Unit IV Electrical Type Flow Meter

EI 3451 Industrial Instrumentation
Unit - IV
ELECTRICAL TYPE FLOW METERS
1
SYLLABUS
Principle and constructional details of Electromagnetic flow

meter – Ultrasonic flow meters – Laser Doppler anemometer
– Vortex shedding flow meter – Target flow meter –
Guidelines for selection of flow meter – Open channel flow
measurement – Solid flow rate measurement
2
Classification of flowmeter
3
Ramraj, 2011
Electromagnetic Flow Meters
4
Electromagnetic flowmeter
• First type of flowmeters to be considered for high corrosive

applications
• Measurements of erosive slurries
• Meters are available in pipe size from 2.54 mm to 2540 mm.
5
Principle
• Uses the Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction for
making a flow measurement.
• Faraday’s law states that, whenever a conductor moves

through a magnetic field of given strength, a voltage is
induced in the conductor which is proportional to the relative
velocity between the conductor and the magnetic field.
• This concept is used in electric generators.
6
7
Principle
• Whenever a conductor of length ‘l’ moves with a velocity ‘v’
perpendicular to a magnetic field ‘B’, an emf ‘e’ is induced in a
mutually perpendicular direction which is given by e = Blv
• Electrically conductive flowing liquid works as a conductor.
E
• Induced voltage is given by V  
(1)
CBL
Where
E = induced voltage
C = dimensional constant
B = magnetic field in weber/m2
L = Length of conductor (fluid) in m/s
V = Velocity of the conductor (fluid) in m/s 8
Principle
• Continuity eqn to convert a velocity measurement into
volumetric flow rate is given by
Q  VA 
(2)
Where
Q = volumetric flow rate
V = fluid velocity
A = cross-sectional area
EA
• Sub V in Eqn 2 Q  
(3)
CBL
A
Q  KE 
(4) Where K  
(3)
CBL
• Induced voltage is directly proportional and linear with
volumetric flow rate.
9
Construction
• Electrically insulated or non-conducting pipe (fiber glass)
• Pair of electrodes mounted opposite to each other
• Flush with the inside walls of its pipe
• Magnetic coil mounted around the pipe – magnetic field is

generated in plane perpendicular to the axis of flow meter
body & to the plane of electrodes
• Metal pipe – electrically insulating linear is provided to the

inside of the pipe.
10
S.K. Singh, 2009
11
Working
• Flowing liquid acts as conductor, L-distance between the
electrodes and equals the pipe diameter.
• Liquid passes through the pipe section, it also passes through

the magnetic field setup by the coils
• Thus inducing the voltage in the liquid which is detected by a

pair of electrodes mounted in the pipe
• Amplitude of the induced voltage is proportional to the velocity

of the flowing liquid.
• Magnetic coils are energized by either AC or DC voltage

12
• Advantages
– Handle slurry and greasy materials
– Handle corrosive fluids
– Very low pressure drop
– Totally obstruction less
– Available in large pipe sizes
– Measurements are unaffected by viscosity, density,
temperature and pressure.
13
• Disadvantages
– Relatively expensive
– Works with fluid which are adequate electrical
conductors
– Relatively heavy, especially larger in sizes.
– Must be full at all times
– Explosion proof when installed in hazardous electrical
areas
14
• Applications
– Fluids like sand water slurry, coal powder, slurry,
sewage, wood, pulp, chemicals
– Distilled water in large pipelines, hot fluids, high viscous
fluids
– Food processing industry, cryogenic fluids
15
SYLLABUS

16
Ultrasonic Flow meters
Ultrasonic flowmeter
Principle
• Velocity of sound in a fluid in motion is the resultant of the

velocity of sound in the fluid at rest plus or minus the velocity
of fluid itself.
• Pressure variations travel through a fluid at the velocity of

sound relative to the fluid. If fluid is in motion with certain
velocity, then the absolute velocity of pressure disturbance
propagation is the algebraic sum of the two.
• The term ‘ultrasonic – (25k – 50k)Hz’ refers to the pressure

differences (usually are short bursts of sine waves) whose
frequency is above the range audible to human hearing which
is 20 to 20000 Hz.
18
Types of Ultrasonic flowmeter
• Time – difference type

