Doppler Flow Measurement Techniques
answer these questions in detail from the subject
instrumentation
Here are detailed answers to questions 22 to 25 based on the subject Instrumentation,
especially related to flow measurement techniques:
22. Explain how Doppler effect is used for measurement of flow
velocities in ultrasonic flow meters.
Doppler Ultrasonic Flow Meters operate based on the Doppler Effect, which is the change
in frequency of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the wave source.
Working Principle:
An ultrasonic transducer emits a sound wave into the fluid.
These waves reflect off impurities, bubbles, or particles suspended in the fluid.
The reflected wave has a different frequency due to the motion of these particles
(Doppler shift).
The frequency shift (Δf) between the transmitted and received signal is proportional to
the velocity (v) of the fluid:
2f0 v cos θ
Δf =
c
where:
f0 = transmitted frequency
v = flow velocity
θ = angle between wave and flow direction
c = speed of sound in the fluid
1/4
Applications:
Suitable for dirty or turbid liquids (e.g., wastewater).
Cannot be used with clean liquids due to lack of reflectors (particles).
23. Describe Swirlmeter and how it can be used for measurement of
flow rate of fluids. Describe how the output is obtained in digital
form. Explain their salient features.
A Swirlmeter is a type of vortex flow meter that imparts a swirling motion to the fluid
before measuring its flow.
Construction & Working:
The fluid passes through a swirl-generating mechanism (like stationary vanes).
It then enters a swirl chamber where secondary vortices are formed.
These vortices travel downstream and are detected by sensors (piezoelectric or optical).
The frequency of vortex shedding is proportional to the fluid's flow rate.
Output in Digital Form:
Vortex shedding frequency is converted into electrical pulses.
These pulses are digitized and processed by a microprocessor.
The result is displayed on digital screens or transmitted to a data acquisition system.
Salient Features:
No moving parts (low maintenance).
High accuracy and reliability.
Wide range of applications including gases, liquids, and steam.
Less affected by fluid properties like temperature and viscosity.
24. Explain the construction, working and applications of the
following types of flow meters:
2/4
(i) Nutating Disc Meter
Construction: A disc mounted on a ball within a chamber.
Working: As fluid flows, it causes the disc to wobble (nutate), which displaces a fixed
volume of fluid per cycle.
Application: Mainly used in domestic water meters for measuring volumetric flow.
(ii) Rotary Vane Meter
Construction: A rotor with multiple vanes placed inside a cylindrical housing.
Working: As fluid enters, it rotates the vane. Each rotation displaces a known volume.
Application: Suitable for measuring fuel oils, syrups, and other viscous fluids.
(iii) Lobed Impeller Flowmeter
Construction: Contains two or more lobed impellers rotating in opposite directions.
Working: The lobes trap a fixed amount of fluid and transfer it from inlet to outlet.
Application: Used in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries for
high viscosity fluids.
25. Explain what is Flow Visualization. Describe the construction and
working of a Laser Doppler Anemometer (LDA).
Flow Visualization:
A method to make the flow patterns in fluids visible.
Helps in understanding velocity distribution, turbulence, and vortices.
Techniques include smoke in air, dye in water, and optical methods like Schlieren and
shadowgraph.
Laser Doppler Anemometer (LDA):
Construction:
Uses two laser beams intersecting at a point in the fluid.
A photodetector is positioned to receive scattered light from particles in the flow.
Working:
3/4
At the intersection point, the beams form an interference fringe pattern.
As particles pass through this region, they scatter light.
The frequency of the scattered light depends on the velocity of the particles.
The Doppler frequency shift is measured to calculate the fluid velocity:
Δf ⋅ λ
v=
2 sin(θ/2)
where:
Δf = Doppler frequency
λ = laser wavelength
θ = angle between beams
Applications:
Highly accurate, non-intrusive flow measurements.
Used in wind tunnels, fluid mechanics research, and combustion studies.
Let me know if you'd like diagrams or simplified notes for quick revision!
Is this conversation helpful so far?
4/4
