Different Types of Flowmeter

1. Pressure Differential Devices

When pressure differential devices are inserted into a pipe which carries a fluid, the device
can cause a flow obstruction creating a pressure difference on either side of the device. These
meters consist of a primary element that create a pressure change. The devices then sense
the differences in pressure and transmit them by analogue or digital means in which the flow
rate is estimated using Bernoullis equation. Obstruction of flow also means pressure loss,
which is characterized by the discharge coefficient (Cd) a specification found in all differentialpressure meters.

Orifice Plates
The orifice plate is a metal disc with a concentric hole that is placed into the pipe carrying the
fluid being metered. They are simple and cheap and are available in a wide range of sizes.
Thus, they are popular among gas industries worldwide since all natural gas that is bought
and the largest sales are made using this type of meter. High-pressure gas metering on the
large flows between suppliers and transmission companies.

Fig. Schematic diagram of orifice plate with D and D tappings

Fig. Typical orifice plate installation on a gas transmission site (a) and orifice plate in a gas flow
laboratory (b)

Venturi Meter
The venturi meter is another obstruction device that is designed to minimize the pressure
drop. It has a precision-engineered machining as seen from its shape that accounts for the
cost and accuracy. In addition, it has a smooth internal surface; thus, no sticking of particles
from liquids or bubbles from gas could occur. The key point is the machining of the radius
between the upstream cone and the throat where separation effects may be caused on the
throat tapping being in the highest velocity region. A vital feature is the downstream diffuser
which
decelerates
the
flow
and
gives
maximum
pressure
recovery.
Thus, lower pressure loss but larger size. The size of the downstream diffuser can be reduced
by up to 35 % without affecting the characteristics of the device, thus reducing costs. Used in
water distribution system. Laboratory measurements. Not common for use in gas metering.

Fig. Principles of a venturi meter

Fig. Venturi meter on a construction site [7] (a) and in gas flow laboratory (b)

Nozzle Meters
The nozzle meter is the result of the effort to reduce the size and cost of the classical venturi
meter. Therefore, it is simple in construction but has higher pressure loss on flowing fluid.
Used as differential-pressure meters on gas flow systems. Critical (sonic) nozzles and sonic
venturi nozzles in the calibration and testing of other types of gas meter. Can permanently
check the accuracy of the orifice plate meter at site. Can prove turbine meters which are used
in proving meters under test. In networks, critical nozzles can be used as
flow limiters since once sonic flow is established only altering upstream pressure P u can
change the flow rate.

Fig. Standard design of flow nozzle

Pitot Tube
The Pitot tube is used for making temporary measurements of flow and has the ability to
measure the local velocity of flow at a particular point instead of the average velocity
measured by the other flow meters. This is very useful when examining a flow profile across
a pipe cross section especially in the case of non-uniform flow. Not permanently used in
industry.
Used for velocity and direction measurements in combustion studies and heat transfer work.
The commercial 5-hole pitot tube is used greatly with furnace studies where recirculation and
turbulent zones are present; thus, gas flow is unknown. With the
5-hole Pitot tube, both magnitude and direction of the gas velocity can be obtained

Fig. Schematic of pitot tube (a) and illustration of pitot-static tube (b) and laboratory
gas flow measurement (c)

Elbow Meter
Flow rate in this meter is measured by determining the differential-pressure developed
between the inner and outer radii of the bend by means of two pressure taps located
midway on the bend. Used in compression station with space limitation.

Fig. Schematic diagram of typical elbow meter (venturi type)

2.Variable Area Meters (Rotameters)

Employ the principle that the differential-pressure is maintained constant and the magnitude
of the variation of the cross-sectional area of the flow is a measure of the flow rate. Used in
laboratory, development and industrial applications for monitoring flow rate of gas and air
supply to burners.

