Condensing weighing device and method for vortex flowmeter calibration
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202611262914.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-08-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-20
AI Technical Summary
[0004]本发明的目的在于克服现有技术的不足，提供了一种用于涡街流量计校验的冷凝称重装置及方法，通过恒温冷却、柔性连接、独立支撑和压缩空气吹扫，解决因温度波动、管路应力和残余水分等引起的称重误差问题，提升涡街流量计称重法校验精度
本发明提供的一种用于涡街流量计校验的冷凝称重装置及方法， 冷凝冷却系统中，冷凝水的恒温控制消除了水温对水密度的影响，消除了水温波动导致的质量换算误差，且将板式换热器作为冷凝冷却系统的核心部件，具备换热效率高、结构紧凑、可拆卸清洗、维护便捷的优势，保证了蒸汽冷凝的充分和稳定，为高精度称重校准提供了可靠前提；称重计量系统中，通过电子称重装置对集水罐独立支撑，且集水罐进、出水口均为软管连接，消除了管路应力，保证了冷凝水称重的准确性；压缩空气吹扫系统的设置，减少了残留水损失；综合实现了蒸汽冷凝称重的可重复性及准确性，满足了烟草制丝车间对涡街流量计高精度校验的要求。
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of cigarette processing equipment technology, specifically to a condensation weighing device and method for calibrating vortex flowmeters. Background Technology
[0002] Vortex flow meters are widely used in tobacco processing workshops to measure process steam flow, and their calibration results directly affect the stability of processes such as tobacco humidification and drying. The weighing method is a high-precision benchmark method for calibrating vortex flow meters. Its principle is to completely condense steam into water, weigh the mass of the condensate, calculate the steam volumetric flow rate, and then compare it with the reading of the vortex flow meter.
[0003] However, existing condensation weighing devices and methods have the following prominent problems in practical applications: Firstly, the heat exchange efficiency of the condenser used is not guaranteed; Secondly, the temperature of the condensate fluctuates, which affects the accuracy of density conversion. The density of water changes with temperature, and fluctuations in the temperature of the condensate will lead to errors in mass conversion. Third, existing improvement solutions mostly focus on single aspects and lack systematic solutions. In recent years, although some have tried to optimize drainage methods to reduce the impact of residual water or achieve continuous metering through switching between multiple mass meters, these are mostly limited to improvements in a single aspect and have failed to form a systematic solution from multiple dimensions such as condenser selection, stress isolation, and residual water removal. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a condensation weighing device and method for calibrating vortex flowmeters. By using constant temperature cooling, flexible connection, independent support and compressed air purging, it solves the weighing error problem caused by temperature fluctuations, pipeline stress and residual moisture, and improves the accuracy of vortex flowmeter weighing calibration.
[0005] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution: A condensing weighing device for calibrating a vortex flow meter includes a steam pipeline system, a condensing cooling system, a weighing and metering system, and a compressed air purging system. The steam pipeline system includes a steam pipeline, on which a first switching valve, a filter, a pressure reducing valve, a first temperature sensor, a pressure gauge, a vortex flow meter to be measured, and a second switching valve are sequentially arranged along the steam inlet direction. The condensation cooling system includes a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger's heat medium inlet is connected to the end of the steam pipeline. The heat exchanger's heat medium outlet is connected to an outlet pipe section. A second temperature sensor is installed on the outlet pipe section. The end of the outlet pipe section is connected to a parallel water supply pipe and a return pipe. A third switch valve is installed on the return pipe, and the other end of the return pipe is connected to the end of the steam pipeline. A fourth switch valve is installed on the water supply pipe. The heat exchanger's cold medium inlet is connected to the cooling water inlet pipe through a regulating valve. The weighing and metering system includes a water collection tank, a drain valve, and an electronic weighing device. The water collection tank is placed on the weighing platform of the electronic weighing device. The drain valve is installed at the end of the water supply pipe. The water inlet of the water collection tank is connected to the outlet of the drain valve through a flexible water inlet hose. A third temperature sensor is installed on the water collection tank. The compressed air purging system includes a compressed air purging pipeline. The inlet end of the compressed air purging pipeline is connected to a compressed air source, and the outlet end is connected to a steam pipeline and located between the first switch valve and the filter. A fifth switch valve is provided on the compressed air purging pipeline.
[0006] As a preferred embodiment of the condensing weighing device for calibrating a vortex flowmeter described above, the heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger.
[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the condensation weighing device for calibrating a vortex flow meter, the water collection tank is equipped with a level gauge, and the water outlet at the bottom of the water collection tank is connected to a flexible water outlet hose via a drain valve.
