How to measure gas flow by Pitot tube

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Introduction
Measurement of airflow is a basic technique required for plant testing and must be conducted in a
correct manner to obtain accurate results

This procedure explains how to measure airflow using various Pitot tubes (Prandtl, Strausheib )
It is an application of the Bernoulli theorem
The Pitot nozzle is submitted to a total pressure (Pt) composed of the local static pressure (Ps) and the
pressure generated the gas velocity (dynamic pressure)

The local static pressure Ps is measured separately

A manometer placed between the total pressure and the static pressure circuits gives the dynamic
pressure
Total
pressure

Connecting
rubber tubing
Ps
Static
pressure
Pt
Dynamic pressure
readings

The measurement is normally conducted by Process Technicians and Engineers

This technique is not suitable for swirling gas flow streams or when partial reversal of the flow is present.

Safety aspects
Depending upon the measurement location the operators have to be aware of a possible high
temperature and take care of possible variations of pressure.

Only measurement points with safe access platforms are to be used

Be careful when opening measuring points, particularly if under positive pressure, avoid standing directly
inline with an open socket.

Personal safety equipment is compulsory.

Prerequisites
The calculation of the gas flow will need the following information:
Knowledge of its density which will require the volumetric gas composition for the main
components (mainly O2, CO2, N2, H2O)

Gas temperature:

1 How to measure gas temperature

Static pressure:

1 How to measure static pressure

All rights of reproduction, representation, adaptation and translation relating to this report belong to Lafarge SA. Lafarge SA reserves the right to exploit this
report or not and to freely distribute it to all of its current and future subsidiaries worldwide in any form, whether paper, electronic or digital, including via
internet and/or intranet. This report along with its content is of a confidential nature. In particular, it may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted, published,
divulged and/or appropriated in whole or in part for personal use or for use by a third party without prior consent from the Production & Process Department,
except for reproduction by or for affiliated Lafarge companies.

Procedure Template developed by

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Barometric pressure measured locally, or taken from a local weather station or estimated from
height above sea level

Duct cross sectional area

Only measure the flow of a dusty gas stream when there is way to determine the flow of the clean gases,
as errors in measuring flows of dusty gases can be high.

The measurement of airflow in clean gases also allows use of a normal Pitot tube which gives higher
accuracy than an S type.

Dust adversely affects the measurement accuracy due to impact upon the total pressure hole of the
Pitot. The accuracy can be improved by correcting the gas density by the weight of dust in the gas
stream per m3 of gas.

In the case of dusty gases, where blockage of the Pitot tube can be a problem, an S type tube can be
used instead.

Tools
Pitot tube appropriate for the gas to be measured
When using an S type tube, check the calibration factor against a normal Pitot in a clean gas

stream. Since the S type tube could be used with either of its two holes facing into the gas flow, it
is best to decide on which direction it is to be used and clearly mark the pipe connections in order
that it is always used in the same direction and measurements will be consistent with the calibration
of the tube. Typical calibration factors for S type tubes are in the range of 0,8 0,85.

The preference should be to use a normal Pitot (or an ellipsoidal head Pitot with enlarged holes)
whenever possible due to its greater accuracy than the S type Pitot.

Digital manometer with a resolution of 1 Pa

Thermocouple
Digital thermometer
Adjustable spanner

1 Pitot Calculation Spreadsheet

All rights of reproduction, representation, adaptation and translation relating to this report belong to Lafarge SA. Lafarge SA reserves the right to exploit this
report or not and to freely distribute it to all of its current and future subsidiaries worldwide in any form, whether paper, electronic or digital, including via
internet and/or intranet. This report along with its content is of a confidential nature. In particular, it may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted, published,
divulged and/or appropriated in whole or in part for personal use or for use by a third party without prior consent from the Production & Process Department,
except for reproduction by or for affiliated Lafarge companies.

Procedure Template developed by

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Action Steps
1.

Prepare the measurement points

Holes will be drilled according to the dimensions of the Pitot tube. In round ducts, generally at least 2

holes are necessary in order to get a precise mapping of the gas flow. In the case of rectangular the
number will be greater

To ensure a stabilised velocity profile, the location of the sampling points for flow measurement should
be in a straight section of duct of 5 pipe diameters before the measuring point and 2 diameters of
straight duct afterwards. However, this is not always possible and measurements need to be taken in the
section of ductwork that most closely matches these criteria.

Normally a vertical duct is chosen to make the measurements, particularly when dust is present in the gas
stream, in case of settlement on the bottom. In the case of very moist gases containing dust, such as mill
or dryer exhaust ducts, check for any signs of dust accumulation, even on vertical ducts.

Measure the flow after de-dusting when possible (measure better after a cyclone than before) and, for
instance, estimate the air in-leaks by oxygen measurements when possible.

Check in advance of the measurements that the sockets for the measuring points can be opened easily.
In there is any uncertainty about the duct cross section, use a straight steel rod to check its dimensions.

