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Science of Water : Concepts and Applications

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82 The <strong>Science</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Water</strong>: <strong>Concepts</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Applications</strong><br />

3. What is the magnitude <strong>of</strong> the fl ow rate?<br />

4. What is the range <strong>of</strong> fl ow variation?<br />

5. Is the liquid being measured clean, or does it contain suspended solids or air bubbles?<br />

6. What is the accuracy requirement?<br />

7. What is the allowable head loss by the fl owmeter?<br />

8. Is the fl ow corrosive?<br />

9. What types <strong>of</strong> fl owmeters are available to the region?<br />

10. What types <strong>of</strong> postinstallation service are available to the area?<br />

DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE FLOWMETERS<br />

Kawamura (2000) points out that for many years differential pressure fl owmeters have been the<br />

most widely applied fl ow-measuring device for water fl ow in pipes that require accurate measurement<br />

at reasonable cost. The differential pressure type <strong>of</strong> fl owmeter makes up the largest segment<br />

<strong>of</strong> the total fl ow-measurement devices currently being used. Differential pressure-producing meters<br />

currently on the market are the Venturi, Dall type, Herschel Venturi, universal Venturi, <strong>and</strong> venture<br />

inserts.<br />

The differential pressure-producing device has a fl ow restriction in the line that causes a differential<br />

pressure or “head” to be developed between the two measurement locations. Differential<br />

pressure fl owmeters are also known as head meters, <strong>and</strong>, <strong>of</strong> all the head meters, the orifi ce fl owmeter<br />

is the most widely applied device.<br />

The advantages <strong>of</strong> differential pressure fl owmeters include the following:<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

Simple construction<br />

Relatively inexpensive<br />

No moving parts<br />

Transmitting instruments are external<br />

Low maintenance<br />

Wide application <strong>of</strong> fl owing fl uid; suitable for measuring both gas <strong>and</strong> liquid fl ow<br />

Ease <strong>of</strong> instrument <strong>and</strong> range selection<br />

Extensive product experience <strong>and</strong> performance database<br />

The disadvantages include the following:<br />

Flow rate is a nonlinear function <strong>of</strong> the differential pressure<br />

Low fl ow rate rangeability with normal instrumentation<br />

OPERATING PRINCIPLE<br />

Differential pressure fl owmeters operate on the principle <strong>of</strong> measuring pressure at two points in the<br />

fl ow, which provides an indication <strong>of</strong> the rate <strong>of</strong> fl ow that is passing by. The difference in pressures<br />

between the two measurement locations <strong>of</strong> the fl owmeter is the result <strong>of</strong> the change in fl ow velocities.<br />

Simply, there is a set relationship between the fl ow rate <strong>and</strong> volume, so the meter instrumentation<br />

automatically translates the differential pressure into a volume <strong>of</strong> fl ow. The volume <strong>of</strong> fl ow rate<br />

through the cross-sectional area is given by<br />

where<br />

Q = volumetric fl ow rate<br />

A = fl ow in the cross-sectional area<br />

V = average fl uid velocity<br />

Q = AV (average)

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