Flow

Level 1
Fundamental Training
RMT Training - 05 /98
Level 1 - Flow
Contents
Topics:
Slide No:
Why measure flow? 3 - 4
Flow terminology
5 - 18
Flowmeter selection 19 - 24
DP flowmeters 25 - 46
Velocity flowmeters 47 - 55
Mass flowmeters
56 - 61
Displacement meters 62
Rosemount flow products summary
Exercise 64 - 65
63
Level 1 - Flow
Why measure flow?

5 Common Reasons
Safety
Uncontrolled flow rates may cause

temperature & pressure to reach dangerously high levels
turbines & other machinery to overspeed
tanks to spill
Custody Transfer
the measurement of fluid passing from a supplier to a customer

cash register of the system
example a local gas station measures how much gas being pumped into the
vehicle for billing
requires high measurement accuracy
Product Integrity
ensuring right amount of blended materials in for example processed food &
gasoline
Level 1 - Flow
Why measure flow?

5 Common Reasons
Efficiency Indication
to determine efficiency of process by
measuring the amount of each input that has gone into the
product
comparing the above measurement to the amount of product
producedl
Process Variable Control

Flow rate is measured & controlled during energy transfer
application, for example
heat exchanger
fluid temperature controlled by varying the flow rate of
steam
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Flow Control Loop
Flow Loop Issues:

May be a Very Fast Process
Noise in Measurement Signal
May Require Filtering
May Require Fast-Responding Equipment
Typically Requires Temperature Compensation

I/P
FIC
FT
TT
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Fluid Properties
Density: rho) = m/V = mass/volume

Mass per unit volume at given operating conditions.
Common units: kg/m3 or lb/ft3
Density of a liquid varies with temperature
Density of a gas varies with temperature and pressure
Liquids
Gases
Temperature = Density
Pressure = No change
Pressure = No change
Pressure = Density
Pressure = Density
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Fluid Properties
For Liquids,
Specific Gravity =
Density of liquid at process temperature

Density of water at 15.6C
For Gases,
Specific Gravity =
Molecular Weight of gas

Molecular Weight of air
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Fluid Properties
Gas Compressibility Factor: Z-factor

Used to correct gas equations for real-gas effects. Accounts for the deviation from the ideal situation.
For an ideal gas Z=1 and PV=nRT(Ideal Gas Law).

The True Gas Law: PV=ZnRT
Z & n Can be found in engineering tables.
R is dependant on units chosen for P, T & V
Absolute pressure
Absolute temperature
PV = nRT
Volume
Universal gas constant

Molecular weight
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Fluid Properties
Viscosity
Measure of a fluids tendency to resist a shearing force, or to resist flow
A greater force is required to shear high viscosity fluids than low viscosity fluids (viscosity = shear stress/shear rate).
Viscosity normally decreases with an increase in temperature for a liquid, but increases with an increase in temperature for a gas
Area
Fluid
Thickness
Force
Water is 1cP, peanut butter is 10,000 cP
Fixed Plate
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Fluid Properties
1
0
Fluid Type
Clean Fluid
A fluid that is free from solid particles, e.g. clean water.
Dirty Fluid
A fluid containing solid particles, e.g. muddy water.
Slurry
A liquid with a suspension of fine solids, e.g. pulp and paper, or oatmeal.
Steam
Water vapour
Gas
Natural gas
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Fluid Properties
Flow Profile
1
1
Pipe Wall
Lower velocity at the edge
Higher velocity in the middle
Lower velocity at the edge
Laminar Flow
Turbulent Flow
Transition Flow
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Fluid Properties
Reynolds number defines the state of fluid flow
Dimensionless number
Indicates flow profile
Laminar
0
Turbulent
Transition
4000
2000
Reynolds
Number
1
2
m/s
kg/m3
(Pipe I.D.) ( Velocity) (Density)

Viscosity kg/ms
Rd = ( x v x D)/
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Fluid Properties
Example:
1
3
Flow conditions; Velocity = 0.5 m/s

density = 995.7kg/m
RD = V.d. /
Temperature = 25C
Viscosity
= 0.7 /= 1000
0.7cP kg/ms
Pipe ID = 60mm
= 0.5 x 0.06 x 995.7 x 1000 /0.7

(1 Poise = 0.1 kg/m s)
= 42,673
i)
ii)
Find the Reynolds number for the fluid.