2.

Measure the static pressure, temperature and gas composition

Before the airflow measurement, the temperature and the static pressure are measured
Measure the gas composition, including moisture content, if required.

3.

Prepare the Pitot tube

In order to determine an accurate average dynamic pressure, it is necessary to locate the measuring
points so that each represents equal cross sectional area of the duct

Circular Cross Sections

The minimum number of measurements should be six per duct diameter in a minimum of two

perpendicular traverses. Which if performed in an inwards and outwards direction gives a minimum
total of twenty four measurements per cross section.

Rectangular Cross Sections

The minimum number of measuring locations shall be 25, their positions being defined by the

intersections of at least five straight lines running parallel to each wall of the duct. The table below
is calculated according to the "log-Tchebycheff" method. The table will allow for calculation of
both the length and width spacing for a rectangular cross section, giving a range of 25 to 49
measuring points, which if measured twice will yield 50 to 98 readings.

Often the sockets in a rectangular duct are in place. It is necessary to check their spacing. If they do
not fit the table in the appendix, then it will be necessary to devise a measuring grid in order that
each measuring point is representative of an equal segment of the total area.

1 See the tables in the appendix calculated according to the "log-Tchebycheff" method.
Once the measuring points have been determined, the Pitot tube can then be marked with heat resistant
paint. Some tubes are fitted with metal rings that can be slid along the tube to the appropriate place,
but these move if they become snagged on inserting the Pitot. Hence, it is best to use paint.

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Action Steps
4.

Measure the dynamic pressure profile

When the gases are too dusty, use an S Pitot tube.
When introducing the Pitot, if the gases are wet and dusty, introduce it in the wrong direction in order to
avoid a quick blockage of the total pressure inlet and turn it only after it has been warmed up.

The dynamic pressures will be measured with an accurate micro-manometer (equipped with a damping
system in order to stabilize the readings each point will consist in averaging the pressure during around
10 to 15 seconds)

At every mark, take a dynamic pressure reading. Observe the evolution of the readings along the time on
each point, a drift can be an indication of a progressive blockage of the total pressure channel by dust.
Blow the measuring tubes clean and resume measuring or switch to use an S type tube.

Proceed to several temperature readings during the measurement as well as a static pressure reading
before and after the mapping

The measurement validity will be done according to the signal stability and is considered acceptable if
75% of the measurements are greater than 10% of the maximum measurement.

The validity of the pressure profile can be checked by comparing the measurements taken at the same
point on the inwards and the outwards profile. Each pair should be within 5% of each other.

Once the Pitot tube is introduced then it needs to be fixed rigidly at each measuring position, also
ensure that no in-leaking air is allowed to enter the duct.
The axis of the Pitot head needs to be in line with the axis of the duct and perfectly perpendicular to
the flow as failure to do so will lead to measuring errors. Typically for a normal Pitot tube a 20 yaw
will lead to a 2% error, whilst for an 'S' type Pitot a 5o yaw will lead to a 1% error.

5.

Calculate the gas flow

The dynamic pressure for the duct is calculated from the average of the square roots of all the readings
The gas velocity is calculated is then given by:

V =k*

2 * p dyn

Where

V:

gas velocity [m/s]

k:

factor taking into consideration the geometry of the pressure tube (normal Pitot tube: k = 1)

pdyn: the average dynamic pressure as calculated above [Pa]

: gas density at the measured operating temperature & pressure [kg/m3]
In the case of dusty gases the gas density should be adjusted by the weight of dust per m3 of gas
e.g. for a gas density of 0.5 kg/m3 and a dust load of 50 g/m3 correct the density to 0.55 kg/m3 to
allow for dust.

Gas flow can be calculated by multiplication of the gas velocity by the duct cross sectional area.

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Appendix
1.

2.

Measuring points for round section ducts "log-Tchebycheff" method

Number of Points
per traverse of
duct diameter D

10 Points
per duct dia

8 Points
per duct dia

6 Points
per duct dia

0.0189 x D

0.0236 x D

0.0321 x D

0.0765 x D

0.1000 x D

0.1349 x D

0.1525 x D

0.1938 x D

0.3207 x D

0.2171 x D

0.3343 x D

0.6793 x D

0.3612 x D

0.6657 x D

0.8651 x D

0.6388 x D

0.8062 x D

0.9679 x D

0.7829 x D

0.9000 x D

0.8475 x D

0.9762 x D

0.9235 x D

10

0.9811 x D

Measuring points for rectangular section ducts "log-Tchebycheff" method

Number of Points
per traverse of
duct dimension D

7 Points
per traverse

6 Points
per traverse

5 Points
per traverse

0.053 x D

0.061 x D

0.074 x D

0.203 x D

0.235 x D

0.288 x D

0.366 x D

0.437 x D

0.500 x D

0.500 x D

0.563 x D

0.712 x D

0.634 x D

0.765 x D

0.929 x D

0.797 x D

0.939 x D

0.949 x D

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