Let’s break that down a little.
Either separate rotameters for different densities and viscosities may be used, or multiple scales on the same … 1168 pag. The flow rate increases and decreases the height of the float, which accordingly adjusts the passage of the fluid flow and consequently, the total area between the float and the wall of the tube. [1], It belongs to a class of meters called variable-area flowmeters, which measure flow rate by allowing the cross-sectional area the fluid travels through to vary, causing a measurable effect.[2].
McGraw-Hill Education; (1996), eFunda: Introduction to Variable Area Flowmeters, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rotameter&oldid=978498754, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Rotameter is the most accepted industrial flow meter, which works based on the principle of gravity and variable area. The scale will vary based on the make of the rotameter. Report any damage to the container to the freight carrier immediately. Floats are ideally designed to be insensitive to viscosity; however, this is seldom verifiable from manufacturers' specifications. Our quality policy can be found HERE. You may need to purchase tubing connections from a hardware store. Effective design indicates that this device is capable for up to 1181 GHz. This page was last edited on 15 September 2020, at 08:15. Most rotameters are also equipped with a dial in order to set the flow at a desired rate. 98008SA6F3P1: Some of our customers require our products to be used under extreme temperature conditions. Proteus Industries Inc. 2020 | All Rights Reserved340 Pioneer Way Mountain View, CA 94041 Website Design By NamanModiDigital, Copyright © 2020 Proteus Industries Inc. All rights reserved. How to read a Rotameter: Along with the float and tube, a rotameter may come equipped with an adjustment knob, which enables the user to set the flow rate according to their requirement. The unit of the measurement is in liters or gallons per minute. The device consists of a float and a tube. Floats are ideally designed to be insensitive to viscosity; however, this is seldom verifiable from manufacturers' specifications. Move it up or down until the bottom of the ball reads at the rate you desire. The float may be diagonally grooved and partially colored so that it rotates axially as the fluid passes. Some rotameters come with standard fittings for various size tubing. Let’s summarize the procedure for reading a rotameter: Connecting the rotameter with the fluid flowing source, to initiate the process. The main property of importance is the density of the fluid; however, viscosity may also be significant.
In her daily life, she works in corporate product management. Due to its reliance on the ability of the fluid or gas to displace the float, graduations on a given rotameter will only be accurate for a given substance at a given temperature. Either separate rotameters for different densities and viscosities may be used, or multiple scales on the same rotameter can be used. The drag force for a given fluid and float cross section is a function of flow speed squared only, see drag equation.[3].
Proteus has an ISO 9001 certified quality system. This capability has considerably expanded the range of applications for the variable area flowmeter, since the measurement can observed remotely from the process or used for automatic control. Rotameters are not easily adapted for reading by machine; although magnetic floats that drive a follower outside the tube are available. This is the flow rate. For the railway distance device, see.
Equilibrium is reached when the upward force created by the flowing fluid balances the descending force exerted by the mass of the float, hence maintaining a stable position of the float. Proteus Industries Warranty, Terms, and Conditions. A rotameter requires no external power or fuel, it uses only the inherent properties of the fluid, along with gravity, to measure flow rate. This results in an accurate measure of flow rate, generally measured in liters per minute. A rotameter is also a relatively simple device that can be mass manufactured out of cheap materials, allowing for its widespread use. Some manufacturers use a different standard.[3]. A rotameter is a device that measures the flow rate of liquid or gas in a closed tube, and can be used to obtain accurate and reliable measurements of pump flow rates. Our flow switches, meters, and sensors are backed by our five-year warranty. It is composed of a plastic, metal or glass tube and float. In many other countries the brand name Rotameter is registered by Rota Yokogawa GmbH & Co. KG in Germany which is now owned by Yokogawa Electric Corp. A rotameter consists of a tapered tube, typically made of glass with a 'float' (a shaped weight, made either of anodized aluminum or a ceramic), inside that is pushed up by the drag force of the flow and pulled down by gravity.
An instrument, which measures the volumetric flow rate of the fluid running through a closed conduit, is called a rotameter. Rotameters are marked from the top to bottom, increasing to decreasing flow, similar to a thermometer. There are many different types of rotameters available on the market today; most of them work based on gravity. Proteus Industries specializes and excels at providing customer requested customization which may include: fittings, special cables and connections, brackets and specialized calibrations including viscosity compensation. The following are helpful, general guidelines in the proper installation of rotameters: Inspect meter for damage that may have occurred during shipping. The float starts to swim in the middle of the tapered pipe due to the velocity of the fluid.
