SPACE CONSTRAINT
A FLO-TK™ Flow Conditioner provides a uniform laminar flow at the elbow outlet and eliminates the turbulence, which produces damaging vibration & wear to pipes, seals, bearings and pumps. FLO-TK™ Flow Conditioner increases velocity and pressure, while reducing pipe run requirements ideal for space constrained designs.
​
PROBLEM: PIPE RUN REQUIREMENTS
A long straight pipe run for meters and pumps is not always possible, particularly in existing or compact piping systems.
The use of a FLO-TK™ Flow Conditioner eliminates the need for long pipe-runs, large space requirements and provides steady, uniform flow eliminating the locally high velocity induced cavitation, turbulence and shed vortices, which produce damaging vibration and wear to pipes, seals, bearings and pumps.
The object of a pipe run is to eliminate velocity profile distortions and swirl. Pipe runs are lengths of unobstructed straight pipe with smooth internal surface finish upstream and downstream of a measurement device or pump. Vortices shed by upstream fluid interaction with an elbow; a valve, or other flow obstruction distorts the flow profile downstream. The length of pipe run necessary to damp out distortions in the flow profile sufficient for accurate flow measurements is determined by the fittings used in the system and the sensitivity of the primary measurement device to these distortions.
​
Because the dampening effects are proportional to the kinematic viscosity of the fluid, liquids will need much longer pipe runs than gases. Kinematic viscosity is the dynamic viscosity divided by the density of the fluid. As an example, it is 7 times larger for air than it is for water, so the fluid should return to a stable profile 7 times as fast for air as it would for water at the same Reynolds number.
​
Because there are a wide variety of fluids and flow geometries, there is a wide range for the piping runs necessary for a given flow application. An example of this is the orifice flow meter: the tighter the flow is choked, the shorter the pipe runs required to achieve a given accuracy. However, further choking the flow also results in drastically increased head loss.
​
The pipe runs are necessary because flow measurement devices are most accurate when they interact with a fully developed normal velocity profiles such as those shown below for laminar and turbulent flows.
​
To have a well-developed flow pattern, manufacturer's manuals recommend about 10 to 20 diameters of straight pipe run upstream of the pump inlet. Unfortunately, piping designers and plant personnel must contend with space and equipment layout constraints and usually cannot comply with this recommendation. Instead, it is common to use an elbow close-coupled to the pump suction which creates a poorly developed flow pattern.
Flow Conditioner Laminar Flow Velocity Increase Pressure Increase Eliminate Cavitation Erosion Pump Wear Pump Failure Reduce Electrical Consumption. Increase Safety Efficiency NPSH Flow Rate. FLO-TK Turbulence Industry Solution FLO-TK Straightening Vane Flow Correction
The installation of a FLO-TKâ„¢ Flow Conditioner prior to the elbow prevents the elbow-induced flow problems from occurring, there is less to dampen out and pre-meter pipe runs are drastically reduced. FLO-TKâ„¢ Flow Conditioner will prevent problems from occurring in the first place. The benefits are lower head loss, elimination of cavitation, improved pumping efficiency, reduced pipe run with improved flow meter accuracy, lower maintenance requirements, ease of retrofit, lower overall operating co
The installation of a FLO-TKâ„¢ Flow Conditioner prior to the elbow prevents the elbow-induced flow problems from occurring, there is less to dampen out and pre-meter pipe runs are drastically reduced. FLO-TKâ„¢ Flow Conditioner will prevent problems from occurring in the first place. The benefits are lower head loss, elimination of cavitation, improved pumping efficiency, reduced pipe run with improved flow meter accuracy, lower maintenance requirements, ease of retrofit, lower overall operating co
Flow Conditioner Laminar Flow Velocity Increase Pressure Increase Eliminate Cavitation Erosion Pump Wear Pump Failure Reduce Electrical Consumption. Increase Safety Efficiency NPSH Flow Rate. FLO-TK Turbulence Industry Solution FLO-TK Straightening Vane Flow Correction
SOLUTION: FLO-TK™ ELIMINATES PIPE RUNS
​
The installation of a FLO-TK™ Flow Conditioner prior to the elbow prevents the elbow-induced flow problems from occurring, there is less to dampen out and pre-meter pipe runs are drastically reduced. FLO-TK™ Flow Conditioner will prevent problems from occurring in the first place. The benefits are lower head loss, elimination of cavitation, improved pumping efficiency, reduced pipe run with improved flow meter accuracy, lower maintenance requirements, ease of retrofit, lower overall operating costs, increased process equipment throughput and yield. The FLO-TK™ reduces the length of pipe runs necessary in all post elbow applications and this will lower piping costs and save space.
​
“Currently, we are fabricating a few topsides (for satellite platforms) for oil & gas production. Fabrication work is still on progress but we foresee 2 Crude Oil Transfer Pumps will encounter severe premature damage when put to operation. Due to space constrain a long radius elbow is directly mounted (vertically) on a double suction impeller pump. This pump is designed with a vertical suction nozzle orientation. With this arrangement, the pump will be subjected to premature damage due to uneven flow entering the pump and to prevent this from happening we are interested to explore your product.” –EPC
In offshore applications, industry experts are hearing a clear message: it’s all about size and weight. Specifically, companies that operate offshore platforms are looking for smaller and lighter packages, a trend that has forced OEMs and compressor packages to scale down their equipment.
FLUID HANDLING & FLOW INDUSTRY EXPERTS
The FLO-TK™ is a stationary solid construction Billet device (of proprietary design) strategically positioned upstream of an elbow or tee to attack the root of the problem by eliminating flow problems from happening. The FLO-TK™ Flow Conditioner is precision manufactured with an aerodynamic design to produce a rotation to cancel out secondary flows and prevent flow separation. Flow problems are prevented by the creation of a uniform laminar flow with increase in NPSH, flow rate, head, velocity, pressure, plant efficiency, industrial safety, parts life extension and reduced maintenance/wear.
Increases Velocity • Aerodynamic Vanes • Airfoil Minimizes Drag • Barrier Designed for Speed • Fluid Meets With Continuity • Eliminates Slow Down Regions • Designed With No Dead Space Regions • High & Low Pressure Regions to Create Lift • Vortex Created To Allow Control of Fluid through Elbow • Flow Conditioner Creates Squeeze to Create Velocity • Areas Can Be Designed to Slow or Speed Fluid • Designed For Long or Short Radius Elbow • For Fluid Transfer & Flow Control • Flow Turbulence Solution • Smooth Laminar Flow • Increases Pressure • Gently Steers Flow • Energy Efficient • No Moving Parts • Rockwell 90 • Easy Retrofit • Billet Machined • Hardened Design • Stationary Device • Solid Construction • Highly Engineered • Proprietary Coatings Available • Corrosion Resistance • Weld or Flanged Ends • Superior Base Material • Precision Manufactured • Hardened Durable Design • Density Absorbent Design • Cost Savings • Installation Payback •