Turbine Flow Meter Installation Procedure
Turbine flow meters are designed with wear resistant internal components to provide trouble-free operation and a long service life.
Fluid entering the flow meter is first conditioned by the inlet flow straightener which reduces turbulence in the fluid.
The moving fluid causes the rotor to spin at a speed that is proportional to its flow rate.
As the blades on the rotor pass through the magnetic field of the pickup, an electronic pulse is generated.
This pulse train signal can then be used to monitor the fluids actual flow rate or the total amount of fluid that has passed through the flow meter.
The number of electronic pulses generated by the meter, per unit volume, is known as its K-Factor. Each flow meter is calibrated to find its unique K-Factor, which is supplied with the flow meter when purchased.
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Installation Procedure
Before installation, the flow meter should be checked for foreign material and to ensure that the rotor spins freely.
All upstream fluid lines should also be cleared of any debris. Also, make sure that fluid flow has been shut off and all pressure in the lines has been released prior to installing the flow meter into an existing system.
The flow meter must be installed with the flow direction arrow pointing in the direction of fluid flow. The flow direction arrow can be found on the side of the flow meter.
The flow meter is designed to work in any orientation, but the preferred orientation is to have the meter installed in horizontal piping.
The fluid to be measured is recommended to be filtered. The best location for the filter or strainer would be upstream of the flow meter, after any other system components, while maintaining straight piping requirements.
The preferred plumbing setup is one containing a bypass line (above figure). This allows meter inspection and repair without interrupting flow, as well as the ability to cycle the fluid through the system filter before diverting to the flow meter.
If a bypass line is not used, it is important that all flow control valves be located downstream of the flow meter (below figure).
Start-Up Procedure
- After meter installation, close the isolation valves and open the bypass valve. Flow liquid through the system for a sufficient time to eliminate any air or gas in the flow line.
- Slowly open the upstream isolating valve to fill the flow meter with liquid.
- Open the downstream isolating valve to start fluid flow through the flow meter, permitting the flow meter to start to operate, then close the bypass valve completely.
- If the downstream valve is used as a flow control valve, adjust the valve to provide the required flow rate through the flow meter.