Elbow Flow Measurement

Flow measurement is very important in pretty much any application. In chemical industries, since
material is bought and sold by the total amount, it directly influences the economics. Moreover, within
the manufacturing process, streams are directly controlled to enable better control of the process. To
make material flow it takes energy, e.g. compressors are used for gas and pumps for liquids and
conveyor belts for solids.

Theory
When a flowing fluid changes direction like due to a bend in the pipe, there is a pressure difference that
results from the centrifugal force generated. This pressure difference is proportional to the flow of fluid.
By measuring the pressure differential the flow can be inferred.

Advantages/Disadvantages
Since pipe elbows are there is a plan, the cost is minimal. Another advantage is that this can measure
fluids that have suspended solids, slurries etc…. There is minimal pressure drop as in the venture or the
most popular “orifice” flow meters. The only disadvantage is that the accuracy is not very good.

Typical flow meter

High Pressure Tap

Low Pressure Tap

Theory

Flow of a fluid is defined by the following equation

 𝑉2
∆ 𝐻 = 𝐶𝐾
2𝑔

Where

∆H is the differential head across the bend

V is the average velocity through the elbow

Ck is a dimensionless coefficient dependent on the ratio of the center line radius R, to the cross-sectional
radius r.

X = R/r

16 𝑥
𝐶𝑘 =
𝑥+1
((𝑥 2 − 1) (𝑙𝑛 𝑥 − 1)) 2

The elbow should be installed 25 pipe diameters of straight pipe on the upstream and 10 pipe diameters
on the downstream. To install on a vertical pipe the flow of material should be up to eliminate
entrapped vapor or air.

Figure 1 – shows a typical pressure profile in a vertical elbow. Note the presence of vortex where the
boundary layer separates.

Figure 1 - Pressure profile in the elbow

Typical calibration curve is shown in Fig -2.

 Calibration Curve
40
35
Differential Pressue

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Flow

Figure 2 - Typical Calibration Curve