Flow Measurement: Mark Murphy, PE Technical Director, Fluor Corp
Flow Measurement: Mark Murphy, PE Technical Director, Fluor Corp
Flow Measurement: Mark Murphy, PE Technical Director, Fluor Corp
Velocity Type
Magnetic Ultrasonic - Transit Time, Doppler Turbine Vortex
Other Types
Positive Displacement Target
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
The Ratio Of The Density Of A Material To The Density Of Water Or Air Depending On Whether It Is A Liquid Or A Gas.
COMPRESSIBLE FLUID
Fluids (Such As Gasses) Where The Volume Changes With Respect To Changes In The Pressure. These Fluids Experience Large Changes In Density Due To Changes In Pressure.
NON-COMPRESSIBLE FLUID
Fluids (Generally Liquids) Which Resist Changes In Volume As The Pressure Changes. These Fluids Experience Little Change In Density Due To Pressure Changes.
Square Root
Flow is proportional to the square root of the measured value.
Pressure Head
The Pressure At A Given Point In A Liquid Measured In Terms Of The Vertical Height Of A Column Of The Liquid Needed To Produce The Same Pressure.
Gas or Vapor
ft3/hr, m3/hr, etc.
Flow can be measured in accumulated (totalized) total amounts for a time period
gallons, liters, meters passed in a day, etc.
LAMINAR FLOW
Laminar Flow - Is Characterized By Concentric Layers Of Fluid Moving In Parallel Down The Length Of A Pipe. The Highest Velocity (Vmax) Is Found In The Center Of The Pipe. The Lowest Velocity (V=0) Is Found Along The Pipe Wall.
SIDE VIEW END VIEW
VMAX
TURBULENT FLOW
Turbulent Flow - Is Characterized By A Fluid Motion That Has Local Velocities And Pressures That Fluctuate Randomly. This Causes The Velocity Of The Fluid In The Pipe To Be More Uniform Across A Cross Section.
SIDE VIEW
VMAX ~ VAVG
REYNOLDS NUMBER
The Reynolds number is the ratio of inertial forces ( velocity and density that keep the fluid in motion) to viscous forces (frictional forces that slow the fluid down) and is used for determining the dynamic properties of the fluid to allow an equal comparison between different fluids and flows. Laminar Flow occurs at low Reynolds numbers, where viscous forces are dominant, and is characterized by smooth, constant fluid motion Turbulent Flow occurs at high Reynolds numbers and is dominated by inertial forces, producing random eddies, vortices and other flow fluctuations. The Reynolds number is the most important value used in fluid dymanics as it provides a criterion for determining similarity between different fluids, flowrates and piping configurations.
REYNOLDS NUMBER
Dvr Re = mC D = DIAMETER (FT) v = VELOCITY (FT/SEC) r = DENSITY (LB/FT3) m= VISCOSITY (cp) C = CONSTANT (6.72X10-4 LB/FT SEC cp)
0 LAMINAR 2000 4000 TURBULENT
TRANSITION
PV = nRT
Where: P = Pressure (psia) V = Volume (FT3) n = Number of Moles of Gas (1 mole = 6.02 x 1023 molecules) R = Gas Constant (10.73 FT3 PSIA / lb-mole oR) T = Temperature (oR)
REAL GASES
Compressibility Factor (Z) - The term "compressibility" is used to describe the deviance in the thermodynamic properties of a real gas from those expected from an ideal gas. Real Gas Behavior can be calculated as:
PV = nZRT
STANDARD CONDITIONS
P = 14.7 PSIA T = 520 deg R (60 deg F) Behavior of gases in a process can be equally compared by using standard conditions This is due to the nature of gases.
ACTUAL CONDITIONS
Standard conditions can be converted to Actual Conditions using the Ideal Gas Law.
PSVS = nRTS
PAVA = nRTA
P AV A TA
P SV S TS
PSTA PATS
VA = VS
BERNOULLIS LAW
Bernoulli's Law Describes The Behavior Of An Ideal Fluid Under Varying Conditions In A Closed System. It States That The Overall Energy Of The Fluid As It Enters The System Is Equal To The Overall Energy As It Leaves. PE1 + KE1 = PE2 + KE2 PE = Potential Energy KE = Kinetic Energy
BERNOULLIS EQUATION
Bernoullis Law Is Described By The Following Equation For An Ideal Fluid.
