USING ORIFICE PLATE FLOWMETERS TO THEIR FULL

POTENTIAL IN FLOW APPLICATIONS

发掘孔板流量计的所有潜能
About copyright: The original copy of this article was published on
https://www.flowcontrolnetwork.com/using-orifice-plate-flowmeters-full-potential-flow-applicati
ons/#comment-19804 the original author takes all the credit and right.

Choosing the right specifications and using diagnostics can enhance the performance of orifice
meters.
选好参数，用好诊断，提升孔板流量计表现。

The orifice plate meter — where an orifice plate provides a restriction to the flow to create the
necessary differential pressure (DP) — is one of the most popular and versatile flowmeters on the
market today, accounting for 77 percent of all DP installations.
孔板流量计 - 通过一块孔板导流，制造压力差。- 是目前市面上最常用，也是最通用的流
量计，据统计，77%已安装的压差式流量计是孔板流量计。
As with all DP measurement systems, an orifice plate meter system consists of three elements: a
primary element that creates the DP signal; a DP transmitter that measures the DP and converts
it to an electronic or digital signal; and a tertiary element that calculates, displays, stores and
transmits the corrected flow rate based on the measured values.
和所有压差式测量系统一样，孔板式测量系统也包含 3 部分：
1）制造压力信号的核心部分
2）转换器部分：测量压差并转换为电子或数字信号
3）运算，显示，存储，转换测量值为流量读数的部分
The following provides some options and best practices for using orifice meters to their full
potential in flow applications. 接下面的内容给出了如何充分发掘孔板流量计潜能的宝贵经验。

Choosing the right specifications for orifice plate flowmeters

选对参数
Any successful orifice meter deployment is dependent on establishing the right specifications and
ensuring that the orifice plate meter is sized correctly for the desired application. In the case of
custody transfer applications, in particular, a complete list of specifications is required.

好的孔板测量设计都是依赖于准确的技术参数，并确保孔板尺寸是绝对依据实际应用需求所
定。在流体计量设计中，拿到完整的技术参数列表是非常重要的一环。

翻译 赵珑珑 llz@whmcn.com 上海万汇机械有限公司 www.whmcn.com

Questions to be addressed include: what process characteristics and flow conditions are likely in
the application, and what is the desired flow turndown and allowable pressure drop.

设计之前，下面这些问题必须非常清楚：过程特征和过流条件是怎么样的？理想的关闭状态
和允许的压力降分别是什么？

Variables, such as liquid and gas amounts, also need to be taken into account — with orifice meter
accuracy maintained in liquid streams that contain up to 5.5 percent by volume of gas in liquids
and up to 2.2 percent by weight of liquids in gas. Any higher numbers could indicate that the
meters’ accuracy may be affected.

关于不确定因素，比如液体和气体混合物量是多少？ 也必须考虑进来 – 孔板流量计精度在

液体中混入气体时，最高到 5.5% ，气体中带液体时，精度最高为 2.2%。 高过这个数字就
表示精度受影响了。

Choosing the right orifice holding device

选择合适的阀体
Another key question at the outset will be the choice of orifice holding device. Proper orifice
fittings are critical to accuracy and performance, as is the need for flexibility when removing and
replacing plates.

另一个一开始就要决定的事就是选择安装孔板的阀体。匹配的孔板阀对精度和使用，起很关
键作用，因为它必须在更换孔板时方便，简单，灵活。

The most elementary device used to hold an orifice plate in a pipeline is the orifice flange union
(OFU), which is characterized by simplicity and low cost and is particularly suited to orifice plates
that do not require frequent inspections. Removing an orifice plate from an OFU, when needed,
requires line depressurization and the separation of the flanges — with the possibility that liquids
remaining in the pipe might be spilled.

