Technical Note

1595_2_01_AA
July 2004

Conditioning Orifice Plate

Conditioning Orifice Plate Technology; Taking

the Standard to a New Level of Capability
Conditioning Orifice Plates, the 1595 Conditioning Orifice Plate and the
405C Compact Conditioning Orifice Plate, are differential pressure
producers used to measure rate of fluid flow in a pipe. Conditioning
Orifice Plate Technology is based on the same Bernoulli streamline
energy equation and as a result follows the same Discharge Coefficient
versus Reynolds Number relationship as standard orifice plates.
Standard orifice plates are typically specified and installed according to
one of three standards; AGA Report Number 3, ASME MFC 3M or ISO
5167. Although the Conditioning Orifice Plate was designed as closely
as possible to these standards, there are four areas of departure. These
differences allow greater flexibility in installation and better performance
over a wide variety of conditions, including:
Superior performance.
Installation in short straight pipe run, tight fit applications.
Improved performance in wet gas applications by allowing
condensate to pass and preventing the damming affect
suffered by standard orifice plates. None of the three standards
provide allowances for drain vent holes in the orifice plate.
The conditioning orifice plate varies from the existing orifice plate
standards in four ways:
Plate thickness
Orifice / Beta
Piping Requirements
Accuracy
Figure 2: 1595 Conditioning Orifice Plate

www.rosemount.com

Figure 1: 3051SFC Conditioning

Orifice Flowmeter

Figure 3: Standard Orifice Plate

Technical Note
1595_2_01_AA
July 2004

Conditioning Orifice Plate

Table 1 depicts a comparison between conditioning orifice plate technology and standard orifice plate technology,
highlighting the deviations from the standards. These deviations allow for a more flexible installation as straight
pipe requirements are reduced in some cases by as much as 96%.

Table 1: The Conditioning Orifice Plate as compared to the orifice plate standards.
Category

1595 and 405C Conditioning Orifice Plate Technology

Total Straight Pipe Run Requirements

Upstream (In Pipe Diameters)
Downstream (In Pipe Diameters)

1595 and 405C

2
2

Flow Conditioners

Not Required. All three standards sometimes require flow conditioners to shorten
required straight pipe run.

ASME MFC 3M

AGA Report Number 3

ISO 5167

Up to 54
5

Up to 95
4.2

Up to 60
7

Pressure Taps
Flange Taps
Corner Taps
D and D/2

Complies with all three standards.

Complies with ASME and ISO. Corner taps not included in AGA Report Number 3.
In development.

O-Plate Thickness
2 to 4
6
8 to 24

Complies with all three Standards.

Compliant to ASME MFC 3M and ISO 5167. Thicker than AGA Report Number 3.
Complies with all three Standards.

Beta

Area of 4 holes = Area of same for standard orifice of all three standards.

All other plate dimensions (Including

angle of bevel, bore thickness (e), etc.)

Complies with all three Standards.

Surface Finish

Complies with all three Standards.

Discharge Coefficient Uncertainty

Follows ISO 5167.

Expansion Factor

Follows ISO 5167.

(1)

(2)

At Schedule Standard
Follows ISO 5167 with a bias shift The bias is determined in a calibration flow lab and
factored into the DP bore calculation.

(2)

www.rosemount.com

(1)

Technical Note
1595_2_01_AA
July 2004

Conditioning Orifice Plate

Plate Thickness
Table 2 depicts the plate thicknesses of Conditioning Orifice Plates and the thickness ranges for standard orifice
plates as dictated by the three standards. The plate thicknesses for the 1595 and 405C Conditioning Orifice
Plates fall within the values provided in all three standards with one exception, the AGA Report Number 3
standard for the 6 line. In the cases of non-compliance, the important aspect as pertaining to plate thickness is
that the Conditioning Orifice Plates are thicker than the standard orifice plates. This helps prevent plate deflection
under higher flow rates and leads to a more accurate flow measurement.
Table 2: Plate Thickness
ASME MFC 3M

AGA Report Number 3

ISO 51767

Line Size

1595
Conditioning
Orifice Plate

405C
Compact
Conditioning
Orifice Plate

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

2 in
(50.8 mm)

0.125 in
(3.2 mm)

0.125 in
(6.4 mm)

0.120 in
(3.1 mm)

0.180 in
(4.6 mm)

0.115 in
(2.9 mm)

0.130 in
(3.3 mm)

0.008 in
(0.2 mm)

0.125 in
(3.2 mm)