[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the condensate weighing device for calibrating a vortex flowmeter described above, the drain valve is a thermostatic drain valve.
[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the condensation weighing device for calibrating vortex flowmeters described above, each switching valve is a pneumatic switching valve.
[0010] This invention also discloses a condensation weighing method for calibrating vortex flow meters. The method is based on the aforementioned condensation weighing device and includes the following steps: Step 1: Install the vortex flow meter to be tested on the steam pipeline, ensuring that the installation connection is sealed and leak-free; Step 2: Open the first switch valve, the second switch valve, and the regulating valve. Steam enters from the beginning of the steam pipeline, is filtered by the filter, and then reduced to the set calibration pressure by the pressure reducing valve. After passing through the vortex flow meter to be tested, it is cooled into condensate by the heat exchanger and flows into the outlet pipe section. The second temperature sensor detects the real-time temperature of the condensate in the outlet pipe section and determines whether the real-time temperature has reached the set temperature. If not, the third switch valve is opened to connect the return pipe; if so, the fourth switch valve is opened to connect the water supply pipe. The condensate that has reached the set temperature flows from the water supply pipe through the drain valve into the water collection tank, where the condensate is collected. Step 3: When the flow rate of the vortex flow meter to be measured is zero, the steam condensation process ends; at this time, close the first switch valve and the regulating valve, open the fifth switch valve, connect the compressed air purging pipeline, and use compressed air to purge the pipeline to blow the remaining condensate in the pipeline into the water collection tank. Step 4: When the liquid level in the water collection tank is stable, close the fifth switch valve and use an electronic weighing device to weigh the water collection tank to obtain the current mass m1 of the water collection tank. Subtract the initial mass m0 of the water collection tank from the current mass m1 to obtain the mass increment Δm of the condensate in the water collection tank.
[0011] The present invention has the following advantages over the prior art: This invention provides a condensation weighing device and method for calibrating vortex flowmeters. In the condensation cooling system, the constant temperature control of the condensate eliminates the influence of water temperature on water density and eliminates mass conversion errors caused by water temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, using a plate heat exchanger as the core component of the condensation cooling system provides advantages such as high heat exchange efficiency, compact structure, easy disassembly and cleaning, and convenient maintenance, ensuring sufficient and stable steam condensation and providing a reliable prerequisite for high-precision weighing calibration. In the weighing system, the water collection tank is independently supported by an electronic weighing device, and both the inlet and outlet of the water collection tank are connected by flexible hoses, eliminating pipeline stress and ensuring the accuracy of condensate weighing. The compressed air purging system reduces residual water loss. This comprehensive approach achieves repeatability and accuracy of steam condensation weighing, meeting the high-precision calibration requirements of vortex flowmeters in tobacco processing workshops. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.
[0013] The following valves are labeled in the diagram: 1 First switching valve; 2 Filter; 3 Pressure reducing valve; 4 First temperature sensor; 5 Pressure gauge; 6 Vortex flow meter under test; 7 Second switching valve; 8 Heat exchanger; 9 Regulating valve; 10 Second temperature sensor; 11 Steam trap; 12 Water collection tank; 13 Third temperature sensor; 14 Level gauge; 15 Electronic weighing device; 16 Drain valve; 17 Fifth switching valve; 18 Fourth switching valve; 19 Third switching valve. Detailed Implementation
[0014] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. These embodiments are implemented based on the technical solution of the present invention, and provide detailed implementation methods and specific operation processes. However, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.
[0015] See Figure 1 This embodiment discloses a condensation weighing device for calibrating a vortex flowmeter, including a steam pipeline system, a condensation cooling system, a weighing and metering system, and a compressed air purging system.
[0016] The steam pipeline system includes a steam pipeline, on which, along the steam inlet direction, are sequentially installed a first switching valve 1, a filter 2, a pressure reducing valve 3, a first temperature sensor 4, a pressure gauge 5, a vortex flow meter to be measured 6, and a second switching valve 7. The filter 2 is a Y-type filter 2.
[0017] The condensation cooling system includes a heat exchanger 8. The inlet of the heat exchanger 8 is connected to the end of the steam pipeline, and the outlet of the heat exchanger 8 is connected to an outlet pipe section. A second temperature sensor 10 is installed on the outlet pipe section. The end of the outlet pipe section is connected to a parallel water supply pipe and a return pipe. A third switch valve 19 is installed on the return pipe, and the other end of the return pipe is connected to the end of the steam pipeline. A fourth switch valve 18 is installed on the water supply pipe. The inlet of the heat exchanger 8 is connected to a cooling water inlet pipe through a regulating valve 9, and the outlet of the heat exchanger 8 is connected to a cooling water outlet pipe. The cooling water inlet and outlet pipes are connected to an external cooling water circulation system. The flow rate of the cooling water can be adjusted by controlling the opening of the regulating valve 9, thereby controlling the steam condensation temperature.
