Flow Measurements

In process industries, Flowing systems require energy,

typically provided by
-pumps and compressors,
The two produce a pressure difference as the driving force
Wide variety of methods and instruments for
measuring flow
Devices based on Bernoulli principle; orifice plate, rotameter, Pitotstatic tube, venturi meter
Weir and Notch
Meters: Turbine meter, Target meter, Thermal flow meter

Turbine flow meter

Turbine flow meter consists of a small in-line turbine

placed inside a section of pipe, the rotation speed,
which can be transmitted electrically to a recorder,
depends on the flow rate.
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Target flow meter

Typically consisting of a disk mounted on flexible arm

and placed normal to the flow in a pipe. The
displacement of the disk, and hence the flow rate, is
determined from the output of a strain gauge attached
to the arm
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Devices based on Bernoulli Principle

Orifice plate meter
An orifice plate is a very simple device installed in a straight run
of pipe. The orifice plate contains a hole smaller than the
pipe diameter. The flow constricts, experiences a pressure
drop, and then the differential pressure can be related to a
flow.

It is also important to note that relating differential

pressure to flow across an orifice depends on the location
of the pressure taps in relation to the orifice. In the Figure
below, the pressure taps are designated as P1 and P2.
"D" is the diameter of the pipe and "d" is the diameter of
the orifice.

Let apply Bernoullis equation at points 1 and 2

(see orifice plate arrangement above) which have the
same elevation (z1=z2)

u12 p1 u 22 p 2

5.1

Pitot tube
The Pitot tube (named after Henri Pitot in 1732) measures
a fluid velocity by converting the kinetic energy of the
flow into potential energy. The conversion takes place at
the stagnation point, located at the Pitot tube entrance
(see the schematic below). The device is based on
Bernoulli principle and is used in finding the velocity of a
moving craft such as a boat and airplane.

Pitot-static tube
For pipe flow, we make use of pitot-static tube as shown
below for measuring velocity at

different radial locations in a pipe. Two tubes are used. The

left hand tube simply measures the pressure and the movable
right-hand one is essentially a Pitot tube as before. As was
before the velocity u1 is given by
u1 2 gh

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3. Venturi meter
A venturi meter is a tube with a constricted throat that increases
velocity and decreases pressure. They are used for measuring the
flowrate of compressible and incompressible fluids in pipeline
Contracting
section

Expanding
section

Pipe

Pipe
Throat

V1

D1

High-pressure tap
p1

D2

V2

D1

Low-pressure tap
p2

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Problem:
Water is flowing in a schedule 40 pipe having nominal D1 = 4 inch with a flowrate of
325 gal/min at 60F. The pressure differential in the manometer connected to the two
taps of the venturi meter is 50 inch Hg. Calculate (a) throat diameter D2 of the venturi
meter to the nearest 1/8 inch and (b) power consumed by the venturi meter (assume
10% pressure loss).

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4. Rota Meter

Annular
area a

p2

Scale

z2

Tapered
tube
Float

Flow

Mg

z1
p1

A rotameter consists of a tapered tube, typically made of glass, with a float

inside that is pushed up by flow and pulled down by gravity. At a higher flow
rate more area (between the float and the tube) is needed to accommodate
the flow, so the float rises.
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19

20

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The flow rate is then

2 Mg 1

Q A u1 A
2
A
A 1
a

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Buoyancy Example Problem # 1

Displaced Volume of Water:

Buoyancy Force:

Vdisp-W = 4/3 x x R3

FB = W x Vdisp-w

Vdisp-W = 33.51 ft3

FB = 62.4 x 33.51

FB = 2091.024 lbs up
Sum of the Forces:
Fy = 0 = 500 - 2091.024 + T

T = 1591.024 lbs down

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FR = A YC sin
or FR

= A Hc

YR = (Ixc / YcA) + Yc
XR = (Ixyc / YcA) + Xc
but for a rectangle or circle:

XR = Xc
For 90 degree walls:

F R = A Hc

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Surrounding S

System V

Loss through
outlet(s)
Accumulation
(or depletion)

Boundary B
Addition through
inlet(s)
V=1m

Po= 1 bar

To vacuum pump
V=0.001 m3/s
(independent of
pressure)
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dMin

Work done,
dW

system
dMout
Heat added, dQ

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W (Work)

system
Outlet
q (heat)

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Vent
Storage
tank

40 ft
flow

Vent
Supply
tank

1
3

4.5 ft

4 ft
pump

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Wall shear stress w

P1

Direction
of flow

P2

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System is moving
with velocity v

B
Water
supply

Stationery
observer

jet
m

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System is
stationery

B
Water
supply

jet
L
m

Stationery
observer

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shield
m
u

Force, F

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A2

A1
1

33

water

1
Stagnation point

34

movable

Pipe wall
u1
Velocity
profile

liquid

Stagnation point

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20 kg/min
Salt content
20% by mass

Tank, initial
content 100kg

10 kg/min

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