PENG_001.

DOC Revision 3 Page 1 of 9

BLUE CIRCLE CEMENT

PROCESS ENGINEERING STANDARDS

GAS FLOW MEASUREMENT BY PITOT STATIC TUBE

PENG_001.DOC
Prepared Checked Date
R W Davies K Rabson 06/12/95



1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1.1 This WI outlines the technique to be employed when measuring gas flows
using a Pitot static tube.

2 EQUIPMENT

Note: Care is needed to use equipment of known calibration as failure to do so
leads to uncertainty of the results obtained.

2.1 Calibrated manometer, either electronic or fluid type.

2.2 Pitot static tube of KNOWN calibration factor, and conforming to the criteria
specified in BS 1042 section 2.1, 1983. If at all possible, use an NPL Pitot tube
of known correction factor.

2.3 Measuring tape and measuring rod.

2.4 Calibrated digital thermometer.

2.5 Thermocouple.

2.6 Adjustable spanner.

2.7 Full appropriate safety equipment, i.e. safety shoes, safety helmet, coveralls,
safety glasses, gloves, ear defenders, etc.





PENG_001.DOC Revision 3 Page 2 of 9
3 FREQUENCY

3.1 On request, or as part of a routine process evaluation.


4 METHOD

4.1 Ensure the environment is safe.

4.1.1 Take particular care when the gas is hot and when the flow to be measured is
at a higher pressure than atmospheric.

4.1.2 Make sure there is no risk that the Pitot itself can get caught in any adjacent
fan blades, damaging the fan or causing injury to personnel.

4.2 Select sampling cross section

4.2.1 The sampling cross section should be located in a position where the Reynolds
number based on the diameter of the total pressure hole of the Pitot tube is in
excess of 200
1
, and the local Mach number does not exceed 0.25
1
.


4.2.2 The cross section selected for the measurement shall be located in a straight
pipe length where the flow is substantially parallel to and symmetrical about the
conduit axis. The sampling plane shall be perpendicular to the direction of the
flow and shall be of a simple shape, such as circular or rectangular. Therefore,
the sampling cross section needs to be far enough away from disturbances
that could cause swirl or turbulence. Typically located away from any flow
disturbance by at least:-

Downstream Upstream
eight duct diameters
2
two duct diameters
2

six duct diameters
3
six duct diameters
3


4.3 Measure the dimensions of the sampling cross section

4.3.1 Circular Cross Sections
1


The mean diameter should be determined by calculating the arithmetic mean
of at least four diameter measurements (including the traverse diameters),
each measurement at approximately equal angles to each other. (i.e. 0
o
, 45
o
,
90
o
, and 135
o
of the cross sectional plane; not 0
o
, 90
o
, 180
o
, and 270
o
of the
cross sectional plane). Double the number of measurements if the difference
between any two consecutive diameters is greater than 0.5%. It may not be




PENG_001.DOC Revision 3 Page 3 of 9
practical to have four sockets at the specified angles; typically there are two
sockets, one at 0
o
and the other at 90
o
. Therefore, it is suggested that a small
5mm hole be drilled at the specified angles and a measuring rod be inserted for
the sake of measuring the duct dimensions. Once done the hole can be closed
by threading in a 5mm bolt.

4.3.2 Rectangular Cross Sections
1


The duct width and height should be determined by calculating the arithmetic
mean of at least four equally spaced measurements at positions along each of
the duct dimensions. Double the number of measurements if the difference
between any two consecutive measurements is greater than 1.%

4.3.3 Use the above dimensions to calculate the duct cross sectional area A

4.4 Define the position of the measuring points in the cross section

The objective is to divide the sampling cross section area into a number of
sections of equal area. The measuring point per section should then be
positioned at the centre of each sectional area in order that the measurement
will be representative of that area. Two traverses can be achieved, one an
inwards traverse and one an outwards traverse. This will result in a doubling of
the number of measurements taken without a significant increase in effort.





PENG_001.DOC Revision 3 Page 4 of 9
4.4.1 Circular Cross Sections

The minimum number of measurements should be six per duct diameter in a
minimum of two perpendicular traverses. which if performed in an inwards and
outwards direction gives a minimum total of twenty four measurements per
cross section. The following table is calculated according to the "log-
Tchebycheff" method.