Identify the type of flow.
(a) Laminar
(b) Transitional
(c) Turbulent
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Fluid Properties
1
Pressure & Temperature changes inside process pipe determines which4state
the steam is in
Saturated steam (all vapor)
Steam exactly at its saturation point (SP)
temperature & pressure at which liquid turns to vapor (as pressure increases, saturation
temperature increases)
Superheated steam
Steam when pressure drop below SP
Steam when temperature rise above SP
e.g. at 350 psia, saturation temperature for water is 222C.
Steam at 350 psia & 278C includes 56C of super heat
Quality steam ( mixture of water liquid & vapor)

Condensed steam when pressure rise above SP
Condensed steam when temperature drop below SP
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Pipe Geometry & Conditions
Texture of inner walls
smooth wall slightly increase fluid velocity
rough wall slightly decrease fluid velocity
Inside diameter
e.g., doubling the diameter increase flow rate by
as much as 4 times
Vol. flow rate(Qv) = Cross-section area * Velocity
1
5
= D2/4 * Velocity
= D2(/4 x Velocity)
Qv
Qv
=
=
(2D)2 * (/4 x Velocity)

4 (D2 * (/4 x Velocity))
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Pipe Geometry & Conditions
1
6
Flow Profile Disturbance

factors that cause flow profile to become irregular
symmetrical profile
caused by reducers or expanders pipe sections
eliminated by inserting appropriate length of straight pipes
asymmetrical profile
caused by elbows, valves and tees
eliminated by inserting appropriate length of straight pipes
swirl
caused by pumps, compressors, or two pipe elbows in different
planes
eliminated by inserting flow conditioners
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Engineering Units
1
7
Volumetric Flow Rate

Metric Unit Others
StdCuft/s
StdCuft/min
StdCuft/h
StdCuft/d
StdCum/h
StdCum/d
NmlCum/h
NmlCum/d
Std
Nml
m3/s
- Standard Cubic feet per second
- Standard Cubic feet per minute
- Standard Cubic feet per hour
- Standard Cubic feet per day
- Standard Cubic meter per hour
- Standard Cubic meter per day
- Normal Cubic meter per hour
- Normal Cubic meter per day
- reference to 14.696 psi Atm. at 68 deg.F

- reference to 101.325 Atm. At 0 deg.C
Level 1 - Flow
Flow terminology
Engineering Units
Mass Flow Rate
Metric Unit Others
1
8
kg/s
lbs/sec - Pounds per second

lbs/min - Pounds per minute
lbs/hour - Pounds per hour
lbs/day - Pounds per day
gram/sec
- grams per second
grams/min
- grams per minute
grams/hour
- grams per hour
kg/min - kilograms per minute
kg/hour - kilogram per hour
Level 1 - Flow
Flowmeter selection
Specification
Accuracy
% of rate
uncertainty of flow proportional to flow rate
Rate of Flow
100 gpm
50 gpm
20 gpm
% of Rate Accuracy
2% of 100 gpm
2% of 50 gpm
2% of 20 gpm
1
9
Uncertainty Range
98-102 gpm
49-51 gpm
19.6-20.4 gpm
% of full scale
uncertainty of flow remains constant
Rate of Flow
100 gpm
50 gpm
20 gpm
% of Rate Accuracy
2% of 100 gpm
2% of 50 gpm
2% of 20 gpm
Uncertainty Range
98-102 gpm
49-51 gpm
19.6-20.4 gpm
Level 1 - Flow
Flowmeter selection
Specification
Rangeability (Turndown)
Meter maximum
maximum flow rate that a flowmeter is capable of reading
2
0
commonly used for magnetic, vortex and Coriolis meters
Application maximum
maximum flowrate that occurs in the process flow of a
particular application
commonly used for orifice plates, flow nozzles, and venturi
tubes
Repeatability
the ability of a flowmeter to produce the same
measurement each time it measures a flow
Level 1 - Flow
Flowmeter selection
Classes of Flowmeters
2
1
Flow Technologies
Mass
Volumetric
Head
Coriolis Meter
Thermal Meter
Positive
Velocity
Meter Displacement
Meter
DP Flow Target
Meter
Meter
Magnetic
Vortex
Ultrasonic
Turbine
Oval
Nutating disc
Gear
Gerotor
Annubar
Orifice
Venturi
Nozzle
Elbow Taps
Level 1 - Flow
Flowmeter selection
2
2
. Displacement Meters
measure volume flow rate Qv directly by
repeatedly trapping a sample of the fluid.
total volume = sample volume * number of samples
High pressure loss
Head Meters (DP Flow Meters)

