Flow conditioner for more accurate measurement of fluid flow
US5495872A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F15/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A flow conditioner for use in pipelines to isolate a measuring device from the effects of piping induced disturbances thereby allowing more accurate metering of fluids flowing in pipelines. The device comprises three sections: an anti-swirl device; a settling chamber; and a profile device. The three sections are installed in a pipeline at a predetermined distance upstream from a metering device and at a minimum predetermined distance downstream from a pipeline disturbance. In the pipeline, the anti-swirl device is the furthest upstream, followed by a settling chamber of a specified length, which in turn is followed by the profile device. The anti-swirl device substantially eliminates swirl, the settling chamber minimizes interaction between the anti-swirl device and profile device. The profile plate produces pseudo-fully developed turbulent structure and velocity profile so there is a minimum deviation of the empirical discharge coefficient or meter calibration factor for both short and long piping lengths. In certain circumstances, the unique profile plates provided may be used without anti-swirl devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.