FLOW METERS

Interactive session
Mechanical flow meters
 Principle
Based on principle that flow past a resistance
is proportional to pressure.

Mechanical flow meters measure the drop in

pressure that occurs when a gas passes through a
resistance.
Variable orifice flowmeter
Variable orifice flowmeter - principle
Rate of flow depends on 3 factors

1. Pressure drop across the constriction

2. Size of the annular opening
3. Physical properties of the gas
Physical properties of the gas
 At low flows , with a longer and narrower
constriction flow is laminar and obeys Hagen –
Poiseuille formula and hence is a function of
viscosity of the gas.
 Hagen – Poiseuille equation
flow rate (Q) = ∆P x r4 x ∏
ήxLx8
Pressure difference
Diameter of the tube
Length of the tube
Hagen Poiseulle equation
 At higher flows, the flow through an orifice is a
turbulent flow , and depends on the density of
gas.
 Q = √pressure x r4
√density x √length
Turbulent flow
FLOW METER ASSEMBLY
 Tubes
 Indicator
 Stop
 Plastic shield
 Luminous back plate
 Chromium plated metal casing
 Flow control knobs
FLOW METER ASSEMBLY
Tubes

 These can have single taper or dual taper tubes

 Single taper : There’s a gradual increase in
diameter from bottom to top .

 Dual taper : There are 2 different tapers in the

same tube . One corresponding to fine flows and
one for coarse flows.
Single taper Dual taper
Series flowmeter
INDICATORS
Rotameter
Flow meter tube arrangement
Factors affecting the
performance of the flowmeter
 Viscosity and density of the gas
 Indicator problems (sticking, static elctricity)
 Safety
 Safety mechanisms
1.Position of the flowmeters
2.Master slave mechanism
3. Mandatory minimum oxygen flow
4. Minimum oxygen ratio
a. mechanical linkage
b. electronic linkage
5. Quantiflex mixer flowmeter
Chain link between O2 and N2O flow
control valves
Quantiflex mixer flowmeter
THANK YOU