Beta Ratio = d/D Should Be 0.3 0.75 Meter Run Dependent On Piping Normally 20 Diameters Upstream & 5 Diameters Downstream
qm = Flow C = Constant
= Expansion Factor
a = Orifice Area
p = P1 - P2
1 = Density =d/D
d = Diameter of Orifice D = Diameter of Pipe
METER RANGEABILITY
The square root functions impact on a differential pressure device limits the measurement turndown (rangeability) to between 4:1 and 6:1. 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
METER RANGEABILITY
NORMAL RANGE
ORIFICE PLATE
A simple device, considered a precision instrument. It is simply a piece of flat metal with a flow-restricting bore that is inserted into the pipe between flanges. The orifice meter is well understood, rugged and inexpensive. Its accuracy under ideal conditions is in the range of 0.75-1.5%. It can be sensitive to a variety of error-inducing conditions, such as if the plate is eroded or damaged.
Gas
Liquid or Steam
VENTURI TUBE
In a Venturi tube, the fluid is accelerated through a converging cone, inducing a local pressure drop. An expanding section of the meter then returns the flow to near its original pressure. These instruments are often selected where it is important not to create a significant pressure drop and where good accuracy is required. Used when higher velocity and pressure recovery is required. May be used when a small, constant percentage of solids is present.
FLOW NOZZLE
DP Type Flowmeter Used when higher velocity & pressure recovery are required Better suited for gas service than for liquid
WEDGE METER
Wedge flow meters can be used on just about any liquid or gas, just like orifice plates. However they are generally chosen for dirty service applications, or high viscosity applications such as slurry or heavy oil, or where solids are present. For regular service applications consider other types of meters first unless wedge meters are specified by customer as preferred. Since they are a differential pressure device their sizing calculation is similar to that of other dP flowmeters.
P1 HP LP
Seal pots
Seal fluid
D
P2
Transmitter
V-CONE
The V-Cone is similar to other differential pressure (Dp) meters in the equations of flow that it uses. V-Cone geometry, however, is quite different from traditional Dp meters. The V-Cone constricts the flow by positioning a cone in the center of the pipe. This forces the flow in the center of the pipe to flow around the cone. V-cones can be used with viscous fluids and require little straight run.
PITOT TUBE
In a pitot tube (insertion DP meter), a probe consisting of two parts senses two pressures: impact (dynamic) and static. The impact pressure is sensed by one impact tube bent toward the flow (dynamic head). The averaging-type pitot tube has four or more pressure taps located at mathematically defined locations, averaging the velocity profile across the pipe or flow area, to measure the dynamic pressure. The static pressure is sensed through a small hole on the side (static head). They develop low differential pressure and like all head meters they use a differential pressure transmitter to convert the flow to an electrical transmission signal.
DP METER CHARACTERISTICS
Recommended Service: Clean & Dirty Liquids, Gases, Some Slurries Rangeability: 3:1 to 6:1 Maximum Flow: 95% of Range Pressure Loss: 20 to 60% of Measured Head Accuracy: 0.5 to 4% Straight Run Reqd: 5 - 40D Upstream, 2-5D Downstream Viscosity Effect: High Size: 2 to 24 Connection: Dependent on meter type Type of Output: Square Root
Rotameters are a variable area device. The float moves up and down in proportion to the fluid flow rate and the annular area between the float and the tube wall. As the float rises, the size of the annular opening increases. As this area increases, the differential pressure across the float decreases. The float reaches a stable position when the upward force exerted by the flowing fluid equals the weight of the float. Every float position corresponds to a particular flow rate for a particular fluid's density and viscosity. For this reason, it is necessary to size the rotameter for each application. When sized correctly, the flow rate can be determined by matching the float position to a calibrated scale on the outside of the rotameter. Many rotameters come with a built-in valve for adjusting flow manually.
