Differential Pressure Flow Meter Working Application, Advantages, Disadvantages and Limitation

Differential type flow meter is the most widely used flow measuring device for low viscous fluid in a pipeline that requires an accurate measurement at a reasonable cost. These types of flow meters are generally simple, reliable and offer more flexibility than other flow measurement methods. The most common differential pressure flow meters included Venturi, Orifice, Flow Nozzle, Pitot tube, Dall type.



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🔗Difference between Differential Pressure Flow Meter and Positive Displacement Flow Meter

Differential pressure flow meter working

In differential pressure flow meters, a restriction is introduced into the pipe, which results in a pressure drop across the constraint. When such a restriction is placed inside the tube, the velocity of a fluid increases after the constraint, hence the pressure after restriction decreases. The developed differential pressure or head is measured, which provides an indication of flow rate. So the differential pressure flow meters also called head meters. This is shown in above fig.

Vena contracta – Smallest cross-sectional area of the flow stream. At vena contra velocity is maximum, and pressure is minimum.

Read: What is vena contracta? How vena contrata formed in fluid flow?

Differential pressure flowmeter relies on Bernoulli’s principle. The relation between flow rate and pressure drop is given by

Primary and Secondary devices (element) in Differential type flow meter

These types of flow meter always consist of two components, Primary devices, and Secondary devices. The primary device is placed in the pipe to restrict the flow and hence to develop a differential pressure. They are an orifice plate, venturi, flow nozzle, dall tube, pitot tubes, annubar tube, elbow tap, flume, etc.
The secondary device measures the differential pressure and provides a readout or signal for transmission to the control system. They are manometers, bellow meters, force balance meters, ring balance meters, etc.
With restriction flow meters, calibration of the primary measuring device is not required. The primary device can be selected for compatibility with the specific fluid or application, and the secondary device can be selected for the type or readout or transmission signal desired.

Advantages and application of differential pressure flow meter

1. Simple and robust construction.
2. Easy installation and removal.
3. Inexpensive.
4. They are adaptable to different flow rate and pipe sizes.
5. They can configure in the bidirectional flow.
6. Suitable for measuring the flow rate of both liquid and gas.
7. Reliable, this device is maintenance–free (very low maintenance) as it has no moving parts.
8. It is available in a wide range of sizes.

Disadvantages and limitation of differential pressure flow meter

1. Causes relatively high permanent pressure drop.
2. Flow rate rangeability is low because of the square root relationship between flow rate and pressure head.
3. Difficult to measure the flow rate of pulsating flow.
4. It may cause condensation and freezing at the connecting piping.
5. It cannot measure low flow rate.
6. Accuracy depends on the pressure sensor.
7. Accuracy depends on many other fluid characteristics such as temperature, compressibility, specific gravity, etc.
8. Difficult to use for flow measurement of slurries.