FLOW MEASURING DEVICES

Prepared by!
ABDUL MOEED KALSON

Why accurate measurement of fluid flow is
important?
To obtain specific proportions is necessary.
The maintenance of definite rates of flow is
important for maximum efficiency and
production.
Precise quality control is impossible.
Costs which are based on flow measurements will
be incorrect if the measurements are erroneous.

FLOW MEASUREMENT

Primary Measuring Devices
Secondary Measuring Devices


RRIMARY MEASURING
DEVICES

Devices which create a difference in
pressure in a flowing fluid.
For Example:-
Orifice plates,Venturi tubes,
Flow nozzles etc.
SECODARY MEASURING
DEVICES

The devices which measure the pressure
differential to determine the flow velocity or
flow rate of a fluid.
For Example:-
Manometer,Bellows meter,
Pressure differential transmitter etc.
IMPORTANT FLOW METERS
Orifice meter.
Venturi meter.
Turbine meter.
Magnetic flow meter.
Pitot tube.
Rota meter.
ORIFICE METER
Principle:-
On flowing the fluid through the
meter (construction), there will be an
increase in the velocity (i.e. kinetic
energy) and the decrease in the pressure .
The rate of flow is then measured at the
expense of this pressure drop.
ORIFICE METER
Construction:-
It consists of a thin shell of
metal having a hole drilled of the required size.
The plate is made enough strong to withstand the
high pressure on its surface, more it made of the
material which is not to be corroded. This plate is
fitted between two pipe flanges and suitable
pressure holes are drilled to measure the
differential pressure.
ORIFICE METER
Working:-
Fluid enters the orifice, its velocity
suddenly increases and its pressure falls. Upto the
point called vena contracta pressure is minimum
and the cross section of the fluid is also minimum.
After this the pressure of the fluid increases
gradually and the velocity decreases, the fluid
once again as previously however with the
permanent pressure drop.
ORIFICE METER
Working Equation:-
O O D
gh A C G 2 =
Where
ho = difference in head across the orifice expressed in terms of
the fluid in work.
CD = Coefficient of discharge.
Ao = Area of cross section of orifice
ORIFICE METER
Advantages:-
Due to its smallest form it is easy to manufacture.
It is cheap in comparison with other primary ones.
If the maximum flow is charged a great deal, plate
can be replaced with other orifice diameter, thus flow
is measured on a new scale with in the same geometry.
It occupies very less space and easy to install.
A carrier ring containing pressure taps can be fitted
easily between the space available in flanges.
ORIFICE METER
Disadvantages:-
Pressure recovery in orifice meter is poor,
thus resulting power loss is one of the
disadvantages of this meter.
ORIFICE METER
Applications and Limitations:-
An orifice plate may be used for measuring
the flow of gases , liquids or vapours.
However not suitable for measuring the
flow of viscous fluids.
VENTURI METER
Principle:-
On flowing the fluid
through the meter (constriction) , there will
be an increase in the velocity (i.e. K.E.)
and a decrease in pressure. The rate of flow
is then measured at the expense of this
pressure drop.
VENTURI METER
Construction:-
In construction it consists of
following points.
The short cylinder inlet having same dia as the
upstream pipe, with a side hole or several side
holes for measuring static pressures.
The entrance cone including an angle of 15-20
degree joined to the inlet by smooth curve.


VENTURI METER

The short cylinderical throat fitted with
single hole, or servel holes to measure the
pressure at the throat.
The exit cone including an angle from 5-7
degree.
The end of exit cone the outlet flange.

