Reading Material 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.

Thus we can say flow measurement is basically measurement of the quantity of fluid movement
through any of the closed conduct over a given period of time. Mathematically it can be stated as,

The definition of volume flow rate is the volume of fluid that flows past a given cross sectional area per
second. Therefore,

V = A

V = Volume Flow Rate

A = Cross Section Area

= Velocity of Fluid.

Direct Flow Measurement

Generally requires larger devices for the larger flow measurement. Here the stop valve controls the
amount of the volume flow rate to the primary volumetric tank. Primary volumetric tank is being
calibrated with the respective scale for the measurement of the flow of fluid in the vessel. The
respective time for the flow is being measured which can further be utilized for the measurement of the
flow by dividing the amount of volume being flowed in the vessel by the time it take for the respective
flow.
Classification of flow measurement

1. Head Type

(i) Orifice Plate (ii) Venturi meter

(iii) Flow Nozzle (iv) Pitot tube

2. Area Type

(i) Rota Meter (ii)Piston Type

3. Mass Flow meter type

(i) Turbine type (ii) cariolis force Type

(iii) Calorimetric type

4. Positive displacement

(i) Below Gas meter (ii) Notating Disc

(iii) Rotary Vane (iv) Lobed impeller.

5. Electrical Type

(i) Turbo Magnetic (ii)ultrasonic (iii) Hot wire

6. Digital type

(i) Vortex (ii) Flow marker

Volumetric Meter Bellow type Flow meter

The device uses the bellows for the measurement of the flow rate. The inlet fluid is being filled upon in
the initial bellows by means of the non-return valve whose final volume or the expanded volume is being
constant. The final volume of both the bellows is being assumed to be the same. When the liquid is
completely filled in one of the bellows gauge it is contracted to supply the same fluid to the next bellow
gauge which is then expanded and the first bellows gauge is being contracted and being ready to take the
next fluid intake.

When the second bellows gauge contracts it releases the intake fluid to the outlet valve from where it
flows through the pipe further. The volume being transferred during the expansion and contraction of the
bellows is being constant. The time duration for one cycle is being calculated, which can further be utilized
for the volumetric flow rate calculation.

Rotary Flow Meters Rotating Impeller Meter

It uses the concept of rotating vane type pump for the measurement of the flow rate through the device.
When the vanes rotates the fluid flow enters through the inlet valve. Fixed amount of the fluid is being
entered between two of the vanes which moves further with the rotation of the respective vanes. This
fluid is being further transferred to the outlet valve and is being supplied to the destination. Here the
amount of fluid which is being transferred for one space between two of the vanes is being constant and
hence a constant fluid is being transferred every time the vanes takes the fluid with it.

The number of vanes is being calculated. And for a specific period of time the number of rotations of the
vanes is being calculated (cycles). If the total fluid being transferred between two of the vanes is V then
for 7 number of vanes being rotated 10 cycles will be transferring 70V volume. If the respective time
duration is being noted for the same then we can easily calculate the flow rate through the respective
flow meter.
Rotary Lobe type Flow Meter

In this case it transfers the fluid by means of the rotating lobes. The fluid is being transferred
intermediately (i.e. fluid is not being transferred continuously). When one of the lobe is transferring the
fluid like the one shown in figure (i.e. lobe A) the other lobe is just being running ideally. Thus for one
complete rotation of the lobes the total fluid transferred will be 2V (where V = volume transferred by one
of the lobe). Thus by calculating the amount of time taken for one complete rotation of the lobes we can
calculate the flow rate by means of simple calculation of total volume transferred/time taken.

Nutating Disk Flow Meter

In this flow meter the fluid is being transferred by means of the wobbling nutating disc which is being
located in the center. The nutating disk transfers specific quantity of the fluid during its one full rotation.
The time taken for one complete rotation is being measured which can further be utilized for the
volumetric flow rate calculation of the same. Here the nutating disk is being generated for the means of
wobbling to transfer the fluid from the inlet valve to the outlet valve by means of specific chamber
creation due to its rotation.

