Turbine meters

Turbine flow meters measure the rate of flow in a pipe or process line via a rotor that spins as the media passes through its blades. The rotational speed is a direct function of flow rate and can be sensed by magnetic pick-up, photoelectric cell, or gears. Flow meters types can be either volumetric or velocity. Volumetric turbine flow meters measure flow rate in units of volumetric flow, for example, mL/min. Velocity turbine flow meters measure flow rate as in units of velocity, for example, ft./sec.

Turbine Flow Meter Media Applications

A turbine flow meter can be configured to measure either liquid or gas flow. Some types of liquid turbine flow meters can accommodate liquids with suspended solids (slurries), while some liquid and gas turbine flow meters can handle mixed phase materials such as steam.

Important Parameters for Turbine Flow Meters

Important parameters to consider when specifying turbine flow meters include velocity flow rate range, liquid volumetric flow rate, operating pressure, fluid temperature, material density, and material viscosity. Velocity flow rate range applies only to those turbine flow meters that are velocity flow sensors or meters. It is the range of flow in distance/time. Liquid volumetric flow rate applies only to those turbine flow meters that are liquid volumetric flow sensors or meters. It is expressed as the range of flow in volume/time. The operating pressure is the maximum head pressure of the process media the meter can withstand. The maximum temperature of the media that can be monitored is usually dependent on construction and liner materials. Depending on the flow meter technology used, material viscosity can be an important material factor to consider. The higher the viscosity, typically the higher the pressure drop. Pipe diameter is also important to consider, especially when specifying specific mounting options.

Turbine Flow Meter Mounting Options

Mounting options for turbine flow meters include insertion types, inline flanged, in-line threaded, and in-line clamp. Insertion turbine flow meters are inserted perpendicular to the flow path. Insertion type meters usually require a threaded hole in the process pipe or other means of access. In-line flanged flow meters are inserted parallel to the flow path,

usually inserted between two pieces of existing flanged process pipes. In-line threaded flow meters are inserted parallel to the flow path, and threaded into two existing process pipes. NPT is the most common thread type. In-line clamp flow meters are inserted parallel to the flow path, and clamped between two existing process pipes.

Turbine meters have found widespread use for accurate liquid measurement applications. The unit consists of a multiple-bladed rotor mounted with a pipe, perpendicular to the liquid flow. The rotor spins as the liquid passes through the blades. The rotational speed is a direct function of flow rate and can be sensed by magnetic pick-up, photoelectric cell, or gears. Electrical pulses can be counted and totalized The number of electrical pulses counted for a given period of time is directly proportional to flow volume. A tachometer can be added to measure the turbine's rotational speed and to determine the liquid flow rate. Turbine meters, when properly specified and installed, have good accuracy, particularly with low-viscosity liquids.