Flow Meter
These flow meters are used by industries, particularly gas and oil, to calculate the mass flow rate or volumetric flow rate of fluids. Such an application defines the capacity and type of flow meter. Gases, liquids, and fluids are measured in terms of mass flow rate and volumetric flow rate.
Coriolis Meter
The main principle of the Coriolis flowmeter by creating inertia through oscillating tubes as the materials flow through them, the tubes twist. The number of twists is directly proportional to the mass flow rate. This is then measured flow meter transmitters and a sensor to make a linear flow signal.
These flow meters are more commonly used to measure a wide range of petroleum products such as crude oil and natural gas.
Turbine Flow Meters
This type of meter uses a mechanical rotor that is attached to a shaft that is inside the pipe. It is then used to measure the volume of gas, fluid, or vapor that passes through the tube. As the substance passes through the pipe, the rotor spins with its speed depending on how fast the material passes through the pipeline. The rotational speed that results from the spinning of the rotor is determined by the use of sensors or other mechanical methods.
Typically, magnetism is used to let the sensors get reading from the rotor, with the magnet located outside the pipe. With the use of signals, sensors and transmitters determine the volume of the material traveling inside the tube.
Orifice Meter
An orifice meter is a piece of equipment used to measure the flow rate of a gas or a fluid. It mainly consists of an orifice plate, an orifice plate housing, and a meter tube. The liquid or gas whose flow rate is to be determined is passed through the orifice plate. This creates a pressure drop across the orifice plate which varies with the flow rate, resulting in a differential pressure between the outlet and inlet segments. This pressure drop is measured and is used to calculate the flow rate of the fluid or gas.
Types of Orifice Fittings
- Single Chamber
As the name suggests, it consists of a single chamber designed for the precise measurement of the flow rate of a fluid or gas. - Dual Chamber
It is installed in conjunction with downstream and upstream sections, and comes with O-ring seals, eliminating the problem of maintaining the gasket in the device. In addition to this, a valve seal is also available for dual chamber orifice fitting. It is used to measure the flow rate of fluids in their single state (i.e. gaseous state or liquid state). It can also be used to measure the flow rate of fluids in a mixed state (both gaseous and liquid states) such as, wet steam, or natural gas with water.