In this article, you will learn the difference between a fixed area flow meter and a variable flow meter.
Difference between Fixed Area and Variable Area Flow Meters
With orifice plates flow meters
- As the rate of flow increases, so does the differential pressure.
- By measuring this pressure difference it is possible to calculate the flow rate through the flow meter.
- The pass area (for example, the size of the hole in the orifice plate) remains constant.
With any type of variable area flow meter
- The differential pressure remains almost constant as the flow rate varies.
- The flow rate is determined by the position of the float.
- The pass area (the area between the float and the tube) through which the flow passes increases with increasing flow.
Source: spiraxsarco
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