Measuring steam flow rate

[kpl012]

Is there a way to measure the velocity of steam through a pipe?

 

[DRWeig]

There are many ways to do so.

Give us your parameters (pipe and steam), and perhaps someone will have a recommendation.

Best to you,

Goober Dave

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[danw2]

With a flowmeter and its flow element, yes.

Vortex technology counts vortices from which the velocity is inferred. The flow element is inside the pipe.

Differential pressure infers a velocity from a measured pressure drop across a primary flow element, typically an orifice plate, inside the pipe.

Sarco has a TVA meter with an axial moving annular cone that claims 50:1 turndown for saturated steam.

I am unaware of a successful commercial clamp-on (outside-the-pipe) ultrasonic transit time flowmeter.

 

[kpl012]

The pipe is 4", nom OD is 4.5 CRES316L. The system is designed at 100 psig/275F. It is a steam system.

 

[hacksaw]

you've more of a hot water system, the saturation temperature of 100 psig steam is 338 F...

 

[kpl012]

Sorry. The steam is coming from a turbine. The drain from the turbine I am interested in is supposedly 420 psig @ 470F. It passes thru a 1 inch diameter orifice where it is connected to a condenser at 29 inches of vacuum. The line after the orifice is what is to be measured. Yes there will be condensate thus a drain line.

 

[hacksaw]

Typically you do not measure these flows as you are dealing with a flow restriction for specific a flow condition. The orifice is seeing critical flow conditions, so the actual bore and the upstream pressure determine the flow and you are passing roughly 15,000 lb/hr with a 1" bore. The orifice can erode over time and the flow increased.

You might be able to use pressure readings down stream of the restriction to estimate the actual flow going into the condenser, but you have to know more about the detail flow path and the design of the discharge piping in the condenser.