Fig. Schematic digram of variable area meters (a) and a typical instrument (b)

3. Positive Displacement Meters

The Impeller (Lobe)-Type (Roots Meter)
and the Rotary Vane-Type (Rotor-Seal Meter)
A positive displacement meter in which the measuring compartment is formed between the
walls of a stationary chamber and a rotating element or elements making substantially gastight contact with the walls. They have been used in the industry for more than 70 years and
account nearly 10 % of the total number of flow meters in service. Positive displacement
meters use mechanical parts to displace the fluid at measure in discrete known volumes. The
impeller (lobe)-type (roots meter) and the rotary vane-type (roto-seal meter) meters are
suitable for metering gas The meters parts such as casings, impellers, rotors and shafts are
of cast iron/ steel, aluminum for impellers and if required material coating can be used. They
achieve almost constant differential-pressure at low speeds, low throughputs and low
pressures. A hand slip calibration is possible for obtaining the relevant correction slip curve
by passing air through a blocked meter and measuring it. The accuracy of the meter depends
on how specification designs where followed, on the density and viscosity of the gas since
they contribute to slip effects, on the loading and on outside influences such as pipeline
configuration associated with resonance effects with specific loadings.
Used in oil and gas industry for many years for measuring flow due to their accuracy and
reliability. The available range covers the gas operating pressures with constant accuracy even
with low flows and low pressures which is the case in domestic metering. Extensively used for
low-pressure measurement.

Fig. Schematic diagram of lobe type (a), vane type (b) positive displacement matters

Diaphragm Meters/bellows meters

A diaphragm meter contains two movable diaphragms. The gas flow is directed to fill one
diaphragm as the other discharges, then re-directed to fill the discharged diaphragm while
the full diaphragm discharges. This in turn moves levers that can drive a counter mechanism
or can produce electrical pulses for a flow computer. This is typically the type of meter used
for small gas users, including residential consumers.

Fig. residential gas meter installation (Diaphragm Meters/bellows meters)

Wet Gas Meters

The last member of the positive displacement meters is the wet gas meters, which solves the
sealing of the moving parts through its principle of operation. Used as a reference standard
for calibrating other types of meter, for laboratory use.

Fig. Schematic view of wet gas meter (a) and typical illustration of the meter (b)

4. Rotary Inferential Meters

Axial (In-Line) Turbine
An axial turbine is a velocity device for measuring volume. The direction of flow is parallel to
the rotation axis of the rotor and the speed of rotation is proportional to the flow rate. For
gas measurement, the meter must have low non-fluid retarding torques so that rotor
percentage slip is acceptable. Retarding torque is due to: (a) non-fluid forces such as bearing
friction and mechanical loading from various instruments used whose contribution in the
torque can be assumed constant, (b) friction drag due to turbulence can generate a
constant percentage slip on the flow range of the meter.

Their advantages make them suitable for transmission distribution or industrial applications.
The self-adjusting Rockwell type is attractive for offshore applications where flow-metering
space is limited. This is because it is less affected by flow disturbances such as swirl.

Fig. Schematic diagram of axial turbine (a) and typical-type illustration of the meter (b). (1 Pickoff, 2
Bearings, 3 End connections, 4 Supports, 5 Rotor blade, 6 Rotor hub, 7 Meter housing)

Insertion Turbine
It was developed to measure directly the rate and direction of gas flow in individual mains.
Used to measure directly the rate and direction of gas flow in individual mains. Used to
validate network analysis models.

Fig. Schematic of insertion meter (a) and typical illustration of the meter (b)

Rotating-Vane Gas Meter

The rotating-vane gas meter is basically an aluminum anemometer fan rotates on a vertical

shaft as fluid flows and a counter-mechanism subsequently integrates the flow. It is a

rugged construction. Suitable for most noncorrosive gases.

Fig. Schematic diagram of rotating-vane gas meter

5.Fluid Oscillatory Types

Fluidic Meters
This instrument detects flow from the oscillatory movement of a jet of a gas within the meter.
The instrument produces the oscillatory movement by design since it is a fluidic feedback
oscillator based on the Coanda effect, i.e. the tendency of the fluid to be attracted to a nearby
surface. The stream is guided to oscillate from side to side at a frequency proportional to the
flow rate. Strong candidacy for future domestic gas meter. The main issue is that their size
must be brought around brick size so that they can be installed in house walls.

