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Ori ce Plates for Flow Measurement and Flow Restriction

De nition of Ori ce plates

Ori ce plates are one of the most popular devices for the measurement and control of uid ow.
The shape and manufacturing tolerances of plates used in measurement applications are de ned
in the international standardization publications of ISO, AGA, ASME and others. From the
formulas and data within these publications, the relationships and values of ow, di erential
pressure, and plate bore are determined.

In ow control applications, ori ce plates are used as restriction devices to regulate uid ow or
reduce the owing pressure downstream of the ori ce plate. The use of a xed restriction ori ce
can be bene cial and economic by reducing the demands on other ow system components.

Unlike measurement ori ces, the sizing and design of restriction ori ces are not de ned by
standardization organizations. Additionally, restriction ori ces, abbreviated "RO", are often
exposed to severe ow conditions associated with large pressure reductions and the related uid
conditions caused by liquids ashing to a gas, cavitation, and sonic (choked) ow. In torturous
applications, mimicking the design of measurement ori ces is not su cient.

Ori ce Plates are normally mounted between a set of Ori ce Flanges and are installed in a
straight run of smooth pipe to avoid disturbance of ow patterns from ttings and Valves.

Cross section of Ori ce assembly

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1. Ori ce Plate  2. Hole in Plate

3. Tappings  4. Ori ce ange

Several types of Ori ce Plates

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Picture are owned by http://www.emerson.com/

Types of Ori ce Plates

SQUARE EDGE (STANDARD) BORE

For the common square edge concentric bore ori ce,

the bore and bevel is the standard method of
limiting the plate edge thickness. Unless otherwise
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 speci ed, plates will be beveled to the current
accepted standards.

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QUADRANT EDGE BORE

The quadrant edge bore is an ori ce with the inlet

edge rounded. Instead of beveling, the plate is
counterbored to the desired edge thickness. The
radius of the quartercircle bore is a function of the
ori ce-to-pipe ratio (d/D). Thickness at the throat is
equal to the radius. This bore is speci cally designed
for viscous uids such as heavy crudes, syrups, and
slurries with Reynolds Numbers below 100,000.

ECCENTRIC BORE

Eccentrically bored ori ce plates are plates with the

ori ce o -center, or eccentric, as opposed to
concentric. The bore of the eccentric ori ce normally
is inscribed in a circle which is 98% of the pipe
diameter, so that solids or slurries may pass
through. Eccentric ori ce plates are used in many
industries including heavy and light chemicals, steel,
paper, nuclear and petrochemicals.

SEGMENTAL BORE

Segmentally bored ori ce plates are provided for

measurement where solids are entrained in a gas or
liquid ow stream. The circular portion of the bore is
inscribed within a circle which is normally 98% of the
pipe diameter. The segmental opening may be
placed either at the top or bottom of the pipe.
Industries using these bores include sewage
treatment, steel, chemical, water conditioning, paper
and petrochemical.

RTJ Type Ori ce Plates

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The RTJ type ori ce plate incorporates an integral
gasket, either oval or octagonal ring, for mounting
between ring type joint anges. It is based on proven
technology, has no moving parts and is suitable for
high temperature and pressure applications. Ori ce
plates are recommended for clean liquids, gases and
low velocity steam ows.
Plate thicknesses depend on line size and di erential
pressure, and should be su cient to prevent the
plate from bending under operating conditions.
Ori ce plates can be made in accordance with
customer drawings as required.
RTJ type ori ce plates can be supplied complete with
ANSI B16.36 ori ce anges.
Paddle Type Ori ce Plates
Paddle Ori ce Plates are used with raised-face ori ce anges for measurement
applications and installed between standard ASME anges for restriction
applications.
The plate and handle are a one-piece seamless design on 1/8-in. thick ori ce
plates for line sizes 2-inch though 6 inch and ASME classes less than 900. On all
other plates, the handle is welded to the plate as standard; one-piece
construction is available as an option. The ange ASME class and other standard
information is stamped on the handle.
Materials
RTJ type ori ce plates may be machined in one piece, or alternatively from two
pieces, with an ori ce plate screwed onto a carrier ring/gasket.
Standard material grades for ori ce plates include 316 Stainless Steel, 304
Stainless Steel, 310 Stainless Steel, Hastelloy® C276, Hastelloy® B3, Duplex
Stainless Steel, Super Duplex Stainless Steel, Monel® 400, Carbon Steel,
Titanium, Incoloy® 800, Incoloy® 825, Inconel® 600 and Inconel® 625.
Common carrier ring/gasket materials include Stainless Steel and soft iron. To
ensure correct sealing when installed between anges, the hardness of the
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 carrier ring/gasket material is limited to a maximum value, typically 120 for soft
iron rings and 160 for Stainless Steel Rings.

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REMARK(S) OF THE AUTHOR...

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ORIFICE PLATE AND A RESTRICTION ORIFICE?

An Ori ce Plate is used to measure ow, while a Restriction Ori ce is

used to drop upstream pressure of a system. It is similar to an ori ce
plate but is thicker. While passing the uid through thick plate energy is
lost in friction and heat resulting considerable pressure drop.

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 Dimensions of Square Edge Ori ce Plates for ASME B16.36 RF Ori ce
Flanges

EXPLORE the WORLD of PIPING Dimensions of Restriction Ori ce Plates for ASME B16.5 RF Flanges

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© Werner Sölken 2008 - 2020. All rights reserved.

I believe within ve to 10 years most larger corporations will switch to greener industrial enzymes, not just for the environment but also for their bottom line. RYAN BETHENCOURT

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