CORIOLIS
Direct mass flow measurement is generally chosen for more critical control applications such as the blending of feedstocks or the custody transfer of valuable fluids. Generally chosen for high rangeability and mass flow applications, Coriolis technology is unaffected by changes in temperature, density, viscosity and conductivity. In most flow meters changes in these conditions require monitoring and correction.
Flow is measured by using velocity sensors to detect the twist in the tube and transmit electrical signals having a relative phase shift that is proportional to mass flow. Coriolis meters also measure density, whereby the resonant frequency of the forced rotation is a function of fluid density.
CORIOLIS CHARACTERISTICS
Recommended Service: Clean, Dirty & Viscous Liquids, Gases, Some Slurries Rangeability: 10 to 1 Pressure Loss: Medium to High Accuracy: to 0.1% in liquids & to 0.35% in gas Straight Run Required: None Viscosity Effect: None Relative Cost: High Sizes: > Connections: Flanged & Clamp-on Design Type of Output: Linear
ULTRASONIC METER
Transit time ultrasonic meters employ two transducers located upstream and downstream of each other. Each transmits a sound wave to the other, and the time difference between the receipt of the two signals indicates the fluid velocity. Transit time meters usually require clean fluids and are used where high rangeability is required. Accuracy is within 1% for ideal applications.
t dn
t up A
Transit time difference is proportional to mean velocity Vm, therefore Vm can be calculated as follows:
Flow is measured by measuring the difference in transit time for two ultrasonic beams transmitted in a fluid both upstream and downstream. Ultrasonic Meters are mainly used on large size lines where high rangeability is required.
ULTRASONIC CHARACTERISTICS
Recommended Service: Clean & Viscous Liquids, Natural/Flare Gas Rangeability: 20 to 1 Pressure Loss: None Accuracy: 0.25% to 5% Straight Run Required: 5 to 30D Upstream Viscosity Effect: None Relative Cost: High Sizes: > Connections: Flanged & Clamp-on Design Type of Output: Linear
TURBINE METER
Turbine meter is kept in rotation by the linear velocity of the stream in which it is immersed. The number of revolutions the device makes is proportional to the rate of flow.
VORTEX METER
Vortex meters can be used on most clean liquid, vapor or gas. However, they are generally chosen for applications where high flow rangeability is required. Due to break down of vortices at low flow rates, vortex meters will cut off at a low flow limit. Reverse flow measurement is not an option. For regular service applications this meter is the meter of choice by many end users.
VORTEX CHARACTERISTICS
Recommended Service: Clean & Dirty Liquids, Gases Rangeability: 10 to 1 Pressure Loss: Medium Accuracy: 1% Straight Run Required: 10 to 20D Upstream, 5D Downstream Viscosity Effect: Medium Relative Cost: Medium Size: to 12 Connection: Flanged Type of Output: Linear
PD meters measure flow rate directly by dividing a stream into distinct segments of known volume, counting segments, and multiplying by the volume of each segment. Measured over a specific period, the result is a value expressed in units of volume per unit of time. PD meters frequently report total flow directly on a counter, but they can also generate output pulses with each pulse representing a discrete volume of fluid.
Liquids inlet pressure exerts a pressure differential against the lower face of oval gear A, causing the two interlocked oval gears to rotate to position 2.
Liquid enters the cavity between oval gear B and meter body wall, while an equal volume of liquid passes out of the cavity between oval gear A and meter body wall. Meanwhile, inlet pressure continues to force the two oval gears to rotate to position 3
Quantity of liquid has again filled the cavity between oval gear B and meter body. This pattern is repeated moving four times the liquid capacity of each cavity with each revolution of the rotating gears. Therefore, the flow rate is proportional to the rotational speed of the gears.
API RP 551 Process Measurement Instrumentation API RP 554 Process Instrument and Control API Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS):
Chapter 4 Proving Systems Chapter 5 Metering Chapter 14 Natural Gas Fluids Measurement
Other References Miller, R.W., Flow Measurement Engineering Handbook ISA Flow Measurement Practical Guides for Measurement and Control, Spitzer, D.W., Editor ASME Fluid Meters, Their Theory and Application
QUESTIONS
Any Questions???