Accn no.

2528
Stds no. BS 7405

Mr. Be Tran Van

1
 WHY ARE WE HERE?

There is no 1 meter that will meet every

application.
Every application needs to be looked at
individually.
We can make some generalizations !!!!!!
HOW MUCH (TOTAL)

HOW FAST (RATE)

 Idealized Real World

V V

Pipe Velocity Profile

 Steam
V Water
Heavy Crude

Velocity profile is a predictable function of

Reynolds number. Fluids with the same Reynolds
number will have similar velocity profiles.
 General Flow Terminology

Reynolds Number (RE) A single dimensionless

parameter formed as the ratio of inertial to viscous
forces. Magnitude indicates whether flow is laminar or
turbulent.

Fluid Fluid Characteristic

Density Velocity Dimension*
Inertia Forces (p) (V) (D)
RE = =
Viscous Forces Fluid Viscosity ()

* Usually inside pipe diameter.

Characterization of Fluid Flow

Types of Flow
RE < 2100 Laminar

Transitional

RE >3000 Turbulent ***

*** Well documented & proven fully developed flow profiles.

Volumetric Flowrate (Q)

V
A
Q

Volume = Area x Length

Volume Flow = Area x Velocity
 Mass Flowrate (m)

Q=VA

Mass Flow m = Qp
= AV
V
A
m Where m = Mass Flow
Q = Volume Flow
= Fluid Density

Mass = Volume x Density

 Differential Pressure
Turbine
Vortex / Swirl
Magnetic
Ultrasonic
Displacement

Note: Can be inferred mass with compensating transmitter.

Flow Measurement Principles

ORIFICE PLATE
(or FLOW TUBE) VENA
CONTRACTA

Direction of Flow

MANOMETER
h (or DP TRANSMITTER)
 DP Primary Elements

Various
Orifice
Configuration Flow
Nozzle

Flow
Tube Venturi
Flowmeter
Secondary Flow / DP Transmitter

* Differential Pressure / Flow

Transmitter
* Square Root Extraction
 DP Flowmeters
Differential pressure
ADVANTAGES
Use on Liquid, Gas, and Steam
Suitable for Extreme Temperatures
and Pressures
No Moving Parts
Low Cost
DISADVANTAGES
Limited Rangeability
Effected By Changes In Density,
Pressure, and Viscosity
Maintenance Intensive
 Magnetic Flowmeters
Theory of Operation
Magnetic Requirements

* Process must be a liquid

* Minimum conductivity
* Meter must be full
 Magnetic Flowmeters
Magnetic
ADVANTAGES
No Moving Parts
Very Wide Rangeability
MT Ideal For Slurries
VN
Unobstructed
CN CH Flow Path
DISADVANTAGES
Liquid must be conductive
Physical Pressure and
Temperature Limits
 Vortex Meter

Principle of Operation
Q=VxA
Vortex
 Vortex/Swirlmeter
Vortex /Swirlmeter ADVANTAGES
No Moving Parts
For Liquid, Gas, or Steam
Uneffected by Pressure,
Temperature, or Density
Changes.
Wide Rangeability
DISADVANTAGES
Span Limitations Due to
Viscosity
Flow Profile Sensitive (Vortex)
Turbine Meter
Principle of Operation

Rotor velocity is proportional to fluid velocity

 Turbine Flowmeters
Turbine
ADVANTAGES
High Accuracy
Suitable for Extreme
Temperatures and Pressures
Can be Used On Gas or
Liquid
DISADVANTAGES
Only For Low Viscosities
Moving Parts
Sensitive to Flow Profile
Positive Displacement Flowmeters
 Positive Displacement Meter

Typical Principle of Operation

Schematic of a
Schematic of a rotary-vane flowmeter
nutating-disk meter Schematic of a
lobed-impeller flowmeter
PD Flowmeters
Advantages

* Ideal for viscous fluids

* Custody transfer
* Batching
* Minimal straight piping requirements
 Ultrasonic Flowmeters

Types

* Doppler
* Time of flight
 Ultrasonic Flowmeters

Principle of Operation

Doppler
Flowmeter
 Ultrasonic Flowmeters

Principle of Operation

Transit-Time
Flowmeter
 Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic
ADVANTAGES
No Moving Parts
Unobstructed Flow Passage
Wide Rangeability
V
DISADVANTAGES
For Liquids Only (limited gas)
Flow Profile Dependent
Errors Due To Deposits
 Mass Flowmeter
Direct Measurement

Coriolis
Thermal Dispersion
Coriolis
 Coriolis
Coriolis ADVANTAGES
Direct Mass Measurement
High Accuracy
Additional Density Measurement
Uneffected By Flow Profile
DISADVANTAGES
High Purchase Price
High Installation Cost
Size Limitations
Vibration Sensitive
Thermal Dispersion
Thermal Dispersion Mass Flowmeter
Gas application only
Relatively inexpensive
Easy to install and remove under pressure
Capable of monitoring extremely low
flows
True mass flow meter (compensates for
temperature/pressure)
 Summary Each Application
is Different
Flowing Media (eg Steam, Water, Air, Gas etc)
Density - pressure and temperature
Flow Range, minimum to maximum (turndown
needed)
Accuracy how stated? % of range or span
Repeatability
Straight run requirements & available
Maintenance and reliability