A turbine flow meter is a type of volumetric flow meter that measures the flow rate of a fluid by measuring the rotational speed of a turbine rotor. The turbine rotor is positioned in the flow path of the fluid, and the blades of the rotor are rotated by the flowing fluid. The rotational speed of the rotor is proportional to the flow rate of the fluid, and the flow rate can be calculated by measuring the rotational speed of the rotor.
Turbine flow meters are widely used in a variety of industrial applications, including:
Oil and gas
Water and wastewater
Chemical
Power
Food and beverage
Aerospace
Pharmaceutical
Pulp and paper
Turbine Flow Meter Installation
The following steps should be followed when installing a turbine flow meter:
Select the appropriate turbine flow meter for the application. The turbine flow meter should be selected based on the following factors:
The type of fluid being measured
The flow rate of the fluid
The temperature and pressure of the fluid
The accuracy requirements of the application
Install the turbine flow meter in the pipeline according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The turbine flow meter should be installed in a straight section of pipe, with a minimum of 10 pipe diameters upstream and 5 pipe diameters downstream of the meter. The meter should also be installed in a location where there is no vibration or pulsation.
Wire the turbine flow meter to the appropriate instrumentation. The flow meter will typically have a pulse output, which can be connected to a frequency counter or totalizer. The flow meter may also have an analog output, which can be connected to a PLC or other control system.
Turbine Flow Meter Calibration
Turbine flow meters should be calibrated on a regular basis to ensure that they are measuring accurately. The calibration procedure will vary depending on the type of turbine flow meter being used. However, the general procedure is as follows:
Connect the flow meter to a known flow rate. This can be done using a gravimetric feeder, a volumetric feeder, or a master flow meter.
Measure the output of the flow meter. This can be done using a frequency counter, totalizer, or PLC.
Calculate the K-factor of the flow meter. The K-factor is a constant that relates the output of the flow meter to the flow rate of the fluid. The K-factor can be calculated by dividing the known flow rate by the measured output of the flow meter.
Program the K-factor into the flow meter. Once the K-factor is programmed into the flow meter, the meter will be able to accurately measure the flow rate of the fluid.
Troubleshooting Turbine Flow Meters
The following are some common problems that can occur with turbine flow meters:
Fouling of the turbine rotor. This can be caused by suspended solids in the fluid. To prevent fouling, a strainer should be installed upstream of the flow meter.
Damage to the turbine rotor. This can be caused by vibration, pulsation, or cavitation. To prevent damage to the turbine rotor, the meter should be installed in a location where there is no vibration or pulsation. A pulsation damper may also be installed upstream of the meter to reduce vibration.
Failure of the pulse output or analog output. This can be caused by electrical noise or a wiring problem. To troubleshoot a problem with the pulse output or analog output, the wiring should be checked for continuity and the signal should be monitored for noise.
Conclusion
Turbine flow meters are reliable and accurate flow meters that can be used in a variety of industrial applications. By following the installation and calibration procedures outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your flow meter is measuring accurately and reliably.
