FLO-TK™ Flow Conditioner Eliminates Long Pipe Runs & Increases Flow Meter Accuracy

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PROBLEM: FLOW METER INACCURACY

• Inaccurate flow measurements

• Lack of space for proper installation

• Trapped fluids in chemical concentrations

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Obtaining accurate pipeline flow measurement requires that the flow directly before the meter be uniform, streamlined and stable. In most pipeline applications, meter piping configurations are cramped and do not allow enough room for the required straight length of pipe, to properly install a meter and have accurate measurements. The problem of not having enough space to correctly install a meter close to an elbow. The traditional treatment to deal with this in the metering industry for the deformed highly turbulent flow leaving an elbow is to use long meter runs to allow viscous forces to re-establish the steady equilibrium flow distribution. For a plain elbow standard meter runs are up to 30 diameters depending on type of fluid. Tubular flow straighteners still require 20 diameters and when there is no room often times more expensive flow meters are installed. Meter runs that dissipate the flow disturbance are still required. Lack of these meter runs and minimizing them still affect accuracy. The traditional treatment is to dissipate the flow disturbance via viscous forces. Flow metering devices cannot provide accurate measurement of the flow rate through a pipe when flow entering the measurement device is distorted. Consequently, flow meter manufactures and a number of independent organizations such as ASME, AGA and ANSI/API recommend that flow meters not be installed near and downstream of elbows.

 

SOLUTION: FLO-TK™ FLOW CONDITIONER

• Accurate flow measurements

• More compact pipe layout

• Eliminates trapping of chemical species

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The solution of a FLO-TK™ Flow Conditioner is to prevent disturbances from occurring in the first place. A long pipe meter-run is not always possible, particularly so where metering instruments are added to an existing piping system. The use of a FLO-TK™ eliminates the need for long meter-runs, large space requirements and provides steady, uniform flow resulting in consistent accurate flow measurements. All of the elbow induced flow turbulence, vibration, separation, and noise that is also accompanied with reverse and accelerated flows, will be eliminated.  Any type of meter can now be placed as close as one pipe diameter away from the outlet of an elbow, and the meter will measure accurately, being assured of a uniform flow of fluid.

 

The FLO-TK™ Flow Conditioner is the only true solution for post elbow metering applications. The FLO-TK™ prevents problematic flow separation in an elbow and removes need for long meter runs to condition the flow. A steady equilibrium flow distribution is necessary to achieve optimal accuracy from the measurement instrument. All flow meter or measurement instruments are calibrated to respond with accuracy and precision to symmetrical uniform velocity profiles. Such optimal symmetrical shapes vary from the parabolic laminar profile to the top half or flatter turbulent profile.

 

Distortion and separated flow, always accompany the flow through an elbow. The constriction in a pipe section caused by the separation regions on the inside and outside in turn generate downstream of the actual elbow section a profile deformation, which can be quite drastic. This deformation is introduced because centrifugal forces create a pressure gradient across the elbow as well secondary motions.

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• Improves the accuracy of the meters, resulting in correct amounts being billed for the measured products.

• Allows the meter to measure accurately and consistently, eliminating the need for frequent calibrations.

• Allows the meter to be positioned within one pipe diameter off of the elbow or tee, resulting in a more compact piping layout, thus saving space and piping material.

• Completely eliminates the trapping of fluids in chemical concentrations, thus preventing corrosion and erosion problems, while improving safety by eliminating line rupture and spillage problems.

• Greatly reduces the elbow or tee induced noise, making for a safer and more comfortable work environment.

• Greatly reduces the elbow or tee induced flow turbulence and vibration, which eliminates the need for stronger pipe supports, and results in less damage to the meter, and allows for more accurate measurements.

• Eliminates the potential of spillage and line rupture and their related safety, environmental problems, and cleanup costs.

• Greatly reduces the maintenance and calibration required for the meter, saving on measurement errors, parts, labor, downtime, lost production, etc.

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► REFINERY AIR FLOW MEASUREMENT

Several Flow Conditioner units are installed in a refinery ahead of the flow metering instruments. This type of installation resulted in the saving of 25 diameters of straight pipe run. In plants where only a short meter run was provided, installation of flow conditioner will result in more accurate measurements.

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► CHEMICAL PLANT AIR FLOW MEASUREMENT

A chemical plant had a flow meter located in an 18" header. Two separate 10" pipes were attached to the header. Flow meters were mounted in each of the 10" pipes about 6 diameters downstream of the elbows. The fluid was air and the meters were hot wire anemometers. Comparing the flow rates as measured by the upstream meter with the sum of the readings of the two downstream meters resulted in an indicated difference of about 30% in total flow. A Flow Conditioner was installed between the two downstream meters and elbows. The subsequent comparison of total flow were within 5% of each other.  

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The expense of the meter increases as the length of the required piping between the elbow and meter decreases decreases and conversely the piping length increases as the expense of the meter decreases.

 

Placing a Flow Conditioner before the elbow will reduce the amount of pipe length required between the elbow and meter.

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