A vortex air flow meter is a flow measurement instrument based on the Kármán vortex principle, widely used for measuring the flow of gases, liquids, and steam. When installing a vortex air flow meter, the following installation guidelines should be followed:
Installation Requirements for Vortex Air Flow Meter
1. Choose an appropriate installation location and environment
Avoid areas near high-power electrical equipment, high-frequency devices, or strong power switch equipment. Keep away from high-temperature heat sources, radiation sources, strong vibration areas, and highly corrosive environments. The installation location should also allow for easy maintenance.
2. Ensure sufficient straight pipe lengths upstream and downstream
- If the upstream has two 90° elbows on the same plane: upstream straight pipe ≥ 25D, downstream straight pipe ≥ 5D.
- If the upstream has two 90° elbows on different planes: upstream straight pipe ≥ 40D, downstream straight pipe ≥ 5D.
Control valves should be installed at least 5D downstream of the sensor. - If a valve must be installed upstream, the upstream straight pipe should be at least 50D, and the downstream straight pipe should be at least 5D.
3. Ensure concentricity of upstream and downstream piping
The piping at the installation point must be concentric with the sensor, with a coaxial deviation no greater than 0.5 DN.
4. Implement vibration reduction measures
Avoid installing the sensor on pipelines subject to strong vibrations, especially lateral vibrations. If unavoidable, take vibration reduction measures by installing pipe supports upstream and downstream 2D from the sensor and adding anti-vibration pads.
5. Installation in Horizontal Pipelines
Installing the sensor in a horizontal pipeline is the most common method.
When measuring gas flow, if the gas contains a small amount of liquid, the sensor should be installed at a higher point in the pipeline.
When measuring liquid flow, if the liquid contains a small amount of gas, the sensor should be installed at a lower point in the pipeline.
6. Installation in Vertical Pipelines
When measuring gas flow, the sensor can be installed on a vertical pipeline in any flow direction. If the gas contains a small amount of liquid, the flow should be upward.
When measuring liquid flow, the flow should always be upward to avoid adding extra weight to the sensor probe.
7. Side Installation in Horizontal Pipelines
The sensor can be side-mounted on a horizontal pipeline for any type of fluid. This is especially recommended for measuring superheated steam, saturated steam, or low-temperature liquids, as side mounting reduces the impact of fluid temperature on the amplifier.
8. Inverted Installation in Horizontal Pipelines
This installation method is generally not recommended. It is unsuitable for measuring regular gases or superheated steam. It can be used for saturated steam, high-temperature liquids, or pipelines that require frequent cleaning.
9. Installation on Insulated Pipelines
When measuring high-temperature steam, the insulation layer should not exceed one-third of the support height.
10. Pressure and Temperature Measurement Points
If pressure and temperature need to be measured near the sensor, the pressure measurement point should be 3–5D downstream of the sensor, and the temperature measurement point should be 6–8D downstream.
Vortex Air Flow Meter Installation Tips
1. A vortex air flow meter can only measure flow in one direction. Make sure the flow direction of the medium matches the arrow on the meter during installation.
2. For vertical installation, the medium should flow from bottom to top through the meter. That is, install the meter on a vertical pipe with the flow direction upward.
3. When installed horizontally, the meter must be placed in the high-pressure section of the system, ensuring proper outlet pressure. Do not install it at the highest point of the pipeline, as gas tends to accumulate there, the pipe may not be full, and the outlet cannot be directly vented.
4. When measuring high-temperature fluids, vertical installation is preferred. If horizontal installation is unavoidable, position the meter’s transmitter downward or mount it horizontally on the side. Ensure the installation area has good air circulation or ventilation to prevent overheating.
5. Straight pipe requirements: Ensure at least 15 pipe diameters upstream and 5 diameters downstream of the meter. If there are upstream disturbances such as elbows, contractions, or expansions, provide 30–40 diameters upstream and 6 diameters downstream. The meter should be installed upstream of control valves, pressure, or temperature sensors.
6. Ensure the pipeline diameter is equal to or slightly larger than the meter’s inner diameter.
7. When using a sealing ring, the inner diameter of the ring should be equal to or slightly larger than the meter’s inner diameter, and its center should align with the pipe.
8. When using the vortex air flow meter for flow control, install the sensor upstream of the control valve. Otherwise, at low flow rates, the jet from the partially open valve can affect the measurement, causing the flow to appear higher when the valve is nearly closed.
The key to installing a vortex air flow meter is to ensure stable flow (sufficient straight pipe length), full-pipe and unidirectional flow, avoid vibration interference, maintain precise pipe alignment, use relatively clean media, correctly configure parameters, and ensure reliable grounding and wiring. Our vortex air flow meters feature high-precision sensors with strong anti-interference capability, making them suitable for a wide range of complex conditions. Contact us for more information and let us provide the best solution for your needs.