measures fluid flow indirectly by creating &
measuring a differential pressure by means of a
restriction to the fluid flow
Level 1 - Flow
Flowmeter selection
2
3
Velocity Meters
FLOW is measured inferentially by measuring
VELOCITY through a known AREA.
With this indirect method, the flow measured is the
volume flow rate, Qv. Stated in its simplest term
QV = A * v where
A:
v:
cross-sectional area of the pipe

fluid velocity
m3/s = m2 * m/s
A reliable flow measurement is dependent upon the correct
measurement of A and v.
Level 1 - Flow
Flowmeter selection
Mass Meters
Infer the mass flow rate via the equation;
Qm = Qv * where,
Qm:
the mass flow rate
Qv :
:
the volume flow rate
2
4
fluid density
kg/s = m3/s * kg.m3

Consist of 2 devices;
One device will measure fluid velocity
The other device will measure fluid density
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
DP Flow Equation
2
Flow Restriction in Line cause a differential Pressure 5
Line Pressure
(Primary Element)
Orifice Plate
H.P.
L.P.
QV= K
DP
Constant
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
DP Flow Equation
Pressure
Transmitter
Flow Controller
FIC
FT
DP volumetric
flow
Control
2
6
Valve
Primary
Element
FE
QV= K
DP
Outputs represent true flow only under specified conditions.

Using constants in flow equations assumes a static flow
environment.
For DP flowmeter output to represent true flow,
flow the following
fluid properties must be constant:
Fluid density
Fluid viscosity,
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
DP Flow Equation
For varying fluid density and viscosity
Compensation is required to represent TRUE flow
QM= K
DP*(P/T)
2
7
Partial
Compensation
Takes care of
Density only
Mass Flow, QM
=
=
=
Volumetric flow * Density

m
3/s * kg/m
3
kg/s
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
DP Flow Equation
2
Traditionally way of partially compensated DP mass 8
flow has been accomplished using a system.
Pressure
Transmitter PT
(AP)
Pressure
Transmitter
(DP)
FT
Flow Computer
FC
TT Temperature
Transmitter +
Sensor
FIC Flow
Controller
Control
Valve
Primary
FE
Element
QM= K
DP*(P/T)
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
DP Flow Equation
3095 MultivariableTM Flow Transmitter
3 Process Sensors used as inputs
to Mass Flow Calculation:
2
9
RTD Temperature Sensor Input

Differential Pressure Sensor
Piezoresistive Static Pressure Sensor
QM= N Cd E Y d2
DP*(P/T)
These constants takes care of

velocity of the fluid
friction of the fluid in contact with the pipe
viscosity of the fluid
to give a fully compensated dynamic flow measurement
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
DP Flow Equation
3
0
Discharge Coefficient (Cd)

Cd is a correction factor to the theoretical equation.
Q M= K
DP*(P/T)
Cd
Actual_flow
Theoretical_flow
Equations for calculating Cd are derived from experimental data.

Cd is a function of beta ratio and Reynolds number, and is different
for each primary element. (Beta ratio = restriction diam. / pipe diam.)
Gas Expansion Factor (Y1)

Density is NOT constant for gases.
Y 1 f , k , P , P 1
for Liquids:
k is the isentropic exponent, a

property of gases:
Y1 1
Cp
Cv
=<1
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
DP Flow Equation
3
1
Discharge Coefficient vs. RD

Cd
Concentric Square-edge Orifice
CONSTANT
102
103
LIQUIDS
104
105
RD
GASES
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
DP Flow Equation
3
2
Discharge Coefficient vs. RD &

