SMALL ROTAMETER CORRECTION FACTORS

The square root correction factor used to correct the local leak rate test instrumentation for
different discharge pressures is not applicable to all types of rotameter used for Type B and C
testing.
Many LLRT programs use small ball type rotameters to measure leak rates. The readings
recorded from the rotameters are corrected if the test temperature and/or pressure is different
from the rotameters calibrated temperature and pressure. The correction factor used at many
facilities to compensate for test temperature and pressures are different from the rotameters
calibrated temperature and pressure is the following equation:
where:
Cf = correction factor

Pa Tc

Pc Ta

Cf

Pa = pressure at rotameter discharge (psia)

Pc = pressure at which rotameter was calibrated (61.,7 psia)
Ta = temperature at rotameter discharge (oR)
Tc = temperature at which rotameter was calibrated (534.69 oR)
The above equation is commonly called the square root correction factor.
For the rotameter vendor stated in Reference 1 that the square root correction factor was
applicable to float sizes in. and larger. This factor alone cannot be used for ball floats in. and
smaller. For ball float in. and smaller, viscosity factors should be considered.
The rotameter vendor stated in Reference 1 that viscosity effects are influenced by a number of
factors such as tube size, tube taper, float material, and metering fluid density and viscosity.
These effects could be estimated using the curves supplied in Handbook 10A9010 (Reference 2).
Additional literature, References (3) and (4), reinforced the rotameter vendors claim that small
spherical floats used in 1/16 in., 1/8 in., and in. rotameter tubes were sensitive to viscosity
effects.
The rotameter vendor transmitted the methodology to account for the viscosity effects when the
rotameter is used at conditions other than the calibrated conditions. The methodology is
contained in Reference 1 and 2.
As a validation of the rotameter vendors methodology, flow rates were recorded for two
rotameters at 10 psig, 75 F and 100 psig, 75 F over the rotameter indicated flow range. These
rotameters were calibrated at 47 psig and 75 F prior to recording the additional data. The test
data is documented in References 5 through 8. The test data used to generate these actual flow
rates was used to determine the calculated flow rates using the rotameter vendors methodology
(References 1 and 2) and the square root correction methodology. The calculated flow rates
were compared to the actual recorded flow rates. The results of this comparison are shown in
Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1
HIGH RANGE ROTAMETER
PRESSURE

TEMPERATURE

INDICATED

ACTUAL FLOW

SQUARE ROOT

VENDOR METH.

Actual-Sq Root

Actual-Vendor

(psig)
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0

(F)
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0

(SCFH)
35.0
32.0
29.0
25.0
22.0
18.0
14.0
10.0
6.0
2.0

(SCFH)
20.87247
18,98055
17.09351
15.34753
12.82164
10.49394
8.09657
5.79004
3.38337
0.85582

(SCFH)
22.14
20.25
18.35
16.45
13.92
11.39
8.86
6.33
3.80
1.27

(SCFH)
21.0093
19.1220
17.0656
15.1021
12.8061
10.5347
8.0007
5.7519
3.4347
0.8616

(%)
-6
-7
-7
-7
-9
-9
-9
-9
-12
-48

(%)
-1
-1
0
2
0
0
1
1
-2
-1

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0

35.0
32.0
29.0
26.0
22.0
18.0
14.0
10.0
6.0
2.0

49.21126
45.05236
40.94929
36.72782
31.17991
25.64006
20.01940
14.70330
9.09202
3.34604

47.72
43.63
39.54
35.45
30.00
24.54
19.09
13.63
8.18
2.73

49.5562
44.8423
40.0969
36.0308
30.5958
25.7692
19.7040
14.8740
9.3494
3.3071

3
3
3
3
4
4
5
7
10
18

-1
0
2
2
2
-1
2
-1
-3
1

TABLE 2
LOW RANGE ROTAMETER
PRESSURE

TEMPERATURE

INDICATED

ACTUAL FLOW

SQUARE ROOT

VENDOR METH.

Actual-Sq Root

Actual-Vendor

(psig)
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0

(F)
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0

(SCFH)
2.15
1.90
1.70
1.50
1.30
1.00
0.70
0.50
0.30
0.15

(SCFH)
1.18269
1.02283
0.88947
0.76548
0.63179
0.46700
0.30856
0.20703
0.12796
0.07378

(SCFH)
1.36
1.20
1.08
0.95
0.82
0.63
0.44
0.32
0.19
0.09

(SCFH)
1.1829
1.0035
0.89634
0.7782
0.66203
0.51408
0.32295
0.20337
0.13181
0.06327

(%)
15
-17
-21
-24
-30
-35
-43
-55
-48
-22

(%)
0
2
-1
-2
-5
-10
-5
2
-3
14

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0
75.0

2.15
1.90
1.70
1.50
1.30
1.00
0.70
0.50
0.30
0.15

3.18637
2.83157
2.56318
2.28283
1.99932
1.60617
1.15686
0.83869
0.54717
0.29761

2.93
2.59
2.32
2.05
1.77
1.36
0.95
0.68
0.41
0.20

3.16508
2.97914
2.53248
2.24969
1.98864
1.57223
1.13337
0.79535
0.54311
0.28048

8
9
9
10
11
15
18
19
25
33

1
-5
1
1
1
2
2
5
1
6

From this evaluation it can be concluded that the vendors methodology in References 1 and 2 is
close to the actual measured flow rates at 10 psig and 100 psig. In Reference 1, the vendor
stated that this methodology was a best estimate of the actual flow rates. The results in Tables 1
and 2 validate this statement. Further, it can be concluded that the square root correction factor
overestimates the actual flow rate when the test pressure is less than the calibrated pressure.
The square root correction factor underestimates the actual flow rate when the test pressure is
greater than the calibrated pressure.
The following conclusions have been made as a result of this evaluation:
1. It is acceptable to use the square root correction factor for test pressure lower than the
calibrated pressure since the correction factor will conservatively overestimate the actual leak
rate. This is based on the data in Tables 1 and 2.
2. In general, the rotameter calibration pressure should be increased to a value slightly above
test pressure, since most of the containment leakage rate testing occurs at pressures
between 49 to 51 psig.
3. Rotameters should be calibrated at pressures slightly higher than the intended test pressure.

4. The containment leakage rate test data for a sample nuclear plant was adjusted using the
rotameter vendors methodology in References 1 and 2, the results is an increase in the total
MXPLR leak rate from 100.53 SCFH to 102.17 SCFH. This is a 1.6% change.
References:
1. Bailey-Fischer & Porter Company letter dated 12/11/97.
2. Fischer & Porter Handbook 10A9010, Tri-Flat Variable-Area Flowmeters Low Flow Rate
Indicators.
3. Argonne National Laboratory letter ANL-RCV-3874, Need for Recalibration of Small
Spherical Float Rotameters, dated 3/28/66.
4. Spitzer, D.W., Flow Measurement.
5. Bailey-Fischer & Porter Company letter 97W046914A, dated October 14, 1997.
6. Bailey-Fischer & Porter Company letter 97W046914B, dated October 14, 1997.
7. Bailey-Fischer & Porter Company letter 97W046915A, dated October 17, 1997.
8. Bailey-Fischer & Porter Company letter 97W046915B, dated October 17, 1997.