Laminar flow element flowmeters work by measuring the differential pressure across a constriction in the pipe. In laminar flow, the pressure drop is linear with flow rate rather than proportional to the square of flow rate, allowing for accurate measurement of low flows with a turn down ratio of 100:1. This technology is well-suited for clean gas flows. Variable area flowmeters measure flow by allowing an internal float to move and change the opening size proportionally to flow. Turbine flowmeters use the rotational energy of a pinwheel rotor to measure flow, with faster flows generating more pulses from magnetic sensors on the rotor blades.
Laminar flow element flowmeters work by measuring the differential pressure across a constriction in the pipe. In laminar flow, the pressure drop is linear with flow rate rather than proportional to the square of flow rate, allowing for accurate measurement of low flows with a turn down ratio of 100:1. This technology is well-suited for clean gas flows. Variable area flowmeters measure flow by allowing an internal float to move and change the opening size proportionally to flow. Turbine flowmeters use the rotational energy of a pinwheel rotor to measure flow, with faster flows generating more pulses from magnetic sensors on the rotor blades.
Laminar flow element flowmeters work by measuring the differential pressure across a constriction in the pipe. In laminar flow, the pressure drop is linear with flow rate rather than proportional to the square of flow rate, allowing for accurate measurement of low flows with a turn down ratio of 100:1. This technology is well-suited for clean gas flows. Variable area flowmeters measure flow by allowing an internal float to move and change the opening size proportionally to flow. Turbine flowmeters use the rotational energy of a pinwheel rotor to measure flow, with faster flows generating more pulses from magnetic sensors on the rotor blades.
Laminar flow element flowmeters work by measuring the differential pressure across a constriction in the pipe. In laminar flow, the pressure drop is linear with flow rate rather than proportional to the square of flow rate, allowing for accurate measurement of low flows with a turn down ratio of 100:1. This technology is well-suited for clean gas flows. Variable area flowmeters measure flow by allowing an internal float to move and change the opening size proportionally to flow. Turbine flowmeters use the rotational energy of a pinwheel rotor to measure flow, with faster flows generating more pulses from magnetic sensors on the rotor blades.
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How Laminar Flow Element Flowmeters Work
Differential pressure flowmeters use Bernoulli's equation to
measure the flow of fluid in a pipe. Differential pressure flowmeters introduce a constriction in the pipe that creates a pressure drop. When the flow increases, more pressure drop is created. Bernoullis equation states that the pressure drop across the constriction is proportional to the square of the flow rate. Laminar flow elements, however, present a special case wherein the fluids are in a laminar regime (low Reynolds number) and the pressure drop is linear in relation to the flow rate. That makes very useful for reading the low end of the scale and increases the turn down from the usual 10:1 to 100:1. This technology is optimal for clean gas flows. The flow is calculated by measuring differential pressure and making corrections with data from temperature and absolute pressure sensors. Application Cautions for Laminar Flow Element Flowmeters Because of the precise geometry required, the gas must be clean and dry. Air from a compressor must go through a drier. Variable area flowmeters measure flow by allowing the flow stream to change the opening within the flowmeter by moving an internal part. When the flow increases, the fluid generates more force and moves the internal part farther. One variable area flowmeter measures flow in a vertical metering tube by balancing the downward weight of a float with the upward force of the flowing fluid. Spring-opposed float designs allow this type of flowmeter to be installed in horizontal pipes, because the functioning of the float is not dependent upon gravity. These flowmeters can be read locally because their glass or plastic metering tubes have markings that relate the height of the float (that can be seen) with the flow rate of the fluid. Flowmeters with remote
signals are typically constructed with metal tubes, and
include a transmitter that senses the height of the float to determine fluid flow. Do not apply variable area flowmeters to fluids that are opaque, dirty, or prone to coat the metering tube or float, because these may render the flowmeter inoperable. Be sure to install variable area flowmeters with floats in the vertical orientation because their operation is dependent upon gravity. Variable area flowmeters that require upward flow may not suitable in many applications where the fluid flows using only gravity. Turbine flowmeters use the mechanical energy of the fluid to rotate a pinwheel (rotor) in the flow stream. Blades on the rotor are angled to transform energy from the flow stream into rotational energy. The rotor shaft spins on bearings. When the fluid moves faster, the rotor spins proportionally faster. Turbine flowmeters now constitute 7% of the world market. Shaft rotation can be sensed mechanically or by detecting the movement of the blades. Blade movement is often detected magnetically, with each blade or embedded piece of metal generating a pulse. Turbine flowmeter sensors are typically located external to the flowing stream to avoid material of construction constraints that would result if wetted sensors were used. When the fluid moves faster, more pulses are generated. The transmitter processes the pulse signal to determine the flow of the fluid. Transmitters and sensing systems are available to sense flow in both the forward and reverse flow directions.
