Flow measurement differential pressure

There are do2ens of flow meters available for the measurement of fluid flow (30). The primary measurements used to determine flow include differential pressure, variable area, Hquid level, electromagnetic effects, thermal effects, and light scattering. Most of the devices discussed herein are those used commonly in the process industries a few for the measurement of turbulence are also described. 

An alternative method for measuring air permeabiUty is based on measuring differential pressure when a constant rate of air flow passes through the fabric. In this case, air resistance is reported in typical units of kPa-s/m. 

For critical measurement, where the drop p is more than the barometric pressure, flow should be measured with static-pressure taps upstream from the nozzle as illustrated in Figure 20-4. For exhaust measurements, differential pressure is measured at two static taps located downstream from the nozzle at the inlet as shown in Figure 20-5. 

You have been asked by your boss to select a flow meter to measure the flow rate of gasoline (SG = 0.85) at 70°F in a 3 in. sch 40 pipeline. The maximum expected flow rate is 200 gpm, and you have a DP cell (which measures differential pressure) with a range of 0-10 in.HzO available. 

C. Flow Measurement by Pressure Drop across an Orifice. Another common scheme for the measurement of flow is based on the determination of the pressure drop on either side of a constriction, such as an orifice or venturi. Either a liquid-filled differential manometer or a pressure transducer with associated digital readout may be used for this pressure measurement. The flow rates determined by these meters are in units such as cm3/s, and it is necessary to make a correction for total pressure to convert these to standard cm3/s or mol/s. 

Head-type flowmeters include orifice plates, venturi tubes, weirs, flumes, and many others. They change the velocity or direction of the flow, creating a measurable differential pressure, or "pressure head," in the fluid. Head metering is one of the most ancient of flow detection techniques. There is evidence that the Egyptians used weirs for measurement of irrigation water flows in the days of the Pharaohs and that the Romans used orifices to meter water to households in Caesar s time. In the 18th century, Bernoulli established the basic relationship between the pressure head and velocity head, and Venturi published on the flow tube bearing his name. 

Water at 60°F is flowing through a pipeline, and the line contains an orifice plate for flow measurement. The pressure difference between the upstream and the downstream sides of the orifice plate is to be measured using an available U-tube manometer which is 48 in. high. If the maximum expected pressure drop across the orifice plate is 3.55 psi, what is the minimum specific gravity required of a manometer liquid that can be used to measure this differential pressure Density of water at 60 F = 0.999 g/cm. ... 

Gas flow is determined by measuring differential pressure (P) across an orifice in the gas line. P is corrected for pressure and temperature to more correctly represent gas flow. 

This velocity measurement device uses pitot tube to measure differential pressure. It s an indirect way to measure flow rate. In accordance with Bernoulli equation, resulting in ... 

Instrument for measuring the flow properties (viscosity) of polymer melts. Composed of a capillary tube of specified diameter and length, means for applying a pressure to force molten polymer through the capillary, means for maintaining the desired temperature of the apparatus, and means for measuring differential pressures and flow rates. 

Pressure measurements, flow measurement through pressure difference measurement and level measurements by electrostatic head are closely related. They all use a pressure difference measurement. An example is the level measurement in which a diaphragm is used. A strain gauge could be used to detect the deflection of the diaphragm due to the pressure differential at its two sides. 

Electronic flow measurement Vortex flow meter Differential pressure measurement ... 

La.mina.r Flow Elements. Each of the previously discussed differential-pressure meters exhibits a square root relationship between differential pressure and flow there is one type that does not. Laminar flow meters use a series of capillary tubes, roUed metal, or sintered elements to divide the flow conduit into innumerable small passages. These passages are made small enough that the Reynolds number in each is kept below 2000 for all operating conditions. Under these conditions, the pressure drop is a measure of the viscous drag and is linear with flow rate as shown by the PoiseuiHe equation for capilary flow ... 