• Doppler type
19
Ultrasonic flowmeter
• Advantages
– No moving parts
– Velocity/output relationship is linear.
– Repeatability is in the order of 0.01 %
– Doesn’t impose additional resistance to the flow or
disturb the flow pattern as the transducers are inserted
in the wall of pipe.
20
Time difference ultrasonic flowmeter
• Measure flow by measuring the time taken for an ultrasonic

energy pulse to traverse a pipe section, both with and against
the flow of the liquid within the pipe.
• Two transducers A and B inserted into a pipeline
• Working both as transmitter and receiver
• Ultrasonic waves are transmitted from transducer A to

transducer B and vice-versa.
21
• An electronic oscillator is connected to supply ultrasonic

waves alternatively to A or B which works as transmitter
through a changeover switch.
• When the detector is connected simultaneously to B or A

which is working as receiver.
• The detector measures the transit time from upstream to

downstream transducers and vice versa.
22
S.K. Singh, 2009 23

S.K. Singh, 2009 24

25
Ramraj, 2011
• Time TAB taken for ultrasonic wave to travel from transducer

from A to B is given by expression.
L
TAB 
(C  V cos )
• Time TBA taken for ultrasonic wave to travel from transducer

from B to A is given by expression.
L
TBA 
(C  V cos )
Where,
L=acoustic path length between A and B
C=velocity of sound in the fluid
 =angle of path with respect to the pipe axis
V=velocity of fluid in pipe 26
• Time difference between TAB and TBA can be calculated as.
2 LV cos 
T  TAB  TBA 
C
• It relies upon an ultrasonic signal traversing across the pipe,
the liquid must be relatively free of solids and air bubbles.
TC
V
2 L cos 
27
Doppler type ultrasonic flowmeter
S.K. Singh, 2009 28

Doppler ultrasonic flowmeter
• An ultrasonic wave is projected at an angle through the pipe

wall into the liquid by a transmitting crystal in a transducer
mounted outside the pipe.
• Part of ultrasonic wave is reflected by bubbles or particles in

the liquid and it is returned through the pipe wall to a receiving
crystal.
• Reflectors (bubbles) are travelling at the fluid velocity, the

frequency of the reflected wave is shifted according to the
Doppler principle.
29
Doppler type ultrasonic flowmeter
• Velocity of the fluid is given by the equation.

fC t
V  fK
2f 0 cos 
Where,
 f=difference between transmitted and received frequency
Ct=velocity of sound in the transducer
 = angle of transmitter and receiver crystal
f0=frequency of transmission
30
SYLLABUS

31
Laser Doppler Anemometer
Laser Doppler Anemometer (LDA)
• Optical flow-visualisation method
• Do not disturb the flow during the measurement process
• Non-disturbance optical method
• Very precise quantitative measurement of local flow velocity
• Most recent advancement in the area of flow measurement
• Especially in the measurement of high frequency turbulance

fluctuations
33
Principle
• Involves the focusing of laser beams at the point, where the

velocity is to be measured.
• Sensing with a photo detector the light scattered by thin

particles carried along with the fluid as it passes through the
focal point.
• Velocity of particles is assumed to be equal to the fluid

velocity.
• Causes the doppler shift of the frequency of the scattered light

and produces a photo detector signal related to the velocity.
34
Construction
• Laser source – (He-Ne) gas laser – operates at a wavelength

of 632.8 nm.
• Optical flats – Laser beam is split into two equal intensity,

parallel beams with the help of two coated optical flats.
• Lenses – Focuses the beams at a point F, where the velocity

of flow fluid is to be measured.
• Scattered beam of light moving through the fringe pattern.
• Collected by a combination of lens and pin hole aperture.

