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Flow Measurement
MALIK ABBAS
Flowmeters are divided in three categories: 2

 Differential Pressure meters (Inferential flowmeters using orifices,

Venturi tubes, etc. )
 Linear Flowmeters (Magnetic, turbine, vortex, positive displacement
meters, etc.)
 Rotameters
Differential Pressure Meters 3

 All fluids posses mass, and therefore require force to accelerate just
like solid masses
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𝐹 = ρVa

𝐹 𝑉
=ρ 𝑎
𝐴 𝐴
𝑉
𝑃=ρ 𝑎
𝐴
𝑃 = ρla
Operating Principle 5

 Equation of continuity;
Volumetric Flow Rate = A1v1= A2v2

A1

v1
v2
A2
Bernoulli’s equation 6

For ideal fluids, the sum of static energy (pressure head), kinetic energy
(velocity head) and the potential energy (elevation head) is
conserved in the flow across the constriction.

A1

v1
v2
A2
Assuming incompressible fluid and no height change to consider,
Bernoulli’s equation becomes: 7

From continuity equation:

Solving for v2:

1
Continuity equation:
8

Multiplying both sides of 1 with Area around constriction

Volumetric flow rate

Mass flow rate

Velocity Coefficient Cv = Actual velocity / Ideal velocity 9

Contraction Coefficient Cc = Area at vena contracta / Area at orifice

Reynolds Number 10

 The ratio of the inertial forces of the flowing fluid to the forces due to
the viscous drag
 Describes whether the flowing condition through the pipe is laminar,
transitional, or turbulent
Re = vρD/μ
v: Avg. velocity through the pipe
ρ: Mass density of the fluid
D: the pipe diameter
μ: the absolute viscosity
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 Reynolds number less than 2300: Laminar flow
 Reynolds number greater than 4000: Turbulent flow
 Reynolds number between 2300 and 4000: Transitional flow
Differential pressure flowmeter types 12

Most Commonly used differential pressure flow meters are

 Orifice
 Venturi
 Nozzle
 Pitot tube
 wedge
Orifice Flowmeters 13

 A metal plate with a hole in the middle for fluid to flow through
Orifice Plates 14
 Device that restricts the flow and thus develops the DP

Due to symmetry, can be used to measure bidirectional flow Downstream side is beveled to minimize contact with the fluid stream
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β ratio 17

β ratio is the ratio of bore diameter(d) to the inside diameter of pipe

(D)
𝑑
β=
𝐷
According to ANSI/API:
 With flange taps, 0.15<β<0.70
 With pipe taps, 0.20<β<0.67
Orifice Fitting Design 18

 Orifice flange union

 Single chamber orifice fitting
 Double chamber orifice fitting
Tap points 19
Tap points 20
Permanent Pressure Loss 21

hloss = DP x (1-β2)

hloss = permanent pressure loss

Venturi 22

 Restriction with relatively long passage with smooth entry and exit
 Produces low DP compared to orifice flowmeter wit same beta ratio
plate
 Less permanent pressure loss than orifice flowmeter
 Often used in dirty flow streams
Flow Nozzle 23

 Smooth entry and sharp exit

 For same line size, flow rate and β, DP is lower than orifice
 Handles dirty fluids better than orifice
 Mostly used in steam services because of their rigidity
 Dimensionally more stable at high temperatures and velocities than
orifice
Pitot tube 24
 Velocity measuring device
 Senses pressure as the fluid stagnates
 Pressure difference between impact pressure and static pressure is
velocity head
 Flow rate is product of velocity and cross-sectional area at that
point
Annubar flow element 25

 Averaging pitot tube consolidating high and low pressure sensing

ports in single probe assembly
 Dual chambers bring upstream (stagnation) and downstream
pressures out of the pipe to a DP sensing instrument
Wedge Meter 26

 Wedge shaped element placed perpendicular to the flow at the

top of conduit
 Useful in slurry measurement
Linearization 27

 DP based flow meters produce non linear signal (squared signal)

Compensation 28

 For liquids, variation in density can or viscosity can degrade the

accuracy of signal
 For gases, changes in pressure and temperature can ruin the
meaning of the signal
 In compensation, variable fluid conditions are measured and used
along with the flowmeter signal to compute the true flow rate
Flow compensation system 29
Compensation calculation 30

 Compensation of Linear Volumetric Meter signals

(𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑙)(𝜌)
𝑊=
𝐾𝐹
F = Thermal expansion factor
K = the meter factor
 Compensation of Differential Pressure Meter signals

𝑊 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐾𝐹𝑌√(𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑙)(𝜌)
Y = Gas expansion factor (Applicable to gases only)
Square root extraction 31
Linear Flowmeters 32

 Magnetic flowmeter
 Turbine flowmeter
 Vortex flowmeter
 Magnetic Flowmeter 33

Principle:
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction

E = (constant) x B x L x v

E = magnitude of voltage
B = magnetic field density
V = average velocity of medium
The system 34

• The voltage developed at the electrodes is extremely low level signal (in micro
volts)
• Transmitter amplifies this signal and convers it to a usable signal (4 to 20 mA DC)
Installation 35
Advantages 36

 Obstructionless design
 Linear output
 Corrosion-resistant wetted parts
 High accuracy
Turbine Flowmeters 37

Principle:
Free spinning turbine wheel to measure fluid velocity
Flow calculation 38
 Turbine speed is transmitted to indicator by means of magnetic
sensor using “pickup” coil to generate voltage pulses as the turbine
rotates.
 The frequency of AC signal related directly to fluid velocity (and the
flow rate)
𝑓 = 𝑘𝑄
f = frequency of output signal (Hz)
k = factor for turbine element
Q = volumetric flow rate
 Amount of fluid passed over span of time may be calculated as
𝑓
𝑉 = 𝑄𝑡 = 𝑡
𝑘
𝑇 𝑇𝑓
OR 𝑉= 0
𝑄 𝑑𝑡 = 0 𝑘
𝑑𝑡
Advantages 39

 Highly accurate
 Corrosion-resistant materials
 Long term stability
 Wide operating range
 Low pressure drop
 High shock capability
Vortex Flowmeter 40

Principle:
When fluid moves with high Reynolds number past a stationary object,
vortices are formed on either side of the object and they continue to
move along the fluid in alternate fashion. This phenomenon is called
‘vortex shedding’.

𝑑
λ𝑆 = 𝑑 λ=
0.17
S = 0.17 = Strouhal number
Flow measurement 41
When DP sensor, installed immediately downstream of the stationary object,
Detects passing orifices, an alternating signal is generated. Sensor is mostly piezoelectric crystal.

𝑑𝑓
v=fλ 𝑣=
0.17

Like turbine meters

𝑓 = 𝑘𝑄

Significant disadvantage: low flow cutoff

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Questions?
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Thank you!