VENTURI METER
Working:-
The fluid enters into the converging
cone its velocity increases , and pressure is
decreased, after passes through the throat the fluid
is retarted gradually and much of original pressure
is recovered (i.e. much K.E. is converted back to
pressure energy). Due to the gradual reduction in
the area of flow there is no vena-contracta and the
flow area is this minimum at the throat thus it is
why the second piezometer is placed at the throat.
VENTURI METER
Working Equation:-
v D
gh C C G 2
'
=
Where
hv = difference in head across the
converging cone.
C =constant for venturi meter.
VENTURI METER
Advantages:-
In venturi meter the overall loss of pressure is less
than nozzles or orifice.This is extrmely important
where overall head of pressure is small .
A venturi meter unlike orifice can be used for flow
of slurries,suspensios etc,and unilike orifice can be
used for gases and liquids etc.
VENTURI METER
Disadvantages:-
It has high initial cost.
Due to its length it is difficult to install.
Once manufactured and installed it is
impossible to vary the range of flow as
orifice may do.
PITOT TUBE
Principle:-
It operates on the principle
that a pressure differential exists in the fluid
between the spot where the flow impinges
on the front opening (P2) and the place
where higher velocity fluid speeds past the
lateral openings (P1) , the faster the fluid
flows, the greater the difference in pressure.
PITOT TUBE
Construction:-
It normally
consists of two concentric tubes arranged parallel
to the flow . The outer tube of greater dia
perforated i.e. having small holes (static holes)
prependicular to the direction of flow .The inner
tube has a small opening pointed into the flow.
Both these tubes are connected to the manometeter

PITOT TUBE
Working:-
A simple U-tube manometer
(filled with water of mercury) attached to the
pitot tube act as a secondary device. One side of
the tube connects to the inner tube (P2), and the
other side connects to the outer tube (P1) . The
difference between the two levels of manometer
fluid can be calibrated in velocity units to give
flow ate readings directly from the glass U-tube.
The greater the difference in levels, the greater
the rate of fluid flow.
PITOT TUBE
Working Equation:-



Where
C = Coefficient for the meter.
for well designed tube C=1


gh C U 2 =
PITOT TUBE
Advantages:-
They are inexpensive.
They have no moving parts.
They cause minimal pressure drop.
PITOT TUBE
Applications and Limitations:-
The Pitot tube must be used in relatively clean
liquids, free of solid contaminants, or its openings
will clog.
It must be properly positioned within the
pipe where fluid velocity is average.
Pitot tubes are often used in hospitals , where
fluids are usually cleaner than in industry.
ROTAMETER
Principle:-
In such meters the drop in
pressure is constant and the flow rate is a
function of the area . The quantity of fluid
flowing per unit of time varies directly with
the area in this instrument.
ROTAMETER
Construction:-
The rotameter is a long
graduated , uniform tapered vertical tube.
The tube is smallest at the bottom and
larges at the top. There is freely moving
unidirectional marker called float .This float
is at rest at the base of the tube, when no
flow is occuring.
ROTAMETER
Working:-
Fluid enters the bottom of the tube and as
it flows upward it exerts a force on the bottom of the float.
When the upward force on the float is equal to the
gravitational force acting downward the float becomes
stationary at some point in the tube. The float position
gives the reading. Now when more of the fluid passed
upward, i.e. a greater force is exerted on the bottom of the
float and float then moves more upwardly and stops at
some higher level. Area available for flow increases,
allowig more liquid or gas to flow. Constant pressure drop
arises due to the change in kinetic energy, i.e. due to
greater area less velocity ,also from liquid friction.
ROTAMETER
Working Equation:-

(

|
.
|

\
|

=
2
1
2
2
1
) ( 2
A
A
Af
V g
A C G
f f
D

where
Af = Max. Area of float.
A1 = Cross sectional area of the tube
A2 = Area of the annulus between the float and tube
CD = Coefficient of discharge
Vf = Volume of float.
ROTAMETER
Advantages:-
The range of the meter can be varied by the use of
floats of different densities.
Direct reading is available not pressure measuring
installments are required.
Pressure drop remains constant.
It can be arranged to give an indication in weights
thus independent of small changes in the sp.
gravity.

ROTAMETER
Disadvantages:-
The major disadvantage is the its expensivity.It is
expensive specially in larger sizes, thus it is often
used in installations with pipe sizes less than 2 in.
The flow rate reading must be read at the
instrument places, rather than at the control room .
The quantity of liquid that can be measured by
a rotameter is small when compared with
capacities of some of the other methods.
REFERENCES
COULSON, J.M. and RICHARDSON, J.F.
Chemical Engineering Vol.1, 5
th
ed.
McCABE, W.L. and SMITH, J.C. :Unit
Operation of Chemical Engineering, 5
th
ed.
AUSTIN E. FRIBANCE : Industrial
Instrumentation Fundamentals.
Perry Chemical Engineers Handbook.
TPC training System (U-275).



THANKS
U
TO
ALL!!!