Introduction

to Flow
measurement
VPInstruments

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Normal cubic meter (m3n)
Gases do have a certain mass, but the density of gases is strongly dependent on pressure and temperature

Normal conditions: defines the mass of a gas at a fixed temperature and pressure.

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Normal cubic meter (m3n)
• Volume: 1m3

m 3
• Temperature: 0°C
• Pressure: 1013,25 mbar
• Relative humidity: 0%

n
• Mass: 1293 gram

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The ideal gas law
Pressure * Volume / Temperature = Constant

V
P∗V
=nm ∗R ½V
T
2P

P
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Normal conditions may vary
Other common normal conditions:

• 20˚C reference (FAD): See ISO 1217

• 15˚ reference: See DIN 1533
• CAGI: 68 F, 14.5 PSIA, 0% water vapor pressure

Nm3/hr = V ∗ (TN / T) ∗ (P / PN)

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From FAD to normal
100 m3/hr FAD ∗ 273,16/(273,16+20) ∗ 1000/1013,25 = 91,95 Nm3/hr
FAD/Nm3 factor = 1,0874  8,7% difference when comparing numbers

FAD Nm3

20 deg 20 deg
20 deg 20 deg
1000 1000 01000
deg
1013,25
1013,25

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ThermabridgeTM technology
Core technology of the VPFlowScope®

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ThermabridgeTM technology
Vout = k ∗ λ ∗ ρ ∗ v ∗ (Ts−Tg)

• Vout = output voltage

• k = sensor (geometrical) constant
• λ = thermal conductivity of the gas
• ρ = density of the gas
• v = actual velocity in in m / sec
• Ts = sensor temperature
• Tg = gas temperature

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Sensing direction

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Flow and pressure together
We believe in: Pressure ∗ Flow = Voltage ∗ Current – Energy!
• ISO11011 (e.g. must measure pressure on multiple locations)
• Difference between supply and demand
• How to detect a pressure drop if you dont measure?
• Internal accounting: 7 bar is more expensive than 6 bar.

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Normal meter per second

Thermal mass flow: velocity in Normal meter per second

“Actual velocity times pressure”

Example: 8 m/sec∗ 7 bar abs ~ 56 mn/sec

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Thermal mass flow = pressure independent
Why? The sensor counts molecules:

More pressure = denser air* = more molecules = more heat*

* : linear with pressure

1xP 2xP

1Q 2Q

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Bi-directional flow: air can go both ways!

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Bi-directional flow examples
• Ring networks
• Multiple compressor rooms
• Complex (old) compressed air networks
• Large receiver tanks
• Non return valves in compressors
• Leaking drains and seals

Extremely useful information for audits and permanent installations.

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Differential pressure technology
VPFlowScope
Transmitter housing
- Absolute pressure sensor
- Differential pressure sensor
Locking ring

Temperature

Dynamic pressure port

Negative side Dynamic
FLOW
pressure port
Positive side

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Thermal vs DP technology
1:300 range vs 1:10 range

0.5.150 Nm/sec vs 20..200 Nm/sec

Thermal: From leakages to high flow

DP: Only medium to high flow rates

Not suitable for leagage/low flows

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Other principles for compressed air

Vortex Orifice Turbine Clamp on ultrasonic

Mass flow Optional Optional Optional External

3-in-1 Optional Optional Optional External
Pressure loss Medium/high high Low Low
Dirty air OK Clogging Faillure OK
Wet Air OK, spikes OK Faillure Spikes
Bi-directional No Optional No Yes
Range 1:20 1:10 1:100 1:100

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Turbulent vs laminar flow
Reynolds number

ρ∗v∗D density∗velocity∗tubediameter
=
η dynamic viscosity

Air dynamic viscosity = 17,1 ∗ 10 −6

• Compressed air lines: Flow is always turbulent

• Velocity profile is nearly flat:
Less sensitive for insertion depth

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Distorted flow profiles
Distorted/assymetric flow vs symmetric flow 5D
≠
turbulent vs laminar flow!

10D

FLOW
20D

30D

(c) 2004-2005 VPInstruments, Delft, NL. Duplication by any means prohibited.