Number of Points
per traverse of
duct diameter D
10 Points
per duct dia
8 Points
per duct dia
6 Points
per duct dia
1 0.0189 x D 0.0236 x D 0.0321 x D
2 0.0765 x D 0.1000 x D 0.1349 x D
3 0.1525 x D 0.1938 x D 0.3207 x D
4 0.2171 x D 0.3343 x D 0.6793 x D
5 0.3612 x D 0.6657 x D 0.8651 x D
6 0.6388 x D 0.8062 x D 0.9679 x D
7 0.7829 x D 0.9000 x D
8 0.8475 x D 0.9762 x D
9 0.9235 x D
10 0.9811 x D





PENG_001.DOC Revision 3 Page 5 of 9
4.4.2 Rectangular Cross Sections

The minimum number of measuring locations shall be 25, their positions
being defined by the intersections of at least five straight lines running parallel
to each wall of the duct. The table below is calculated according to the "log-
Tchebycheff" method. The table will allow for calculation of both the length
and width spacing for a rectangular cross section, giving a range of 25 to 49
measuring points, which if measured twice will yield 50 to 98 readings.

Often the sockets in a rectangular duct are in place. It is necessary to check
their spacings. If they do not fit the above table, then it will be necessary to
devise a measuring grid in order that each measuring point is representative
of an equal segment of the total area.

Number of Points
per traverse of
duct dimension D
7 Points
per traverse
6 Points
per traverse
5 Points
per traverse
1 0.053 x D 0.061 x D 0.074 x D
2 0.203 x D 0.235 x D 0.288 x D
3 0.366 x D 0.437 x D 0.500 x D
4 0.500 x D 0.563 x D 0.712 x D
5 0.634 x D 0.765 x D 0.929 x D
6 0.797 x D 0.939 x D
7 0.949 x D

4.5 Measure the differential pressure at each measuring point P
d


4.5.1 The Pitot tube used should be of diameter, d, where its ratio to the duct
diameter, D, given by d/D shall not exceed 0.02. The distance between the
axis of the head of the Pitot tube and the side wall should never be less than
the head diameter, d.

4.5.2 As there is no flow of air through the Pitot tube, connecting hoses and the
manometer, there will be no pressure drop. Therefore, for practical purposes
there is no limit to the distance between the Pitot tube and the manometer.

4.5.3 Once the Pitot tube is introduced then one needs to ensure that it is rigidly
fixed in each measuring position and that no inleaking air is allowed to enter




PENG_001.DOC Revision 3 Page 6 of 9
the duct. The axis of the Pitot head needs to be in line with the axis of the
duct and perfectly perpendicular to the flow as failure to do so will lead to
measuring errors. Typically for a BS type tube a 20
o
yaw will lead to a 2%
error, whilst for an 's' type Pitot a 5
o
yaw will lead to a 1% error. If at all
possible, use an NPL type Pitot tube and keep the s type for circumstances
where an NPL will not perform.

4.5.4 The Pitot tube tip facing the fluid flow measures Total Pressure of the fluid in
the duct, whilst the Pitot tube side holes, in the case of an NPL tube, and the
reverse facing tube in the case of an 'S' type of tube measure Static
Pressure. The two connection points of the manometer should be connected
separately to the Total Pressure tapping and the Static Pressure tapping on
the Pitot tube. This will allow the manometer to display the Differential
Pressure between the two which is representative of :-

Total Pressure - Static Pressure = Differential Pressure

where it is accepted that

Total Pressure = Static pressure + Velocity Pressure

therefore

Differential Pressure = Velocity Pressure

Measure the differential pressure at each of the predetermined locations.
Allow sufficient time for the signal to stabilise. If the reading is unstable,
consider implementing some damping on the manometer. However, if the
reading is very unstable, then the gas flow is likely to be too unstable to yield
a representative measurement. It is possible to measure an inward traverse
and a outward traverse, thus doubling the number of readings obtained.

4.6 Measure the static pressure in the sampling cross section P
st


Once all the traverse measurements are complete, place the Pitot tube in the
centre of the cross section and clamp firmly in place. In the case of the NPL
Pitot ensure the total pressure nose is facing the direction of oncoming flow.
In the case of the s type Pitot turn the tube through 90
o
, in order that the open
apertures of the tube are at 90
o
to the direction of gas flow. Disconnect both
the hoses, and then reconnect the static pressure hose to the positive
manometer connection in order to display the

Static Pressure - Atmospheric Pressure = Differential Pressure




PENG_001.DOC Revision 3 Page 7 of 9

Don't be surprised if the reading is negative as a suction in the duct will
always have a lower pressure than atmospheric. The reading therefore is the
Static pressure relative to the Atmospheric pressure. Note pressure readings
are typically taken as a head of water gauge. Allow the manometer to
stabilise before a reading is taken.

