To stabilize a flow in a pipe upstream of a measuring element
A flow straightener greatly reduces disturbances in a flow while a conditioner reduces disturbances and also allows a good redistribution of the speed profile, at each point of the section of the pipe.
Thus, these devices make it possible to reduce the upstream straight lengths and to improve the measurement accuracy in the case of a flow measurement. They are therefore to be positioned between a pipe fitting (elbow, reduction, etc.) and a flow measurement element while respecting the distances specified in the standard.
The flow straightener or flow conditioner is a simple and robust system designed to reduce the length of the straight pipe section upstream of a differential pressure flowmeter (orifice plate measurement).
For example, according to the ISO 5167 standard,
- for an orifice plate with a diameter ratio of 0.5 (β = 0.5),
- and with an upstream accessory as a simple 90° elbow,
- the upstream straight length must be at least 22D (D is the inner diameter of the pipe) without conditoner
- with a Zanker plate, the straight length can be reduced to 7.5D
The flow conditioner therefore helps to address space constraints.
MAIN FEATURES
- Standard: ISO 5167, ASME MFC-3M.
- Fluid: liquid, gas, steam.
- Solder (BW) or flanged connection
- Different types: K-Lab Nova or Zanker
These flow conditioners have passed the compliance test described in ISO 5167-1. This test is intended to characterize, in particular, the shift in the discharge coefficient and to verify that it remains within acceptable limits.
For these two conditioners, the uncertainty in the discharge coefficient is considered to be the same with or without a conditioner; they can therefore be used downstream of any upstream accessory and for any value of the diameter ratio β up to 0.67.
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The flow straightener / conditioner is positioned between the upstream reduction and the primary flow measurement element in order to reduce the straight length.
Example: in the case of an orifice plate of β = 0.5 and for a single bend at 90 °, the upstream straight length to be respected without flow conditioner is 22.D (22 times the inside diameter of the line). With a Zanker plate flow straightener, the recommended straight length is now only 7.5.D minimum.
➮ I look at the technical datasheet with examples of straight length reduction
These recommended straight lengths are mentioned in the corresponding standard and depend on the primary element considered and the ratio of diameters β. We will be able to advise you according to your application.
Several solutions exist to reduce the total straight length necessary for the purpose of installing a differential pressure flowmeter. Here is a non-exhaustive list of these solutions:
- Flow straightener / conditioner: this item considerably reduces the disturbances caused by the upstream fitting and thus improves the measuring accuracy and reduces the required straight lengths. The characteristics of these devices are described and listed in the ISO5167 standard. .
- Conditioning orifice plate: this is the economical solution for reducing upstream and downstream straight lengths. Indeed, a minimum distance of 2xD (upstream and downstream) is recommended between the primary element and the pipe fittings. This DP element has been the subject of extensive experiments and is already used in many applications but it is not standardized to date.
- Venturi tube: this device has a particular geometry that helps to reduce the irregularities of the flow; thus, the required straight lengths are reduced compared to an orifice plate for example (for β = 0.5 and a simple 90 ° elbow upstream, the required straight length for an orifice plate is 22xD while is 9xD for a venturi tube). Its price is however higher than an orifice plate
- Cone meter: the required straight lengths to install a cone meter are reduced (3xD upstream and 2xD downstream). But the uncertainty on the discharge coefficient is 5% while it can reach 0.5% for an orifice plate. A specific calibration can be proposed to improve the measurement accuracy.
Each of the characteristics of your process is to be studied to choose the best solution in terms of measurement quality, size and price. That is why we are at your disposal to provide you with additional information and help you in your selection.
The ISO5167 standard defines these two products:
a straightener considerably reduces the disturbances in a flow while a conditioner reduces the disturbances and also allows a good redistribution of the speed profile, at each point of the section of the pipe.
The standard presents different types of devices and gives their characteristics:
- flow straignteners: tube bundle flow straightener, AMCA and Star straightener
- flow conditioners : Gallagher, K-Lab NOVA, NEL (Spearman), Sprenkle and Zanker conditioners
To date, Deltafluid offers two types of flow conditioners, the Nova K-Lab and the Zanker plate, both of which have passed the conformity test described in ISO 5167.
