Document MGw9yzQm5Zq0azNjmqJ1GoJ9z
78
CHAPTER 4
1957 Guide
FLOW MEASUREMENT
The measurement of quantity of flow of fluids is generally accomplished either by making observations on the change of state due to flow system configuration, such as the pressure drop across a metering orifice, or by the displacement of some device, such as a rotating vane system. The selection of the metering system will be determined by the type of fluid, the precision of measurement desired, the cost of equipment and installation, the range of flow quantity, the ease of maintenance, and the method of observation and recording.
Fluid meters may be classified as follows: (1)~Head Meters (Pressure Sensitive), which may be of Venturi, flow nozzle; orifice plate, or Pitot lube types; (2) Area Meters, which may be of gate, tapered tube, or tapered plug types; (3) Force Meters, which may be of vane, propeller, or turbine types; (4) Quantity Meters, which may be of weighing tank, reciprocating piston, or geared impeller types.
Rate meters are generally of the first three groups, although rates are
%f % IS
$ffg f:. sf g > S >.
Fluid Flow
79
Fig. 9. Flow Coefficients, K, fob Square-edged Orifice Plates and Flange
Taps in Smooth Pipe Note: From Table 6 of Reference 2.
&
,: i]
Fig. 8. Dimensions fob International Standards Association Flow Nozzle
Note: From Reference 3. Used by permission.of A.S.M.E.
ss
obtainable from timed observations of quantity meters. Similar quantity
measurements can be obtained by suitable integration of rate meter in-
dications.
fj
Head Meters
The head meter is of sufficient flexibility so that almost any type of flow
measuring problem can be handled. For this reason, standard and refer- f:
ence measurements are usually made in this way. With proper care, ex-
treme precision can be obtained. Also, an inexpensive installation can be h
made to give moderate precision. In general, a head meter requires fairly %
competent installation and maintenance to give satisfactory service.
Among the types of head meters, the Venturi has the advantage of having
a low pressure loss, but requires considerable length of space. The orifice I?
plate reduces the required length to a minimum at the cost of considerable
pressure drop. The flow nozzle represents a compromise, but must be J
calibrated individually, or made with extreme care from standard specifics- y
tions, to obtain a good precision of measurement. Standard configurations, g
for representative orifice plates and flow nozzles, are shown in' Figs. 7 and i
8, respectively. Additional specifications are given in References 2, 3, ^
and 4 at end of chapter.
||
The measurement of flow in head meters is dependent upon observations |
Fig. 10.
Note: From Fig. 36d of Reference 3.
Fig. ii Flow Coefficients, K, fob Square-edged Orifice Plates and Vena
CONTBACTA Taps, IN SMOOTH PIPE Note: From Table 7 of Reference 2.