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Introduction
Flow measurement technology has evolved rapidly in recent decades. Some tech-
nologies have survived, while others have fallen by the wayside or have never
been commercially developed. Physical phenomena discovered centuries ago
have been the starting point for many viable flowmeter designs. In recent years,
technical developments in other fields, namely in optics, acoustics, and electro-
magnetism, have resulted not only in improved sensor designs but also in new
flowmeter concepts.
This technology explosion has enabled modern flowmeters to handle many
more applications than could have been imagined centuries ago. Todays flow
measurements encompass operating conditions that range form capillary blood
flow to flows over spillways, flows of gases, plasmas, pseudo-plastics, solids, and
corrosives, to name but a few.
Effective flowmeter selection requires a thorough understanding of flowmeter
technology in addition to a practical knowledge of the process and the fluid being
measured. The difficulty in bringing these two facts of flow measurement to bear
on a practical application is challenging even to experienced engineers, techni-
cians, and sales personnel.
Objectives
The primary objective of this text is to review the important concepts of flow mea-
surement and to provide explanations, practical considerations, illustrations, and
examples of existing flowmeter technologies. The ultimate goal is to present a
rational procedure for flowmeter selection based on factual information. The title,
Industrial Flow Measurement, was chosen to emphasize the goal of presenting the
knowledge with which practical and precise industrial measurements can be
made. A purely mathematical treatment of flowmeters is avoided in favor of heu-
ristic explanations of the principles and installation considerations involved and
how they apply to a given flowmeter.
2 Industrial Flow Measurement
Prerequisites and Audience
This text is intended as an introduction to flowmeter technology and has applica-
tion for sales personnel, technicians, engineers, instructors, and those who are
endeavoring to broaden their knowledge of industrial flow measurement. It can
be used by persons without engineering or scientific training; however, it may be
necessary to accept some principles on faith rather than through rigorous mathe-
matical development. Knowledge of algebra is necessary, but calculus is avoided
to keep within the texts practical framework.
Learning Objectives
Understanding of basic flowmeter concepts is essential to technical evaluations of
flowmeter options and the selection of equipment based on technical merits.
Decisions made without this technical basis are likely to result in misapplication
of flowmeter devices and in unacceptable flowmeter errors. The costs associated
with misapplication can range from additional engineering to replacement of the
instruments.
In presenting the basics of flowmeter technology and application, this text is
not intended as a substitute for experience or for specific flow measurement hand-
books. It is hoped that upon completion of this study, the reader will be in a posi-
tions to face flowmeter problems with a broadened perspective and to be more
knowledgeable of alternatives and constraints of the specific applications.