Flow Measuring Devices

Learning objectives

• Describe the following types of flow measuring devices, or flowmeters:
  • Mass flowmeters
  • Velocity based flowmeters
  • Variable area flowmeters
  • Pressure based flowmeters
• Explain how a Coriolis flowmeter and a thermal flowmeter determine mass flowrate
• Describe the operation of the following velocity based flowmeters:
  • Turbine flowmeter
  • Vortex flowmeter
  • Magnetic flowmeter
  • Ultrasonic flowmeter
  • Optical flowmeter
• Explain how a rotameter uses variable flow area to determine flowrate
• Explain how differential pressure can indirectly indicate flowrate
• Describe the following methods for producing a differential pressure that are commonly used in flow measuring instruments:
  • Orifice plates
  • Venturi tubes
  • Flow nozzles
  • Pitot tubes
• Describe the difference between and give examples of concentric and non-concentric orifice plates

Course overview