SCIENTIFIC DEVICES (B) PVT. LTD.

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
FOR
BY - PASS ROTAMETER
(BPC SERIES)
PRODUCT CODE : BPCSDGH
BPCSDGV
BPCSDG-OP
 CAUTION
We advise to go through this instruction manual carefully before installing the Rotameter.
Failure to which may cause serious personal injury and/or damage to the Rotameter, for which
manufacturer is not responsible.

The details of different parts used in BYEPASS Rotameter are as follows :

1. MAINLINE ORIFICE
The use of mainline orifice in the main line is to create the differential pressure. The
differential pressure across orifice plate varies with respect to variation in flowrate
through the mainline i.e. flowrate can be estimated by knowing differential pressure
across orifice plate.

2. BYEPASS ROTAMETER
This is basically a inline Rotameter either glass tube or metal tube placed in a
Byepass piping. The only difference is the range orifice placed in Rotameter at the
inlet. This range orifice is designed in such a way that the differential pressure
through the Byepass piping is equivalent to differential pressure across the mainline
orifice. With this arrangements. Rotameter in the Byepass piping works as
Manometer.

3. BYEPASS PIPING
This piping is used to correct upstream tap to the inlet of the Rotameter and
downstream tap to outlet of the Rotameter. Isolating Valves used in the Byepass
piping are useful to carry out maintenance of Rotameter without shut down.

PRESSURE TAPPING
There are three ways of tapping across orifice plate to sense differential pressure :-

1. CORNER TAPPING (CARRIER RING TYPE)

In this case, the pressure taps open at corner of the orifice plate through slots in the
carrier ring. Arrangement of Byepass Rotameter with carrier ring for horizontal line is
as shown in Fig. (A).
FIG. A

1) ORIFICE PLATE 4) ISOLATING VALVES 7) SCALE

2) BYEPASS PIPING 5) CARRIER RINGS 8) MEASURING TUBE
3) RANGE ORIFICE 6) FLOAT 9) PACKINGS
 2. FLANGE TAPPINGS
This type of tapping is very easy to fabricate as tappings are drilled through orifice
flange itself exactly 25 mm away from the face of the orifice plate. It also eliminates
the proper distance from the mainline orifice plate for tap locationns. For details on
Byepass Rotameter with flange tapping for horizontal line, refer to figure (B)

FIG. (B)

HORIZONTAL MOUNTING VERTICAL MOUNTING

3. The arrangement of Byepass Rotameter with d & D/2 tapping is as shown in the fig.
(C).
In this case, the upstream tapping is located at the distance D from the face of
orifice plate and downstream tapping is located at the distance of D/2, where D is
internal diameter of pipeline.

FIG. (C)

This scientific device Byepass Rotameter measures fluid flowrates through the pipes of 2” Dia
and larger.The orifice plate is located in the main line. A Byepass line including the Rotameter
with range orifice is connected to the pressure tapping. Based upon the installation of the
Orifice in accordance with B.S. Standard; and installation of the Byepass piping and Byepass
Rotameter in accordance with our instructions, the system will indicate flowrates that are
correct to within ± 2% of maximum flow.

The Byepass Rotameter is supplied in a fully assembled condition. Usually it is designed for
mounting in horizontal pipeline.
While installing the Rotameter, please take note of the following points :

1. Ensure that the Rotameter is not damaged during transit. Remove the end plugs and take
out the plastic rod which is provided for locating the float at one place during transportation.

2. As the fluid travels through a pipeline, it establishes a flow pattern. Any change in the
pipeline configuration caused by a valve, elbow, tee bend etc. , will cause a change in that
pattern with resulting turbulence in the flow will cause an error in the meter reading. Hence,
it is necessary that the upstream and downstream straight lengths must be maintained as
per the table given here below .:

FIG. D

DIAMETER RATIO (B)

FITTINGS BEFORE PIPING
STRAIGHT LINE LAYOUT 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.45 0.50 0.55 0.65 0.70 0.75 0.80

SINGLE 90º BEND

OR TEE 10 10 10 12 14 14 14 16 18 22 28 36 46
ORIFICE
TWO OR MORE
BEND IN THE 14 14 16 16 18 18 20 22 26 32 36 42 50
DIFFERENT PLANE

TWO OR MORE
BEND IN THE 34 34 34 36 36 38 40 44 48 54 62 70 80
DIFFERENT PLANE

REDUCERS OR 16 16 16 16 16 18 20 20 22 24 26 28 30
EXPANDERS

GLOBE VALVE 18 18 18 18 20 20 22 24 26 28 32 36 44
FULLY OPEN

GATE VALVE 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 14 14 16 20 24 30
FULLY OPEN

MINIMUM DOWN STREAM 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8

STRAIGHT LENGHTS REQUIRED

VALUES OF THE STRAIGHT LENGTH ARE IN No. OF ‘D’ ß = d/D

d = ORIFICE INTERNAL DIAMETER

D = INTERNAL DIAMETER OF PIPE

3. The center of the orifice plate & the pipeline must be in one axis. Beveling of the orifice
plate should be towards the downstream end.
4. The pipeline must be clean. It must be flushed through by using a dummy section before
installing the Rotameter.
5. The fluid must be filterated & should not contain any particles.
6. The Rotameter must be in a perfectly vertical position. Only ± 2 degree inclination may be
tolerated.
7. In case of orifice with D and D/2 tapping our scope of supply included on orifice plate +
vertical flanged Byepass rotameter as an indicator. Byepass piping should be provided by
user. Byepass piping should be as short as possible & the number of fitting should be
minimum. If Isolating Valves are desired, use Ball Valves only as pressure drop across the
Ball Valves will be low. For more details on pressure tappings please refer to Fig. (E) given
herebelow.
 FIG. (E)

ORIFICE PLATE WITH D & D/2 TAPPINGS

8. The pump used by the user should be adequate to overcome the pressure loss across
The orifice while maintaining the required pressure through put the system.

9. Ensure that the R.P. line marked on the detachable scale corresponds with Red line on the
glass tube.

10. Put the Rotameter gradually into operation to avoid sudden jumping of the float & causing
damage to the measuring tube. We recommended the location of floerate control valve on
the downstream side

11. Instructions on maintenance of Rotameter are given in a separate manual which is enclosed
herewith.

Please check the following points, in the event of any problems.

Observation Possible reasons

1. Positive error in a. Deposition of foreign matter in the box of orifice

flowrate plate.
b. Upstream straight length not enough
c. Location of pressure tapping is not correct.
d. Deposition on the inner wall of glass tube.

2. Negative error in a. Deposition of foreign matter on the upstream face of the

flowrate orifice.
b. Direction of orifice plate reversed.
c. Operating pressure not enough to overcome the
differential pressure across orifice.
d. Pressure loss in the Byepass piping due to needle valve, many
ends etc
e. Due to presence of internally projecting rivet heads
where the flanges between which the orifice plate is mounted,
are riveted to the pipe.
Downstream straight length not enough.
g. Orifice plate bore calculated with wrong pipe I.D.
h. Location of pressure tapping is not correct.
i. Deposition in the range orifice of Byepass Rotameter.

3. Float of the Byepass a. Float jammed due to particles in the liquid.

Rotameter is stuck b. Flowrate itself is less than the minimum reading specified on

Up at the bottom. the scale.

c. Presence of air bubbles in the impulse piping.