How to Install a Turbine Flow Meter in Nigeria Full-Review

A turbine flow meter is a volume sensing device. As liquid or gas passes through the turbine housing, it causes the freely suspended turbine blades to rotate. The velocity of the turbine rotor is directly proportional to the velocity of the fluid passing through the flow meter.

The turbine flowmeter (better described as an axial turbine) translates the mechanical action of the turbine rotating in the liquid flow around an axis into a user-readable rate of flow (gpm, lpm, etc.). The turbine tends to have all the flow traveling around it.

The turbine wheel is set in the path of a fluid stream. The flowing fluid impinges on the turbine blades, imparting a force to the blade surface and setting the rotor in motion. When a steady rotation speed has been reached, the speed is proportional to fluid velocity.

Turbine flow meters are engineered with internal components that are water-resistant, providing a long service life and trouble-free operation. Fluid flowing in the device is initially conditioned or calibrated by the inlet flow straightener, reducing turmoil in the liquid.

The flowing fluid makes the rotor blade to spin and rotate at a rate that’s equivalent to its flow rate. As the rotor blades pass through the electromagnetic field, an electronic pulse or voltage is generated.

This electronic pulse can be utilized to see the total amount of fluid that has traversed through the measuring device or the actual flow rate of fluids. The number of generated electronic pulses by the flow meter is called the K-Factor.

If you’re interested in knowing how to install a turbine flow meter, here’s how. Troll away!!

Installation

Just before installing the flow meter device, it must be examined and inspected for any foreign material. Also, to make sure the rotor blades spin and rotates correctly. All upstream liquid lines must be free of any dirt and debris.

Moreover, you’ve got to ensure that the fluid flow has been, for the most part, turned off. Additionally, make sure that all pressure in the upstream fluid lines has been discharged before installing the device into an existing operating system.

The turbine flow meters should be mounted with the flow direction pointing in the fluid flow’s path. You can find the flow direction arrow on the side of the measuring device.

The flow indicator is engineered to function in any position. However, the ideal position is to have the flow meter mounted in horizontal piping.

The liquid to be calculated or assessed must be filtered. The ideal location for the strainer or filter would be in the upper part of the flow meter device, after any system parts. And at the same time keeping the straight piping requirements in mind.

The ideal plumbing orientation is one holding a bypass line. In this way, it allows flow meter repair and inspection without impeding the flow. Additionally, it can cycle the fluid flowing through the filter before it goes through the flow meter.

However, if a bypass line isn’t utilized, then all of the flow control valves must be situated in the lower part of the flow meter. For maximum turbine flow meter performance and efficiency, a minimum length of downstream and upstream piping is needed.

It’s ideal to have a minimum length of at least ten diameters of straight pipe be mounted straightforwardly on the upper part of the flow measuring device. On the other hand, at least five diameters on the lower part of the measuring tool.

It aids in eliminating turmoil in the fluid. If the meter has shorter vessel lengths, some system components might negatively influence the repeatability and accuracy of the flow meter. For this reason, piping must be the same size as the port size or meter bore.

Don’t locate the connection cable or flow meter near the electric motes, high voltage lines, sparking devices, or transformers. Also, don’t put connecting cable in a pipe with wire giving power for such tools.

Such devices can cause false or incorrect signals in the measuring device. Thus, causing the turbine meter to give inaccurate readings.

Taking on The Device For the First Time

The following methods are to be adhered to when installing the turbine flow meter and operating it after installation.

• Open the bypass valve and secure the isolation valves after installing the flow meter. The fluid flow throughout the system needs ample time to get rid of any gas or air in the flow line.
• Gradually open the upper isolating valve to let the liquid to flow in the device.
  Then, open the lower isolating valve to trigger the fluid to flow through the meter, allowing it to operate.
• Secure or lock the bypass valve entirely.
• If the lower valve is utilized as a flow control valve, then fine-tune or modify the valve to get the desired flow rate through the turbine flow meter.

You’ve got to note that gas and air, flowing at an extreme velocity, can wreck the internal parts of the turbine flow meter. Also, never pound or smash the flow meter. This action can damage internal parts permanently. This is highly important as a single mishap can be very disheartening.

Wrapping up

Turbine flowmeters are used for the measurement of natural gas and liquid flow. Turbine meters are less accurate than displacement and jet meters at low flow rates, but the measuring element does not occupy or severely restrict the entire path of flow.

The flow direction is generally straight through the meter, allowing for higher flow rates and less pressure loss than displacement-type meters. They are the meter of choice for large commercial users, fire protection, and as master meters for the water distribution system.

Strainers are generally required to be installed in front of the meter to protect the measuring element from gravel or other debris that could enter the water distribution system. Turbine meters are generally available for 4 to 30 cm (​1 1⁄2–12 in) or higher pipe sizes. Turbine meter bodies are commonly made of bronze, cast Iron, or ductile iron. Internal turbine elements can be plastic or non-corrosive metal alloys.

They are accurate in normal working conditions but are greatly affected by the flow profile and fluid conditions.

Fire meters are a specialized type of turbine meter with approvals for the high flow rates required in fire protection systems. They are often approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) or similar authorities for use in fire protection. Portable turbine meters may be temporarily installed to measure water used from a fire hydrant.

The meters are normally made of aluminum to be lightweight, and are usually 7.5 cm (3 in) capacity. Water utilities often require them for measurement of water used in construction, pool filling, or where a permanent meter is not yet installed.

There are a lot of turbine meters to select from relying upon your application.

When you understand the application, a couple of factors materializes when picking a flow meter, for example:

• Specific application
• Accuracy range
• Flow range
• Pressure range
• Process temperature
• Pipe sizing
• Connection
• Viscosity
• Fluid type

If you want flow rate measurement or total volumetric flow, then a turbine meter is the best option.