最基础的一款孔板阀就是孔板法兰接头（OFU）,它的特点是简单，便宜，适用于不需要经
常测量的工况。要更换孔板的时候，需要管线降压，松开法兰 – 这样会使管内的介质流出。

An alternative is single-chamber orifice fittings in which benefits include the ability to precisely
locate the orifice plate in the pipe and where there is no need for flange separation. In such cases,
the line needs to be depressurized during the plate-change process.

另一种是单腔孔板阀，好处是能准确对位孔板，并且不需要松开链接法兰。换板的时候，只
要对管体泄压就好了。

Dual-chamber orifice fittings are another option, allowing for the removal of a plate under flowing
conditions. The dual chambers are separated by a slide valve operated with a gear shaft. After
opening the slide valve, the plate carrier and orifice plate can be moved into the top chamber using

翻译 赵珑珑 llz@whmcn.com 上海万汇机械有限公司 www.whmcn.com

the gear shaft. Once the slide valve is closed again and pressure is bled from the top chamber, the
orifice plate can be safely removed.

双腔孔板阀又是一种，它可以在换板时，保持管体内情况不变，2 个腔体通过带齿轴的滑阀
分开。打开滑阀时，通过齿轴把孔板架连同孔板移动到上腔。然后，滑阀关闭，上腔泄压，
孔板就可以被安全的更换。

The dual-chamber orifice fitting design allows a plate to be replaced in minutes without taking the
flow offline. This allows the orifice meter to be periodically reconfigured to meet changing flow
conditions.

双腔孔板阀能使换板过程在几分钟内完成，不需要截流。这个好处在于，孔板流量计能定期
根据介质情况做调整，而不用担心过程太复杂。

There are multihole orifice plates that combine the technologies of orifice plates and flow
conditioners to make an orifice measurement device with short upstream piping installation
requirements. Such devices come with the traditional single-hole orifice plate design but have
several bores to distribute the flow through smaller bores rather than a single large bore. Tests
have shown these plates measure accurately without the need for upstream flow conditioners or
long, straight pipe sections.

还有一种叫多孔孔板，结合了孔板和镇流器的技术，能让前端管道安装变短。设计上，依然
借用单孔的样式，只是孔变多了，用来分流。通过测试表明，这类孔板测量精度有保证，不
需要前端的镇流器以及对管道做加长和整直的处理。

Finally, it is important to note that the orifice plate bore must be based on the flow range. When
specifying the diameter of the nominal plate bore, consideration must be given to the minimum
and maximum quantities of gas to be handled over short and long periods of time as well as the
estimates of these values for the first, third and tenth year.

最后，孔板上的孔的尺寸必须依照流量来设计，这点很重要。设计孔板名义直径的时候，必
须考虑到在不同的时间段（比如第 1，3,10 年）的气体的最大流量和最小流量。

Beta ratio and turndown

关于过滤效率和停机
There are a number of other steps that should be taken to ensure the optimal accuracy of orifice
plate flowmeters.

还有一些其他的方法来确保孔板流量计的精度

First, the orifice beta ratio. For best accuracy, it is recommended to choose an orifice beta ratio
between 0.2 and 0.7. Values outside that range tend to have lower accuracies. The ability to switch
the orifice plate to a different beta ratio gives the orifice meter the rare ability to be used long-term
over large flow ranges and is a key element in its effectiveness.

翻译 赵珑珑 llz@whmcn.com 上海万汇机械有限公司 www.whmcn.com

第一，孔板过滤效率，为了到达最高精度，建议选择在 0.2 到 0.7 之间。区间以外的参数都
会导致精度下降。过滤效率的可调节性，能帮助流量计在大流量的应用中延长寿命，并且提
升了实用性。

Consideration should also be given to the need for a wide turndown. Unlike other flow devices,
orifice plate meters will produce a measurable signal to very low flow rates. If a wide turndown is
required, it is recommended that two DP transmitters be installed on the device with one used to
measure high flow range and the other to measure low flow range. Also, consider planning on an
overlap between the transmitter ranges to smooth the transition from one transmitter to the other.
Transmitters will be discussed later in greater detail.

