Here we discuss about Comparison of Different Types of Flow Meter like Magnetic flow meter, Orifice Flow Meter, Ultrasonic flow meter, Turbine Flow meter, Vortex flow meter, Coriolis flow meter, Variable area flow meter.
Comparison of Different Flow Meters
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Comparison of Flow Meters
Flow meter | Pipe/size | Gas/Liquid | Accuracy | Ideal for measuring | Principle |
| Orifice | 1” – 48” | Liquid/Gas | 1% | Mass flow / velocity | Diff. Pressure |
| Venturi | 6” – up | Liquid/Gas | 0.50% | Mass flow / velocity | Diff. Pressure |
| Turbine | 0.5” – 2” | Liquid/Gas | 0.30% | Mass flow / velocity | Rotating blades produce pulses |
| Positive Displacement | 1” – 24” | Liquid | 0.50% | Mass flow | Traps a specific volume |
| Magnetic | 1” – 120” | Liquid | 0.2 – 1 % | Mass flow | Faraday’s Law |
| Ultrasonic | 0.5” – 48” | Liquid/Gas | 1% | Mass flow | Speed of sound |
| Vortex | 0.5” – 16” | Liquid/Gas | 1% | Velocity | Eddies produce pulses |
| Variable area | 0.5” – 3” | Liquid/Gas | 1% | Velocity | Diff. Pressure |
| Coriolis | 2” – 150” | Liquid | 0.50% | Mass flow | Coriolis principle |
| Pitot | 3” – up | Liquid/Gas | 2% | Mass flow / velocity | Diff. Pressure |
Note :
- Pipe/Size may vary from make to make, Above shared details are for reference only.
- For measuring Mass Flow, appropriate Temperature/Pressure compensation, Density Factors etc… to be considered in calculations of the Mass Flow, if the instrument primarily a volumetric flow measuring device.
Comparison between Turbine meter and Positive Displacement meter
Turbine Flow meter | Positive Displacement Flow meter |
| Indirect measurement | Direct measurement |
| Requires upstream/downstream straight lengths | No straight lengths required |
| Affected by fluid viscosity | Free from viscosity effect |
| For a given small range, a smaller size compared to PD meter | Larger size required to achieve a given flowrate range |
| Lower operating/maintenance/investment costs | Higher operating/maintenance/investment costs |
Credits : N Asyiddin
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3 comments
What about Cross-Correlation based Ultrasonic Flow Meter?
Very informative according to interview
we have observed in the table above ”Comparison of Flow Meters” that maximum pipe /size of coriolis flow meter is between 2” and 150” , please verify this information