Vortex flowmeter is a common flow measurement equipment, widely used in industrial processes to measure the flow of gas, liquid and steam. The following is a detailed explanation of its working principle, structure, operating conditions, possible problems, temperature and pressure compensation and required hardware when measuring saturated steam or superheated steam.
1. How it works
Vortex flowmeters are based on the Karman vortex street principle: When a fluid flows through an asymmetric body (called a vortex generator), alternate vortices are formed downstream of it, which are generated and released at a specific frequency. The frequency of vortex generation is proportional to the flow rate of the fluid, so the flow rate of the fluid can be calculated by detecting the frequency of these vortices. Common detection methods include piezoelectric sensors or capacitive sensors to record the frequency of the vortex.
2.Structure
The basic structure of vortex flowmeter includes:
Vortex generators: Usually triangular columns or prisms, used to perturb the fluid and create vortices.
• Sensor probes: Devices used to detect vortex frequencies, such as piezoelectric or capacitive sensors.
Flow measurement pipe: A vortex generator and probe are installed in which the fluid flows through this section.
• Signal processing unit: The signal collected by the probe is converted into velocity or flow data.
3. Operating conditions
Vortex flowmeters are suitable for measuring the following fluids:
• Gas: such as air, nitrogen, natural gas, etc.
• Liquid: such as water, oil, etc.
Steam: such as saturated steam and superheated steam.
Note when using:
• Straight pipe section requirements: To ensure accurate measurement, it is usually necessary to maintain a sufficiently long straight pipe section before and after the vortex flowmeter to avoid flow field disturbances.
• Fluid velocity range: Vortex flowmeters are suitable for medium to high flow rates.
• Temperature and pressure conditions: The right vortex flowmeter materials and sensors need to be selected according to the specific working conditions to adapt to higher temperature or pressure environments.
4. Common Problems
Vortex flowmeter may encounter the following problems in use:
Vibration effects: Pipe vibration can interfere with signal accuracy, resulting in incorrect measurement data.
Low flow rate sensitivity: At low flow rates, the resulting vortex signal may not be obvious enough, reducing measurement accuracy.
Scaling and corrosion: Scaling or corrosion on the inner wall of the measuring pipe can affect the performance and measurement stability of the vortex generator.
• Foreign matter blocking: Foreign matter blocking the measurement pipe, will cause measurement errors
5. Temperature and pressure compensation when measuring saturated steam and superheated steam
When measuring the flow of saturated or superheated steam, temperature and pressure compensation is important to ensure that the measured flow results reflect the mass flow or volume flow under actual conditions.
• Saturated steam: The density of saturated steam has a fixed relationship with temperature and pressure, so the density can be calculated by measuring pressure or temperature.
• Superheated steam: Since its temperature and pressure are relatively independent, the temperature and pressure must be measured simultaneously to calculate the density.
Compensation method:
Temperature compensation: Obtain the temperature of the fluid in real time by installing a temperature sensor.
• Pressure compensation: Obtain the pressure of the fluid in real time by installing a pressure transmitter.
Flow calculation: Temperature and pressure data are entered into flow calculators or automated systems for real-time density compensation to calculate accurate mass flow rates.
6. Required hardware
In order to achieve accurate temperature and pressure compensation, the following hardware is usually required:
• Vortex flowmeter body: equipped with standard signal output interface.
Temperature sensors (such as thermocouples or thermal resistors) : used to measure the temperature of steam.
• Pressure transmitter: Used to measure the pressure of steam.
Flow calculators or DCS/PLC systems: used to receive temperature, pressure and flow signals and perform compensation calculations.
7. Add:
Why is temperature and pressure compensation required when measuring saturated or superheated steam
Temperature and pressure compensation is required when measuring saturated or superheated steam, mainly because the density of steam varies significantly with temperature and pressure. Without compensation, vortex flowmeters can only measure volume flow, and for accurate process control and energy calculation, we usually need to know the mass flow or standard volume flow. Here's why:
1. Density change of steam
• Saturated steam: In the saturated state, there is a strict correspondence between the temperature and pressure of the steam. Any change in temperature or pressure results in a change in density, so density can be derived by measuring a parameter, such as temperature or pressure. However, it is still necessary to obtain the density in real time for compensation due to the change of working conditions.
• Superheated steam: Temperature and pressure vary independently, and density cannot be determined simply by one parameter. Therefore, it is necessary to measure both temperature and pressure to calculate the density of the vapor.
2. Flow type and measurement target
• Volume flow: The vortex flowmeter directly measures the volume flow of the fluid, that is, the volume through the measured section in unit time. For gases and vapors, this value does not directly reflect mass at different temperatures and pressures.
Mass flow rate: This is a more useful quantity in process control and energy calculation as it relates to the actual mass of the fluid. When calculating the mass flow rate, you need to use the formula:
• Density compensation: Through temperature and pressure measurements, real-time density is calculated and compensated to ensure that the measured result is an accurate mass flow rate or standard volume flow rate.
3. Steam energy calculation needs
In many industrial applications, especially those involving steam heating or steam driven equipment, the energy transfer of steam is key. The enthalpy (heat content) of steam is directly related to its temperature and pressure. Without compensation, the data provided by the flowmeter cannot be used accurately for energy calculations.
• Real-time compensation provides the true state parameters of the steam for more accurate energy balance and control.
4. Dynamic changes in actual working conditions
The temperature and pressure in a steam system may change over time, such as under high or low load conditions, and this fluctuation will cause the density of the steam to change. Therefore, in order to ensure accurate measurements, these changes need to be captured and compensated dynamically.
conclusion
Temperature and pressure compensation is necessary for measuring saturated and superheated steam because it can:
• The volume flow measured by the corrected flowmeter is mass flow.
• Provides more accurate steam flow data for process control.
• Ensure the accuracy of energy calculations and process efficiency.
By measuring temperature and pressure in real time and combining these data for density calculations, it is possible to compensate for changes in vapor density, making measurements more reliable and accurate.
conclusion
Vortex flowmeter is widely used in industry because of its simple structure, easy maintenance and wide application range. When measuring saturated and superheated steam, temperature and pressure compensation is essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of flow data.
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