GEK Wiki: Union-based gas flow measurement

Union-based Gas Flow Measurement

Pos ted: 3/14/09 Updated: 8/4/09

Introduction
Meas urement of gas flow rates through a gas ifier is critical to better unders tanding and optimizing the operation of the GEK. There are many methods available to determine the flow rate of gas es . One of the mos t robus t and eas y to implement techniques is the orifice flowmeter. An orifice flowmeter is compris ed of a flat cons triction (orifice) plate placed within a larger pipe. Two taps , ups tream and downs tream (generally 1 pipe dia. ups tream of plate, and 1/2 pipe dia. downs tream of plate), are us ed to meas ure the pres s ure difference created by flow through the pipe. The pres s ure differential follows a s imple equation, with dependencies on the fluid dens ity, pipe diameter, opening (orifice) diameter, orifice s moothnes s /des ign, and flow rate.

An early, simple implementation of an orifice flowmeter. A washer welded between a cut pipe. After multiple calibration runs, this flowmeter has remained consistently repeatable and accurate. The pipe is 1" NPT with ~0.5" orifice with 1/8" NPT barbs (avoid screwing the barbs past the interior wall of the pipe).

A quick summary of the math:

A calculator and des cription of the math is available here: http://www.efunda.com/formulae/fluids /calc_orifice_flowmeter.cfm Flow can be found with:

Where:

is volumetric flow

is friction coeffient, dependent on des ign

is orifice area

is pres s ure differential

is fluid dens ity

There is an Excel s preads heet below us ed to fit accurate flowmeter (like a rotameter).

when calibrating the flowmeter us ing another

The new design

By us ing a union to hold the orifice plate, we can provide a number of interchangable cons trictions allowing for meas urement acros s a range of flows , either electronically or with a manometer. The electronic pres s ure s ens ors that will s hip with the GCU will allow high res olution meas urement with very little pres s ure drop, producing lower los s es throughout the s ys tem.

Parts for a union-based orifice flowmeter Further tes ting is required before we can deliver this as a product.

Update
Tes ting and calibration of the union-bas ed flowmeter has s hown poor repeatability, likely owing to a number of alignment is s ues introduced by the union. Practically, it is unlikely that the orifice s ize will need to be changed often and unions introduce a reas onable parts cos t. Therefore, we recommend us ing hard welded flowmeters of the type des cribed at the top of the page. Resources: Excel s preads heet for calibrating your own flowmeter: Orifice Flowmeter Calibration.xls