Basic Instrumentation

Delivered by: Rahat Sarwar

 Basic Instrumentation

Flow
Measurement
 CONTENTS
Flow rate & Fluid Flow Properties

Indirect Flow measuring methods

Direct Flow Measuring Methods

Flow Transmitter & Switch

 Flow Measurement

Flow
Flow of Fluids that passes a specific point in a specified
period of time.
Flow rate refers as a velocity of the fluid or how fast fluid
moves.
Units
FT3 / Min, FT3 / Hr, GAL / Min, L / Hr, M3 / Hr
 Properties of Fluid Flow

Laminar
Smooth flow is called laminar. With laminar flow fluid particles
move in parallel paths.

Turbulent
Flow is agitated and disturb. The fluid may have small or high
frequencies or eddies. Flow between laminar and turbulent is
transitional.
 Indirect Flow Measuring Methods

Orifice Plate
Installed in pipes to restrict the flow of
fluid through the pipes. A change in the
Velocity of a fluid through a pipe will
cause a change in the pressure exerted on the walls of the
pipe. The velocity of the liquid must increase because
of restriction. As the velocity increases, the pressure
decreases.
 Indirect Flow Measuring Methods

Orifice Plate Installation

Min. Pressure

Vena Contracta Point

 Indirect Flow Measuring Methods

Flow Measuring Methods

Orifice Plate types

Concentric Eccentric Segmental

 Indirect Flow Measuring Methods

Orifice Plate Construction

Depending upon the service there is a hole
called “ weep hole” in orifice plate.
Top Hole (Vent Hole)
used for liquid services and this hole
allows the trapped gas / air to escape.
Bottom Hole (Drain Hole) :

Used for Gas services and this hole allow the moisture / liquid
accumulated in the bottom of Orifice Plate to drain.
 Indirect Flow Measuring Methods

Flow Nozzle
A flow nozzle has a curved shape that is provided
for a relatively smooth flow of fluid through a
constricted space. The smooth upstream shape
allows the fluid velocity to increase smoothly and
very little turbulence is created.
 Indirect Flow Measuring Methods

Venturi tube
To avoid the pressure loss caused by orifice, venture tube is used.
Curved, stream lined section long and gradually expanding
downstream section. large pressure recovery can be made. Fluid can
flow smoothly through it with much higher velocity without the
turbulence. Thus provides more consistent pressure reading or more
accurate flow measurement.
 Indirect Flow Measuring Methods

Elbow taps
The elbow type primary element is based on centrifuge force
principle.
when fluid flow through an elbow, on turning point maximum
centrifugal force of fluid exerted on outer wall and minimum force
exerted on inner wall, this forces difference produces deferential
pressure across elbow.
 Indirect Flow Measuring Methods

Pitot Tube
• Differential pressure device
and has the highest diff. pressure
output at low pressure process .
• Offers Little Resistance

It has two openings:

Impact opening which is upstream Face, measures the pressure as
well as flow impact.
Static opening It simply measures the pressure energy of the fluid. It
faces to downstream.
Pitot Tube does not cause a pressure loss and is least accurate.
 Indirect Flow Measuring Methods

ANNUBAR

• Advanced shape of Pitot tube.

• Annubar has number of impact
holes and static holes.
• It Measure the average flow.
• Usually, used in lines of larger
diameter.
 Direct Flow Measuring Methods

Magnetic Flow Meter

The measuring principle is based on
“Faraday’s Law of induction.

“When a conductor moves in the

magnet field, it induces voltages
that are perpendicular to the

magnet field and direction of flow.

 Direct Flow Measuring Methods

Magnetic Flow Meter

The magnetic flow meter is a volumetric
flow metering device. The magnetic flow
meter is designed to measure the value of
the voltage induced when a conductive
fluid passes through the body of the meter
(magnetic field).
 Direct Flow Measuring Methods

ROTAMETER
Actually, it is a Variable area flow meter
(Orifice plate is the fixed area flow meter). It is used for
• clean liquid
• Low temperature
• Low pressure
Two types
1 Glass rotameter
2 Metal tube
 Direct Flow Measuring Methods

ROTAMETER
 Flow Measurement
ΔP Transmitter
Differential pressure gauges and differential pressure transmitters
are used as secondary elements. These convert all the
measurements into standard signals,
 Flow Measurement

Flow Switches
A target disc can actuate the
switch. A flow switch turn an
electric circuit ON or OFF at a
preset flow. This flow is called
the set point of the switch. The
switch usually is a micro-
switch or a mercury switch.
Flow switches are used to
actuate alarm and shutdown
systems.
Flow switch High & Low Setting
Q & A Session !!!