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Velocity to mass flow
Check the inner pipe diameter Example:
Area A = π ∗ 0.25 ∗ D2 V = 60mn/sec
D: 50 mm  Q = 0,117 m3n / sec
Wrong entry of D  big deviation D: 54 mm  Q = 0,137 m3n / sec
Difference: 17%

True diameter Measured error Measured diameter % of error

50 3 53 12.36
100 3 103 6.09
200 3 203 3.02
300 3 303 2.01

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Check the diameter!
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Flow meter
selection

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Know the process conditions
Process data
• Flow range
Normalized Velocity in
• Diameter
SFPM or Mn/sec
• Humidity Basic choice of model and
• Type gas measuring range
Check if it’s within the
• Pressure
specifications of the flow
• Temperature range meter

Additional data
• Location Exceptions, special
Choose the right and
installation prescriptions,
• Read out required? complete solution for
local readout, interfacing,
• Application customer
cables or Ethernet, etc.

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Model selection
In-line meters: 0.5, 1, 2 inch
Flow range leads direct to model,
Check the diameter to ensure quick mechanical installation.

Insertion probes: 2 inch and up

The (normalized) velocity range needs to be calculated from the flow
range to determine the right model.
Normalized velocity = mass flow [m3n/hr] / [3600] / tuber area

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Flow ranges
In-line meters Insertion probes

½” 1” 2” > 2”

Size Min flow Max flow Min flow

Max flow SCFM
(inch) m3n/hr m3n/hr SCFM
½ inch 0,32 80 0.19 50
1 inch 0,88 250 0,52 150
2 inch 3,53 1000 2,06 600

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Flow ranges
In-line meters Insertion probes

½” 1” 2” > 2”

Thermal: Schedule 40 Standard Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe

Size ID ID Min flow Max flow Min flow Max flow

DN
(inch) (inch) (mm) SCFM SCFM m3n/hr m3n/hr

2 50 2,1 52,5 2,3 688 3,9 1,169

4 100 4,0 102,3 8,7 2,610 15 4,435
6 150 6,1 154,1 20 5,924 34 10,065
12 300 11,9 303,2 77 22,953 130 38,995
20 500 18,8 477,8 190 56,996 323 96,832
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Not sure? Use VPCalculator
Use our calculator to determine which flow
sensor you need.

See our website for a download version.

Note: iOS 9 update not released yet.

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Installation

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Read the manual…

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Check the surroundings
• Avoiding excessive external heat
• Protect against external water damage (IP)
• Eliminating excessive system condensate
• When having condensation in gas
(100% condensation  VPS deltaP)
• Avoid corrosive atmosphere where possible
• Use the right cables and cable locations
• Eliminate mechanical vibration and potential
danger

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The best orientation
Take into account:
• Ease of wiring, maintenance, read out of and
access to display
• Install at least at an angle of 15° upwards. ALWAYS if possible
• Piping table! Minimum up- and downstream length.
Longer = better
30o
• In case of doubt: Communicate with the end user

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Proper alignment
The flow meter should be aligned with the pipe

• On sight is good enough

• But be aware of extreme misalignment!
• Don’t mount a meter upside down

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Check the installation
conditions
General minimum rule:
• 20*D upstream length (even 40*D preferred)
• 5*D downstream length (10*D preferred)
The longer the better

Without conditioners:
All other claimed shorter lengths are B.S.
It’s based on physics, not technology

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Look a little further
Sometimes the answer is around the
corner … or in this case: outside

40∗D=40 ∗150=6000 mm
We only have a third of that length

Use either 2⁄3 insertion point and/or at

least 500 mm form the double elbow.

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Larger scale network projects
• Always use the customer’s P&ID
• Use bi-directional as default (saves time)
• Select right amount of measurement points, better split project up in phases
• Phase 1: Supply side
• Phase 2: Demand side (per zone/building)

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Recap
• Thermal mass : dry air
• Differential pressure : wet air
• In Line : 0,5, 1 and 2 inch
• Probes : > 2 inch
• Always check : Temperature, Pressure
• Always check : diameter and range
• Not sure? : Use VPCalculator
• Ring network : Bi – directional
• General : Get a P&ID

Things to avoid:
• Temperature swings
• Excessive condensate
• Short meter runs
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THANK YOU!

VPInstruments
info@vpinstruments.com
www.vpinstruments.com

www.facebook.com/vpinstruments/

www.linkedin.com/company/vpinstruments

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VPInstruments
Buitenwatersloot 335
2614 GS Delft
The Netherlands
T +31 (0)15 213 15 80
info@vpinstruments.com
www.vpinstruments.com

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