A vortex flow meter is a type of flow meter that measures the direct flow measurement of a gas or liquid in a pipe. It works by detecting the vortices that are created when a fluid passes by an obstruction in the pipe. The frequency of these vortices is proportional to the velocity of the fluid, and this frequency can be measured and used to accurately calculate the flow rate.
InnovaMass 240i
Inline iSeries Vortex Flow Meters
Vortex flowmeters make use of a principle called the von Kármán effect. According to this principle, the flow will alternately generate vortices when passing by a bluff body. A bluff body has a broad, flat front. In a vortex meter, the bluff body is a piece of material with a broad, flat front that extends vertically into the flow stream. Flow velocity is proportional to the frequency of the vortices. The flow rate is calculated by multiplying the area of the pipe times the velocity of the flow.
In some cases, vortex meters require the use of straightening vanes or straight upstream piping to eliminate distorted flow patterns and swirl. Low flow rates present a problem for vortex meters because they generate vortices irregularly under low flow conditions. The accuracy of vortex meters is from medium to high, depending on the model and manufacturer. In addition to liquid and gas flow measurements, vortex flowmeters are widely used to measure steam flow.
The main advantages of vortex meters are their low sensitivity to variations in process conditions and low wear relative to orifices or turbine meters. Also, initial and maintenance costs are low. For these reasons, they have been gaining wider acceptance among users.
Read more about how Vortex Flow Meters work HERE
Sierra Instruments are known as a global leader in manufacturing high-quality mass flow meters.