Flow sensor (flow meter also) is a collective term for all sensors that measure the flow of a gas or liquid through a pipe.
Further flow meter, a device is called in medical technology, which measures blood flow, and may derive different values, Flowmeter.
A flow measurement is essentially for three reasons. On the one hand, these are commercial reasons. The flow rate is then part of a contract or the basis for taxation. Then the flow is integrated over time and one obtains the total amount. Second, there must be recipes in batch processes where several quantities are mixed to an approach. Third, material flows are mixed directly in a predetermined ratio without batch process. standards.gov
Indicator species
Essentially, a distinction is made between two types of outputs:
Volume flow. For this purpose, the flow velocity of the medium measured, and then determines the flow rate using the formula volume flow = pipe cross sectional area * speed. The result is usually expressed in m³ / h or l / min indicated that the SI unit is m / s
Mass flow is important for example in the measurement of quantities of fuel. As an example, an air mass meter is called, as he is in automobiles. Here, the measurement value is given predominantly in kilograms per hour (kg / h) air. In addition to air mass sensor temperature and humidity are measured and thus the proportion of air flowing into the engine is determined. Thus controls the motor controller, the corresponding amount of fuel. The measurement of volume flow was not sufficient for this application, since the density of air is strongly dependent on pressure and temperature dependent. If only the air volume flow rate measured, the motor control could the exact mixing ratio which is necessary for complete combustion of the fuel not ensure.
Important characteristics
In the industry, the sensors usually have standardized output signals: either flows from 0 to 20 milliamps or 4 to 20 milliamp or voltage from 0 to 10 volts.
The measuring range can be specified by:
- lower detection limit, eg min 1 L /
- upper limit min measurement such as 100 l /
- Span or dynamic: 1:100
The conventional measurement principles described here allow reliable measurements down to min flow rates of a few ml / min. Below this, the reliability and accuracy of this method decreases rapidly. For smaller flow rates, down to the range of nanoliters per minute, can be used on micro-system technology based sensors. These usually work with thermal measurement methods.
The measuring accuracy is usually expressed as a relative failure, such as 1% of actual measured value.
The pressure loss is an important parameter as it continues to lose energy in the conduction system does. Different types differ in their characteristic pressure drop:
Ultrasonic flow meter using transit time principle without flow straightener: almost no
Pressure Drop
Differential pressure aperture metering: high, with a greatly increasing the flow rate pressure drop. Thermal mass air sensor in cars: low pressure drop, since small sensing elements project into the flow channel. Magneto-inductive flow sensor (Magnetic Flow Meter): almost no pressure loss. Measurement accuracy and span several sensors
Ultrasonic flow meter sensor
Run time change of sound through the flow
The non-contact ultrasonic flow meter by determining the transit time is a non-invasive flow meter, since no objects disturbing the flow in the tube or change. There are two formats: transit time and Doppler. The accuracy is about 0.1 to 2% relative error. The span, which is the ratio of largest to smallest measurable speed is about 1:100.
A basic distinction between clamp-on (ie, the sensors are on the outside of the pipe strapped) and in-line devices.
Differential pressure method
Scheme covers a measuring range with Corner Taps to DIN EN ISO 5167-2
There are a variety of flow sensors operate on the differential pressure method, such as pitot tube or orifice plate Prandtlsonde. All work on the energy conservation law (flow according to Bernoulli and Venturi) with the result that the volume or mass flow rate Q is proportional to the square root of the pressure difference between two measuring points. To make the final formula for the user to handle, it often holds all constant values of the measuring device (pipe and choke cross sections) and of the medium (density ρ) together as a constant c:
The above equation is valid when the density corresponds to the density of the fluid during calibration. However, since the density of gases is strongly dependent on the temperature and pressure, can be achieved within certain limits by the following equation is a compensation of this influence.
For air flow measuring devices usually used for the density of the calibration ρKalibrierung = 1.20kg / m 3.
In addition to the classical pitot tubes, there are other vendor-specific types, which can have several advantages under certain conditions, such as lower requirements for the approach flow, lower pressure drop or simpler installation. However, these devices require, in contrast to the primary elements of a calibration for the respective operating conditions
The kinetic energy of a fluid (eg water flowing in a pipeline) is converted into potential energy (pressure). The best-known primary element, the panel is nothing other than a perforated disc to the narrowing of the pipeline, which forces the fluid to an increase in speed (increase of the kinetic energy). Thus, the pressure after the diaphragm is lower (reduction of the potential energy). The span, depending on the primary element and quality of the sensory evaluation and between 1:3 and 1:20.
Conditions
For normal monitoring stations, accurate flow rates are achieved during operation without calibration on the spot if the following conditions are met:
- A completely filled in the vicinity of the throttle device, the fluid flowing all sections of pipeline.
- The flow must be at least quasi-stationary or stationary, ie, the flow may change at the measuring point is slow. Oscillations of the flow affect the measurement accuracy and should be avoided.
- The material must be in a pure phase are; solids in gases and liquids, crude moisture in gases and steam, etc. make it difficult to measure and make special measures required. Likewise, require measurements of a substance whose state is close to a transition point, special attention can be held as a result of the change in pressure at the throttle device interference by transition to another phase (liquid near the boiling point, saturated vapor, etc.).
- The density of the medium and its composition, as well as pressure, temperature and humidity must be known in the calculation of the throttle device.
The venturi tube is the principal function of the ISO 5167 is described restrictors
Primary cells
There are a multitude of primary elements. The classic primary elements (orifice plate, venturi, nozzle …) are in the standards of DIN EN ISO 5167 described in detail. In addition to the exact designs are presented alongside information on the flow computation and accuracy. With the restriction described in the ISO 5167 elements, a very high measurement accuracy can be achieved, so that they are usually used to calibrate other flowmeters.
Magnetic Inductive Flow Sensor (MID)
Accuracy of approximately 0.1% relative error
Measuring range up to 1:1000
Measuring principle: In a magnetic field moving charge carriers (eg ions in liquids = electrically conductive media) apart.