When considering a process flow, one of the most defining and characteristic features is what type of fluid is passing through the pipe. At a basic level the flow can often be separated into one of three common types: liquid, gas, or steam. There are many applications that operate with a specific fluid phase, and with each application comes unique challenges and complexities. The Engineer’s Guide to DP Flow Measurement breaks these fluid phases into their own respective chapters, each containing an overview of the characteristics of applications as well as best practices.
Chapter 4 goes into detail about applications with flows that are in a gaseous state. Some of these applications are more common like compressed air for use in a plant, transmission of natural gas, and flare lines. There are also more complex applications such as wet gas measurement, as well as helpful information on how to account for differences in natural gas composition and correcting a flow meter to account for humidity. This chapter addresses the common challenges for each gas application as well as suggests suitable technologies for making an accurate flow measurement. The physical properties of most gasses vary with temperature and static pressure, so these applications often require pressure and temperature compensation for flow measurement. This can be achieved with the Rosemount 3051S MultiVariable Transmitter.
A utility scrubber for emissions reduction is an example of gas flow measurement.
If the process fluid is a liquid rather than a gas, then you can refer to chapter 5. Like the previous chapter common applications are laid out with characteristics and challenges, as well as suggestions for the type of technology to use. Some applications, such as measuring cooling water or boiler feedwater, can be found in an immense amount of industries. Other applications are industry specific like the measurement of liquid hydrocarbons all the way from upstream production to downstream refining. Less common applications include cryogenic fluid flows or slurries.
An example of a liquid application at a midstream flow metering and regulation station.
The final application-focused section is chapter 6, which concentrates on steam. Steam is crucial in many industrial applications and plays a large part in power generation and transferring energy to different operations in a plant. Steam behaves like a pure gas and has been measured using DP flow devices for over 100 years. The primary design challenge for steam measurement is to accurately convey the pressures to the transmitter without exceeding pressure or temperature limits. This chapter contains a large focus on the installation of meters measuring steam, as well as applications that utilize the three types of steam: saturated, superheated, and wet (quality) steam.
A typical saturated steam system.
For a more in depth look at each of these applications as well as many not mentioned, please click here to download your copy of the new resource The Engineer’s Guide to DP Flow Measurement today!