3 in
(76.2 mm)

0.125 in
(3.2 mm)

0.125 in
(6.4 mm)

0.120 in
(3.1 mm)

0.180 in
(4.6 mm)

0.115 in
(2.9 mm)

0.130 in
(3.3 mm)

0.012 in
(0.3 mm)

0.158 in
(4.0 mm)

4 in
(101.6 mm)

0.125 in
(3.2 mm)

0.125 in
(6.4 mm)

0.120 in
(3.1 mm)

0.180 in
(4.6 mm)

0.115 in
(2.9 mm)

0.130 in
(3.3 mm)

0.017 in
(0.4 mm)

0.206 in
(5.2 mm)

6 in
(152.4 mm)

0.250 in
(6.4 mm)

0.250 in
(6.4 mm)

0.120 in
(3.1 mm)

0.275 in
(7.0 mm)

0.115 in
(2.9 mm)

0.192 in
(4.9 mm)

0.026 in
(0.7 mm)

0.310 in
(7.9 mm)

8 in
(203.2 mm)

0.250 in
(6.4 mm)

0.250 in
(6.4 mm)

0.120 in
(3.1 mm)

0.275 in
(7.0 mm)

0.115 in
(2.9 mm)

0.319 in
(8.1 mm)

0.036 in
(0.9 mm)

0.413 in
(10.5 mm)

10 in
(254.0 mm)

0.250 in
(6.4 mm)

0.120 in
(3.1 mm)

0.500 in
(12.7 mm)

0.115 in
(2.9 mm)

0.319 in
(8.1 mm)

0.044 in
(1.1 mm)

0.520 in
(13.2 mm)

12 in
(304.8 mm)

0.250 in
(6.4 mm)

0.183 in
(4.6 mm)

0.500 in
(12.7 mm)

0.175 in
(4.4 mm)

0.398 in
(10.1 mm)

0.053 in
(1.3 mm)

0.620 in
(15.8 mm)

14 in
(355.0 mm)

0.350 in
(8.9 mm)

0.183 in
(4.6 mm)

0.500 in
(12.7 mm)

0.175 in
(4.4 mm)

0.398 in
(10.1 mm)

0.058 in
(1.5 mm)

0.683 in
(17.3 mm)

16 in
(406.4 mm)

0.350 in
(8.9 mm)

0.183 in
(4.6 mm)

0.500 in
(12.7 mm)

0.175 in
(4.4 mm)

0.500 in
(12.7 mm)

0.067 in
(1.7 mm)

0.783 in
(19.9 mm)

18 in
(457.2 mm)

0.350 in
(8.9 mm)

0.183 in
(4.6 mm)

0.500 in
(12.7 mm)

0.175 in
(4.4 mm)

0.500 in
(12.7 mm)

0.075 in
(1.9 mm)

0.883 in
(22.4 mm)

20 in
(508.0 mm)

0.350 in
(8.9 mm)

0.183 in
(4.6 mm)

0.500 in
(12.7 mm)

0.240 in
(6.1 mm)

0.505 in
(12.8 mm)

0.083 in
(2.1 mm)

0.984 in
(25.0 mm)

24 in
(609.6 mm)

0.500 in
(12.7 mm)

0.245 in
(6.2 mm)

0.500 in
(12.7 mm)

0.240 in
(6.1 mm)

0.562 in
(14.3 mm)

0.100 in
(2.5 mm)

1.184 in
(30.1 mm)

NOTE
The values that are in Bold reflect the deviation from the standards.

www.rosemount.com

Technical Note

Conditioning Orifice Plate

1595_2_01_AA
July 2004

Orifice / Beta
The most obvious difference between standard orifice plates and the Conditioning Orifice Plates is four holes
versus a single hole. These four holes are placed tangent to the pipe wall, leaving a metal section of the plate in
the center of the pipe. This causes the flow to condition itself as it is forced through the four holes thereby
removing the requirement for a flow conditioner. Because of this phenomenon, Conditioning Orifice Plates provide
superior performance in short straight pipe run and tight fit applications.
Standard orifice plates are sized to a beta from 0.1 to 0.75, beta = d/D, where d is the bore size and D is the
internal diameter of the pipe/meter tube. The 1595 and 405C Conditioning Orifice Plates are designed with 2
standard bore sizes, one for high flow rates and one for low flow rates. These standard bore sizes are fixed and
do not change with pipe schedule. We refer to the two different bore sizes as betas because the sum of the area
of the four bores is equivalent to the area of a bore d in the standard equation beta = d/D for a schedule
standard pipe. In a schedule standard pipe, the bores equal betas of 0.4 and 0.65. The fixed bores or beta ratios
make it easier to specify and order while reducing inventory.
Also a concern for orifice plate is centering. The orifice must be centered or conditions may arise that negatively
affect accuracy. The 405C Compact Conditioning Orifice Plate is supplied with a centering ring and assures a
centered plate to within 1/32. If the orifice plate, whether it is a Conditioning Orifice Plate or a standard orifice
plate, is not centered, there can be as much as 5% degradation in accuracy.