Orifice Plate Discharge Coefficients
0.66
( 4 Flange Taps )
Discharge Coefficient
0.65
0.64
Beta Values are

almost constant
0.63
0.62
0.61
0.6
0.59
0
4
5 10
Beta = .75
Beta = .6
Beta = .5
Beta = .4
Beta = .2
5
1 10
5
1.5 10
5
5
5
2 10
2.5 10
3 10
Pipe Reynolds Number
5
3.5 10
5
4 10
5
4.5 10
5
5 10
Orifice Diam. / Pipe Diam. = Beta
d/D =
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
DP Flow Equation
3
3
Gas Expansion Factor vs. DP

Gas Expansion Factors
Gas Expansion Factor
0.95
The higher the line pressure, the

more constant Gas Expansion
Factor for a variety of DP
0.9
0.85
Line
Pressure
20
40
1000 psi
250 psi
100 psi
50 psi
20 psi
60
80
100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260

Differential Pressure (inH2O)
( k=1.3, beta = 0.6 )

Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
Components
DP Flow Meters consist of two main components:
Primary
Secondary -
SECONDARY
3
4
placed in the pipe to restrict the flow.

Orifice, Venturi, nozzle, Pitot-static tube, elbow,
and wedge.
measures the differential pressure.
Using well-established conversion
coefficients which depends on the type
of head meter used and the diameter of
the pipe, a measurement of the
differential pressure may be translated
into a volume rate.
PRIMARY
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
Orifice Plate
3
5
Simplest and least expensive.

Constrict fluid flow to produce diff. pressure across the plate.
Produce high pressure upstream and low pressure
downstream.
Flow proportional to square of the flow velocity.
Greater overall pressure loss compared to other primary
devices.
Cost does not increase significantly with pipe size (advantage).
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
Venturi Tube
3
6
Gradually narrows the diameter of pipe.

Resultant drop in pressure is measured.
Pressure recovers at the expanding section of the meter.
For low pressure drop and high accuracy reading applications
Widely used in large diameter pipes.
High Pressure Side
Cross
section
Area A1 Flow
P1 P2
Low Pressure Side
Cross section
Area A2
Q (Actual) =
C x A1 x A2
( A12 - A22 )
2 x ( P1 -P2 )
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
Flow Nozzle
High velocity flow meter.

Elliptical restriction of flow at nozzle opening.
No outlet area for pressure recovery.
For application where turbulence is high (Re > 50000)
eg.,stream flow at high temperatures.
Pressure drop falls betw. That of venturi tube and orifice plate
(30-95%)
D
High Pressure
FLOW
D/2
3
7
Low Pressure
NOZZLE
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
Pitot Tube
3
8
Bernoullis energy balance for an

incompressible, non-viscous fluid:
Pf 1
Pf 2
Vf 1
Pf 1
V f 12
2 gc
Pf 2
Stagnation Pressure Sensing - measures a point velocity.
Theoretical Point Velocity
Vf 1
2 gc Pf 2 Pf 1
In order to measure accurate flow rate, a pitot traverse is required.

Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
Pitot Tube
High (Impact) Pressure Tap
Low (Static) Pressure Tap
3
9
Fluid Flow
High pressure port
Static pressure port
One-point velocity measurement

accuracy affected by changes in velocity profile
tube must be moved back & forth in the flow
stream for average measurement
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
Averaging Pitot Tube (Annubar)
High Pressure Tap
4
0
Low Pressure Tap
Sharp Edge
Blunt
Front
H.P.
L.P.
Blunt
Rear
Cross section
of Annubar
Fluid Flow
Include several measurement ports over the entire

diameter of the pipeline
more accurate flow measurement than the regular
pitot tube
Level 1 - Flow
DP Flowmeter
Pitot Tube
4
1
Advantages:
Can be inserted through a small opening.
Can sample the velocity at many points.
Low pressure drop, non-obstrusive.
Disadvantages:
Pitot traverse requires a technician, and is time-consuming.
Pitot tube is fragile (not suited for industrial app.)
DP signal is low.
Accuracy depends on the velocity profile.
Easily plugged by foreign material in the fluid.
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
Wedge Flow Element
inserted in the process pipe
forms a wedged obstruction on the inner wall of
the pipe
usually used with remote seals for measuring
dirty fluids, slurries & fluids at high viscosity (low
RD) that tends to build up or clog orifice plates
4
2
Level 1 - Flow
DP flowmeter
V-Cone
4
3
high accuracy
normally lab-calibrated
work equally well with short and long straight pipes
for customers who have limited room for straight
piping requirements
can be used with some dirty fluids
Level 1 - Flow
Head Meter
Rotameter
Variable-area flowmeters
4
4
float inside the tapered tube rises in response to fluid flow rate
pressure is higher at the bottom than the top of the tapered tube
float rests where the dp between upper & lower surfaces of the
float balances the weight of the float
flowrate read direct from scale or electronically
commonly used for indication only
Level 1 - Flow
Head Meter
Target Meter
4
5
A disc is centered in the pipe