35
A.K. Sawhney, 1997

36
Working
• Photo sensor - Photomultiplier.
• Light intensity is displayed on the display device

(Oscilloscope).
• Doppler signal processing unit – flow velocity data is derived.
37
Ramraj, 2011
38
Working
• When laser-based Doppler anemometers are used, the

intensity of the light scattered by the particles in the air is a
function of their refractive index and the size of the reflecting
particles.
• The Laser Doppler anemometer (LDA) is based on the

Doppler effect.
• The Doppler shift of frequency occurs as light is dispersed on

the surface of moving particles.
39
Working
• The shift in the frequency of the light source (laser beam) is

proportional to the velocity of the particles.
• The frequency shift is very small (from 1 KHz upto a tenth of a

MHz) in comparison with the light frequency and thus it can
be directly measured.
• Therefore, the arrangement using the interference of the

original and refracted lights is used. This is called as
‘differential mode’ of LDA.
40
Working
• Beams from the laser source intersect each other in the

measurement zone, where a set of interference plates are
formed.
• When particles pass through these, they generate optical

signals with flash frequencies which equal the Doppler
frequency.
• This signal is scanned by the photo multiplier and is analysed.

The signal has several cycles, variable amplitude, and high
frequency and background noise.
41
Working
• The frequency ‘f ’ of electrical signals produced by a particle

moving with velocity ‘V’ is given by

2V sin
2 f  KV
f

Where,
 = Laser wavelength
 = Angle of the beam
42
• Advantages
– High accuracy
– Used measurements of flow both liquids and gases
– Volume of sensing part can be small
– No physical object is inserted into the flow and the flow
is undisturbed by the measurement.
43
• Disadvantages
– Involves the use of transparent channels
– High cost
– High degree of complexity
– There is a need for tracer particles for scattering of light
beam. Therefore, the method can’t be used for clean
flows
44
Applications
• The use of this non contact measurement method is suitable

for nearly all hydro dynamical and aero dynamical velocity
measurement applications.
• Measurement of blood flows
• Measurement of flow between the blades of a turbine.
• Determination of 3D wing tip vortices over near tips of wings
of aircrafts.
• Combustion and flame phenomena in gas turbines and jet
propulsion systems.
45
SYLLABUS

46
Classification of flowmeter
47
Ramraj, 2011
Vortex shedding flowmeter
Vortex flowmeter
Principle
• When an obstruction (a non-streamlined object) is placed in

the path of a flowing stream, the fluid is unable to remain
attached to the object on its downstream sides and will
alternately separate (shed) from one side and then the other.
• The slow-moving fluid in the boundary layer on the body

becomes detached on the downstream side and rolls into
eddies and vortices.
• It is also noted that the distance between the shed vortices is

constant, regardless of flow velocity.
• This principle is called as Karman’s principle. 49

Vortex flowmeter
50
Vortex flowmeter
Principle
• The distance between the Karman vortices (I) is only a function

of the width of the obstruction (d) and therefore the number of
vortices per unit of time gives flow velocity (V).
• Stated in terms of a flag fluttering in the wind, it is noted that

the intervals between vortices (l) is constant and is only a
function of the diameter of the flag pole (d).
• Therefore, the faster the wind, the faster the vortices are
formed and the faster the flag flutters as a consequent, but
without changing its wavelengths.
51
Vortex flowmeter
Types
• Vortex shedding flowmeter

• Swirl meter
• Fluidic meter
52
Principle
• Based on vortex shedding
• When gas or liquid flows around a non-stream lined (or blunt)

object known as bluff body
• Fluid flows past an obstacle, boundary layers of slow moving

fluid are formed along the outer surface of the obstacle.
• Flow is unable to follow contours of the obstacle on its

downward stream side.
53
Principle
• Flow layers are separated from the surface of the object and a
low pressure area is formed behind the object
• Causing the separated layers to get detached from the main

stream of the fluid and roll themselves into eddies or vortices
in the low pressure area
• Each eddy or vortex first grows and gets detached or shed

from alternate sides of object
• Frequency at which the vortices are formed is directly

proportional to the fluid velocity. 54
S.K. Singh, 2009 55

Working
• Vortex is shed from one side of the bluff body, fluid velocity on
that side increases and the pressure decreases
• Velocity on opposite side decreases and pressure increases,

causing a net pressure change across the bluff body
• Next vortex is shed from the opposite side of the bluff body,
the entire effect is reversed.
• Velocity and pressure distribution in the fluid around the bluff

