One of the key challenges when dealing with flow measurement using differential pressure flow meters is the design of the primary flow element such as an orifice plate, flow nozzle, venturi or other flow meter. The design of an orifice plate or any other flow meter starts with the accumulation of several data items. These data points are then used to design physical dimensions of the orifice plate including the outer diameter, the plate thickness, the handle requirements, and the orifice bore. Process data are used in a calculation iteration to develop the orifice bore, and once the physical dimensions of the orifice are decided, this information is then used to complete the overall flow calculation. Worksheets are often utilized in order to accumulate the needed data for the flow calculation.
A sample process data worksheet is included below:
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Orifice Plate Flow Calculation Data Sheet |
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Company Name |
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Contact Name |
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Contact Phone Number |
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Contact Email Address |
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Product Description |
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Plate Type |
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Tap Type |
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Plate Material |
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Tap Location |
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Drain / Vent Diameter |
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Pipe Size |
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Tap Process Connection (NPT, SW, etc.) |
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Pipe Schedule |
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Pipe Material |
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Input Data |
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Fluid Type |
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Pipe ID |
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Pressure |
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Base Pressure |
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Temperature at flow |
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Base Temperature |
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Flow Rates |
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Minimum |
Rate |
Units |
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Normal |
Rate |
Units |
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Maximum |
Rate |
Units |
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Full Scale |
Rate |
Units |
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There are many terms that are commonly used for the basic flow calculation. Some of the common terms are: flow calculation data sheet, flow calculation, bore calculation; orifice bore calculation, orifice data sheet, etc. For the purposes in this brief, the outcome of this process will be referred to as the Flow Calculation.
