Mapua Institute of Technology

School Of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Report No. 4
Flow Measurement

Cruz, Mary Kyla D.

Date of Performance:

08/17/15
2012102580

Date of Submission:

08/25/15
Mfge/3

Engr. Igmedio F. Isla

Table of contents

Discussion

Flow Measurement
Flow measurement is the quantification of bulk fluid movement.
Flow can be measured in a variety of ways. Positive-displacement
flow meters accumulate a fixed volume of fluid and then count the
number of times the volume is filled to measure flow. Other flow
measurement methods rely on forces produced by the flowing stream
as it overcomes a known constriction, to indirectly calculate flow.
Flow may be measured by measuring the velocity of fluid over a
known area.

Units of Flow Measurement

Both

gas

and

liquid

flow

can

be

measured

in volumetric or mass flow rates, such as liters per second or

kilograms per second, respectively. These measurements are related
by the material's density. The density of

a liquid is almost

independent of conditions. This is not the case for gasses, the

densities of which depend greatly upon pressure, temperature and to
a lesser extent, composition.
When gases or liquids are transferred for their energy content,
as in the sale of natural gas, the flow rate may also be expressed in
terms of energy flow, such as GJ/hour or BTU/day. The energy flow
rate is the volumetric flow rate multiplied by the energy content per
unit volume or mass flow rate multiplied by the energy content per
unit mass. Energy flow rate is usually derived from mass or
volumetric flow rate by the use of a flow computer.
In engineering contexts, the volumetric flow rate is usually
given the symbol

, and the mass flow rate, the symbol

For a fluid having density , mass and volumetric flow rates

may be related by

Gas
Gases are compressible and change volume when placed under
pressure, are heated or are cooled. A volume of gas under one set of
pressure and temperature conditions is not equivalent to the same
gas under different conditions. References will be made to "actual"
flow rate through a meter and "standard" or "base" flow rate through
a

meter

with

units

such

as acm/h (actual

cubic

meters

per

hour), sm3/sec (standard cubic meters per second), kscm/h (thousand

standard cubic meters per hour), LFM (linear feet per minute),
or MMSCFD (million standard cubic feet per day).
Gas mass flow rate can be directly measured, independent of
pressure and temperature effects, with thermal mass flow meters,
Coriolis mass flow meters, or mass flow controllers.

Liquid
For liquids, various units are used depending upon the
application and industry, but might include gallons (U.S. liquid or
imperial) per minute, liters per second,bushels per minute or, when
describing river flows, cumecs (cubic metres per second) or acre-feet
per day. In oceanography a common unit to measure volume
transport (volume of water transported by a current for example) is
a sverdrup (Sv) equivalent to 106 m3/s.

What is a Flow Meter?

A flow meter is a device used to measure the flow rate or
quantity of a gas or liquid moving through a pipe. Flow measurement
applications are very diverse and each situation has its own
constraints and engineering requirements. Flow meters are referred
to by many names, such as flow gauge, flow indicator, liquid meter,
etc. depending on the particular industry; however the function, to
measure flow, remains the same.

Working Principle of a flow meter

Flow meters are used in fluid systems (liquid and gas) to
indicate the rate of flow of the fluid. They can also control the rate of
flow if they are equipped with a flow control valve. Rota meters are a
particular kind of flow meter, based on the variable area principle.
They provide a simple, precise and economical means of indicating
flow rates in fluid systems. This variable area principle consists of

three basic elements: A uniformly tapered flow tube, a float, and a

measurement scale. A control valve may be added if flow control is
also desired. In operation, the Rota meter is positioned vertically in
the fluid system with the smallest diameter end of the tapered flow
tube at the bottom. This is the fluid inlet. The float, typically
spherical, is located inside the flow tube, and is engineered so that its
diameter is nearly identical to the flow tubes inlet diameter.
When fluid gas or liquid is introduced into the tube, the
float is lifted from its initial position at the inlet, allowing the fluid to
pass between it and the tube wall. As the float rises, more and more
fluid flows by the float because the tapered tubes diameter is
increasing. Ultimately, a point is reached where the flow area is large
enough to allow the entire volume of the fluid to flow past the float.
This flow area is called the annular passage. The float is now
stationary at that level within the tube, as its weight is being
supported by the fluid forces which caused it to rise. This position
corresponds to a point on the tubes measurement scale and
provides an indication of the fluids flow rate. One way to change the
capacity, or flow range, of a rota meter is to change the float
material, and thus its density, while keeping the flow tube and float
size constant. Floats which are made from less dense materials will
rise higher in the tube and therefore will yield lower flow capacities
for the same diameter flow tube.

Why do I need a precision flow

meter?
Precision flow meters are used to provide accurate monitoring
and/or flow control. Some industrial applications require precise
calculation

of

quantity,

such

as precision

servo-valve

development for the aerospace industry. On the other hand, an

application to measure water flow to a vineyard may only require a
measurement accuracy of 5% to 10%.

Selecting a Flow Meter

The basis of good flow meter selection is a clear
understanding of the requirements of the particular application.
Therefore, time should be invested in fully evaluating the nature of
the

process

fluid

and

of

the

overall

installation.

