FLOW METER SELECTION SEMINAR Alan Graff

RL Stone Co I&C Sales Manager

Upstate NY & New England

RL Stone Co. New England

Corporate Office: 115 Ainsley Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210 Tel: 888-404-8882 Fax: 315-479-5402 www.rl-stone.com

Process/HVAC Products and Solutions

Armstrong Steam and Condensate Group: Traps, Liquid Drainers, Steam

Distribution & Condensate Return Manifolds, Air Vents, Strainers, Wireless

Trap Monitors, Spargers, Separators

Armstrong Humidification Group (Vermont only): Direct Steam, Ionic Bed

Electric, Gas-Fired, Steam to-Steam, Evaporative Cooling Fogging, Unfired Steam Generators

Armstrong Condensate Management Group: Mechanical & Electrical

Condensate Pumps and Packages, Flash Tanks, Condensate Coolers

Armstrong Heat Transfer Group: Unit Heaters, Door Heaters and Make-Up

Air Heaters, Heavy-Duty Steam and Hot Water Coils, Replacement Coils,

DuraMix VIFB Coils, Fumigation Heat Treat Systems

Armstrong Hot Water Group: Instantaneous Hot Water Heaters, Direct

Fired Gas High Efficiency Hot Water Heaters, Thermostatic Mixing Valves, The Brain & MEGAMIX Digital Electronic Mixing Center, Steam & Hot Water Hose and Mixing Valve Stations

Armstrong Pressure Temperature Control Group: PRVs, Pneumatic and Electric Industrial Control Valves, Temperature Regulators, Radiator Control Valves

Armstrong Service Group: Steam System Optimization, Contracting: Installation Construction, Engineering Audits and Steam Surveys, Heat Treat Audits

Cataract SteelCompressed Air, Gas & Heat Transfer Products, Industrial Heat

Exchangers, Pressure Vessels, Air Receivers

New and Replacement Steam, Water and DX Coils, Remote Condensers,

Fluid Coolers, Evaporative Coolers

Diversified HeatHeat Transfer Equipment, Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers, Plate and

Transfer Frame Heat Exchangers, Steam and Hot Water Generators

Refrigerant Leak Detection Monitoring Systems

ThermacorPre-Insulated Above and Below Ground Piping Systems,

Process Containment Piping, High Temperature Polyisocyanurate

Foam, Pressure Testable Joints, ERM Leak Detection

TMI, Inc

Strip Doors, Air Doors, Screens and Curtains, Modular Enclosures,

Clear and Colored Flexible PVC Film, Noise Control Products

Flow Sensors & Instrumentation, Accelabar Zero Straight Run

Flow Meter, Utility Flow Metering Systems

Gauges: Pressure, Vacuum, Digital and Analog Indicators, Mini and Industrial Diaphragm Seals, Pressure Transducers, Accessories-Pressure Snubbers, Gauge Cocks, Needle Valves, Siphons, Petes Plugs, Bimetal Thermometers and Temperature Transmitters

R. L. Stone ServicesDesign Build, Installation, On-Site Seminars and Training, Energy Audits, Steam Trap Surveys, Control Panels, SCADA System

EMBED PBrush

EMBED PBrush

EMBED PBrush

EMBED PBrush

EMBED PBrush

Bob Moffatt, Sales Engineer Cell: 781-699-6508 bobm@rl-stone.com

Andy Everson, Sales Engineer Cell: 203-687-6777 andys@rl-stone.com

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A Leading Supplier of Flowmeters to HVAC & Industrial MarketplaceMagmetersVortex & SwirlTurbineThermal & Coriolis MassBTU MeterPitot, WedgeOrifice Plates, VenturiPositive Displacement Rotameter, Variable Area

Define Application Basic FactsFlowing Media (Steam, Water, Air, Gas etc)Density - pressure and temperatureFlow Range, minimum to maximum (turndown needed)Accuracy how stated? % of range or spanRepeatabilityStraight run requirements & availableEconomic Considerations Initial cost, maintenance cost & operating costs

Why are we here?There is no 1 meter that will meet every applicationEvery application needs to be looked at individuallyWe can make some generalizations !!!!!!