body change at the same frequency as vortex shedding
frequency. 56
Working
• Changes in the pressure or velocity is sensed by the flow

sensitive detector (thermistor or magnitude shuttle)
• Available in pipe size from 50.8 to 152.4 mm
• No moving parts
57
• Advantages
– Excellent rangeability
– No moving parts
– Low pressure drop
– Good response speed
– Handles wide variety of chemicals, including
slurries, liquids with entrained particles and
viscous materials
– Relative immune to density, pressure,
temperature, pressure and viscosity
58
• Disadvantages
– Cost is high
– Not available over 200 mm size
– Require in-line mounting
59
Swirl meter
Principle
• Principle of vortex precession
• Digital volumetric device which has no moving parts
• Gives output in the form of pulses whose frequency is

proportional to the fluid flow rate.
60
Swirl meter
Construction
• Swirl blades – stainless steel – introduce a spinning or swirl

motion to the fluid at the inlet.
• Downstream of the swirl blades – venturi like contraction and

expansion of the flow passage
• Thermistor – placed at downstream to the blades – heated by

constant electric current
• Deswirl blades – fixed straighten out the flow leaving the

meter – To isolate the meter from downstream piping effects.
61
Swirl meter
S.K. Singh, 2009 62

Swirl meter
63
Swirl meter
S.K. Singh, 2009 64

Swirl meter
Wokring
• Fluid passes through fixed set of swirl blades at the inlet, a

swirling (or spinning) motion is imparted on it
• Swirling flow precedes or oscillates at a frequency

proportional to the fluid flow rate.
• Precession of the fluid causes variations in temperature and

resistance of the thermistor.
• Amount of heat extracted from thermistor by passing fluid is

dependent upon the fluid velocity
65
Swirl meter
Working
• Each high velocity vortex passed the thermistor changes the

resistance and a constant current is applied
• Resistance changes is converted into voltage pulses which

are amplified, filtered and transformed into constant amplitude
high level pulses of square waveform
• Frequency of pulses are measured by an electronic counter

which gives the flow rate of fluid.
66
Swirl meter
Applications
• Available in pipe sizes from 25.4 to 152.4 mm
• Used in gaseous applications – very much lower density

results in a significantly lower pressure loss.
67
Fluidic meter
Principle
• Principle of Coanda effect
• Fluid enters the meter, it is entertained into jet from its

surroundings, which causes a reduction in pressure.
• Jet curvature is sustained by the pressure differential across

the jet.
• If sufficient volume of fluid is introduced into the control port, it

causes the jet to switch from the initial position to the opposite
side wall. (Coanda effect)
68
Fluidic meter
S.K. Singh, 2009 69

Fluidic meter
Working
• Feedback oscillator system - deflected jet causes low

pressure area at the control port.
• Upstream feedback passage, the pressure is higher due to

the combination of the jet expanding and stagnation pressure
• Small portion of the main stream of fluid is diverted through

the feedback passage to the control port.
• Feedback flow intersects the main flow and diverts it to the

opposite side wall
70
Fluidic meter
Working
• Feedback operation is then repeated which results in a

continuous self-induced oscillation of flow between the side
walls of the meter body
• Frequency of oscillation is proportional to the volumetric flow

rate.
• As the main flow oscillates between the slide wall, the

feedback oscillates between zero and the maximum value.
• Frequency is detected by means of thermistor sensor

provides output frequency signal.
71
SYLLABUS

72
Target flowmeter
Target flowmeter
Principle
• Measures flow by measuring the force on a target (or disc)

centered in a pipe at right angles to the direction of fluid flow.
• Fluid flow develops a force on the target which is proportional

to the square of the flow.
QK F
Where,
Q=flow rate
K= a known coefficient
F=Force
74
Target flowmeter
Construction
• Target (or disc) – mounted on a force bar (or beam) passing

through the flexible seal.
• Positioned in the centre of and perpendicular to the flowing

stream
• Device may be installed directly in the flow line, thus

eliminating the need for pressure – tap connections.
75
Target flowmeter
S.K. Singh, 2009 76

