Ultrasonic Flow

Measurement

Theory of Operation
Ultrasonic flowmeters determine flow by measuring the velocity
of sound as it passes through a fluid flowing through a pipe

Methods of ultrasonic flow measurement:

Transit time
Doppler effect

Transit Time
Transit time ultrasonic flowmeters operate on the principle
that the speed of an ultrasonic sound wave will increase
when directed with flow and decrease when directed
against flow

Pairs of ultrasonic
trasducers send and
receive signals diagonally
across the flow.

The signal transit

time is related to the
velocity of flow.

The Doppler effect refers to the change in frequency

of sound waves. The frequency increases or
decreases based on the velocity of the fluid. A
common example of the Doppler effect is the change
in the pitch of a train whistle as the train passes at
high speeds. Compared to the emitted train whistle
frequency, the received frequency of the train
whistle is higher during the approach of the train,
identical at the instant of passing, and lower once
the train has passed.

Doppler Effect
The Doppler effect refers to the
change in the frequency of
sound waves.

Example: Change in pitch

of a train whistle as the
train passes at high speed

An ultrasonic beam of a known

frequency is directed into a pipeline.
Reflects off moving solids in the stream and back
to receiver

Design Options
Noninvasive
(clamp-on)

Wetted design
(inline)

Ultrasonic Design

Flow Accuracy

Turndown

Wetted

1 to 2%

50:1

Noninvasive

3 to 10%

20:1

Benefits of Ultrasonic Flowmeter

Technology
Measures liquids and gases
No moving parts
Reduced maintenance
No pressure drop
Allows more flow for a given
meter size
High turdown and inherently
bidirectional

Limitations of Ultrasonic
Partially field pipes
Strong flow signal loss at liquid and gas interface
Generally cause loss of flow signal
Transducer and interface coating
Transducer coating can attenuate or deflect the
ulstrasonic beam.
Ultrasonic beam does not reach receiving transducer
Procces temperature
Temperature affects density and sound velocity.
Can affect ultrsonic beam angle
Ultrasonic beam does not reach the receiving
transducer
Multiphase flow
Transit time disigns may become inoperative.
Doppler design may become overly sensitive
and cause flow measurement erros.

There are several typical applications

for ultrasonic flowmeters.
The Doppler effect design ultrasonic
flowmeters are typically used to
measure flow rates for wastewater,
paper pulp stock, crude oil, and lime
sludge processes.
The transit time design ultrasonic
flowmeter typically measures flow
rates for de-ionized water, hydraulic

Applications
Doppler effect
Wasttewater
Paper pulp
stock
Crude oil
Lime sludge

Transit time
De-ionized water
Hidraulic oil
Refined hydrocarbons
Lnatural gas
Carbonated liquids