HOW MUCH (TOTAL) HOW FAST (RATE)FLOW MEASUREMENT

Flow Through A PipeReal WorldIdealizedPipeVelocity ProfileVV

Flow Profile CorrelationVelocity profile is a predictable function of Reynolds number. Fluids with the same Reynolds number will have similar velocity profiles.SteamWaterHeavy CrudeV

General Flow TerminologyReynolds Number (RE) A single dimensionless parameter formed as the ratio of inertial to viscous forces . Magnitude indicates whether flow is laminar or turbulent

=Characteristic Dimension* (D)Fluid Viscosity ()RE=FluidDensity (p)Fluid Velocity (V)Inertia ForcesViscous Forces* Usually inside pipe diameter.

Characterization of Fluid FlowTypes of Flow RE < 2100

RE >3000

*** Well documented & proven fully developed flow profilesTransitionalTurbulent ***Laminar

Volumetric Flowrate (Q)Volume = Area x LengthVolume Flow = Area x VelocityVAQ

Mass Flowrate (m)Wherem = Mass FlowQ= Volume Flow= Fluid Density= AVMass = Volume x DensityMass Flow m =QpVAmQ=VA

Mass vs Volume FlowmetersWhy are we concerned?How much does it really matter?Flow through a 4 line measured in a Averaging PitotThere is a 6% error just by changing density / temperature slightlycan you meter cope??

Flow Rate1000 cfm1000 cfmPressure5 psi5 psiTemperature100 F70 F DP in WC12.18111.532

General Flow TerminologyFactors affecting flowmeter performanceProcess mediaLiquidGasDensity (Specific Gravity)ViscosityPressure

TemperatureVelocity

Flowmeter PerformanceAccuracyRepeatabilityLinearityRangeability

Types of Accuracy% Rate% Full Scale% Span% Max DP

Accuracy% RateThe percent accuracy value is constant and applied to the actual (or indicated) flowrateExample:Flowrate1% rate100 GPM1 GPM50 GPM0.5 GPM10 GPM.01 GPM% Full ScaleThe absolute value of error (as expressed in engineering units) Flowrate1% Full Scale% Rate100 GPM1 GPM1%50 GPM1 GPM2%10 GPM1 GPM10%Example:

AccuracyPercent Error Versus Flow

Poor Repeatability Means Poor AccuracyGood Accuracy Means Good RepeatabilityGood Repeatability Does Not Necessarily Mean Good Accuracy

Volumetric Flowmeters

DPTurbineVortex / SwirlMagneticTargetUltrasonicDisplacement

Note: can be inferred mass with compensating transmitter

Differential Pressure FlowmetersFlow Measurement Principles

DP Primary ElementsVarious OrificeConfigurationFlowNozzleVenturiFlowmeterFlowTube

DP Primary Elements

Averaging PitotAccelabar Combined Pitot & VenturiWedge Element

Secondary Flow / DP TransmitterDifferential Pressure / Flow TransmitterSquare Root Extraction

DP FlowmetersDIFFERENTIAL PRESSUREADVANTAGESUse On Liquid, Gas, and SteamSuitable for Extreme Temperatures and PressuresNo Moving PartsLow Cost

DISADVANTAGESLimited RangeabilityEffected By Changes In Density, Pressure, and ViscosityMaintenance Intensive

Magnetic FlowmetersTheory of Operation

Magmeter RequirementsProcess must be a liquidMinimum conductivityMeter must be full

Magnetic FlowmetersMAGNETICADVANTAGESNo Moving PartsVery Wide RangeabilityIdeal For SlurriesUnobstructed Flow Path

DISADVANTAGESLiquid Must Be ConductivePhysical Pressure and Temperature Limits

Magnetic FlowmetersNo moving partsNo pressure dropFlowrate independent of viscosity, temperature, and densityMinimum upstream piping requirementsElectronics interchangeable without regard to sizeMeasure dirty liquids with solidsMeasure highly corrosive fluidsVery large turndownLinear outputAdvantages Over Other Technologies

Vortex Meter

Vortex MeterPrinciple of OperationQ = V x A

Vortex

Vortex / SwirlmeterADVANTAGESNo Moving PartsFor Liquid, Gas, or SteamUneffected by Pressure, Temperature, or Density Changes.Wide Rangeability