[0018] Among them, heat exchanger 8 is a plate heat exchanger. Using plate heat exchanger 8 as the core component of the condensation cooling system, its heat transfer coefficient is 3 to 5 times that of shell-and-tube heat exchangers, resulting in high heat exchange efficiency. The plates are tightly stacked, occupying only about one-fifth of the area of shell-and-tube heat exchangers, resulting in a compact structure. The temperature difference at the end of the pure counter-current heat exchange can be as small as 1°C, ensuring complete steam condensation. The plates are removable for cleaning, making maintenance convenient. These advantages collectively ensure that the steam is fully and stably condensed, providing a reliable prerequisite for high-precision weighing calibration.
[0019] The weighing system includes a water collection tank 12, a steam trap 11, and an electronic weighing device 15. The water collection tank 12 is placed on the weighing platform of the electronic weighing device 15. The steam trap 11 is installed at the end of the water supply pipe. The steam trap 11 can be a thermostatic steam trap 11, used to automatically and continuously discharge condensate and prevent uncondensed steam from entering the water collection tank 12. The water inlet at the top of the water collection tank 12 is connected to the outlet of the steam trap 11 through a flexible inlet hose. A third temperature sensor 13 is installed on the water collection tank 12. A level gauge 14 is installed on the water collection tank 12. The water outlet at the bottom of the water collection tank 12 is connected to a flexible outlet hose through a drain valve 16. The flexible inlet hose and the flexible outlet hose can be made of stainless steel. The water inlet and outlet of the water collection tank 12 are connected to the flexible inlet hose and the flexible outlet hose, respectively, eliminating the weighing deviation caused by the transmission of pipeline stress to the electronic weighing device 15 due to the existing rigid connection form, and realizing the isolation of pipeline stress. The level gauge 14, the third temperature sensor 13, and the drain valve 16 installed in the water collection tank 12 are used to monitor the status inside the water collection tank 12 and to periodically drain the water.
[0020] The compressed air purging system includes a compressed air purging pipeline. The inlet end of the compressed air purging pipeline is connected to a compressed air source, and the outlet end is connected to a steam pipeline located between the first switching valve 1 and the filter 2. A fifth switching valve 17 is provided on the compressed air purging pipeline. Each switching valve can be a pneumatic switching valve.
[0021] This embodiment also discloses a condensation weighing method for calibrating a vortex flowmeter. This method is based on the aforementioned condensation weighing device and includes the following steps: Step 1: Install the vortex flow meter to be tested (6). Install the vortex flow meter 6 to be tested on the steam pipeline, ensuring that the installation connection is sealed and leak-free; Step 2: Steam conduction, pressure stabilization, and cooling: Open the first switch valve 1, the second switch valve 7, and the regulating valve 9. Steam enters from the beginning of the steam pipeline, is filtered by the filter 2, and then reduced to the set calibration pressure by the pressure reducing valve 3. After passing through the vortex flow meter 6 to be tested, it is cooled into condensate by the heat exchanger 8 and flows into the outlet pipe section. The second temperature sensor 10 detects the real-time temperature of the condensate in the outlet pipe section and determines whether the real-time temperature has reached the set temperature. If not, the third switch valve 19 is opened to connect the return pipe; if so, the fourth switch valve 18 is opened to connect the water supply pipe. The condensate that has reached the set temperature flows from the water supply pipe through the drain valve 11 into the water collection tank 12, where the condensate is collected. Step 3: Purge residual condensate from the pipes: When the flow rate of the vortex flow meter 6 under test is zero, the steam condensation process ends. At this time, the first switch valve 1 and the regulating valve 9 are closed, the fifth switch valve 17 is opened, the compressed air purging pipeline is connected, and the pipeline is purged with compressed air to blow the residual condensate in the pipeline into the water collection tank 12. Step 4: Weighing and Measurement When the liquid level in the water collection tank 12 is stable, the fifth switch valve 17 is closed to end the purging. The electronic weighing device 15 weighs the water collection tank 12 to obtain the current mass m1 of the water collection tank 12. The current mass m1 of the water collection tank 12 is subtracted from the initial mass m0 of the water collection tank 12 to obtain the mass increment Δm of the condensate in the water collection tank 12.
[0022] Further error comparison will be performed later: Based on the condensate mass increment Δm and the condensation time T, the steam mass flow rate Qm0 obtained by the weighing method is calculated according to the formula Qm0=Δm / T, with the unit being kg / h.
