TECHNICAL INFORMATION SHEET-47

CALIBRATION METHODS FOR LIQUIDS:
FLYING START AND FINISH
Flying Start and Stop Process

With this process (sometimes called the diverter method) the flow through the meter is not
stopped but continues uninterrupted. The flow is physically diverted between a return path to
the liquid supply tank and the collection container. A switch on the diverter mechanism starts
and stops a timer and a pulse totaliser.
  

The key to accurate measurement is a clean separation between fluid entering the container
and fluid returning to the supply. This should be accomplished without any change of
flowrate through the device. For this reason the flow into the diverter is normally conditioned
by creating a long thin jet impinging on a splitter plate. This will be open to atmosphere
ensuring no change of pressure occurs when diverting and hence removing the potential for
a change in flowrate during a test. The diverter mechanism is operated as quickly as
possible to reduce timing errors to a minimum. With a well designed diverter, test times
down to 30 seconds can be achieved.

With the flying start and finish process the main source of uncertainty lies in the timing error,
shown diagrammatically below. The hydraulic centre of the diverter is found by calibrating a
high quality reference meter at a constant flowrate. The calibration is repeated using
alternatively long and short diversion times. The difference between them defines the timing
error.

The diverter sensor is moved until the difference between calibrations is minimised. This is
repeated at different flowrates and a best compromise position found. The residual scatter
and difference between long and short diversion calibrations gives the uncertainty due to
timing error.

A three port valve can be used as the diverter. Most valves, even those designed to maintain
flow during changeover, will not have equal port area sizes during the change. The pipe
resistance may well be different for the two paths resulting in different flowrates being
produced. These differences can result in pressure/flow surge during changeover and
different flowrates in the two conditions. It is also difficult to find valves which operate quickly
enough to provide a fast changeover.

Flying start and finish methods are used primarily for meters with slow response times and
where flowrate is the primary measurement rather than quantity passed. Meters with visual
displays cannot be calibrated by this method.

NEL provides a wide range of independent consultancy, R&D, testing and calibration
services in a range of areas including fluid flow measurement, thermal engineering
and low carbon technologies. Please contact us at:

Tel: +44 (0)1355 593870 Email: nmshelp@tuvnel.com

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