同时也要考虑到对较大的测量范围比的要求。不像其他流体设备，孔板流量计会把非常低的
流动频率转换成测量信号。当需要较大的测量范围比时，建议安装 2 台压差转换器，一台用
来测量高流量，一台测量低流量。另外，也可以考虑把不同转换器范围做叠加安排，来让设
备之间的切换变顺畅。这个在后面还会详细讲到。

The importance of maintenance

维护保养的重要性
Frequent inspections and maintenance of the meters should always be conducted to reduce lost
and unaccounted for gas and corresponding liquid.

经常性的检查和维护是为了减少物料流失和遗漏。

The monthly operation of all senior fittings is also recommended, including opening, closing and
lubricating the slide valve, rotating the gear shafts and cleaning drain plug holes to prevent the
buildup of debris that could interfere with the plate carrier bottoming out on the locator pins. Such
steps should only be performed once the senior fitting has been depressurized and the line has
been completely blown down. If sediment accumulates in the fitting, install a blowdown valve in
place of the pipe fitting.

建议每个月至少操作一次主要的孔板阀，包括，开启，关闭，对滑阀的润滑，转动齿轴，清
理各个插口，防止积垢，积垢会导致孔板支架底部从定位销处脱位。以上操作，只有当阀体
内腔被排过压，管道被全面清淤后，才可以进行。如何阀体内有沉积物，需要安装排污阀。

Using transmitters effectively

有效地使用转换器

Transmitters have a vital role to play in today’s orifice plate metering. Over the last 20 years, DP
transmitter performance has improved dramatically. The relatively low cost and ease of use of
modern DP transmitters have also made it economically viable and practical to ―stack‖ DP
transmitters, i.e., add DP transmitters of different ranges to extend the measurement range.
Stacking DP transmitters is simple and approved by industry bodies, such as the American
Petroleum Institute (API).

翻译 赵珑珑 llz@whmcn.com 上海万汇机械有限公司 www.whmcn.com

转换器在孔板流量计里扮演着非常重要的角色。过去 20 多年，压差式转换器的功能得到了
大大的提升，价格变得便宜，使用更简单，让人有种“不用不行”的感觉。比如增加了多台
不同测量范围比的转换器，来扩大测量范围。这样做很简单，也得到了像“美国石油协会”
这样的行业协会的批准。

Operators can also reduce DP reading uncertainty by tuning the DP transmitters to specific flow
conditions or use higher specification DP transmitters, in particular, flowmeters that are
specifically calibrated for use with DP flowmeters.

通过调节压差转换器到某个设置环境或者提高参数，操作人员也能降低压差读数的不确定性，
具体来讲，压差流量计就像是台经过特殊校准的普通流量计。

The challenge of impulse piping

导压管（脉冲管）排布遇到的问题
An important challenge in orifice plate meter performance is impulse lines or tubing.

影响孔板流量计使用的一个重要的问题是导压管的排布。

Traditional DP meter installations have a separation between the primary element and the
secondary instrumentation, including transmitters, for measuring DP and line pressure. The
pressure connections between the primary element and transmitters are impulse lines, which carry
the pressure.

安装老式压差式计量设备时，在主要部分和次要设备之间是有分界点的，这个分界点包括转
换器，用来测量压差和管道内压力。还有孔板阀和转换器之间的传导压力的连接部分，就是
导压管。

An advantage of impulse lines is that they thermally insulate the transmitter in extreme
temperature applications. Impulse lines also typically have valving or manifolds that are used to
isolate the transmitter for troubleshooting and calibration.

