Anyone using an accelabar to measure flow? 1

[99loki99]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone have any operational experience with using this type of flowmeter?

I'm looking to provide minimum flow protection for a pump and was thinking of using this device due to its (claimed) ability to be mounted in vertical pipe runs and minimal straight lengths...

Thx & Rgds

Loki

 

[JLSeagull]

I have not used the Veris Accelbar or FCI Flowpak. However I have used V-Cones satisfactorily. We also use the four-hole orifice plates to minimize straight run. Several flow technologies to minimize the meter run are worth trying when necessary. Depending upon the supplier's description of turndown, I would plan on 6:1 instead of 65:1 turndown.

 

[99loki99]

Thanks JLS.

What kind of results have you had? What have you seen work/fail to work?

I've pretty much seen the same old orifice/dp cell combo - not encountered anything much more exotic. Saw an annubar once...

I must get out more.

Loki

 

[JLSeagull]

The V-cones work very well. However, unlike an orifice plate you must calibrate the transmitter range based upon an as-built factor. The supplier provides input to the factory but the actual as-built factor is required for precision. I have checked sizing with the four-holed orifice plates. Others bought them. I understand that our field experience is good but I have not been to the field with these four-holed plates.

 

[AntonTRN]

For JLSeagull:
how do you calculate the 4 hole orifice?
is it simular to the ISO 5167?
Thanks,

 

[JLSeagull]

I think that I used the suppliers engineering toolkit. I used a regular orifice calculation for the approximate bore area. However, with this supplier you then select from a choice of a couple of beta ratios. The calculate the dp or the maximum flow rate for the selected beta. Once done, purchase a calculation from the supplier. The inquiry requests the bidder to furnish the conditioning orifice plate and documentation including the calculation with the quotation; and other documentation such as flow calibration certificate, material certificates, etc. For some clients we might purchase witnessed flow testing for special flow elements. I don't think that we paid for QA on our orders.

The

 

[Niwot]

Hello Loki,

I will tell you up front that I am from Veris Inc., manufacturer of the Accelabar. However, I will strictly adhere to the posting policies and refrain from posting promotional information.

I would like to address the issue of turndown. JLSeagull is absolutely correct regarding turndown in that the supplier's description of turndown should be examined. Some DP primary elements express their accuracy as a % of RATE, meaning that you can expect the same accuracy from the PRIMARY element whether you are measuring 2" H2O of DP or 150" H2O. DP transmitters, however, usually express accuracy in % of full scale (DP produced slightly above maximum flow) with the accuracy gradually degrading as you move down the scale.

Nearly all flow measurement applications should be viewed as APPLICATION SPECIFIC in regards to turndown. For example, a DP flow meter may be capable of a 10-1 flow turndown, but if your pipeline velocity only produces a DP of 20" H2O full scale for a given meter, to achieve the stated accuracy over 10-1 FLOW turndown (100-1 turndown in DP), the flow meter/DP transmitter would have to measure .2" H2O as accurately as 20" H2O).

Whether it be a vortex meter, V-cone, Accelabar, or a Superduperflowmagic meter, ignore the turndown CLAIMS. If a meter claims a capability of measuring 15,000 GPM down to 500 GPM, is their 30-1 turndown valid if YOUR maximum flow rate is 2000 GPM? No.

Anyone can claim anything. The nuts and bolts come down to running flow calculations and determining the real world accuracy and turndown of your specific application. Independent flow test data, references and performance warranties wouldn't hurt.

Jake