[0023] Meanwhile, the steam density ρ is obtained by querying the saturated steam density table, and the mass flow rate Qm1 of the vortex flowmeter 6 to be measured is calculated using the formula Qm1 = Qv × ρ, with the unit being kg / h. Wherein, Qv is the volume flow rate under working conditions read by the vortex flowmeter 6 to be measured.
[0024] Taking the steam mass flow rate Qm0 obtained by the weighing method as the reference true value, the relative error E of the vortex flowmeter 6 to be measured can be calculated by the following formula: E=[(Qm1 -Qm0) / Qm0]×100% The calibration result of the present device is determined according to the accuracy grade marked on the nameplate of the vortex flowmeter under test. For example, for a vortex flowmeter with an accuracy grade of 1.5, it is qualified if the absolute value of the relative error is ≤1.5%, and unqualified if the absolute value is >1.5%.
[0025] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall all be included in the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A condensation weighing device for calibrating a vortex flowmeter, comprising a steam pipeline system, characterized in that: It also includes a condensation cooling system, a weighing and metering system, and a compressed air purging system; The steam pipeline system includes a steam pipeline, on which a first switching valve, a filter, a pressure reducing valve, a first temperature sensor, a pressure gauge, a vortex flow meter to be measured, and a second switching valve are sequentially arranged along the steam inlet direction. The condensation cooling system includes a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger's heat medium inlet is connected to the end of the steam pipeline. The heat exchanger's heat medium outlet is connected to an outlet pipe section. A second temperature sensor is installed on the outlet pipe section. The end of the outlet pipe section is connected to a parallel water supply pipe and a return pipe. A third switch valve is installed on the return pipe, and the other end of the return pipe is connected to the end of the steam pipeline. A fourth switch valve is installed on the water supply pipe. The heat exchanger's cold medium inlet is connected to the cooling water inlet pipe through a regulating valve. The weighing and metering system includes a water collection tank, a drain valve, and an electronic weighing device. The water collection tank is placed on the weighing platform of the electronic weighing device. The drain valve is installed at the end of the water supply pipe. The water inlet of the water collection tank is connected to the outlet of the drain valve through a flexible water inlet hose. A third temperature sensor is installed on the water collection tank. The compressed air purging system includes a compressed air purging pipeline. The inlet end of the compressed air purging pipeline is connected to a compressed air source, and the outlet end is connected to a steam pipeline and located between the first switch valve and the filter. A fifth switch valve is provided on the compressed air purging pipeline.
2. The condenser weighing device for calibrating a vortex flowmeter as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger.
3. The condenser weighing device for calibrating a vortex flowmeter as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The water collection tank is equipped with a level gauge, and the water outlet at the bottom of the water collection tank is connected to a flexible water outlet hose via a drain valve.
4. The condenser weighing device for calibrating a vortex flowmeter as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The steam trap is a thermostatic steam trap.
5. A condenser weighing device for calibrating a vortex flowmeter as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Each switching valve is a pneumatic switching valve.
6. A condensation weighing method for calibrating a vortex flowmeter, characterized in that: The method is based on the condensation weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and the method includes the following steps: Step 1: Install the vortex flow meter to be tested on the steam pipeline, ensuring that the installation connection is sealed and leak-free; Step 2: Open the first switch valve, the second switch valve, and the regulating valve. Steam enters from the beginning of the steam pipeline, is filtered by the filter, and then reduced to the set calibration pressure by the pressure reducing valve. After passing through the vortex flow meter to be tested, it is cooled into condensate by the heat exchanger and flows into the outlet pipe section. The second temperature sensor detects the real-time temperature of the condensate in the outlet pipe section and determines whether the real-time temperature has reached the set temperature. If not, the third switch valve is opened to connect the return pipe; if so, the fourth switch valve is opened to connect the water supply pipe. The condensate that has reached the set temperature flows from the water supply pipe through the drain valve into the water collection tank, where the condensate is collected. Step 3: When the flow rate of the vortex flow meter to be measured is zero, the steam condensation process ends; at this time, close the first switch valve and the regulating valve, open the fifth switch valve, connect the compressed air purging pipeline, and use compressed air to purge the pipeline to blow the remaining condensate in the pipeline into the water collection tank. Step 4: When the liquid level in the water collection tank is stable, close the fifth switch valve and use an electronic weighing device to weigh the water collection tank to obtain the current mass m1 of the water collection tank. Subtract the initial mass m0 of the water collection tank from the current mass m1 to obtain the mass increment Δm of the condensate in the water collection tank.