4.7 Measure the temperature in the duct T
act


Allow the thermocouple to stabilise before a reading is taken. Use the
method outlined in PENG_002.DOC. Determine the local absolute
temperature

T
abs
= T
act
(

F) + 459.4 in Rankin units

T
abs
= T
act
(

C) + 273.2 in Kelvin units

4.8 Determine the local atmospheric pressure P
atm


If a barometer is not available on site, the local airport usually provides a
weather reporting service and will provide the atmospheric pressure on
request.

4.9 Determine the volume flow rate in the sampling cross section Q
act


4.9.1 Determine the absolute pressure of the fluid. P
abs


Note pressure readings are typically taken as a head of water gauge.
4.9.2 Determine the actual fluid density E
act

4.9.3 Determine the average root differential pressure P
r


Take the square root of each of the differential pressure readings, then total
them and divide by the number of readings to derive the average root
differential pressure. P
d
is measured typically as in H
2
O or mm H
2
O.

P
+
P
=
P st atm abs


)
P
(
)
P
(
.
)
T
(
)
T
(
.
E
=
E
n
abs
abs
n
n act





PENG_001.DOC Revision 3 Page 8 of 9
4.9.4 Determine the corrected average root differential pressure P
corr


Due to the variances in the calibration of the various Pitot tubes in use then a
correction factor is needed. The correction factor for an ellipsoid head tube
from a reputable supplier will be close to unity, however each tube needs to
be checked against a known standard. Once the correction factor is known
for the tube in use it is suggested that the factor be engraved of the tube for
future reference.
Check that the application of the correction factor is used in the correct sense
in the calculation used.
The correction factors documented in the table are CF
2
. These factors will
need to be square rooted for derivation of CF, which then should be used in
the above equation and also in the spreadsheet calculation.

4.9.5 Determine the velocity of the fluid in the sampling cross section V
act



4.9.6 Determine the volume of the fluid Q
act


Readings of No
P
=
P
d
r



) CF .
P
( = )
P
(
2
r
2
corr


E
. C
E
. )
P
( . g . 2
=
V
act
w
2
corr
act


A .
V
= Q
act
act





PENG_001.DOC Revision 3 Page 9 of 9
4.10 Nomenclature

Equation Description Imperial Unit Metric Unit

P
atm
Local atmospheric pressure in H
2
O mm H
2
O
P
abs
Local absolute pressure in H
2
O mm H
2
O
P
st
Local static pressure in H
2
O mm H
2
O
P
n
Normal pressure 406.8473 in H
2
O 10333.92 mmH
2
O
P
d
Differential pressure in H
2
O mm H
2
O
P
r
Average root differential pressure root in H
2
O root mm H
2
O
P
corr
Corrected average root differential pressure root in H
2
O root mm H
2
O
CF Pitot tube correction factor
A Cross sectional area of duct ft
2
m
2

E
n
Density of fluid under normal conditions lb/ft
3
kg/m
3

E
act
Density of fluid at actual conditions lb/ft
3
kg/m
3

E
w
Density of water at normal conditions 62.41 lb/ft
3
999.83 kg/m
3

Temperature of fluid at normal conditions 32
o
F 0
o
C
T
n
Absolute temperature at normal conditions 491.4
o
R 273.1
o
K
T
act
Temperature of fluid at actual conditions
o
F
o
C
T
abs
Local absolute temperature
o
R
o
K
g Acceleration due to gravity 32.17 ft/s
2
9.81 m/s
2

V
act
Velocity of gas at actual conditions ft/s m/s
Q
act
Gas flowrate under actual conditions Aft
3
/s Am
3
/s
C Constant 12 in/ft 1000 mm/m

5 REFERENCES

1 British Standard 1042, Measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits, Part 2
Velocity area methods, Section 2.1 Method using Pitot static tubes, 1983
2 Bureau of National Affairs USA 54 FR 46235 November, 1989
3 Airflow Developments handout on Pitot static tubes

6 APPENDICES

1 Pitot Traverse Calculation Spreadsheet SPITOT.XLS