Piping Requirements
Standard orifice plates require significant straight pipe to assure an accurate flow measurement while conditioning
plate technology requires only 4 diameters of straight pipe. This equates to significant savings in pipe material
costs and allows flexibility in determining flowmeter placement. There are dramatic savings to be obtained when
purchasing pipe, in some cases there is up to a 96% reduction in straight pipe requirements.

Figure 4: Conditioning Orifice Plates can reduce

piping requirements by as much as 96%
Table 3 demonstrates that the 1595 and 405C Conditioning Orifice Plates require just 2 diameters upstream and
downstream. The values in Italics are the reduction in pipe requirements if a Conditioning Orifice Plate is used
instead of a standard orifice plate. The (Bold) values in the tables reflect the straight pipe requirement if a flow
conditioner is installed.

www.rosemount.com

Technical Note
1595_2_01_AA
July 2004

Conditioning Orifice Plate

Table 3: Straight pipe required in pipe diameters

Upstream

Beta = 0.4

Conditioning
Orifice Plate

ASME MFC
3M

AGA Report
Number 3

ISO 5167

Single 90 Degree Bend

14
86%

16
88%

16
88%

Single Tee

14
86%

9
78%

9
78%

Two or more Bends in the same plane

18 (17)
89% (88%)

10
80%

10
80%

Two or more Bends in a different plane

36 (19)
94% (89%)

50 (29)
96% (93%)

50 (30)
96% (93%)

Reducer

10
80%

6
67%

5
60%

Valve

12
83%

21
90%

12
83%

5
60%

3.2
38%

6
67%

Conditioning
Orifice Plate

ASME MFC
3M

AGA Report
(1)
Number 3

Single 90 Degree Bend

22
91%

44 (29)
95% (93%)

44 (30)
95% (93%)

Single Tee

22
91%

44 (29)
95% (93%)

36 (30)
94% (93%)

Two or more Bends in the same plane

32 (22)
94% (91%)

44 (29)
95% (93%)

44 (30)
95% (93%)

Two or more Bends in a different plane

54 (25)
96% (92%)

95 (29)
98% (93%)

60 (30)
97% (93%)

Reducer

12
83%

11
82%

12
83%

Valve

16
88%

35 (29)
94% (93%)

18
89%

5
60%

4.2
48%

7
71%

Downstream

Upstream

Beta = 0.65

Downstream
(1)

The piping requirements specified are for Beta = 0.67.

NOTE
The values in Italics reflect the reduction in straight pipe requirements.
The values in (Bold) reflect the piping requirements if a 19-tube bundle flow straightener is used.

www.rosemount.com

ISO 5167

(1)

Technical Note
1595_2_01_AA
July 2004

Conditioning Orifice Plate

Accuracy

The innovative technology and design of the Conditioning Orifice Plate enables multiple benefits without
compromising performance. The Conditioning Orifice Plate follows the discharge coefficient of the ISO 51672:2003(E) with a bias. This bias is determined at the time of manufacture and factored into the bore calculation.
With just 4 diameters (2 up and 2 down) of straight piping, the discharge coefficient uncertainty (UCd) follows the
uncertainty of the standard orifice plate when installed according to the relevant standard. This has been verified
in independent test laboratories. Results can be found in the Rosemount 405 Compact Orifice Flowmeter Series
and 1595 Conditioning Orifice Plate Flow Test Data Book and Flow Handbook, part number 00821-0100-4810.
Tables 4 - 6 and Equation 1 depict the discharge coefficient uncertainties for all orifice plates according to typical
standards. Graphs 1 and 2 illustrate the discharge coefficient uncertainties, comparing the standard orifice plates
(with sufficient straight pipe run) against the Conditioning Orifice Plate (with 2 diameters of straight pipe run
immediately after a flow disturbance). The end result is that the Conditioning Orifice Plate rivals the performance
of the standard orifice plates while virtually eliminating straight pipe run requirements. With sufficient straight run,
the accuracy curve of the Conditioning Orifice Plate would follow the ISO 5167 standard.