with surface positioned at right
angle to the fluid flow.
Force of the fluid acting against
the target directly measures the
fluid flow rate.
Requires no external
connections, seals or purge
systems.
Useful for dirty or corrosive
fluids.
Level 1 - Flow
Head Meter
Target Meter
Advantages:
Low cost
Easily installed and/or
replaced
No moving parts
Suitable for most gases
or liquids
Available in a wide
range of sizes and
models
4
6
Disadvantages:
Square-root head/flow
relationship
High permanent pressure
loss
Low accuracy
Flow rage normal 4:1
Accuracy affected by wear
and/or damage of the flow
primary element especially
with corrosive fluids.
Level 1 - Flow
Velocity Meter
Magnetic Flowmeter
4
7
Faradays Law of electromagnetic

Conductive
induction.
Process
A voltage will be induced in a Medium
conductor moving through a Lining
magnetic field.
E = kBDV
Sensing
Variable Flow Rate

(Feet Per Second)
SST Tube
Flange
Electrodes
E = magnitude of induced voltage
V = velocity of the conductor

D = width of the conductor
E
B = strength of the magnetic field
k = proportionality constant
Field Coils
Magnetic Field B
(Constant Strength)
As the conductive process liquid moves through the field with

average velocity V, the electrodes sense the induced voltage.
Level 1 - Flow
Velocity Meter
Magnetic Flowmeter
Advantages:
Obstructionless flow
Unaffected by viscosity,
pressure, temperature and
density
Good accuracy
No RD constraints
Suitable for slurries and
corrosive, nonlubricating, or
abrasive liquids
Wide rangeability (30:1)
4
8
Disadvantages:
Liquid must be
electrically conductive
Not suitable for gases
Can be expensive,
particularly in small
sizes
Must be installed so that
the meter is always full
Level 1 - Flow
Velocity Meter
Turbine Meter
Consist of multi-blade rotors

supported by bearings and
enclosed in a pipe section.
perpendicular to fluid flow.
Fluid flow drives the rotor.
Rotor Blades
Rotor velocity is proportional to
overall volume flow rate.
Magnetic lines of flux created by a
magnetic coil outside the meter.
4
9
Pickup Probe
FLOW
An alternating voltage is produced as each blades cuts the

magnetic lines of flux. Each pulse represents a discrete volume
of liquid.
Level 1 - Flow
Velocity Meter
Turbine Meter
Advantages:
High accuracy
Rangeability 10:1
Very good repeatability
Low pressure drops
Can be used on high
viscosity fluids (but with
lower turndowns)
5
0
Disadvantages:
Moving parts subject to wear
Can be damaged by
overspeeding
High temperature,
overspeeding, corrosion,
abrasion and pressure transient
can shorten bearing life
Rather expensive
Filtration required in dirty fluids
Level 1 - Flow
Velocity Meter
Vortex Flowmeter
5
1
von karman effect (vortex

