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Does K-factor for a vortex flowmeter depend on the Process Fluid?

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plantprowler

Chemical
Aug 10, 2013
136
I am using a Rosemont vortex flowmeter (8800 series)and that comes with a K-factor stamped on a nameplate.

Now, obviously, a vortex type meter is not a true mass flow sensor (e.g. a Corolois) but a volumetric flow meter. Now my question is suppose the original fluid changes from A to B (both liquids) does the K-factor change too or not?

The meters are originally all calibrated on water but what I am not sure is whether the K-factor they stamp takes into account any other properties of the fluid for which the meter was ordered for.
 
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Is this for pressure drop? (Rosemount used A, not K, in my documents) If so, I believe the Reynolds number has to be over 5,000 for those meters to work. Since flow must be turbulent, the K-factor should not change for the two liquids.

Good luck,
Latexman

To a ChE, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.
 
Thanks @latexman.

No not pressure drop. But for flow measurement.


Flow calibration
Meter bodies are flow-calibrated and assigned a unique
calibration factor (K-factor) at the factory. The calibration factor
is entered into the electronics, enabling interchangeability of
electronics and/or sensors without calculations or compromise
in accuracy of the calibrated meter body
 
Rosemount said:
Note 1. Process temperature and pipe ID have known effects on the K-factor. The Rosemount 8800D software automatically accounts for these effects by compensating the K-factor.

No mention of fluid properties. I'd call my Rosemount rep. if I was you.

Good luck,
Latexman

To a ChE, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.
 
Latexman said:
No mention of fluid properties. I'd call my Rosemount rep. if I was you.

I did! :) But the quality of their reps seems so bad that I'd rather trust a smart anonymous person on a forum than them!

Seriously, I get the feeling that unless you are buying hundreds of thousands worth of hardware the Suppliers shovel you to some newbie tech who has barely any idea.

 
Call Rosemount and ask for technical support or THE product engineer for the 8800 flow meter. When I get someone on the phone, I ask them, "are you THE technical authority for my flow meter?" If they are, you'll get good answers.

Good luck,
Latexman

To a ChE, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.
 
This data sheet for the 8800 mentions changes in K factor for temperature, pipe ID and non ideal upstream and d/stream straights, but nothing bout fluid type so I assume it's not an issue.


Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
 
The meter measures volumetric flow given you satify the Reynolds number requirements. The mass flow will obviously vary with the fluid.
 
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