FLOWMETER TYPES AND THEIR PRINCIPLES

INTRODUCTION
Measuring the flow of liquids is a critical need in many industrial plants. In some operations, the ability to conduct
accurate flow measurements is so important that it can make the difference between making a profit or taking a loss.
In other cases, inaccurate flow measurements or failure to take measurements can cause serious (or even
disastrous) results.
With most liquid flow measurement instruments, the flow rate is determined inferentially by measuring the liquid's
velocity or the change in kinetic energy. Velocity depends on the pressure differential that is forcing the liquid through
a pipe or conduit. Because the pipe's cross-sectional area is known and remains constant, the average velocity is an
indication of the flow rate. The basic relationship for determining the liquid's flow rate in such cases is:
Q=VxA
where
Q = liquid flow through the pipe
Orifices are the most popular liquid flowmeters in use today. An orifice is simply a flat piece of metal with a specificsized hole bored in it. Most orifices are of the concentric type, but eccentric, conical (quadrant), and segmental
designs are also available.
In practice, the orifice plate is installed in the pipe between two flanges. Acting as the primary device, the orifice
constricts the flow of liquid to produce a differential pressure across the plate. Pressure taps on either side of the
plate are used to detect the difference. Major advantages of orifices are that they have no moving parts and their cost
does not increase significantly with pipe size.
Conical and quadrant orifices are relatively new. The units were developed primarily to measure liquids with low
Reynolds numbers. Essentially constant flow coefficients can be maintained at R values below 5000. Conical orifice
plates have an upstream bevel, the depth and angle of which must be calculated and machined for each application.
The segmental wedge is a variation of the segmental orifice. It is a restriction orifice primarily designed to measure
the flow of liquids containing solids. The unit has the ability to measure flows at low Reynolds numbers and still
maintain the desired square-root relationship. Its design is simple, and there is only one critical dimension the wedge
gap. Pressure drop through the unit is only about half that of conventional orifices.
Integral wedge assemblies combine the wedge element and pressure taps into a one-piece pipe coupling bolted to a
conventional pressure transmitter. No special piping or fittings are needed to install the device in a pipeline.
Metering accuracy of all orifice flowmeters depends on the installation conditions, the orifice area ratio, and the
physical properties of the liquid being measured. (Back to Meter Types Table)

For many years differential pressure types of flowmeters have been the most widely applied flow rate
measuring device for fluid flows in pipes that require accurate measurement at reasonable cost.
Although a number of different types of flow rate-measuring devices are now available, the differential
pressure type of flowmeter still makes up the largest segment of the total flow measurement market.
This type of device has a flow restriction in the line that causes a differential pressure or "head" to be

developed between the two measure-ment locations. Differential pressure flowmeters are also known
as head meters, and, of all the head meters, the orifice flowmeter is the most widely applied device.
Italian physicist Giovanni B. Venturi (1746-1822) in 1797 performed the first recorded work that used
orifices for the measurement of fluid flows.

Differential pressure flowmeters have a change in flow cross section that can be described as a
restriction placed in the flow line that causes the velocity of the flowing fluid to change. The
difference in pressures between the two measurement locations of the flowmeter is the result of
the change in the flow velocities. The volume flow rate through the cross-sectional area is given
by,
.................................................... Q = A x v
where:
..................................Q = the volumetric flow rate
..................................A = flow in the cross-sectional area
..................................v = the average fluid velocity
The most commonly applied orifice is a thin, concentric, and flat metal plate with an opening in
the plate, installed perpendicular to the flowing stream in a circular conduit or pipe. In most
applications, a sharp edged hole is bored in the center of the orifice plate. As the flowing fluid
passes through the orifice, the restriction causes an increase in velocity. A concurrent decrease in
pressure occurs as potential energy (static pressure) is converted into kinetic energy (velocity).
As the fluid leaves the orifice, its velocity decreases and its pressure increases as kinetic energy
is converted back into potential energy according to the laws of conservation of energy. However,
there is always some permanent pressure loss due to friction, and the loss is a function of the
ratio of the diameter of the orifice bore (d) to the pipe diameter (D). This ratio (d/D) is known as
beta ratio.
For dirty fluid applications, a concentric orifice plate will eventually have impaired performance
due to dirt buildup at the plate. Instead, eccentric or segmental orifice plates are often used.
Measurements are typically less accurate than those obtained from the concentric orifice plate.
Eccentric or segmental orifices are rarely applied in current practice.

Venturi tubes have the advantage of being able to handle large flow volumes at low pressure drops. A venturi tube is
essentially a section of pipe with a tapered entrance and a straight throat. As liquid passes through the throat, its
velocity increases, causing a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet regions.
The flowmeters have no moving parts. They can be installed in large diameter pipes using flanged, welded or
threaded-end fittings. Four or more pressure taps are usually installed with the unit to average the measured
pressure. Venturi tubes can be used with most liquids, including those having a high solids content. (Back to Meter
Types Table)

A venturi creates a constriction within a pipe (classically an hourglass shape) that varies the flow
characteristics of a fluid (either liquid or gas) travelling through the tube. As the fluid velocity in

the throat is increased there is a consequential drop in pressure. Italian scientist Giovanni B
Venturi (1746-1822) was the first to observe this phenomenon.
The fact that a pressure drop accompanies an increased flow velocity is fundamental to the laws
of fluid dynamics. Swiss mathematician, Daniel Bernoulli, derived the interrelationship between
pressure, velocity and other physical properties of fluid in 1738. Classically, his theorem is used
in the design of aircraft wings to create lift from the flow of air over the wing profile.
There are basically two applications for a venturi. By attaching manometers to three sections of
the tube, the pressure drop can be measured and the flow rate through the throat calculated. This
is termed a Venturi Meter.
More commonly, a venturi can use this negative pressure to draw a second fluid into the primary
flow. This effect has found many applications across a range of industries. However, the basic
mechanism has remained the same for almost 200 years.
That is, until the arrival of Airmaster!
In the mid 1990s David RM Short, Plumber, Former Fire-fighter and Koi Carp Keeper, brought
nave logic and lateral thinking to bear to fundamentally re-invent the venturi . His award
winning invention was subsequently evaluated and qualified by the Techische Universitat
Hamburg-Harburg fluid dynamics department in Germany (see Performance Data). The patented
Airmaster not only delivers improved performance over conventional venturis, it can also extend
its utility by enabling precise adjustment of the process.

A conventional venturi carries inherent limitations. The constriction strangles the primary
flow resulting in backpressure that can burden a pump with unnecessary load increasing
energy costs and shortening its serviceable life. In addition, the venturi effect is notorious
fickle fluctuating with slight changes in flow rate, temperature, viscosity and other
parameters. The Airmaster leaves behind these penalties offering benefits for new and
existing applications.
Bernoulli equation states that the sum of all forms of energy in a fluid flowing along an enclosed
path is the same at any two points in that path (or streamline). Its formulation in the simplistic
hypothesis of incompressible flow (fluid motion with negligible changes in density) is:

where:
v : fluid velocity along the streamline
g : acceleration of gravity on Earth

h : height
p : pressure along the streamline
r : fluid density
As a consequence of this law a fluid passing through smoothly varying constrictions is subjected
to changes in velocity and pressure. A Venturi is a system for speeding the flow of the fluid, by
constricting it in a cone shape tube. In the restriction the fluid must increase its velocity reducing
its pressure and producing a partial vacuum. As the fluid leave the constriction, its pressure
increase back to the ambient or pipe level.

Read more: http://www.lenntech.com/venturi.htm#ixzz2xtRl5oqf