Fig. Schematic diagram of fluidic meters. 1 Gas entering. 2 Diversion of gas to inlet. 3 Gas moves to
opposite side. 4 Diversion of gas to opposite wall

Vortex Type
The phenomenon of vortex shedding provides the operating principle of this relatively new
type of instrument. An alternative to pressure differential meters. Retrofix vortex meter
under development by British Gas allows an orifice to be converted into vortex shedding
improving flow capacity of the system.

Fig. Schematic of flow characteristic of (a) and typical diagram of the vortex meter(b)

Swirl Meters
This type of meter produces swirl, and with a combination of a venturi and a diffuser,
a flow rate relationship can be established.

Fig. Schematic diagram of swirl meter (a) and a typical illustration (b)

6. Ultrasonic Meters
Doppler Type
If a sound of a known frequency is reflected from a moving object, the frequency of the
reflected beam is altered by an amount that is proportional to the velocity of the moving
object. Thus, the flow rate is calculated through the Doppler shift frequency. Useful for
measuring the flow of corrosive fluids and slurries.

Fig. a Principle of operative. b Typical industrial ultrasonic meter

A pair of transducers are mounted at opposite ends of a length of tube carrying the gas flow.
The gas velocity can be calculated from a pair of transit times measured with and against the
flow together with some geometrical constants. The accuracy of this calculation is not
significantly affected by changes in gas properties or temperature. Almost all these types of
meters incorporate sophisticated hardware and software.

Fig. Ultrasonic meter a and b

Time-of-flight Type
This type relies on the measurement of the time difference between an ultrasonic
pulse travelling with and against the flow in a pipe. Used for measuring the flow rate of
clean liquid and gases.

Fig. Principle of time-of-flight flow meter (a) and illustration of the meter (b)

7. Direct Mass Type

Coriolis Mass Meter
Coriolis mass meter is the only representative from the direct mass-type family. The principle
behind this instrument is Coriolis force. Such forces are generated whenever a body, which is
rotated about a fixed point, undergoes a change of position relative to the fixed point.
Primarily used for measuring mass flow of liquids. The high accuracy makes it a suitable high
precision laboratory instrument especially with gas at high pressure (accuracy improves with
high density).Low maintenance requirements.

Fig. Features and principle operative of coriolis mass meter

8. Thermal Types
Hot-Wire Anemometer
The physical principle behind this type of meter is that when a fluid flows over a heated
surface, there is heat transfer from the surface and a consequential reduction in temperature,
which is related to the rate of flow. It is suitable to measure air or gas flow and useful for
laboratory and research applications.

Fig. Schematic diagram of hot-wire anemometer

Probe Type
This type of meter senses changes in flow and associates them with a change in
DC output. Used for measurement of air velocities through supply grills and ceiling diffusers
in air-conditioning and ventilating systems.

Fig. Typical probe-type flow meter

9. Miscellaneous Techniques
Laser Doppler Meter
Measures the Doppler shift of laser radiation scattered from particles moving within the gas
stream. Used in fluid and combustion research. Used to detect water vapour in gas flow or
other debris A standard on which other metering devices can be calibrated.

Fig. Schematic diagram of laser doppler flow meter

Cross-Correlation Meter
An ultrasonic arrangement that correlates data from two pairs of transmitters and
receivers. Used in two-phase and flare gas applications.

Fig. Schematic diagram of cross-correlation flow meter

Tracers
They inject a substance into the pipeline gas stream and then a characteristic
related to the flow rate is measured. For the application of this technique, two
methods are available. The first one is the dilution method where the flow rate
is determined by injecting a known quantity of tracer into the pipe and measuring the dilution
ratio at a downstream point. The second one is the transit-time method where a pulse of
tracer is injected and a measure is taken for the time for the tracer to travel over a known
volume section. Suitable for detecting significant deviations in meter accuracy. Also can be
used for calibration and proving.

Fig. Schematic features of tracer flow meter