Patent · US Expired

Flow conditioner profile plate for more accurate measurement of fluid flow

US5529093A · kind A · utility

116Cited by
21References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 24, 1995
Grant dateJun 25, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 24, 2015

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.