Piston Flow Meter

It works on the principle of the amount of fluid transferred in one piston movement from TDC to BDC.
During the inlet stroke specific amount of fluid is being transferred through the inlet valve to the piston.
When the piston reverses the stroke the fluid is being injected out through the outlet valve. The amount
of volume being injected during the one stroke of the piston is fixed. The time duration for one stroke of
the piston is being noted down which can further be utilized for the measurement of the flow rate. Same
process is being occurring through all the four pistons being available which facilitates the higher flow rate
through the flow meter.
Obstruction Meters

Pitot tubes make use of dynamic pressure difference. Orifices in the leading face register total head
pressure, dynamic + static, while the hole in the trailing face only conveys static pressure. Pressure
difference between the two gives dynamic pressure in pipe, from which flow can be calculated.

Basic Mass rate of flow equation for single phase compressible and non-compressible fluids:
Venturi Meter: For venture meter refer the attached PDF.

Or visit the link for direct pdf download: http://gg.gg/venturi-meter

Orifice Meter

A fluid passing through an orifice constriction will experience a drop in pressure across the
orifice. This change can be used to measure the flow rate of the fluid.

Features

Easy to install

No pressure loss

Sensitive to up stream disturbance

Not used for sticky and dirty fluids

The orifice meter has several practical advantages when compared to venturi meters.

Lower cost

Smaller physical size

Flexibility to change throat to pipe diameter ratio to measure a larger range of flow rates

Disadvantage:
 Large power consumption in the form of irrecoverable pressure loss

Rotameters

Rotameters fall into the category of flow measurement devices called variable area meters. These devices
have nearly constant pressure and depend on changing cross sectional area to indicate flow rate.
Rotameters are extremely simple, robust devices that can measure flow rates of both liquids and gasses.

Fluid flows up through the tapered tube and suspends a float in the column of fluid. The position of the
float indicates the flow rate on a marked scale.
Turbine Meter

It quantifies the amount of the fluid being passing through the turbine at any of specific time. The time
duration is also being noted down for a transfer of the specific quantity of the fluid. This time can then
further be utilized for the volumetric flow measurement for a specific quantity of fluid being transferred.

Measure by determining RPM of turbine (3) via sensor (6). Turbine meters accurate but fragile.

Hot Wire Aenimometer

It uses the simple concept of the temperature of the hot wire which is being affected by the amount of
fluid flow over the same. Greater the fluid flow more the temperature of the wire will be affected by the
same. Hence the respective temperature of the wire can be correspondingly be calibrated for the
measurement of the respective flow rate of through the conduict. Some of the aenimometer are also
being direction sensitive for the flow of the fluid over the same. Thus they changes temperature based on
the degree of warmness over both the sides which further helps in determining the direction of the flow
in addition to the flow rate which is obtained too.

Magnetic Flow meter

A magnetic flow meter (mag flow meter) is a volumetric flow meter which does not have any moving parts
and is ideal for wastewater applications or any dirty liquid which is conductive or water based. Magnetic
flow meters will generally not work with hydrocarbons, distilled water and many non-aqueous solutions).
Magnetic flow meters are also ideal for applications where low pressure drop and low maintenance are
required.

The operation of a magnetic flow meter or mag meter is based upon Faraday's Law, which states that the
voltage induced across any conductor as it moves at right angles through a magnetic field is proportional
to the velocity of that conductor.
Ultrasonic Flow meters

Flow is measured by measuring the difference in transit time for two ultrasonic beams transmitted in a
fluid both upstream and downstream.

Ultrasonic Meters are mainly used on large size lines where high rangeability is required.

Ultrasonic flow meters consists of the ultrasonic sensors being attached at both the ends of the pipe which
senses the amount of flow rate being taking place through the pipe by means of the changes in the
ultrasonic waves being captured by the opposite sensor. Thus it uses the ultrasonic principle of flow
measurement detection while flowing through the pipe.
Cariolis Meter

When fluid is passed through a U-bend, it imposes a force on the tube wall perpendicular to the flow
direction (Coriolis force). The deformation of the U-tube is proportional to the flow rate. Coriolis meters
are expensive but highly accurate.

The deflection of the U-tube is being suitably calibrated for the measurement of the flow rate based on
the pressure difference being created in the U-tube. This pressure difference will be responsible for the
deflection being created in the U-tube.

Type of Flowmeters
Industrial Flowmeter Usage