Table 4: Conditioning Orifice Technology Discharge Coefficient Uncertainty

Beta

Reynolds Number < 10,000

Reynolds Number > 10,000

0.4

UCd = 1.0%

UCd = 0.5%

0.65

UCd = 1.25%

UCd = 0.75%

Table 5: AMSE MFC-3M 1989 Discharge Coefficient Uncertainty (Section 7.3.2.1)

RD

0.2 < Beta () < 0.6

0.6 < Beta () < 0.75

10,000 < RD < 108

UCd = 0.60%

UCd = ()%
UCd = (0.6 + )%

2,000 < RD < 10,000

Table 6: ISO 5167-2:2003(E) Discharge Coefficient Uncertainty (Section 5.3.3.1)

Beta ()

Reynolds Number < 10,000

Reynolds Number > 10,000

0.2 < < 0.5

UCd = 0.5%

UCd = 0.5%

0.5 < < 0.6

UCd = 1.0%

UCd = 0.5%

0.6 < < 0.75

UCd = (1.667 * )%

UCd = (1.667 * - 0.5)%

Equation 1: AGA Report Number 3 Discharge Coefficient Uncertainty (Section 1.12.4.1 in Part 1)
0.8

4000
%
UCd = 0.5600 0.2550 * + 1.9316 * * 1 + 0.7895 *
Re

www.rosemount.com

Technical Note
1595_2_01_AA
July 2004

Conditioning Orifice Plate

Graph 1: Discharge Coefficient Uncertainties for 0.4 Beta
Discharge Coefficient Uncertainty
Beta = 0.4

1.20%
1595 and 405C Conditioning Orifice Plates
ASME MFC 3M
AGA Report Number 3
ISO 5167

1.00%

0.80%

0.60%

0.40%

0.20%

40
00
50
00
60
00
70
00
80
00
90
00
10
00
0
20
00
0
30
00
0
40
00
0
50
00
0
60
00
0
70
00
0
80
00
0
90
00
0
10
00
00
20
00
00
30
00
00
40
00
00
50
00
00
60
00
00
70
00
00
80
00
00
90
00
0
10 0
00
00
0

0.00%

Reynolds Number

Graph 2: Discharge Coefficient Uncertainties for 0.65 Beta

Discharge Coefficient Uncertainty
Beta = 0.65
1.40%
1595 and 405C Conditioning Orifice Plates
ASME MFC 3M
AGA Report Number 3
ISO 5167

1.20%

1.00%

0.80%

0.60%

0.40%

0.20%

40
00
50
00
60
00
70
00
80
00
90
00
10
00
0
20
00
0
30
00
0
40
00
0
50
00
0
60
00
0
70
00
0
80
00
0
90
00
0
10
00
00
20
00
00
30
00
00
40
00
00
50
00
00
60
00
00
70
00
00
80
00
00
90
00
0
10 0
00
00
0

0.00%

Reynolds Number

www.rosemount.com

Technical Note

Conditioning Orifice Plate

1595_2_01_AA
July 2004

Summary
The Conditioning Orifice Plate is a revolutionary innovative
technology based on the most common differential primary element
in the industry. While not complying with the standards of AGA
Report Number 3, ASME MFC 3M or ISO 5167, it is designed based
on those standards and provides superior performance in short
straight pipe run, tight fit applications with upstream flow
disturbances.
Requires 2 diameters upstream of a flow disturbance and
2 diameters downstream.
o Decreased straight runs can lower installed cost.
o Provides flexibility of flowmeter placement
and design.
Compact design reduces installation costs as compared to
standard orifice plates.
Highly accurate and repeatable primary elements.
Simplified ordering and reduction in inventory, only two
betas to choose; one for high flows, one for low flows.
Suitable for most gas, liquid and steam applications.
Whether compliance to a standard is required or if it is not required,
Emerson Process Management has the flowmeter to fit the
application.

Rosemount and the Rosemount logotype are registered trademarks of Rosemount Inc.
All marks are the property of their respective owners.
Emerson Process Management.
Rosemount Inc.
8200 Market Boulevard
Chanhassen, MN 55317 USA
T (U.S.) 1-800-999-9307
T (International) (952) 906-8888
F (952) 949-7001
www.rosemount.com
2003 Rosemount Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 5: The Emerson Process

Orifice Offering