shedding)
As fluid pass a bluff body, it
Force on
separates and generates small
Sensor
eddies/vortices that are shed
alternately along and behind
each side of the bluff body.
This vortices cause areas of Pivoting
fluctuating pressure that are Axis
detected by a sensor.
Shedder
The frequency of vortex
Bar
generation is directly
proportional to fluid velocity.
Sensor
FLOW
Vortex
Shedder
Force
Shedder Bar
FLOW
Vortices
Level 1 - Flow
Velocity Meter
Vortex Flowmeter
Advantages:
Good accuracy
Usually wide flow range
Used with liquids, gases
and steam
Minimal maintenance (no
moving parts)
Good linearity over the
working range
5
2
Disadvantages:
Not suitable for abrasive or
dirty fluids
Straight upstream pipe
required equal to 30 times
pipe diameter or longer
Limited by low velocity (RD
< 10,000)
Level 1 - Flow
Velocity Meter
Ultrasonic Flowmeters
5
uses sound waves to determine flow rates of fluids.3
Transit-Time Method
2 piezoelectric transducers mounted opposing, to focus
sound waves between them at 45 angle to the direction of
flow within a pipe. In a simultaneous measurement in the
opposite direction to fluid flow, a value (determined
electronically) is linearly proportional to the flow rate.
Transmitter
Upstream Transducer
Receiver
FLOW
Downstream Transducer
Level 1 - Flow
Velocity Meter
5
uses sound waves to determine flow rates of fluids.4
Doppler Effect Method
One of the 2 transducer mounted in the same case on one
side of the pipe transmits sound waves (constant
frequency) into the fluid. Solids or bubbles within the fluid
reflect the sound back to the receiver element. Frequency
difference is directly proportional to the flow velocity in the
pipe.
Level 1 - Flow
Velocity Meter
Advantages:
Non-intrusive,
obstructionless
Wide rangeability (10:1)
Easy to install (especially
for clamp-on version)
Cost virtually
independent of pipe size
The flow measurement is
bi-directional
5
5
Disadvantages:
Maximum temperature 150C
Particular fluid conditions are
required (TOF-type: clean liquids;
Doppler-type: particles or impurities
in the stream)
Not very high accuracy (about 2%)
Doppler flowmeter clamp-on type
requires a pipe of homogeneous
material (cement or fibreglass
linings must be avoided)
Level 1 - Flow
Mass Meter
Coriolis Meter
Operating Principle
5
6
Uses a obsructionless U-shaped tube as a sensor

Applies Newtons 2nd Law of Motion to determine flow rate.
Force = mass x acceleration
The flow tube vibrates at its natural frequency by an
electromagnetic drive system.
Level 1 - Flow
Mass Meter
Coriolis Meter
Coriolis Effect
5
7
Fluid flowing through the upward moving tube, pushes

downward against the tube.
Fluid flowing out through the downward moving tube,
pushes upward against the tube.
The combination of upward and downward resistive forces
causes the sensor tube to twist (coriolis effect).
Level 1 - Flow
Mass Meter
Coriolis Meter
Signal Transmission
5
8
The amount the tube twist is proportional to the mass flow

rate of the fluid flowing through it.
Electromagnetic sensors located at each side of the tube
measures the respective velocity of the vibrating tube at
these points.
The sensor sends this information to the transmitter which
gives an output signal directly proportional to mass flow
rate.
Level 1 - Flow
Mass Meter
Coriolis Meter
Advantages:
High accuracy: 0.25%
Relatively low pressure
drops
Suitable for liquid and
gas flow
Easy to install
Flow range (10:1)
5
9
Disadvantages:
Expensive
Mounting is critical (no
vibration)
Heat-tracing is required
in some applications
Level 1 - Flow
Mass Meter
Thermal Meter
6
Works on the principle of heat transfer by the fluid flow
0
Made up o 3 elements arranged along the direction of motion.
high accurate temperature sensor at upstream
an electrical heater in between
high accurate temperature sensor at downstream
The difference between the two temperature readings is
proportional to the mass flow rate. (if the thermal properties of
the fluid being metered are constant and known).
Level 1 - Flow
Mass Meter
Thermal Meter
Advantages:
No moving parts
Suitable for large size
pipe (insertion type)
Good rangeability (50:1)
Accuracy: 1% FS
Low permanent pressure
losses
6
1
Disadvantages:
Meter sensitive to fluid heat
conductivity, viscosity, and specific
heat
Mostly gas service (only rare
liquid service)
Specific heat of the fluid must be
known and constant i.e. the gas
must have a constant composition
Proper operation requires no heat
losses due to conductive
exchanges though the pipe walls
Level 1 - Flow
Displacement flowmeter
Oval Gear Meter
An example of positive displacement meter
6
2
Two meshing oval gears rotate as fluid flows through them

