Flow meters

A flow meter (or flow sensor) is an instrument used to measure linear, nonlinear,

mass or volumetric flow rate of a liquid or a gas. When choosing flowmeters, one
should consider such intangible factors as familiarity of plant personnel, their
experience with calibration and maintenance, spare parts availability, and mean time
between failure history, etc., at the particular plant site. It is also recommended that
the cost of the installation be computed only after taking these steps.
One of the most common flow measurement mistakes is the reversal of this sequence:
instead of selecting a sensor which will perform properly, an attempt is made to justify
the use of a device because it is less expensive. Those "inexpensive" purchases can be
the most costly installations. This page will help you better understand flow meters,
but you can also speak to our application engineers at anytime if you have any special
flow measurement challenges.

Electromagnetic Flow meters

Advantages:

 Unobstructed flow passage without projecting parts

 No moving parts
 No additional pressure drop
 Essentially flow profile insensitive, only short inlet and outlet sections required
 Unaffected by changes in temperature, density, viscosity, concentration and
electrical conductivity
 Favorable choice of materials for chemically aggressive or abrasive measuring
media
 Unaffected by contamination and deposits
 Especially suitable for hydraulic solids transport
 Linear relationship between flow rate and measured variable
 Operates in both flow directions (forward and reverse)
 Measuring range setting can be optimized
 Low maintenance, but still easy to maintain
Ultrasonic Flow meters
Advantages:

 Unobstructed flow passage

 No moving parts
 No additional pressure drop
 Favorable choice of materials for chemically aggressive liquids
 Linear relationship between flow rate and measured variable
 Low maintenance
 Operates in both flow directions (forward and reverse)
 Transit time meters unaffected by temperature, density and concentration
 Later installation in existing pipe possible with individual elements, but onsite
calibration required

Definition of Venturi Meter:

Venturi Meter is a device in which pressure energy is converted into kinetic energy
and It used for measuring the flow rate (Discharge) of the system.

Parts of Venturi Meter:

A Venturi Meter is consisted of:

 Converging cone or Diameter (the area is decreasing)

 Throat Diameter (the area is constant)
 Diverging cone (the area is increasing)

Advantages of Venturi Meter:

The advantages of Venturi Meter are:

 Power loss is very less.

 This can be used where a small head is available.
 High reproducibility (the extent to which consistent results are obtained when
an experiment is repeated).
 Accuracy is high over wide flow ranges.
 This can also be used for a compressible and incompressible fluid.
 This device is easy to operate.
 The coefficient of discharge (Cd ) for the venturi meter is high.
 This is widely used for a high flow rate (Discharge).

nozzle 

Basic Principle of Flow Nozzle:

When a flow nozzle is placed in a pipe carrying whose rate of flow is to be measured,
the flow nozzle causes a pressure drop which varies with the flow rate. This pressure
drop is measured using a differential pressure sensor and when calibrated this pressure
becomes a measure of flow rate.

Description of Flow Nozzle:

The main parts of flow nozzle arrangement used to measure flow rate are as
follows:
1. A flow nozzle which is held between flanges of pipe carrying the fluid whose flow
rate is being measured. The flow nozzle’s area is minimum at its throat.
2. Openings are provided at two places 1 and 2 for attaching a differential pressure
sensor (u-tube manometer, differential pressure gauge etc.,) as show in the diagram.

Applications of Flow Nozzle

It is used to measure flow rates of the liquid discharged into the atmosphere.
1. It is usually used in situation where suspended solids have the property of
settling.
2. Is widely used for high pressure and temperature steam flows.

Operation of flow Nozzle

1. The fluid whose flow rate is to be measured enters the nozzle smoothly to the
section called throat where the area is minimum.
2. Before entering the nozzle, the fluid pressure in the pipe is p1. As the fluid
enters the nozzle, the fluid converges and due to this its pressure keeps on
reducing until it reaches the minimum cross section area called throat. This
minimum pressure p2 at the throat of the nozzle is maintained in the fluid for a
small length after being discharged in the downstream also.
3. The differential pressure sensor attached between points 1 and 2 records the
pressure difference (p1-p2) between these two points which becomes an
indication of the flow rate of the fluid through the pipe when calibrated.
Applications of Flow Nozzle

1. It is used to measure flow rates of the liquid discharged into the atmosphere.
 2. It is usually used in situation where suspended solids have the property of
settling.
3. Is widely used for high pressure and temperature steam flows.
Advantages of flow Nozzle

1. Installation is easy and is cheaper when compared to venturi meter

2. It is very compact
3. Has high coefficient of discharge.
Disadvantages of flow Nozzle

1. Pressure recovery is low

2. Maintenance is high
3. Installation is difficult when compared to orifice flow meter.
Orifice meter
An orifice meter is a conduit and a restriction to create a pressure drop. An hour glass
is a form of orifice. A nozzle, venturi or thin sharp edged orifice can be used as the
flow restriction.
In order to use any of these devices for measurement it is necessary to empirically
calibrate them. That is, pass a known volume through the meter and note the reading
in order to provide a standard for measuring other quantities.

Due to the ease of duplicating and the simple construction, the thin sharp edged orifice
has been adopted as a standard and extensive calibration work has been done so that it
is widely accepted as a standard means of measuring fluids. Provided the standard
mechanics of construction are followed no further calibration is required.
An orifice in a pipeline is shown in figure with a manometer for measuring the drop in
pressure (differential) as the fluid passes through the orifice. The minimum cross
sectional area of the jet is known as the “vena-contracta.”

Advantages:
1. The standard throttle pieces have been recognized by international regulatory
organizations, without real flow calibration, you can put into use immediately.
2. Simple structure, strong, stable and reliable performance, lower price;
3. Wide application range, including all single-phase fluid (liquid, gas, steam), local
mixed phase flow, can be use even the general process diameter, working conditions
(temperature, pressure);
4. The detection pieces and differential pressure display instrument can be bought
separated from different manufacturer, so that it can realize the professional
consumption management.