DEPARMENTOF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : N. Sanjeeva Rao
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : Applied Electronics &
Instrumentation Engg.
Institute : Govt. polytechnic for women,
Srikakulam
Year/Semester : IV Semester
Subject : process instrumentation –II
Sub. Code : AEI-405,
Topic : Flow
Duration : 50minutes
Sub- Topic : Introduction to Rota Meter
Teaching Aids : PPT, Animations, photographs
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 OBJECTIVES

Upon the completion of this topic you would able to

learn about Rota Meter
• Operation
• Principles
• Derivation
• Applications
• Advantages / Limitation
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Fig.1 Rota Meter

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Fig. 2 Rota Meter Principle (a) sharp edge configuration
(b) Alternative arrangement

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 ROTAMETER

• It consists of a vertical tube with a tapered cone

in which float assumes a vertical position
corresponding to each flow rate through the
tube.
• It is also called as constant pressure drop,
variable area meter.

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The Fundamental equation for an incompressible
flow through a tube

2 gpd
Qv  CEA2 ------------------- (A)


C = Discharge coefficient
E = Approach factor
A2 = Orifice area
g = Acceleration due to gravity
Pd = Pressure difference
ρ = Density
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• Earlier we have discussed orifice , venturi tube ,pitot
tube.
• If C, E, A2 ,g, ρ are constant for particular fluid
• Then the flow rate is proportional to the pressure
difference.
• In the case of Rota meter A2 = Area between the vertical
tube and float
• If C, E, Pd ,g, ρ are constant for particular fluid
• Then the flow rate is proportional to the A2.
• That is why it is also called constant pressure drop with
variable area type flow meter.
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 OPERATION

• It is a vertical tube of conical shape, the area gradually

expanding from bottom to top.
• The fluid allowed to flow in an upward direction in the
tube.
• If a disc is placed which is free to move in the fluid path,
it acts as a float in the fluid.
• An orifice is setup between the perimeter of the disc and
inside surface of the tube with a corresponding pressure
drop.
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• Initially when there is no fluid flows through the

Rotameter then float is at equilibrium in a vertical tube.

• When fluid flows through the Rotameter it, will effect the

pressure drop, altering the relation between the inlet and

outlet pressure.

• Thus upsetting the equilibrium for force acting on the

disc (float).

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• The disc (float) will then move up or down the tube there

by creating variable area of the orifice until the pressure

drop is at original value when the forces are again at

equilibrium.

• The position of the float in the tube is then measure of

the rate of flow.

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 ANALYSIS OF ROTAMETER

Consider the forces acting on the float in the

vertical column of liquid as shown in fig. 2

The effective weight ‘W’ acting on the float

W = Vf (ρ2 - ρ1) --------------(1)

Where Vf = Volume of the float

ρ2 = Material density of the float

ρ1 = density ofAEI-405.31
the liquid 11
Fig.3 Force acting on a float in a Rota Meter

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Force Fd acting in a down ward direction on the
upper surface of the float

Fd = p2Af -----------------------(2)

p2 = pressure per unit area on the upper

surface of the float.

Af =surface area of the float

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Force Fu acting in a up ward direction on theLower

surface of the float

Fu = p1Af --------------(3)

p1 = pressure per unit area on the Lower

surface of the float.

Af =surface area of the float

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• A drag force D tending to pull the float in an upward
direction (in the direction of the flow ) may be
represented by an equation

D = K v lf ή ------------------------------ (4)

k = a constant

v = velocity of the fluid

ή = absolute viscosity of the fluid

lf = a dimensional function equivalent to length

In Balance Condition
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 fu +D = W+ fd ---------------------(5)

if viscous drag force effects are neglected i.e, D = 0

P1Af = vf (ρ 2– ρ1) +p2Af ---------------------(6)

When the flow increases from an equilibrium value, an

increased differential pressure ( p1-p2)

The ratio p1/p2 increases from which means that the

force p1Af is now greater than vf (ρ 2– ρ1) +p2Af

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• then the float is free, it will moved in the direction
of flow

• As it moves upward it increases the orifice area

due to the expanding sectional area of the tube
and pressure differential falls proportionally

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• This operation continues until (p1-p2) reaches its

original value then the equation (6) are

equilibrium again

• The new float position is the measure of the new

flow rate

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 This operation is reversed when the flow rate decreases

From equation (6) we can write in to

• (p1-p2) Af = vf (ρ1-ρ2 )----------------- (7)

Vf
( p1  p2 )  (  2  1 )      (8)
Af

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• Substituting this in equation (A)

Vρ  ρ 
Q v  cEA 2 2g f

2 1
      (9)
Aρf  1 

• A2 = The gap area between the float and the tube

• x = Displacement of the float

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• The equation (9) can be written as

V f   2  1 
Qv  KcxE 2 g        (10)
Af  1 

A2
• Where K = Proportionality constant
x

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• In Rota meters the velocity approach factor E is
of no significance. The equation (10) can be
written as
V f   2  1 
Qv  Kcx 2 g        (11)
Af  1 

• The mass flow rate of fluid is

V f   2  1 
Qv  Kcx 1 2g        (12)
Af  1 

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 ADVANTAGES OF ROTA METER

• It gives direct visual indication on a linear scale

• Low cost

• It has high accuracy

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 LIMITATIONS OF ROTA METER

• It must be mounted vertically

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 APPLICATIONS OF ROTA METER
• Laboratory
• Testing and production lines
• It can be easily integrated for instrumentation with
 alarms
 indicators
 controllers
 recorders

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 SUMMARY

We have discussed about working principle Rota

Meter
• Principle
• Operation
• Derivation
• Application
• Advantage / Limitation

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QUIZ

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1. Rota meter is a

• Drag force flow meter

• Variable area flow meter
• variable head flow meter

• rotating propeller type flow meter

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2. The tube of the Rota meter

a. Tapers upwards
b. in uniform cross section
c. tapers downwards
d. tapers in the horizontal direction

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3. Which is the Flow meter where the pressure
drop remains nearly constant but the area
changes
a. Pitot tube
b. venturi meter
c. Rota meter
d. orifice meter

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 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Explain the principal of operation of Rota meter.

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