2.

Elbow Taps
W. H. HOWE

(1969)

FE

B. G. LIPTK

(1982, 1995)

I. H. GIBSON

(2003)

Design Pressure

Limited by piping design class only

Operating Temperature Range

330 to +1100F (200 to +600C)

Fluids

Liquids, vapors, or gases

Differential Pressure

0- to 10-in water column (0 to 2.5 kPa)

Sizes

0.5 to 20 in (12 to 500 mm)

Inaccuracy

2 to 10% FS

Cost

Approximately $1000 plus value of elbow and measuring device (usually a

differential-pressure transmitter)

Partial List of Suppliers

Normally fabricated on site

Flow measurement using elbow taps depends on the detection

of the differential pressure developed by centrifugal force as
the direction of fluid flow changes in a pipe elbow. Taps are
located on the inner and outer radii in the plane of the elbow.
The pressure taps are located at either 45 or 22.5 from the
inlet face of the elbow (Figure 2.6a).

A SIMPLE FLOWMETER
Elbow taps are easy to implement, because most piping configurations already contain elbows in which taps can be
located. This guarantees an economical installation and
results in no added pressure loss. The measurement introduces no obstructions in the line. Accumulation of extraneous
material in the differential-pressure connections can plug the
elbow taps. Therefore, they should be purged if the process
fluid is not clean.
As is the case with other head-type primary flow measurement devices, the differential pressure developed by a
given flow is precisely repeatable. However, the flow coefficient of an elbow tap calculated from the physical dimensions
of the pipe is generally considered reliable to only 5 to
10%. This is quite satisfactory for many flow control applications where repeatability is the primary consideration. If
absolute accuracy is desired, a more precise flowmeter should
be used, or the elbow tap readings should be calibrated,

preferably in place and using the working fluid. Not enough

data exist to establish precise correction factors for effects of
upstream disturbances, viscosity, and roughness in pipe and
elbow surfaces, and no published standards are available.
Elbow taps develop relatively low differential pressures.
For this reason, they cannot be used for measurement of lowvelocity streams. Typically, water flowing at an average
velocity of 5 ft/sec (1.5 m/sec), roughly 200 GPM in a 4-in.
3
pipe (45 m /h in a 100-mm pipe) through a short-radius
elbow with a centerline radius equal to the pipe diameter
develops about 10 in. of water differential pressure (2.5 kPa).
This is approximately the minimum full scale value recommended for reliable measurement. Taps in long radius pipe
or tube bends do not develop sufficient differential pressure
for good flow measurement at low flow velocities.
In comparison with an elbow installation, an orifice will
generate a head (1.4 to 2.2) (1 4 )/ 4 higher at the same
flow rate. For example, for = 0.65, the orifice head developed
will be approximately 6.5 times that of a short-radius elbow.
LOCATION AND SIZE OF TAPS
The upstream piping is a factor in the installation of elbow
taps. It is recommended to provide at least 25 pipe diameters
of straight pipe upstream and 10 diameters downstream.
The tap holes should be perpendicular to the surface of the
elbow and slightly rounded at the pipe surface, with no burrs
189

2003 by Bla Liptk

190

Flow Measurement

LP Tap
Connection
on
Horizontal
Centerline

Flow
Only

If Practical,
Make Inflow
Weld First, and
Clean Inside

LP Tap
Connection
Plan
of
Horizontal
Elbow
Hp Tap
Connection
on
Horizontal
Centerline
Tapping Holes
min. 1/8 inch (3 mm)
max. 1/4 inch (6 mm)

Drill Through
at 22.5 0.5
on 22.5 0.5
Centerline

Drill Through
at 45 1
on 45 1
Centerline
If Practical,
Make Inflow
Weld First, and
Clean Inside

Flow

Plan
of
Horizontal
Elbow

Tapping Holes
min. 1/8 inch (3 mm)
max. 1/4 inch (6 mm)
HP Tap
Connection

Typical 4NS (DN100) Short-radius Elbow

with
1
2 NS (DN15) Half-Couplings

Typical 4NS (DN100) 90-degree Short-radius Elbow

with
22.5-degree Taps through 12NS (DN15) Half-Couplings

45-degree Taps through

LP Tap
Connection
on
Horizontal
Centerline
Tapping Holes
min. 1/8 inch (3 mm)
max. 1/4 inch (6 mm)

If Practical,
Make Inflow
Weld First, and
Clean Inside
Plan of
Horizontal
Elbow

Fl

ow

Drill through
at 22.5 0.5
on 22.5 0.5
Centerline

HP Tap
Connection
on
Horizontal
Centerline
Typical 4NS (DN100) 45-degree Long-radius Elbow
with
22.5-degree Taps through 12NS (DN15) Half-Couplings
Note: short-radius 45-degree elbows are not standard
design

FIG. 2.6a
Alternate tap locations in elbow flowmeter designs.

or protrusions. Jig setting the tap connections using a rod

across the elbow to ensure a common axis is recommended.
Tap hole diameter should not exceed 0.125 of the pipe
diameter. Elbows may be flanged with the elbow diameter
equal to the pipe diameter or, more commonly, welded. With
a welded installation, it is preferable to make the upstream
weld first, because this permits access to clean up the more
critical upstream joint.
An elbow of smaller diameter than the pipe, with a
reducer between pipe and elbow, has the advantage of higher
differential for a given flow. Threaded elbows with the flow
section larger than the pipe develop less differential pressure
and thereby increase the error.
The flow coefficient of a pipe elbow can be reliably
determined only if the inside surface of the elbow is smooth.
The elbow should be precisely aligned with the pipe, making