Since the float must be read through the flowing medium, some fluids may obscure the reading. Readings are usually taken at the top of the widest part of the float; the center for an ellipsoid, or the top for a cylinder.
Custom designed for a customer to use in harsh (>1100GHz) EMI or RF environments. The scale will vary based on the make of the rotameter. Readout. This is the flow rate. SKC rotameters are lightweight, rugged, portable, and available in different flow ranges to cover a wide range of air sampling applications. The lower and upper level of the float is to be measured by that scale, which gives the flow rate. Due to the direct flow indication the resolution is relatively poor compared to other measurement principles. Clear glass is used which is highly resistant to thermal shock and chemical action. You can then read off the flow-rate for a particular fluid’s density and viscosity.
Look at the bottom of the ball, and see where it lines up with the scale on the side of the meter.
Now the question is how to read a rotameter?
The flow rate increases and decreases the height of the float, which accordingly adjusts the passage of the fluid flow and consequently, the total area between the float and the wall of the tube.
Flow R. Miller, Measurement Engineering Handbook. Rotameters are used to measure the flow rate of a gas through an orifice or series of tubing. Look at the bottom of the ball, and see where it lines up with the scale on the side of the meter. Rotameters are not generally manufactured in sizes greater than 6 inches/150 mm, but bypass designs are sometimes used on very large pipes. Set up the rotameter on a flat surface. The float response to flowrate changes is linear, and a … • Due to its reliance on the ability of the fluid or gas to displace the float, graduations on a given rotameter will only be accurate for a given substance at a given temperature. The first variable area meter with rotating float was invented by Karl Kueppers in Aachen in 1908. Kueppers invented the special shape for the inside of the glass tube that realized a symmetrical flow scale. Being a kind of a variable-area meter, it analyzes the flow rate by the upward and downward motion of the float in the tapered tube and the measurement provided by the flow meter is directly proportional to the area of flow and the flow rate. Applied extensively in industrial process measurement and control, a rotameter is an instrument that uses a float of given density to establish, for any measurable flow rate, an equilibrium position within the fluid stream where the force of the flowing fluid equals the force of gravity.. How to Select a Rotameter ? The main property of importance is the density of the fluid; however, viscosity may also be significant. Rotameters are marked from the top to bottom, increasing to decreasing flow, similar to a thermometer. The main application of the rotameter flow meter is to measure the flowrate of liquids and gases. Please enter your email address. Powered by Naman Modi Digital.
You may need to use clamps to attach the rotameter to something sturdy; some are too large to stand on their own.
Reading a rotameter from the top is fairly simple. A higher volumetric flow rate through a given area increases flow speed and drag force, so the float will be pushed upwards. Also Read : Rotameter Working Principle. You will receive mail with link to set new password. The gas flow causes a small ball to rise in a graduated column, while gravity pushes down.
The side of the meter has a scale. This is described in the German patent 215225. The 8000RFR has been laboratory tested up to an RF power of 10v/m to 10GHZ (maximum laboratory testing available).
If you want to set the flow rate to a certain level, use the knob or dial on the rotameter. However, as the inside of the rotameter is cone shaped (widens), the area around the float through which the medium flows increases, the flow speed and drag force decrease until there is mechanical equilibrium with the float's weight.
Since the area of the flow passage increases as the float moves up the tube, the scale is approximately linear. A rotameter is a device that measures the volumetric flow rate of fluid in a closed tube. Rotameter is the most accepted industrial flow meter, which works based on the principle of gravity and variable area.
Information on our Conflict Minerals Policy statement, RoHS and WEEE policy can be found HERE. Connecting the rotameter with the fluid flowing source, to initiate the process. Mallory Malesky has been writing business, finance and general knowledge articles since 2008.
The brand name Rotameter was registered by the British company GEC Elliot automation, Rotameter Co. Of course, the size of the rotameter and its makeup will depend on the application; if everything is calibrated and sized correctly, flow rate can be read directly off a scale based on the position of the float. Flow Measurement Handbook: Industrial Designs, Operating Principles, Performance, and Applications. For this purpose, Proteus can supply a closed-cell foam insulator to prevent icing in cold conditions or protect workers from burns in higher temperatures.
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The "float" must not float in the fluid: it has to have a higher density than the fluid, otherwise it will float to the top even if there is no flow. How to Read a Rotameter : Points to Ponder, Different Types of Standard Liquid Flowmeter, Achieving High Performance with Miniature Planar Flow Sensors, High resistance to electromagnetic interference.
Find the ball floating in the middle of the rotameter column. R.C.Baker. Proteus has an ISO 9001 certified quality system. Introduction to Flow Measurement with Rotameters.