An Introduction to Natural Gas Flow Meter Types

As far as buying gas flow meters is considered, you need to consider different types of it. Some common types include PD meters, differential pressure, the velocity flow meter, and mass flow meter. Let's find out more about them.

What is a Flow Meter?

Basically, a flow meter is responsible for measuring liquid flow or gas flow within a pipe. Let's talk about all of the four types one by one.

1. Mass Flow

Using this meter, you can determine the amount of gas of liquid flowing via the meter. These units are of two types: the thermal type and the coriolis type. First of all, the coriolis type allows you to measure the mass flow upon the deflection force of the fluid that is moving via a vibrating tube. These units offer a higher level of accuracy. But they are really expensive.

A thermal mass flow unit helps measure the flow of gas or liquid on the basis of heat transfer through a heating element. Again, these units offer great accuracy and are easy to install.

2. Velocity

In this type of meter, the measurement is determined based on the flow rate of the liquid or gas. For instance, turbine flow meters help measure the volumetric flow on the basis of the fluid passing through a free-spinning rotor. The good thing about these units is that they are highly accurate. Since these meters have a lot of moving parts in them, their uses are limited to some dry grasses.

The ultrasonic type of these meters can help determine the plus transmit time differences. These meters are really accurate and cost a lot more money than other types.

The vortex type features a shudder bar in the flow path. This component causes the liquid to flow in the direction of the shedder bar and develop vortices on the bar backside.

3. Differential Pressure Meters

These meters help determine the flow by determining pressure drop on a type of obstruction in the path of flow. Some common kinds of these elements include averaging pitot tubes, venturi tubes, flow nozzles, and orifice plats, just to name a few.

The orifice plate is a type of differential pressure meter designed for the measurement of natural gas. The role of the meter is to measure volumetric flow only. Some limitations of the equipment include limited turndown and low flow sensitivity, to name a few.

Basically, an averaging pitot tube is a type of differential-pressure meter designed for combustion air measurement. Some limitations of the tool include turndown and low-flow sensitivity.

4. Positive Displacement Gas Flow Meters

This type of meter requires liquid for the mechanical displacement of components and the measurement of volumetric flow at the running pressure and temperature. Although they are quite efficient, there is a requirement of temperature and pressure for achieving mass flow.

Since these units contain moving parts, the gas has to be cleaned. Another name of a PD meter is a PD flow meter. For instance, the diaphragm meter is a type of PD meter.