2003 by Bla Liptk

sure that no gaskets or weld metal are protruding into the

flowing stream either at the inlet or outlet of the elbow.
When selecting an existing elbow for flow measurement
purposes, it is preferable to pick one that is located between
two horizontal pipe sections. This will guarantee that the
pressure taps will be horizontal, and material will not accumulate in them. If the elbow were located between a horizontal and a vertical pipe section, the pressure tap on the
inner radius would slope upward, and the one on the outer
radius would slope downward.
As the differential-pressure instrument is piped to these
taps, this piping will not be self-draining. The high and low
points in the connecting piping will tend to trap either the vapors
on liquid services or the liquid condensate on vapor services.
As the total pressure differential to be measured is already low,
this interference can make the installation unsatisfactory.

2.6 Elbow Taps

191

Flow Coefficients for Elbow Meters

0.94
0.92
0.90
0.88
0.86
0.84
0.82
0.80
0.78
0.76
0.74
0.72
0.70
0.68
0.66
0.64
0.62
0.60
0.58
0.56
1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

45 degree Taps

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

22.5 degree Taps

FIG. 2.6b
Elbow flowmeter flow coefficients.

Some tests suggest that the 22.5 tap locations provide

more stable and reliable readings and are less affected by
upstream pipe configuration. They also give 7 to 15% higher
5
differential than the 45 values. Spink gives a set of correlated experimental data for both 45 and 22.5 measurements.
The 22.5 data in Figure 2.6b is adapted from this information.
For 45 tap orientation, the flow coefficient (K ) is given
1,2
by Murdock as

K=

r
6.5 b
rb
2D =
+
2D
Re D

rb
2D

6.5
1 +
4%
Re D

D
K
pf1
plp
php
qm
rb

2.6(1)

using consistent units, where the pipe Reynolds number (ReD)

4
is greater than 10 and rb /D > 1.25. Note that, for short-radius
elbows, this ratio is 1.0, and hence outside the limit, rb , is
the centerline radius of the elbow, and D is the actual bore
of the elbow, measured in four planes and averaged.
The second term is 6.5% at the minimum Reynolds num4
6
3
ber of 10 and negligible above 10 . Later work by Murdock
suggests a slightly lower value,
r
K = 0.98 b 6% for Reynolds number above 10 5
2D
2.6(2)

ReD

1(subscript 1)

Pipe diameter (at plane of elbow

tappings)
Discharge coefficient term for elbow
Absolute pressure upstream of elbow
Absolute pressure at inner tapping of
elbow
Absolute pressure at outer tapping of
elbow
Mass flow rate
Radius of curvature of elbow at
centerline
Reynolds number referred to D
Expansion factor (in U.S. standards,
Y)
Density
Upstream conditions

The factor K replaces the term C/ 1 4 , and D replaces

d in the standard orifice equations (see Section 2.15).

qm =

C
1

2
d 2 p1
4

to give
2.6(3)

qm = K1 D2 2( php plp )1
4

Units
Symbols used are consistent with ISO 5167.
C

2003 by Bla Liptk

Discharge coefficient in orifice

equations

For gas flow, the gas expansion factor has not been
heavily studied; a single set of data on air suggests = 1 +
1.3 (( php plp )/ p f1 )2 where the pressure measurements are in
consistent units.

192

Flow Measurement

Flo

H
L

Horizontal Elbow Flowmeter Installation

For Liquids, Tubing to Slope Down Continuously 1:10
For Gases, Tubing to Slope Up Continuously 1:10

FIG. 2.6c
Horizontal elbow flowmeter installation.

The pressure differential term is so small that = 1 is

within the normal limits of error in many cases. The coefficient values for 22.5 taps are quoted by Spink.
For an elbow tap installation, complete with d/p transmitter and three-valve manifold, refer to Figure 2.6c.

References
1.
2.
3.
4.

OTHER d/p-PRODUCING ELEMENTS

5.

In addition to elbow taps, the differential pressure produced

by centrifugal forces can also be converted into flow readings
by other configurations. These include the Winter-Kennedy
taps installed in the scroll case of hydraulic turbines. Another
design is the full-circle loop with taps located at the midpoint
of the loop. It is claimed that this design provides high accuracy
and minimum sensitivity to upstream piping configuration.

2003 by Bla Liptk

Wallace, A., Lansford, Engineering Experiment Station, University

of Illinois, Urbana, IL, Bulletin #289, 1936.
Murdock, J. W., Foltz, C. J. and Gregory, C., Performance Characteristics of Elbow Flowmeters, ASME WAM Paper 63-WA-17, 1963.
Murdock, J. W., Foltz, C. J. and Gregory, C., J. Basic Eng., 86, 498506,
1964.
Miller, R.W., Flow Measurement Engineering Handbook, 3rd ed.,
McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996.
Spink, L. K., Principles and Practice of Flow Engineering, 9th ed.,
The Foxboro Co., Invensys Systems, Inc., Foxboro, MA, 1967.

Bibliography
Hauptmann, E. G., Take a second look at elbow meters for flow monitoring,
Instrum. Control Syst., 4750, 1978.
Moore, D. C., Easy way to measure slurry flowrates, Chemical Eng., 96,
1972.