Flow Conditioner Structure for Disturbed Ultrasonic Gas Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ultrasonic gas flow meters are sensitive to flow disturbances and require a long upstream straight pipe to develop a symmetrical flow profile, limiting their application in environments with severe disturbance flow conditions and restricted installation space.
Innovation Solution
A flow conditioner with integrated shapers and reducers, including a reduced diameter pipe, to reshape and mix fluid flows, reducing the need for a long upstream pipe and improving flow symmetry for accurate ultrasonic measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a long upstream straight pipe is used to develop symmetrical flow profile, then measurement precision is improved, but installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow conditioner divides the flow conditioning function into multiple segments: a first flow conditioning unit with shapers and reducers, a mixing space, and a second flow conditioning unit with shapers and reducers. This segmentation allows each component to address specific flow disturbance issues, achieving symmetrical flow profile development in a compact configuration that reduces the overall length requirement compared to a single long straight pipe
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing space acts as an intermediary component between the first and second flow conditioning units. It provides a dedicated region where asymmetric high-speed flow and low-speed flow can mix and develop into a symmetrical profile before entering the measurement section, enabling accurate ultrasonic measurement without requiring an excessively long upstream straight pipe
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional flow conditioning is used, then flow symmetry is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow conditioner merges multiple flow conditioning functions into a single integrated device. The first flow conditioning unit, mixing space, and second flow conditioning unit are combined in series within one compact structure, achieving symmetrical flow profile development without requiring separate upstream straight pipe sections and multiple independent conditioning devices
Solution Approach 2:
The flow conditioner utilizes the radial dimension by incorporating shapers (honeycomb plates, ring plates, grid plates, or capillary tubes) that condition flow in the radial direction, complementing the axial conditioning provided by reducers. This multi-dimensional approach achieves comprehensive flow symmetrization in a compact configuration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flow conditioner enhances measurement accuracy by reducing measurement errors and pressure drop, enabling accurate ultrasonic measurement in severe disturbance flows without the need for a long upstream straight pipe, suitable for applications with limited space.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid can produce a retraction effect that can further mix the fluid and can facilitate asymmetric high-speed flow and low-speed flow in the fluid mix evenly
Data Source
AI summary
A flow conditioner includes a group of flow conditioning units including a first flow conditioning unit and a second flow conditioning unit. The flow conditioner also includes a mixing space for developing a flow. The mixing space is located between the first and second flow conditioning units. One of the first or second flow conditioning units can include one or more of a shaper or a reducer, and the other of the first or second flow conditioning units can include one or more shapers.