Inst ToolsInst ToolsInst Tools
  • Ask
  • Courses
  • Videos
  • Q & A
    • Interview
      • Instrumentation
      • Electronics
      • Electrical
      • Practical Questions
    • MCQ
      • Instrumentation MCQ
      • Electrical MCQ
      • Electronics MCQ
      • Control Systems MCQ
      • Analog Electronics MCQ
      • Digital Electronics MCQ
      • Power Electronics MCQ
      • Microprocessor MCQ
      • Multiple Choice Questions
  • EE
    • Electronics
      • Electronics Q & A
      • Electronic Basics
      • Electronic Devices & Circuits
      • Electronics Animation
      • Digital Electronics
    • Electrical
      • Electrical Basics
      • Electrical Q & A
      • Power Electronics
      • Electrical Machines
      • Electrical Animation
      • Power Systems
      • Switchgear & Protection
      • Transmission & Distribution
  • Measure
    • Control Valves
    • Calibration
    • Temperature
    • Pressure
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Analyzers
    • Switches
    • Vibration
    • Solenoid Valve
  • Control
    • PLC Tutorials
    • Control Systems
    • Safety Instrumented System (SIS)
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • More
    • Design
    • Tools
    • Animation
    • Basics
    • Formulas
    • Standards
    • TextBooks
    • Common
    • Software
    • Excel Tools
    • Erection & Commissioning
    • Process Fundamentals
    • Videos
    • Books
Search
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Reading: Flow Standards
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Inst ToolsInst Tools
Font ResizerAa
  • Courses
  • PLC Tutorials
  • Control Systems
Search
  • Ask
  • Courses
  • Videos
  • Q & A
    • Interview
    • MCQ
  • EE
    • Electronics
    • Electrical
  • Measure
    • Control Valves
    • Calibration
    • Temperature
    • Pressure
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Analyzers
    • Switches
    • Vibration
    • Solenoid Valve
  • Control
    • PLC Tutorials
    • Control Systems
    • Safety Instrumented System (SIS)
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • More
    • Design
    • Tools
    • Animation
    • Basics
    • Formulas
    • Standards
    • TextBooks
    • Common
    • Software
    • Excel Tools
    • Erection & Commissioning
    • Process Fundamentals
    • Videos
    • Books
Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Inst Tools > Blog > Flow Measurement > Flow Standards

Flow Standards

Continuous flow measurement are inferential, that is, we measure flow indirectly by measuring some other variable (such as pressure, time) directly.

Last updated: November 2, 2023 9:37 am
Editorial Staff
Flow Measurement
1 Comment
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

Most forms of continuous flow measurement are inferential; that is, we measure flow indirectly by measuring some other variable (such as pressure, voltage, or frequency) directly. With this in mind, we may usually achieve reasonable calibration accuracy simply by calibrating the primary sensor and replacing the flow element (if inspection proves necessary).

Flow Standards

In the case of an orifice plate used to measure fluid flow rate, this would mean calibrating the differential pressure transmitter to measure pressure accurately and replacing the orifice plate if it shows signs of wear.

In some cases, though, direct validation of flow measurement accuracy is needed. Most techniques of flow rate validation take the form of measuring accumulated fluid volume over time. This may prove to be complicated, especially if the fluids in question are hazardous in any way, and/or the flow rates are large, and/or the fluid is a gas or vapor.

For simple validation of liquid flow rates, the flow may be diverted from its normal path in the process and into a container where either accumulated volume or accumulated weight may be measured over time. If the rate of flow into this container is constant, the accumulated volume (or weight) should increase linearly over time.

The actual flow rate may then be calculated by dividing the change in volume (ΔV ) by the time period over which the change in volume was measured (Δt). The resulting quotient is the average flow rate between those two points in time, which is an approximation of instantaneous flow rate:

liquid flow rates

If a suitable vessel exists in the process with level-measuring capability (e.g. a liquid storage vessel equipped with a level transmitter), you may apply the same mathematical technique: use that vessel as an accumulator for the flow in question, tracking the accumulated (or lost) volume over time and then calculating ΔV/Δt .

The accuracy of this technique rests on some additional factors, though:

  • The accuracy of the level transmitter (as a volume measuring instrument!)
  • The ability to ensure only one flow path in or out of that vessel

The first condition listed here places significant limitations on the flow calibration accuracy one can achieve with this method. In essence, you are using the level instrument as the “test gauge” for the flow instrument, so it needs to be high-accuracy in order to achieve even reasonable accuracy for the flowmeter being calibrated.

A more sophisticated approach for direct flow validation is the use of a device called a flow prover. A “flow prover” is a precision piston-and-cylinder mechanism used to precisely measure a quantity of liquid over time.

Process flow is diverted through the prover, moving the piston over time. Sensors on the prover mechanism detect when the piston has reached certain positions, and time measurements taken at those different positions enable the calculation of average flow (ΔV/Δt ).

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for Instrumentation, Electrical, PLC, and SCADA video tutorials.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive daily updates.

Read Next:

  • What is an Orifice Flow Meter?
  • Flow meter Turndown Ratio
  • V Cone Flow Meter Principle
  • Oval Gear Flow Meters
  • Intrusive & Non-intrusive
Don't Miss Our Updates
Be the first to get exclusive content straight to your email.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
You've successfully subscribed !
Magnetic Flowmeter vs. Turbine Flowmeter – Comparison
What is a Thermal Flow Meter?
Configure the Instruments in Flow Control Loop
Basics of Restriction Orifice (RO) – Types, Applications, Standards
Difference between Transit time and Doppler Ultrasonic Flow Meter
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link
Share
1 Comment
  • Iqbal Raza Khan says:
    December 11, 2023 at 10:17 am

    Excellent Knowledge

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

128.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
208kSubscribersSubscribe
38kFollowersFollow

Categories

Recent Comments

  • Guifty Shimica on Top Non-PLC Certification Courses for Automation Professionals
  • Guifty Shimica on Top Non-PLC Certification Courses for Automation Professionals
  • MIHARITSOA Aina Sitraka on Top Non-PLC Certification Courses for Automation Professionals
  • Vaishnavi on Free Instrumentation Course for Trainee Engineers

Related Articles

Coriolis Mass Flow Meter Working Animation

Coriolis Meter Explained with Animation

Orifice Taps

Orifice Plate Tapping – Orifice Plate Taps

Metal tube Variable Area Flowmeters Principle

Metal Tube Variable Area Flow Meters Principle

Differential Pressure and Pressure Loss

What is Differential Pressure and Pressure Loss?

microwave flow detector applications

Microwave Flow Sensor – Working Principle and Applications

Flow meter Turndown Ratio

Why Turndown Ratio is important when Selecting a Flow Meter?

Sick Flow meters

Flare Ultrasonic Flow Meter – SOPAS Engineering Tool

Mass Flow Calculations of flow measurement

Mass Flow Calculations

More Articles

Automation in Logistics Industry

Automation in Logistics Industry

Automatic Motor Forward and Reverse Control using Timer

Automatic Motor Forward and Reverse Control using Timer

Unspecified CPU in Tia Portal

How to Add Unspecified CPU in Tia Portal?

Yokogawa DCS CPU

System Cabinet Health Checks – PLC and DCS Industrial Automation

What is FAT and SAT?

What is FAT and SAT? Difference between them

Working Principle of Water Chillers

HVAC Water Chillers Principle

pH Analyzers Questions and Answers

Combination Electrode Questions & Answers

MicroElectronics and Integrated Circuits Objective Questions and Answers

MicroElectronics and Integrated Circuits Objective Questions and Answers

Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?