导压管的作用是它能对转换器进行隔热。而且会有阀门或者歧管来隔离转换器，从而进行故
障排查和校准

The disadvantages of impulse lines, however, are the additional costs of procurement and
installation, the potential leak points and the possibility of incorrect readings through liquid or gas
collecting in the lines. Other challenges include the fluid in the impulse lines being of a different
composition from the fluid in the pipe, as well as temperature-sensitive fluids that require
insulation or heat trace. If impulse tubing is required, it should be installed correctly and ideally
adopt short impulse lines of equal length.

导压管的缺点在于，增加了采购成本和安装，增加了潜在的泄漏点和“误导”的可能。其他
问题还包括导压管内的流体成分可能会变，以及温度敏感的流体需要隔热或加热的问题。要
安装导压管的话，尽量缩短管线长度，并保持均等

翻译 赵珑珑 llz@whmcn.com 上海万汇机械有限公司 www.whmcn.com

Vapor/liquid traps and poor installation can create many problems, and it is subsequently
important to ensure the effective venting of trapped gas in a liquid-filled line and the draining of
any liquid in a gas line. If plugging is a possibility, build in sediment traps and blowdown valves
to allow the impulse lines to be blown clear. Finally, always provide some length of impulse
tubing for steam service to allow the steam to condense and protect the transmitter from high
temperatures.

导压管内蒸汽/液体堆积和不正确安装会导致很多问题。有效的排空淤气和淤液到后面会变
得很重要。如果加接管道可行的话，加装排污阀可以让导压管更干净。最后，总是给压缩蒸
汽预留些长度，用来阻隔高温。

Orifice plate flowmeter application example

孔板流量计的应用实例
Diagnostics are a new and important element of orifice plate meters that help to ensure optimal
performance and reduce the need for plate inspections. For example, Emerson’s diagnostics
system, DP Prognosis FC for ROC800-Series Remote Operations Controllers, effectively monitors
if orifice meter performance is behaving according to external standards and whether inspection
intervals can be extended — reducing time, cost and risk to workers.

诊断现在对孔板流量计来说是一个新的重要的课题，它能确保流量计运行良好，减少孔板校
准的次数。比如说，艾默生诊断系统 DP Prognosis FC，有效地监控孔板流量计是否是按照
第三方标准运行的，以及确认是否可以增加每次校准之间的间隔时间。- 省时，省钱，省力。

The diagnostics system was recently implemented during a field test at a natural gas processing
facility in Teeside in the United Kingdom. Here, the meter run received approximately 175 tons
per hour of gas and the line pressure remained constant throughout the extended test period at
approximately 111 absolute pressure (bar-a) with a gas density of approximately 147 kilogram per
cubic meter (kg/m3). The allowable variations of the diagnostic parameters were set at the default
conditions. In this case, Prognosis detected a measurement error that would have otherwise been
unnoticed.

这套诊断系统目前刚刚在英国叫 Teeside 的地方运行过。这是一次天然气生产基地内的现场

测试。天然气流量为 175 吨/小时，管压保持在 111 巴绝对压力，密度为 147 公斤/立方米。
允许误差范围设置在默认情况。在这个案例里，Prognosis 侦测到了一个极易被忽略的测量
错误。

Conclusion/结论
Orifice meters are advanced and versatile flowmeters. From choosing the right specifications to
optimizing transmitters, taking care of impulse lines and using the power of diagnostics, orifice
meters can deliver beyond expectations and remain a central element of flow applications today
and into the future. They can improve flow measurement across the plant and deliver highly
accurate measurements for closed-loop control, general purpose monitoring and custody transfer
applications.

翻译 赵珑珑 llz@whmcn.com 上海万汇机械有限公司 www.whmcn.com

孔板计量是先进的，功能齐全的流量计。准确的参数，转换器优化，装好导压管，再结合诊
断仪， 孔板流量计能提供高于预期的结果，并在今天和未来的流体测量领域保持绝对的领
导地位，帮助提升流体测量，为闭环控制，日常监控，输送计量领域提供高精度的测量数据

翻译 赵珑珑 llz@whmcn.com 上海万汇机械有限公司 www.whmcn.com