DISADVANTAGESSpan Limitations Due to ViscosityFlow Profile Sensitive (Vortex)VORTEX / SWIRLMETER

SwirlmeterPrinciple of OperationPreamplifierSwirlerSensorDeswirlerr=local radiusVA=axial velocity of flowVT=angular velocity of flowp=static pressureBackflowHousing

SwirlmetersBenefitsHigh Accuracy 0.50% of RateNo Moving PartsMinimal Upstream PipingMeasures Low FlowsVersatileElectronics can be used for DiagnosticsWorks with Entrained Liquids

SwirlmeterCut-Away ViewTechnical DataMeasures liquids, gases and steamAvailable integral, remote, or flow computer electronicsAccuracy 0.50% rateSizes 0.75" thru 16.0"Minimal upstream piping req.Flow as low as 1 GPMExcellent in light gas applications

Installation LengthSwirlmeter 15 D5 D25 D5 D50 D5 DVortex 4Swirlmeter90 elbowProcess control valveReduction3 D1 D3 D1 D5 D1 Dmin. 1.8 D

Turbine Meter

Turbine MeterPrinciple of OperationRotor velocity is proportional to fluid velocity

Turbine MeterHigh accuracy (.5% of rate)High rangeability (up to 50:1)Compact designFast response timeBroad range of sizesClean water applications onlyNIST Traceable Factory CalibrationLow cost, Easy to installIn and out of line, under pressure

Turbine MeterStraight pipe run requirementsProcess fluid lubricityReynolds number constraintsViscosityDensityMaintenance & recalibrationPerformance Considerations

Turbine FlowmetersTURBINEADVANTAGESHigh AccuracySuitable for Extreme Temperatures and PressuresCan Be Used On Gas or Liquid

DISADVANTAGESOnly For Low ViscositiesMoving PartsSensitive to Flow Profile

Positive Displacement Flowmeters

PD FlowmetersHelical gearNutating diskOscillating pistonOval gearRotaryTypes

Positive Displacement MeterTypical Principle of OperationSchematic of a nutating-disk meterSchematic of a rotary-vane flowmeterSchematic of a lobed-impeller flowmeter

PD FlowmetersIdeal for viscous fluidsCustody transferBatchingMinimal straight piping requirementsAdvantages

Ultrasonic FlowmetersDopplerTime of flightTypes

Doppler FlowmeterUltrasonic Flowmeters Principle of Operation

Ultrasonic Flowmeters Principle of OperationTransit-Time Flowmeter

Ultrasonic FlowmetersReynolds number constraintsEntrained gas or particles for dopplerClean liquids for time of flightInstalled without process shut downStraight upstream piping requirementsPerformance Considerations

Ultrasonic

ULTRASONICADVANTAGESNo Moving PartsUnobstructed Flow PassageWide Rangeability

DISADVANTAGESFor Liquids Only (limited gas)Flow Profile DependentErrors Due To Deposits

Mass FlowmeterDirect Measurement

Thermal DispersionCoriolis

Coriolis Mass Flowmeter

Coriolis

CoriolisCORIOLISADVANTAGESDirect Mass MeasurementHigh AccuracyAdditional Density MeasurementUneffected By Flow Profile

DISADVANTAGESHigh Purchase PriceHigh Installation CostSize LimitationsVibration Sensitive

Thermal Dispersion

Thermal Dispersion Mass FlowmeterGas application onlyRelatively inexpensiveEasy to install and remove under pressureAccuracy 0.5%Turndown, 100:1Capable of monitoring extremely low flowsTrue mass flow meter (compensates for temperature/pressure)

Piping ConsiderationsAlways need a full pipe

Proper up / down diameter

BTU Monitoring

Summary Each Application is DifferentFlowing Media (eg Steam, Water, Air, Gas etc)Density - pressure and temperatureFlow Range, minimum to maximum (turndown needed)Accuracy how stated? % of range or spanRepeatabilityStraight run requirements & availableMaintenance and reliability

General HVAC Recommendations Steam : Accelabar or SwirlChilled or Hot Water: Hot Tap Insert TurbineNatural Gas or Air: Thermal DispersionFuel Oil: Coriolis or Wedge

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