FLUID

FLUID FLOW
FLOW MEASUREMENTS
MEASUREMENTS

FLUID
FLUID FLOW
FLOW MEASUREMENTS
MEASUREMENTS
Fluid flow rate is the most important variable to measure in the process industries.
There are several methods to measure fluid flow rate:
Some methods provide Volumetric Flow Rate, while others provide Mass Flow Rate.
Some methods have their primary elements in contact with the measured fluid, others
methods have contactless sensors.
Some methods can measure any type of fluid, others are only suitable for fluids with
specific properties.
Some methods produce permanent pressure loss, others are not.
Some methods require long straight meter run, others require short meter run
Accuracy and other performance characteristics also differ from type to type
Initial purchasing cost, installation cost and maintenance cost are quite different from
type to type and shall be considered.
Some methods have extensive performance data, others have only few
This course will concentrate on the most popular and widely used methods known as
the head producing flowmeters.

HEAD TYPE
FLOWMETERS

Head Type Flowmeters

In the following slides we will review the following DP- type flow elements:
Orifice pates
Venturi tubes
Flow nozzles
Pitot tubes
Rotameters
Head-type meters are generally used to measure volumetric flow rate.
All Head-type meters require upstream and down stream straight pipe called
Meter Run.
The length of meter run differs according to the type of the meter.
Also, permanent pressure loss is different from type to type.
Each type is more suitable for specific applications.
Accuracy is different from type to type.
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Fluid Flow Patterns

RD < 2000

2000< RD < 4000

RD > 4000

Note that this pattern has more uniform velocity distribution

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Volumetric Flow Rate - 1

Qv is the Volumetric Flow Rate

More accurate Qv is obtained as the velocity V profile
is more uniform.

Volumetric Flow Rate - 2

FACTORS AFFECTING FLOW RATES IN PIPES ARE:

the velocity of the fluid [V]
the friction of the fluid in contact with the pipe: function of
[D]
the viscosity of the fluid []
the density of the fluid []
These factors are combined together in the Reynolds
Number [RD]

Volumetric Flow Rate - 3

Most important flow factors can be correlated together into a
dimensionless parameter called the Reynolds number (RD)
which describes the flow for all velocities,viscosities, and pipeline
sizes.
In general, it defines the ratio of velocity forces driving the fluid to
the viscous forces restraining the fluid.
Reynolds No. is given by:
RD = V D /

RD > 4,000

Turbulent flow

RD Between 2,000 and 4,000

Transition flow

RD < 2000

Laminar Flow

Volumetric Flow Rate - 4

Bernoullis equation on the conservation of energy
Total head pressure (H) must remain constant everywhere along
the flow path.

or:

The first term of the equation is called potential head or

potential energy.
The second term is known as the velocity head or kinetic
energy.
From This relation we can get the following Flow Rate Equations
using Head Type Flow Elements

Volumetric Flow Rate - 5

Head Type Flowmeters Principle of Operation:

The flow element when installed in the flow stream, represents a restriction in the
flow tube cross-sectional area. This restriction creates a pressure drop P across
the flow element.
Where:
P = P1 - P2
P1 = Upstream pressure
P2 = Downstream Pressure
This Pressure drop has a direct relation to the volumetric flow rate Qv as
follows:
Qv (P ) 1/2

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Volumetric Flow Rate - 6

From Bernoullis equation, we can obtain the following relations that apply
to all the Head Type (DP) flow elements:
V = k (h/) 0.5
or Qv = kA(h/) 0.5
or W = kA(h) 0.5
k

is the discharge coefficient of the element (which also reflects

the units of measurement),
A is the cross- sectional area of the pipes opening,
h is the pressure drop P measured across the measuring
element (where P = P1 - P2),
V is the velocity of the fluid,
Qv is the volumetric flow rate,
W is the mass flow rate
and:
is the density of the flowing fluid.
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Orifice Plates

Data

Orifice Plate
For Orifice Fittings

Tab

Paddle Type Plate

For Orifice Flanges
Orifice (Bore)