Gears trap a known quantity of fluid as they rotate
Each complete revolution of both the gears = 4 * amount of
fluid that fills the space between the gear and the meter
body
volumetric flow rate is directly proportional to the rotational
velocity of the gears
Level 1 - Flow
Rosemount flow products

Summary Table
6
3
Meter
Fluids
Dirty
Fluids
Viscosity
DP/Orifice
Liquid,Gas,steam
No
Low-Medium 0.5 - 40in
6000psig
Medium-High
MV/Orifice
Liquid,Gas,steam
No
6000psig
Medium-High
Some
Low
0.5 - 72+in 6000psig

0.2 - 36in
MV/Annubar Liquid,Gas,steam
Pipe
Size
Maximum Maximum Pressure

Pressure Temp.
Loss
Magmeter
Conductive Fluids Yes
Any
Vortex
Liquid,Gas,steam
Some
1400psig
Coriolis
All
Yes
Any
4000psig
200C
High*
Turbine
Liquid,Gas,steam
No
6000psig
200C
High
0.5 - 6in
1400psig
Low
175C
Very Low
Low
Level 1 - Flow
Exercise
6
4
1. Which of the following would generally provide the best turndown ?

(A) DP - Orifice Plate
(C)
Magnetic Flowmeter
(B) V.A.Meter
(D)
Turbine Meter
Which of the following directly measures mass flow rate, and which
volume flow rate. Indicate M or V
2. Magnetic Flowmeter
[
]
3. Vortex Meter
[
]
4. Coriolis Meter
[
]
5. Non-compensated DP Flowmeter
[
]
6. Fully-compensated DP Flowmeter
[
]
Level 1 - Flow
Exercise
7. The following flowmeters all create some pressure loss. Number
them in order, beginning with that which create the least loss.
(A) Venturi tube
[
]
(B) Positive displacement meter
[
]
(C) Magnetic flowmeter
[
]
(D) Vortex Meter
[
]
(E) Annubar
[
]
(F) Orifice plate
[
]
6
5
Level 1 - Flow

Flow

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Level 1

RMT Training - 05 /98

RMT Training - 05 /98

Why measure flow?

Uncontrolled flow rates may cause

the measurement of fluid passing from a supplier to a customer

RMT Training - 05 /98

Why measure flow?

Process Variable Control

RMT Training - 05 /98

Flow Loop Issues:

Typically Requires Temperature Compensation

RMT Training - 05 /98

Density: rho) = m/V = mass/volume

RMT Training - 05 /98

Density of liquid at process temperature

Molecular Weight of gas

RMT Training - 05 /98

Gas Compressibility Factor: Z-factor

For an ideal gas Z=1 and PV=nRT(Ideal Gas Law).

Universal gas constant

RMT Training - 05 /98

Water is 1cP, peanut butter is 10,000 cP

RMT Training - 05 /98

RMT Training - 05 /98

Lower velocity at the edge

Higher velocity in the middle

Lower velocity at the edge

RMT Training - 05 /98

(Pipe I.D.) ( Velocity) (Density)

Flow conditions; Velocity = 0.5 m/s

= 0.5 x 0.06 x 995.7 x 1000 /0.7

Find the Reynolds number for the fluid.

RMT Training - 05 /98

Quality steam ( mixture of water liquid & vapor)

RMT Training - 05 /98

(2D)2 * (/4 x Velocity)

Flow Profile Disturbance

RMT Training - 05 /98

Volumetric Flow Rate

- reference to 14.696 psi Atm. at 68 deg.F

lbs/sec - Pounds per second

RMT Training - 05 /98

commonly used for magnetic, vortex and Coriolis meters

RMT Training - 05 /98

RMT Training - 05 /98

Head Meters (DP Flow Meters)

RMT Training - 05 /98

cross-sectional area of the pipe

RMT Training - 05 /98

the mass flow rate

the volume flow rate

kg/s = m3/s * kg.m3

RMT Training - 05 /98

RMT Training - 05 /98

Outputs represent true flow only under specified conditions.

RMT Training - 05 /98

RMT Training - 05 /98

Volumetric flow * Density

RTD Temperature Sensor Input

These constants takes care of

Discharge Coefficient (Cd)

Equations for calculating Cd are derived from experimental data.