Variable-Area Flow Meters. In variable-head flow meters, the pressure differential varies with flow rate across a constant restriction. In variable-area meters, the differential is maintained constant and the restriction area allowed to change in proportion to the flow rate. A variable-area meter is thus essentially a form of variable orifice. In its most common form, a variable-area meter consists of a tapered tube mounted vertically and containing a float that is free to move in the tube. When flow is introduced into the small diameter bottom end, the float rises to a point of dynamic equiHbrium at which the pressure differential across the float balances the weight of the float less its buoyancy. The shape and weight of the float, the relative diameters of tube and float, and the variation of the tube diameter with elevation all determine the performance characteristics of the meter for a specific set of fluid conditions. A ball float in a conical constant-taper glass tube is the most common design it is widely used in the measurement of low flow rates at essentially constant viscosity. The flow rate is normally deterrnined visually by float position relative to an etched scale on the side of the tube. Such a meter is simple and inexpensive but, with care in manufacture and caHbration, can provide rea dings accurate to within several percent of full-scale flow for either Hquid or gas. 

Head-Area Meters. The Bernoulli principle, the basis of closed-pipe differential-pressure flow measurement, can also be appHed to open-channel Hquid flows. When an obstmction is placed in an open channel, the flowing Hquid backs up and, by means of the Bernoulli equation, the flow rate can be shown to be proportional to the head, the exact relationship being a function of the obstmction shape. 

Control Systems. Control systems are used to regulate the addition of Hquid waste feed, auxiHary fuel, and combustion air flows to the incinerator furnace. In addition, scmbber operation is automated to help ensure meeting emission limits. Flows are measured using differential pressure... 

Flow. The principal types of flow rate sensors are differential pressure, electromagnetic, vortex, and turbine. Of these, the first is the most popular. Orifice plates and Venturi-type flow tubes are the most popular differential pressure flow rate sensors. In these, the pressure differential measured across the sensor is proportional to the square of the volumetric flow rate. 

The proper installation of both orifice plates and Venturi-type flow tubes requires a length of straight pipe upstream and downstream of the sensor, ie, a meter mn. The pressure taps and connections for the differential pressure transmitter should be located so as to prevent the accumulation of vapor when measuring a Hquid and the accumulation of Hquid when measuring a vapor. For example, for a Hquid flow measurement in a horizontal pipe, the taps are located in the horizontal plane so that the differential pressure transmitter is either close-coupled or connected through downward sloping connections to allow any trapped vapor to escape. For a vapor measurement in a horizontal pipe, the taps should be located on the top of the pipe and have upward sloping connections to allow trapped Hquid to drain. 

Flow is an important measurement whose calibration presents some challenges. When a flow measurement device is used in applications such as custody transfer, provision is made to pass a known flow through the meter. However, such a provision is costly and is not available for most in-process flowmeters. Without such a provision, a true cahbration of the flow element itself is not possible. For orifice meters, calibration of the flowmeter normally involves cahbration of the differential pressure transmitter, and the orifice plate is usually only inspected for deformation, abrasion, and so on. Similarly, cahbration of a magnetic flowmeter normally involves cahbration of the voltage measurement circuitry, which is analogous to calibration of the differential pressure transmitter for an orifice meter. 

A regulator is a compact device that maintains the process variable at a specific value in spite of disturbances in load flow. It combines the functions of the measurement sensor, controher, and final control element into one self-contained device. Regulators are available to control pressure, differential pressure, temperature, flow, hquid level, and other basic process variables. They are used to control the differential across a filter press, heat exchanger, or orifice plate. Regulators are used for monitoring pressure variables for redundancy, flow check, and liquid surge relief. 

The inverted differential U tube, in which the manometric fluid may be a gas or a hght liquid, can be used to measure hquid pressure differentials, especially for the flow of slurries where solids tend to settle out. Additional details on the use of this manometer can be obtained from Doolittle (op. cit., p. 18). 

Once these traverse points have been determined, velocity measurements are made to determine gas flow. The stack-gas velocity is usually determined by means of a pitot tube and differential-pressure gauge. When velocities are very low (less than 3 m/s [10 ft/s]) and when great accuracy is not required, an anemometer may be used. For gases moving in small pipes at relatively high velocities or pressures, orifice-disk meters or venturi meters may be used. These are valuable as continuous or permanent measuring devices. 

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