Target flowmeter
S.K. Singh, 2009 77

Target flowmeter
78
Target flowmeter
Working
• Flowing fluid passes thorough the pipe, develops a force on

the target which is proportional to the velocity head (the
square of the flow).
• Force bar transmits this force to a force transducer (either

electronic or pneumatic) to measure the force which is
proportional to the square of flow.
• Available size – 12.5 to 203 mm pipe diameter

• Target (discs) – 0.6 to 0.8 times pipe diameter
• Handle pressure upto 1,500 psig and temperature upto 398
ºC 79
Drag body flowmeter
Principle
• Uses the same operating principle of target flowmeter where

the force is given by equation
F  Cd A(V2 / 2g)
Where,
F=force
Cd= drag coefficient
A= Flow area
 =Fluid density
V2/2g=velocity head
80
Drag body flowmeter
S.K. Singh, 2009 81

Drag body flowmeter
Working
• Force is detected and transmitted by a strain gauge bridge

circuitry into a voltage signal which is proportional to the
square of the flow rate.
• Handle pressure upto 5,000 psig and temperature upto 315

ºC
82
Target flowmeter
• Advantages
– Repeatability is good
– Good for relatively high temperature and pressures
– Good accuracy
– Useful for difficult measurements such as slurries,
polymer-bearing and corrosive mixtures.
83
Target flowmeter
• Disadvantages
– In-line mounting is required
– No-flow conditions must exist for zeroing the scale.
– Limited calibrated data.
84
Target flowmeter
Applications
• Measuring flow of heavy viscous, dirty or corrosive fluids, light

slurries, gases and vapour.
85
SYLLABUS

86
Guidelines for selection of flowmeter
• Identifying the meters which are technically capable of

performing the required measurement
• Available in acceptable materials of construction and then by

making the best choice of those available
• A list should be made of key parameters which the meter

must be capable of accommodating.
• The list can be further refined by considering the application

requirements against the features summary.
87
SYLLABUS

88
Open channel flow measurement
• It is an obstruction in a flowing stream, over the liquid is made

to pass.
• Measures the flow rate in open channels such as dams, river

research studies, waste and sewage disposal, and irrigation.
• By using weirs, flow rate can be measured from a few gallons

per minute to millions of gallons per day.
89
Open channel flow measurement
Types
• Weir
• Flumes
90
Open channel flow measurement - Weir
• It measures the flow rate in hydel stations, municipal water

works, sewage disposal, river research stuides, irrigation.
• Weirs, flumes and nozzles are used for the open channel
measurement
91
WEIR
• It measures the flow rate in open channel such as water work

include irrigation, waste and sewage systems and conduits
• It is an obstruction in a flowing stream, over the liquid is made

to pass.
• By using the weirs, flow rate can be measured from a few

gallons per minute to millions of gallons per day.
92
WEIR
Types of Weir
• V- Notch Weir
• Rectangular Weir
• Trapezoidal or Cippoletti Weir
93
WEIR
94
WEIR
95
TYPES OF WEIR
Patranabis, 2010 96
TYPES OF NOTCHES
97
Shawney 2009
WEIR
2
Rectangular Weir Q  Cd b 2gh 3
3
8 
V-Notch Weir
Q  Cd 2gh tan
5
15 2
2
Trapezoidal or Cippoletti Weir
Q  Cd b 2gh 3
3
Where,
Cd = Co-efficient of discharge
b = length of crest of weir
h = height of water surface above crest
98
WEIR
Trapezoidal Weir
99
WEIR
V- Notch Weir
100
WEIR
• Advantages
– Cost is low
– Can be constructed on location where being used
– Not easily damaged
101
WEIR
• Disadvantages
– Applicable only to open channel measurement
– Accuracy is poor
– Field calibration is required
102
FLUMES
• It measures the flow rate in open channel measurement, in

which a specially shaped flow section restricts the channel
area
• Changes the channel slope to produce an increased velocity

and changes the level of liquid flows through it.
103
FLUMES
104
FLUMES
105
FLUMES
106
FLUMES
107
FLUMES
• Advantages
– Handles flow rate than weir
– Constructed on location
– Easy to construct all sections are planar surface
– Dimensions are not easily altered
108
FLUMES
• Disadvantages
– More expensive than weir
– Requires calibration on location
– Accuracy is not 2% to 3%
109
SYLLABUS

