Doppler Method
For ultrasonic flow rate measurements using the Doppler effect there
must be inhomogeneities or impurities (dispersers) in the measuring
medium so that a portion of the sound energy can be reflected.
The sound wave with a transmitter
frequency f1 impinges on a particle
in the measuring medium (solid
particle or gas bubble) and is
reflected. Therefore every particle
acts as a moving transmitter with
the transmitter frequency f1. The
frequency shift Δf of the reflected
signal received is a function of the
flow and sound velocities:
Since the sound velocity is a function of the temperature, pressure and composition of
the measuring medium, even small changes in these variables affect the Doppler shift
and an appropriate compensation must be provided. The solution is to include a
defined inlet section for the ultrasound, e.g. a sound path made of resin, in which a
Piezo transmitter is cast.
The factor cv/cos (β) can be determined. The
Doppler shift is therefore essentially
independent of the sound velocity in the
measuring medium. Only sound velocity
changes in the acoustic inlet section change
the Doppler frequency. This change can be
determined beforehand and compensated.
Application of Ultrasonic Flow Measurement
• Advantages
• Suitable for large diameter pipes.
• No obstructions, no pressure loss.
• No moving parts, long operating life.
• Fast response.
• Weld-on transducers may be installed on existing pipe-lines.
• Multi-beam systems can be used to eliminate the effects of profile
• Not affected by fluid properties.
• 7.9.2 Disadvantages
• In single-beam meters the accuracy is dependent on flow profile.
• Fluid must be acoustically transparent.
• Expensive.
• Pipeline must be full
Mechanical Flowmeters
• Mechanical flowmeters that measure flow using an
arrangement of moving parts, either by passing isolated,
known volumes of a fluid through a series of gears or
chambers (positive displacement, or PD) or by means of a
spinning turbine or rotor.
• All positive displacement flowmeters operate by isolating and
counting known volumes of a fluid (gas or liquid) while feeding
it through the meter.
• Positive displacement meters provide high accuracy (±0.1% of
actual flow rate in some cases) and good repeatability (as high
as 0.05% of reading). Accuracy is not affected by pulsating
flow unless it entrains air or gas in the fluid.
Positive Displacement Flowmeter
