In this article, you will learn the purpose of the orifice plate drain hole and the vent hole.
What is the Purpose of Orifice Plate Drain Hole?
A drain hole is a small hole that is provided in the lower region of the orifice plate.
A drain hole is required in gas flow service where liquid entrapment may occur.
Drain hole size could affect the accuracy of flow measurement.
However, if the diameter of the drain hole is less than 10% of the orifice bore, then the unmeasured flow is less than 1% of the total flow.
A drain hole is not recommended in dirty fluid service or slurries as the hole could be plugged.
In this application, the use of an eccentric orifice plate becomes an alternative.
What is the Purpose of Orifice Plate Vent Hole?
The vent hole is a small hole that is provided in the upper region of the orifice plate.
The vent hole is required in liquid flow service where gas entrainment may occur.
Vent hole size could affect the accuracy of flow measurement.
However, if the diameter of the vent hole is less than 10% of the orifice bore, then the unmeasured flow is less than 1% of the total flow.
The vent hole is not recommended in dirty fluid service or slurries as the hole could be plugged.
In this application, the use of an eccentric orifice plate becomes an alternative.
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Read Next:
- Classification of Orifice plates
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- Basics of Flow Measurement
Your statement regarding decrease in accuracy due to drain and vent hole is not correct.There is no change in accuracy as it is taken care during orrifice design
We have orifice , DP range : 0-2500 MMWC and flow range 0-250 M3/Hr. Can we used it for measurement of 0-10 M3/Hr. is it impact on accuracy of measurement ?
You cannot unless you want to sacrifice accuracy.
A basic orifice gives a turndown ratio of 1:3 i.e for your case you can measure 83 m3/hr with an accuracy below ±0.5 %.
However, in order to measure 10 m3/hr, you need to install a 2nd and 3rd DP transmitters in parallel on same orifice by Tee joint to measure flow ranges of 28 to 84 m3/hr (Tx2) and 10 to 30 m3/hr to maintain flow accuracy of ±0.5% throughout measuring range