110
Solid flow measurement
• Solid flow measurement occurs when material in the form of

small particles such as crashed material or powder is carried
by conveyor belt system or by some host material.
• Continuous measurement of flow rate of dry material such as

coal, cement, powdered chemicals paper and fruits are
necessary in many industries process for measuring flow of
dry materials.
111
• Meters for measuring flow of dry materials are essentially of

the weighing type, in that they determine the weight of
material passing a given point.
• A section of a conveyor belt has to be isolated and this

section has to be supported on a load cell.
• The flow rate of solid material is then proportional to the

reading on the load cell and the speed of the conveyor at the
instant
112
Types
• Belt type gravimetric feeder

• Belt type electro mechanical gravimetric feeder
• Belt type gravimetric feeder with pneumatic system
• Nuclear method of solid flow measurement
113
• Feed rate of all belt-type gravimetric feeders is a function of

the belt speed and the belt load.
• Belt speed is normally expressed in terms of meter per

minute, while belt load is defined as kg per meter of belt.
• Feed rate = Belt speed × Belt load
114
Belt-type mechanical gravimetric feeder
Ramraj, 2011
115
116
Measurement of soda ash and its display unit
117
• It incorporates a constant speed belt coupled with a gate to

modulate the solids flow rate such that belt load is balanced
by an adjustable poise weight.
• The position of the gate control element is proportional to the

belt load error.
• In the same manner that a float-operated level control valve

cannot maintain the level at set point if valve supply pressure
vary.
• Feeder cannot maintain set gravimetric rate if the bulk density

of the solids varies. 118
• It should be noted that the basic principle involving the

weighing of the entire feeder has been applied in modern
design.
• Successful operation of these versions has been achieved

• by adding belt load error detecting instrumentation and by
actuating the control gate from an external power source.
• A controller with reset function eliminates the set point error.
119
Belt-type electromechanical gravimetric feeder
Ramraj, 2011
120
• Belt load is balanced by a mechanical beam and poise weight

system which energizes one or other of two clutches via a pair
of mercury switches energized by a magnet attached to the
beam.
• Clutches actuate and establish the direction of travel of the

gate-positioning mechanism.
• Gate modulates as required to maintain the desired belt load

as established by the position of the poise weight on the
balance beam.
121
• It can be seen that this feeder will maintain belt load

regardless of changes in material density, subject to the
volumetric control limits of the gate.
• Belt load set point is indicated by a mechanical counter

geared to the beam poise weight drive.
• A second counter geared to the belt drive totalizes the length

of the belt travelled. By varying drive gears, these counters
can be provided to read directly.
122
• Total weight fed can thus be calculated by multiplying the

readings of the two counters.
• Remote belt load set point and readout functions are available
as well as a belt travel contact switch may be used to operate
a remote counter or to shut down the feeder via a
predetermining counter after the desired total weight of
material has been fed.
• Adjustable micro switches actuated by gate position may be

utilized to activate alarms indicating either a stoppage of the
material supply to the feeder or over travel of the control gate
resulting from abnormal low material density.
123
Belt-type gravimetric feeder with pneumatic system
Ramraj, 2011 124

• Gravimetric meter which is available with either pneumatic or

electronic weight detection and transmission system.
• Pneumatic version shown, the preliminary calibration

procedure involves adjustment of the tare weight with the
beam in center position, and location of the nozzle relative to
the flapper.
• This establishes a condition such that balance is achieved

when balancing piston pressure is 0.2 kg/cm2.
125
• When material crosses the belt, beam movement throttles the

nozzle.
• Nozzle back pressure is imposed on the pneumatic relay,

which in turn increases its output pressure until the balancing
piston rebalances the beam.
• Balancing pressure is proportional to belt load and since the

belt speed is constant, balancing pressure is proportional to
measured weight-rate. Also shown is an optional ball and disc
integrator.
• The disc is driven by the front belt roll of the feeder and the
ball is positioned by a pneumatic positioner. 126
• This ball and disc type integrates continuously.
• It is especially recommended for user with gravimetric meters

