Flow rate measurement and management require special types of devices called flowmeters. Since many factors determine liquid and gas flow rate, companies and plants that handle or process liquids or gas need to use the right flow meter for different applications. Using the right kind of flow meter contributes a lot to the accuracy of the measurement, which is vital for a company’s bottom line.
In this article, we are going to discuss one type of flow meter called a rotameter. This type of flow meter commonly used in industries is unique, as you will find out. Continue reading this post for more about rotameters and how they work when measuring flow rates.
What is a Rotameter?
Otherwise known as a variable area flowmeter, a rotameter is a popularly used flow rate measurement device in many industrial processes that handle fluids and gas substances. This flow meter is unique because it only has one moving part, which works mechanically when measuring the liquid flow rate. A rotameter has a tapered tube made from glass, metal, plastic, or stainless steel. It also has a component found inside the tube called afloat.
Rotameters measure the flow rate in liquids and gases by monitoring the intensity of the fluid flowing linearly inside the tapered tube. It is a very simple flow rate measuring device that works efficiently when measuring flow. It is also very easy to install, read, and maintain. You can use it to measure a wide range of fluids and flows, including low-pressure flow rates.
How a Rotameter Works?
Rotameters come in many different types with the same working principle. When measuring the flow rate, the gas or liquid goes through the tapered tube from the bottom. Therefore, all types of rotameters need to be installed vertically to measure flow rate accurately. As the fluid flows through the tube, the float goes up. As the pressure increases in the tube, the float also goes further up. If used for measuring flow rate in gas substances, the user will only need the flow density and velocity. This means that the buoyancy of the gas is not needed to get the flow rate. On the other hand, buoyancy and velocity rate is required to get flow rate in liquids.
For variable area flowmeters to measure flow rate accurately, they have to be placed vertically. This is to allow fluid to flow through the tube from the bottom to rise from the bottom upwards. When there is zero fluid in the tube, the float will rest at the bottom of the tube. The float will start raising when differential pressure decreases. This happens when the size of the annular opening increases across the float.
Based on what the rotameter is used for, the size of these flow measurement devices will vary in size. Besides coming in different types, rotameters also come in different sizes depending on the application. As flow force is exerted upwards, an equilibrium is reached, and the float stays in a fixed position. Once this happens, the operator can now rear the flow rate of the measured fluid or gas. The float will levitate inside the tapered tube when there is a continuous flow of the measured fluid.
Other rotameter types make it possible to control the valve manually. Initially, rotameters had rotating floats that moved freely depending on gas or fluid changing pressure. That is where the name rotameter came from. Calibrated data and direct reading scales are provided when using variable area flowmeters to measure common fluids like air and water. Readings while measuring other fluids will have to be converted into standard formats. While using rotameters to measure liquids, the unit used is in GPM, and in gas measurement, the unit used is in standard cubic feet per minute (scfm).
Conclusion
A rotameter is a peculiar flow measurement device because it has only one moving part used to measure flow rate mechanically. However, it has a simple design which makes it easy to install, measure flow rate, and maintain. The downside is that you will have to calibrate it every time you use it with another fluid or gas substance.
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Naman Modi is a Professional Blogger, SEO Expert & Guest blogger at proteusind.com. He is an Award-Winning Freelancer & Web Entrepreneur helping new entrepreneurs launch their first successful online business.
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