Here are some key questions which need to answer before selecting
a flow meter:

What is the fluid being measured by the flow meter or flow

meters (air, water, etc)?

Do you require rate measurement and/or totalization from the

flow meter?
If the liquid is not water, what viscosity is the liquid?
Is the fluid clean?
Do you require a local display on the flow meter or do you need

an electronic signal output?

What is the minimum and maximum flow rate for the flow

meter?
What is the minimum and maximum process pressure?
What is the minimum and maximum process temperature?
Is the fluid chemically compatible with the flow meter wetted

parts?
If this is a process application, what is the size of the pipe?

What type of flow meter is best?

There are no universal flow meters which are suitable for all
applications. Selecting the proper technology for your application
requires writing a flow specification which covers the use of the
meter. There are usually trade-offs with each meter type, so knowing
the critical specifications will be important. Things you must know:

What Gas or Liquid will be measured?

Minimum and maximum flow rates.
What are the accuracy requirements?
The fluid temperature and viscosity.
Fluid compatibility with the materials of construction (See

our materials compatibility guide)

The maximum pressure at the location.
What pressure drop is allowable?
Will the meter be mounted in a hazardous location?
Is the fluid flow continuous or intermittent?

Characteristics of the four most common flow meter

Types of Flow Meters

Rota meters or Variable Area Flow meter
The rota meter is a tapered tube and a float. It is
the most widely used for gases and liquids flow
measurement because of its low cost, simplicity, low
pressure drop, relatively wide range ability, and linear
output.
Spring and Piston Flow Meters
Piston-type flow meters use an annular orifice formed by a
piston and a tapered cone. The piston is held in place at the base of
the cone (in the "no flow position") by a calibrated spring. Scales are
based on specific gravities of 0.84 for oil meters, and 1.0 for water
meters. Their simplicity of design and the ease with which they can
be equipped to transmit electrical signals has made them an

economical

alternative

to

rotameters

for

flowrate

indication and control.

Mass Gas Flow Meters

Thermal-type mass flow meters operate with

minor dependence on density, pressure, and fluid
viscosity. This style of flow meter utilizes either a
differential pressure transducer and temperature sensor or a heated
sensing element and thermodynamic heat conduction principles to
determine the true mass flow rate. Many of these mass flow meters
have integral displays and analog outputs for data logging.

Ultrasonic Flowmeters

The ultrasonic doppler flow meters are commonly

used in dirty applications such as wastewater and other
dirty fluids and slurries which ordinarily cause damage
to conventional sensors. The basic principle of operation
employs the frequency shift (Doppler Effect) of an ultrasonic signal
when it is reflected by suspended particles or gas bubbles
(discontinuities) in motion.
Turbine Flow Meters
The turbine meter can have an accuracy of 0.5% of the
reading. It is a very accurate meter and can be used for clean liquids
and viscous liquids up to 100 centistokes. A minimum of 10 pipe
diameters of straight pipe on the inlet is required. The most common
outputs are a sine wave or squarewave frequency but signal

conditioners can be mounted on top for analog outputs

and explosion proof classifications. The meters consists
of a multi-bladed rotor mounted at right angles to the
flow and suspended in the fluid stream on a freerunning bearing.

Paddlewheel Sensors

One of the most popular cost effective flow

meters for water or water like fluids. Many are offered
with flow flittings or insertions styles. These meters like
the turbine meter require a minimum of 10 pipe
diameters of straight pipe on the inlet and 5 on the outlet. Chemical
compatibility should be verified when not using water. Sine wave and
Square wave pulse outputs are typical but transmitters are available
for integral or panel mounting.

Positive Displacement Flow Meters

These meters are used for water applications when no

straight pipe is available and turbine meters and
paddlewheel sensor would see too much turbulence.
The positive displacement are also used for viscous liquids.

Vortex Meters

The main advantages of vortex meters are their

low sensitivity to variations in process conditions and
low wear relative to orifices or turbine meters. Also,
initial and maintenance costs are low. For these
reasons, they have been gaining wider acceptance among users.
Vortex meters do require sizing, contact our flow engineering.

Pitot Tubes or Differential Pressure Sensor for Liquids and Gases

The pitot tubes offer the following

advantages

easy,

low-cost

installation,

much lower permanent pressure loss, low

maintenance and good resistance to wear.
The pitot tubes do require sizing, contact our flow
engineering.

Magnetic Flow meters for Conductive Liquids

Available in in-line or insertion style. The magnetic

flow meters do not have any moving parts and are ideal
for wastewater application or any dirty liquid which is
conductive. Displays are integral or an analog output can be used for
remote monitoring or data logging.

Anemometers for Air Flow Measurement

Hot wire anemometers are probes with no moving

parts. Airflow can be measured in pipes and ducts with
a

hand

held

or

permanent

mount

style.

Vane

anemometers are also available. Vane anemometers

are usually larger than a hot wire but are more rugged and
economical. Models are available with temperature and humidity
measurement.

References

https://www.mathesongas.com/pdfs/products/flowmeter-product-lineoverview.pdf
http://www.ti.com/lit/an/slyt471/slyt471.pdf
http://www.omega.com/prodinfo/flowmeters.html