in applications involving the measurement of rapidly varying
instantaneous flow rates.
• The integrator is supplied with a digital totalizer and can be

furnished with a pulse transmitting switch to operate a remote
counter.
• The feed rate of all belt-type gravimetric feeders is a function

of the belt speed and the belt load.
127
• This ball and disc type integrates continuously.
• It is especially recommended for user with gravimetric meters

in applications involving the measurement of rapidly varying
instantaneous flow rates.
• The integrator is supplied with a digital totalizer and can be

furnished with a pulse transmitting switch to operate a remote
counter.
• The feed rate of all belt-type gravimetric feeders is a function

of the belt speed and the belt load.
128
• Belt speed is normally expressed in terms of meter per

minute, while belt load is defined as kg per meter of belt.
• Feed rate = Belt speed × Belt load
• In the case of the constant speed belt feeders, rate is directly

proportional to belt load.
• Rate set point is thus in terms of belt load, and the belt load
signal generated by the device can be read out as rate.
129

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EI 3451 Industrial Instrumentation

ELECTRICAL TYPE FLOW METERS

Principle and constructional details of Electromagnetic flow

• First type of flowmeters to be considered for high corrosive

• Measurements of erosive slurries

• Meters are available in pipe size from 2.54 mm to 2540 mm.

• Faraday’s law states that, whenever a conductor moves

• This concept is used in electric generators.

• Electrically conductive flowing liquid works as a conductor.

• Pair of electrodes mounted opposite to each other

• Flush with the inside walls of its pipe

• Magnetic coil mounted around the pipe – magnetic field is

• Metal pipe – electrically insulating linear is provided to the

S.K. Singh, 2009

• Liquid passes through the pipe section, it also passes through

• Thus inducing the voltage in the liquid which is detected by a

• Amplitude of the induced voltage is proportional to the velocity

• Magnetic coils are energized by either AC or DC voltage

Principle and constructional details of Electromagnetic flow

• Velocity of sound in a fluid in motion is the resultant of the

• Pressure variations travel through a fluid at the velocity of

• The term ‘ultrasonic – (25k – 50k)Hz’ refers to the pressure

• Time – difference type

• Measure flow by measuring the time taken for an ultrasonic

• Two transducers A and B inserted into a pipeline

• Working both as transmitter and receiver

• Ultrasonic waves are transmitted from transducer A to

• An electronic oscillator is connected to supply ultrasonic

• When the detector is connected simultaneously to B or A

• The detector measures the transit time from upstream to

S.K. Singh, 2009 23

S.K. Singh, 2009 24

• Time TAB taken for ultrasonic wave to travel from transducer

• Time TBA taken for ultrasonic wave to travel from transducer

• Time difference between TAB and TBA can be calculated as.

S.K. Singh, 2009 28

• An ultrasonic wave is projected at an angle through the pipe

• Part of ultrasonic wave is reflected by bubbles or particles in

• Reflectors (bubbles) are travelling at the fluid velocity, the

• Velocity of the fluid is given by the equation.

Principle and constructional details of Electromagnetic flow

• Optical flow-visualisation method

• Do not disturb the flow during the measurement process

• Non-disturbance optical method

• Very precise quantitative measurement of local flow velocity

• Most recent advancement in the area of flow measurement

• Especially in the measurement of high frequency turbulance

• Involves the focusing of laser beams at the point, where the

• Sensing with a photo detector the light scattered by thin

• Velocity of particles is assumed to be equal to the fluid

• Causes the doppler shift of the frequency of the scattered light

• Laser source – (He-Ne) gas laser – operates at a wavelength

• Optical flats – Laser beam is split into two equal intensity,

• Lenses – Focuses the beams at a point F, where the velocity

• Scattered beam of light moving through the fringe pattern.

• Collected by a combination of lens and pin hole aperture.

A.K. Sawhney, 1997

• Photo sensor - Photomultiplier.

• Light intensity is displayed on the display device

• Doppler signal processing unit – flow velocity data is derived.