DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE

FLOW METERS

SUBMITTED TO:
Dr- Ing Naveed ramzan
SUBMITTED BY:
2007-chem-31

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Fluid Flow
Fluid flow is the movement of liquids in pipe or
channels and gases or vapors in pipes and
ducts.
OR
Flow can be defined as the motion characteristic
of fluids due to which it moves smoothly with
unbroken continuity .

There are two types of flow measurements

Volumetric flow rate
Mass flow rate.

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Volumetric Flow (all fluids)

Q = A *V
= ft ² * ft sec
= ft³ sec

where:

Q = volumetric flow ft³ sec

A = cross sectional area ( ft ) ²
V = average fluid velocity ( ft sec )

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 Mass Flow

= Q  = A V 
m * * *
= ft ² * ft sec * lbs ft³
= lbs sec

where:


m = mass flow ( lbs sec)
 = density ( lbs ft)³
Q = average fluid velocity ( )
ft sec

A = cross sectional area ( ft ) ²

V = average fluid velocity ( )
ft sec

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 Reasons for Flow measurement
 1.)To ensure the correct proportions of raw
materials are combined during the
manufacturing process
 2.)To ensure that ingredients are supplied at
the proper rate during the mixing and
blending of the materials
 3.)To prevent a high flow rate that might cause
pressure or temperatures to become
dangerous, overspills to occur, or machines to
over speed
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 FLOW MEASUREMENT
Methods for flow measurement

DIRECT INDIRECT

The measurement is obtained The measurement is obtained

directly without the use of indirectly with the use of
any other property more than other property .

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FLOW METERS
Definition: Flow meters are a device used
to measure the rate of fluid movement at
a given point in the pipe or tube. The flow
meter is usually secured to a break in the
pipe and the fluid is allowed to move
through it.

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Differential Pressure Flowmeters

They use the difference in pressure resulting

from a constriction as an indication for the
measurement of flow
The operating principle of a differential flow
meter is based on the relationship between the
volume flow rate and pressure drop
A restriction in piping used for flow
measurement is called primary element for
example orifice plates, flow nozzles, venturi
tubes etc.

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Differential pressure flow meters
Our main concern is with the differential
pressure flow meters having the following
types
ORIFICE PLATE
FLOW NOZZLES
ROTAMETER
VENTURIMETER

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Working principle
Bernoulli’s equation states that energy is
approximately conserved across a
constriction in a pipe
 Static energy (pressure head)
 Kinetic energy (velocity head)
 Potential energy (elevation head)

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Bernoulli’s equation
 P/(ρ•g) + ½v2/g + y = constant
 P = absolute pressure
 ρ = density
 g = acceleration of gravity
 v = fluid velocity
 y = elevation

Equation of Continuity
 Q = A•v
 Q = flow (volumetric)
 A = cross-sectional area
 v = fluid velocity (average

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 Apply the equation of continuity and Bernoulli’s equation for
flow in a horizontal pipe
 Acceleration of gravity is constant
 No elevation change

 Apply Bernoulli’s equation upstream and downstream of a

restriction
 P1 + ½ ρ•v12 = P2 + ½ ρ•v22

 Solve for the pressure difference and use

the equation of continuity

(P1 - P2) = ½ ρ•v22 - ½ ρ•v12
= ½ ρ [v2 2 - v1 2]
= ½ ρ [(A1/A2) 2 – 1]•v12
= ½ ρ [(A1/A2) 2 – 1]•Q2/A 2
= constant • ρ • Q 2
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CONCLUSIONS:
 ΔP = constant • ρ • Q2
 Pressure drop is proportional to the square

of the flow rate.

OR
 Q = constant • (ΔP/ρ)½
 Flow rate is proportional to the square root

of the differential pressure produced

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 ORIFICE PLATE FLOWMETER:
DEFINITION:The orifice plate is a differential pressure
flow meter (Primary element).The velocity of fluid
passing through the orifice is proportional to the
square root of the pressure loss across it.
WORKING PRINCIPLE:To measure the differential
pressure when the fluid is flowing, connections are
made from the upstream and downstream pressure
tappings to a secondary device known as a DP
(Differential Pressure) cell.

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FIGURE:

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ADVANTAGE:

Low cost, especially on large sizes

No need for recalibration

Widely accepted

DISADVANTAGE:

Poor turndown (4:1 typical)

Long installations (20D to 30D)

Accuracy dependant on geometry.

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 The Flow Nozzle

DEFINITION:A flow nozzle consists of a restriction

with an elliptical contour approach section that
terminates in a cylindrical throat section.

 WORKING PRINCIPLE: Pressure drop between the

locations one pipe diameter upstream and one-half
pipe diameter downstream is measured.

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FIGURE:
.

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ADVANTAGES:
The flow nozzle is dimensionally more stable
than the orifice plate.
 They are applicable to some slurry systems
The flow nozzle, like the venturi, has a greater
flow capacity than the orifice plate and requires
a lower initial investment than a venturi tube.
DISADVANTAGE:
They are comparatively expensive
They are not very accurate.

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ROTAMETER:
DEFINITION: The rotameter consists of a
vertically oriented glass (or plastic) tube with a
larger end at the top, and a metering float which
is free to move within the tube
WORKING PRINICIPLE:Fluid flow causes the
float to rise in the tube as the upward pressure
differential and buoyancy of the fluid overcome
the effect of gravity
The float rises until the annular area between
the float and tube increases sufficiently to allow
a state of dynamic equilibrium between the
upward differential pressure and buoyancy
factors, and downward gravity factors.The
height of the float is an indication of the flow
rate. 21
FIGURE:

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ADVANTAGE:
The accuracy may be as good as 1% of full scale
rating.
Magnetic floats can be used for alarm and signal
transmission functions
No output for data transmission
Inexpensive
It is somewhat self-cleaning

DISADVANTAGE:
Sensitive to differing gas types and changes in
Temperature and pressure

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VENTURI TUBE:
A venturi tube is a primary flow element consisting
of a fabricated pipe section with a converging inlet
section, a straight throat, and a diverging outlet
section.
WORKING PRINCIPLE :In the Venturi Tube the
fluid flowrate is measured by reducing the cross
sectional flow area in the flow path, generating a
pressure difference
After the constricted area, the fluid is passes through
a pressure recovery exit section, where up to 80% of
the differential pressure generated at the constricted
area, is recovered

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ADVANTAGE:
The venturi tube is suitable for both clean, and dirty
fluids
Pressure loss is low.
Typical accuracy is 1% of full range.

DISADVANTAGE:
Viscosity effect is high
Relative cost is high

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DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE
FLOWMETERS :
ADVANTAGES
• Use On Liquid, Gas, and Steam
• Suitable for Extreme Temperatures and
Pressures
• No Moving Parts
• Low Cost

DISADVANTAGES
• Limited Rangeability
• Effected By Changes In Density,
Pressure, and Viscosity
• Maintenance Intensive

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Selecting a Flowmeter
When selecting a flowmeter, the following issues need
to be considered:
 Is the fluid a gas or a  What is the viscosity of
liquid? the fluid?
 Is the fluid corrosive?  Will the fluid density or
viscosity change?
 Is the fluid conductive or
 Is there a need for a
not? noninvasive approach?
 Does the fluid contain a  What is the cost?
slurry or large solids?

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THE END

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