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Orifice Plate Installation

Flange Taps

Piping Flanges

Orifice Flanges (may be used as

piping flanges)

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Orifice Plate Pressure Taps

C.L. at 1 apart
from plate face

Thin Plate Orifice Meter

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Orifice Types & Applications

The most widely used orifice plate is the sharp square edge orifice plate
This type is used in clean liquids and gases.
Where minor amount of gases is entrained in the liquid, a vent hole above the
main orifice is provided.
Where minor amount of liquid is entrained in the gas, a drain hole below the main
orifice is provided.
Where minor amount of solids, thick material or slurries are present in the fluid,
either a segmental type, or eccentric orifice are used. The orifice is usually at the
bottom of the pipe.
Other primary elements shall be used in the following applications:
For high viscous fluids or fluids containing sensible amount of impurities.
Where low pressure loss is required.
Where non-contact elements are necessary.
Where better accuracy is required.
Where shorter meter runs are required.

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Orifice Plate with Vent Hole

Vent Hole

Used to measure
liquid containing small
amount of gas

Orifice Plate

Orifice (or Bore)

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Orifice Plate with Drain Hole

Used to measure gas
containing small
amount of liquid
Orifice Plate

Orifice (or Bore)

Drain Hole

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Special Orifice Plate Bores - 1

SEGMENTAL
Segmentally bored orifice plates are
provided for measurements where solids
are entrained in a gas or liquid flow stream.
The segmental opening is placed at the
bottom of the pipe.
Industries using these bores include,
sewage treatment, steel, chemical, water
conditioning, paper and petrochemical.

Orifice Plate

Segmental orifice
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Special Orifice Plate Bores - 2

ECCENTRIC
Eccentrically bored plates are plates
with the orifice off center, or eccentric,
as opposed to concentric.
Used for dirty fluids where the solids
or slurries may pass through the bore.
Eccentric orifice plates are used in
many industries including heavy and
light chemicals, steel, paper, atomic,
and petrochemicals.

Orifice Plate

Eccentric orifice

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Venturi Flowmeter
Applications:
Large pipe sizes
Lower Pressure loss
Entrained solids,
slurries, sewage,
etc.
P = P1 - P2
Qv (P )

P1

1/2

P2

End Connection
Flanges

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Flow Nozzles-1
Pressure Taps

Applications:
Lower Pressure loss
Entrained solids and
slurries
D

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Flow Nozzles- 2
P1

P2

Flow Nozzle with pipe wall taps

P = P1 - P2
Qv (P )

1/2

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Pitot Tubes

Flow Transmitter

Impact Pressure
Connection

Static Pressure
Connection

P = P1 - P2
Qv (P )

1/2

Static
Pressure P2
Flow Direction
Impact
Pressure P1

Pitot tubes are normally used in the ultra pure liquids and gases.
Low cost, easy installation and maintenance.
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Rotameters - 1
Variable Area Flowmeter,
also called Rotameter, has a
float that moves up or down in a
tapered tube. The vertical
distance (Y) to the equilibrium
position is proportional to the
liquid flowrate and the annular
area between the float and the
tube wall.

Flow Direction

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Rotameters - 2

Different Styles of Rotameter Floats

25

DP Flow Transmitters -1
Electronics Housing

Integral Indicator

Electric Connection

Drain Plug
Element Housing (Body)

Process Connections
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DP Flow Transmitters -2
From Primary
DP Element

3 Valves Manifold

FT

Drain Pots
For Wet Gases Only

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DP Flow Transmitters - 3
From Primary
DP Element

Sealing pots for corrosive

process fluids.
Density of sealing liquid
must be > density of process
liquid, has low viscosity,
chemically inert and
does not mix with process
liquid.
Sealing and condensate
pots to be located above the
elevation of the transmitter
Condensate pots for hot
vapour & steam. Filling
liquid is the same as that of
the condensate.

FT
3 Valves Manifold

Taps for sealing liquid

filling, vent & drain are
normally added complete
with valves and / or plugs.

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