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Detailed Information About Calibration of Flow Meters

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Naman Modi
Detailed Information About Calibration of Flow Meters

A flowmeter is a test tool used to gauge the flow rate of liquid and gas in firms and home plants. 

The flow rate is the speed at which a fluid moves through a pipe, hole, or canal. The exact flow is crucial for planners to watch and guide the speed and ability of the tools.

Calibration of the meter is done to raise precision or a reset of the meter to adhere to certain gauging levels. The act of calibration is done on many tools like hefting scale, mainly if they show mass without mass placed on them; the same effect works with flow meters. The main contrast is that calibration in meters is often matching reading between tools on tests and models. 

Importance of Calibration

There are many reasons to calibrate a flow meter sensor. Here are the most vital goals to keep in mind in flow calibration. Here are the main reasons:

Fluid properties

Sensors have to mix with the fluid to give an exact reading. That means calibration has to verify unity between the pipeline and the fluid. All liquids have varying traits, such as mass, density, and heat level. 

The method used ensures any changes during the fitting are taken care of by the various fluid properties. Regular calibration ensures smooth recording between the flow meter and the liquid or gas used.  

Flow profile

Flow profile is how the fluid flows in a pipeline. The Calibration Process (CP) is there to ensure the exact reading of uneven flowing liquids. That is because the shape of the pipe can alter the rate of flow. Bends, valves, and density of the liquid vary the calibrations. The CP is there to make sure that the meter is right despite the flow profile.

Measure performance Indicator

The CP enables the owner to check the performance signs of the meter. If the flow signs are okay, then the readings are more exact and fit for the fluid. CP helps to ensure that the performance sign is optimized for the meter.

Fix precision, certainty, and the ability to trace

The first and chief reason for calibration is to ensure that a meter gives the most reliable reading and drop redundancies. The CP aims to ensure the calibrated meter is closest to the model analysis. The amount measured has the same quantity and uses the same units for exact quantities.

Uncertainty is a non-negative parameter that gauges the dispersion of reading from the model data.

Some key terms 

Calibration: This is the first set of a flow meter before use; it is done before fixing the meter or after the making. 

Recalibration: This is any of the recurring CP from the first CP done at the first fix. 

The calibration model is a global or national standard that all flow meters have to match during the CP. 

Types of CP

Gravimetric CP

Gravimetric CP is one of the most exact and cheap mass and volumetric mass flow meter CPs. The way is fit for petroleum-related products, oil, and water cleaning.

Steps in the CP

  1. Measure a small amount of fluid and place it in the meter under test. 
  2. Weigh the exact amount of the liquid as it flows for at least a minute.
  3. Use a good scale to get the exact weight of the fluid used in the test.
  4. When the test is done, divert the liquid into a discharge container.
  5. Get the flow rate using simple digital working out.
  6. Compare the worked out rate and the rate displayed on the meter and adjust accordingly.

Piston Prover CP

The piston prover method is the most common CP due to the low cost of the piston prover. A device called a piston prover forces a liquid through the meter under test. A piston prover is usually round and has a known internal diameter.

Piston provers contain pistons, which cause volumetric flow by Positive displacement. The CP is ideal for flow calibration of ultrasonic meters, turbine flow meters, and fuel meters, which need high accuracy. 

Steps in the CP

  1. Mark a small amount of fluid and place it in the meter under test.
  2. Push the piston and let the liquid go into the meter
  3. Get a volume of liquid by working out the internal diameter
  4. Check the size of the liquid and the rate of the flow.

 

Master Meter CP

Master meter CP directly compares the meter under test to a master meter. The test meter is then adjusted to match the model master meter. The model master meter is usually set to global rules of gauging.

Steps in the CP

  1. Measure the same amounts of fluid and place it in the meter under test and the model master meter.
  2. Compare the readings of the master meter and the test meter, then adjust the test meter accordingly. 

Final word

Flow calibration is vital to the good working of a flow meter. It should be done annually to counter any reset made by changes in fluid profile such as dirt in the fluid or mechanical harm to the meter caused by crash impacts. A good CP ensures the meter remains in good condition, gives exact readings fit with the fluid in use.

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