2.

Elbow Taps
W. H. HOWE
(1969)

FE

B. G. LIPTK

(1982, 1995)

I. H. GIBSON

(2003)

Design Pressure Operating Temperature Range Fluids Differential Pressure Sizes Inaccuracy Cost

Limited by piping design class only 330 to +1100F (200 to +600C) Liquids, vapors, or gases 0- to 10-in water column (0 to 2.5 kPa) 0.5 to 20 in (12 to 500 mm) 2 to 10% FS Approximately $1000 plus value of elbow and measuring device (usually a differential-pressure transmitter) Normally fabricated on site

Partial List of Suppliers

Flow measurement using elbow taps depends on the detection of the differential pressure developed by centrifugal force as the direction of uid ow 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 congurations 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 uid is not clean. As is the case with other head-type primary ow measurement devices, the differential pressure developed by a given ow is precisely repeatable. However, the ow coefcient 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 ow control applications where repeatability is the primary consideration. If absolute accuracy is desired, a more precise owmeter should be used, or the elbow tap readings should be calibrated,

preferably in place and using the working uid. 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 owing 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 sufcient differential pressure for good ow measurement at low ow velocities. In comparison with an elbow installation, an orice will generate a head (1.4 to 2.2) (1 4 )/ 4 higher at the same ow rate. For example, for = 0.65, the orice 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

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Flow Measurement

LP Tap Connection on Horizontal Centerline

If Practical, Make Inflow Weld First, and Clean Inside Plan of Horizontal Elbow Hp Tap Connection on Horizontal Centerline Tapping Holes min. 1/8 inch (3 mm) max. 1/4 inch (6 mm)

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

Flow Only

Drill Through at 22.5 0.5 on 22.5 0.5 Centerline

Plan of Horizontal Elbow

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

Typical 4NS (DN100) 90-degree Short-radius Elbow with 22.5-degree Taps through 12NS (DN15) Half-Couplings

Typical 4NS (DN100) Short-radius Elbow with 45-degree Taps through 12 NS (DN15) Half-Couplings

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

Drill through at 22.5 0.5 on 22.5 0.5 Centerline

ow

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 owmeter designs.

Fl

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 anged 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 rst, 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 ow. Threaded elbows with the ow section larger than the pipe develop less differential pressure and thereby increase the error. The ow coefcient 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

sure that no gaskets or weld metal are protruding into the owing stream either at the inlet or outlet of the elbow. When selecting an existing elbow for ow 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.

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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 1.50 22.5 degree Taps 1.60 1.70 1.80

45 degree Taps

FIG. 2.6b Elbow owmeter ow coefcients.

Some tests suggest that the 22.5 tap locations provide more stable and reliable readings and are less affected by upstream pipe conguration. 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 ow coefcient (K ) is given 1,2 by Murdock as r 6.5 b rb 2 D = + 2D Re D 6.5 1 + 4% Re D

D K pf1 plp php qm rb

K=

rb 2D

2.6(1)

ReD

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) Units Symbols used are consistent with ISO 5167. C Discharge coefcient in orice equations

1(subscript 1)

Pipe diameter (at plane of elbow tappings) Discharge coefcient term for elbow Absolute pressure upstream of elbow Absolute pressure at inner tapping of elbow Absolute pressure at outer tapping of elbow Mass ow 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 orice equations (see Section 2.15). C 1
4

qm =

2 d 2 p1 4

to give 2.6(3)

qm = K1 D2 2( php plp )1 4
For gas ow, 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.

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192

Flow Measurement

Flo

w
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 owmeter installation.

The pressure differential term is so small that = 1 is within the normal limits of error in many cases. The coefcient 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. 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.

OTHER d/p-PRODUCING ELEMENTS

5.

In addition to elbow taps, the differential pressure produced by centrifugal forces can also be converted into ow readings by other congurations. 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 conguration.

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

2003 by Bla Liptk