checking a differential pressure transmitter is an important as it ensures that the transmitter
is not deviating from correct zero differential pressure reading. It should be done regularly or
when one suspects an error in the readout of the said transmitter.

Before doing anything with a differential pressure transmitter as with other process instruments,
be sure that it is isolated from the system process especially when the industrial plant is in
operation. This can be done resetting the setpoints of the transmitter, bypassing signal
transmissions and putting it in bypass mode, or putting the transmitter in maintenance mode. It
really depends on the system design of the company. Ensure to inform the control room
personnel before and after the job. Usually jobs like this are done during plant shutdown and is in
for maintenance. Never attempt to adjust, or manipulate any part of the transmitter either
physically or with its parameters without proper communications with process and production
personnel. It could lead to a plant emergency shutdown which we don’t want to happen.

Now, to zero check a differential presure transmitter, a technician can close either one of the low
pressure side or high pressure side isolation valves. usually the high pressure valve is the one that
is closed to prevent transmitter damage and must be closed slowly. Open the equalizing valve
also slowly. Both can be closed or open at the same time but do it in a very slow manner. Also,
ensure that the you know the working pressure of the process to have an insight of how much
pressure there would be in case of leakage or any other undesirable events. The three valves can
be found in the valve manifold or in line with the impulse lines if installed otherwise. Refer to
the picture to see the valves below the transmitter in manifold. The valve in the center (without
the label H for high pressure side and L for low pressure side tapping) is the equalizing valve.

What to check when differential flow transmitters indication is more?

· First flushing the transmitter. Flush both the impulse lines. Adjust the zero by
equalizing if necessary.

If still the indication is more then.

· Check low pressure (L.P). side for choke. If that is clean then.

· Check the leaks on low pressure (L.P.) side. If not,

· Calibrate the transmitter.

What is Bernoulli’s theorem and where it is applicable?

Bernoulli’s theorem states the “total energy of a liquid flowing from one point to another
remains constant.” It is applicable for non compressible liquids.

Answers.com states that Bernoulli theorem is an expression of the conservation of energy in the
steady flow of an incompressible, inviscid fluid; it states that the quantity (p/ρ) + gz + (v2/2) is
constant along any streamline, where pis the fluid pressure, v is the fluid velocity, ρ is the mass
density of the fluid, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and zis the vertical height. Also known
as Bernoulli equation; Bernoulli law.

Why is the orifice tab provided? What is its purpose?

The orifice tab is provided due to the following reasons.

• Indication of an orifice plate in a line.
• The orifice diameter is marked on it.
• The material of the orifice plate.
• The tag no. of the orifice plate.
• The mark the inlet of an orifice.

How do you carry out piping for a differential pressure flow transmitter on liquids, gas and
steam services?
Liquid lines : On liquid lines the transmitter is mounted below the orifice plate because liquids
have a property of self draining
Gas Service :On gas service the transmitter is mounted above the orifice plate because Gases
have a property of self venting and secondly condensate formation.

Steam Service :On steam service the transmitter is mounted below the orifice plate with
condensate pots. The pots should be at the same level.

What are the different types of orifice plates and their uses ?

The different types of orifice plates are :

• Concentric.
• Segmental.
• Eccentric.
• Quadrant Edge.

Concentric :
The concentric orifice plate is used for ideal liquid as well as gases and steam service. This
orifice plate beta ratio fall between of 0.15 to 0.75 for liquids and 0.20 to 0.70 for gases, and
steam. Best results occur between value of 0.4 and 0.6. beta ratio means ratio of the orifice bore
to the internal pipe diameters.
(45º beveled edges are often used to minimize friction resistance to flowing fluid )

Eccentric :
The eccentric orifice plate has a hole eccentric. Use full for measuring containing solids, oil
containing water and wet steam. Eccentric plates can use either flange or vena contracta taps, but
the tap must be at 180º or 90º to the eccentric opening.

Eccentric orifices have the bore offset from center to minimize problems in services of solids-
containing materials.

Segmental :
The segmental orifice place has the hole in the form segment of a circle. This is used for
colloidal and slurry flow measurement. For best accuracy, the tap location should be 180º from
the center of tangency.
Segmental orifices provide another version of plates useful for solids containing materials.

Quadrant Edge :
It common use in Europe and are particularly useful for pipe sizes less than 2 inchs.

Quadrant edge orifices produce a relatively constant coefficient of discharge for services
with low Reynolds numbers in the range from 100,000 down to 5,000.

What are the primary elements used for flow measurement ?

• Orifice Plate – Orifice plate is used for flow rate measuring in pipe systems. With orifice
plate, pressure drop is created. Based on the magnitude of pressure drop, flow rate can be
calculated. This instrument is very practical for large tube diameters and for dirty fluid when
turbines are not applicable.

• Venturi tube – Due to simplicity and dependability, the Venturi tube flowmeter is often used
in applications where it’s necessary with higher TurnDown Rates, or lower pressure drops, than
the orifice plate can provide.

In the Venturi Tube the fluid flowrate is measured by reducing the cross sectional flow area in
the flow path, generating a pressure difference. After the constricted area, the fluid is passes
through a pressure recovery exit section, where up to 80% of the differential pressure generated
at the constricted area, is recovered.

• Pitot tube – The pitot tube measures the fluid flow velocity by converting the kinetic energy
of the flow into potential energy.

The use of the pitot tube is restricted to point measuring. With the “annubar”, or multi-orifice
pitot probe, the dynamic pressure can be measured across the velocity profile, and the annubar
obtains an averaging effect.

• Annubars – An annubar consists of several pitot tubes placed across a pipe to provide an
approximation to thevelocity profile, and the total flow can be determined based on the multiple
measurements.

• Flow Nozzle – Flow Nozzle is a differential flowmeter that creates a flow restriction for,
typically, high-velocity, non-viscous, erosive flows.

• Weir & Flumes – A weir is a low dam or overflow structure built across an open channel. It
has a specific size and shape with a unique free-flow, head-discharge relationship. The edge or
surface over which the water flows is called the crest. Discharge rates are determined by
measuring the vertical distance from the crest to the water surface in the pool upstream from the
crest. Flumes are primary devices that constrict an open channel flow for measurement. Once the
flow is backed up behind the constriction there is a defined relationship between the depth up
stream and the flow through the constriction. This relationship can either be determined from an
equation or a table.