Intelligent spiral vortex flowmeterIt is a high-precision flow measurement instrument based on microprocessor technology, widely used in gas and liquid metering in industries such as petroleum, chemical, power, metallurgy, etc. The core principle is that when the fluid passes through the spiral guide vanes, it forms a violent vortex, and the vortex undergoes secondary rotation due to the backflow effect in the diffusion section, forming a gyroscopic vortex precession phenomenon. The precession frequency is proportional to the flow rate and is not affected by the physical properties and density of the fluid. By measuring the frequency with a detection element, the flow rate can be accurately calculated, maintaining good linearity over a wide range of flow rates.
Intelligent spiral vortex flowmeterThe operation should follow the procedures of installation, parameter setting, operation monitoring, and maintenance to ensure accurate measurement and equipment stability. The following are the detailed operation steps:
1、 Preparation before installation
Instrument inspection
Check whether the flowmeter model and specifications (pipe diameter, measurement range, medium type) match the actual working conditions (such as gas/liquid, pressure level, temperature range).
Check whether the appearance of the instrument is intact, whether the sensors, meter heads, and connecting cables are damaged, and whether the accessories (such as flanges and sealing gaskets) are complete.
Confirmation of working conditions
Confirm the medium state inside the pipeline: it should be a single-phase fluid (avoiding gas-liquid mixing, containing a large amount of impurities or particles), and the flow rate should be within the instrument range (usually recommended to work within 10% -90% of the range to ensure accuracy).
Check pipeline parameters: The pipe diameter should be consistent with the nominal diameter of the flowmeter (with a tolerance of ± 1mm deviation), and the pipeline material should be metal (such as steel or cast iron) to avoid non-metallic pipelines affecting sensor signals.
2、 Installation operation
Pipeline installation requirements
Length of straight pipe section: The length of the upstream straight pipe section is ≥ 10 times the diameter of the pipe (DN), and the length of the downstream straight pipe section is ≥ 5 times the diameter of the pipe to avoid flow field interference caused by equipment such as valves, elbows, and pumps. If space is limited, a rectifier can be installed.
Installation direction: The direction of the arrow on the flowmeter casing should be consistent with the flow direction of the medium (reverse installation is not allowed); When installing a horizontal pipeline, the sensor should be located in the lower half of the pipeline (to avoid the influence of bubbles at the top or sediment at the bottom), and when installing a vertical pipeline, the medium should flow from bottom to top.
Connection method: When flange connection, ensure that the sealing gasket does not protrude from the inner wall of the pipeline (to avoid interference with the flow field); Threaded connections need to be sealed to prevent medium leakage.
Environment and auxiliary installation
Stay away from strong vibration sources (such as pump bodies) and strong electromagnetic interference (such as motors and transformers), and install vibration reduction brackets or shielding covers if necessary.
The installation position of the meter head should be easy to observe and operate, avoiding direct sunlight, rain, or high temperature environments (if necessary, install a protective box).
If measuring high-temperature media (such as steam), it is necessary to confirm the high-temperature resistance level of the flowmeter and preheat the pipeline before installation to avoid damage to the instrument due to sudden heating.
3、 Parameter Setting and Startup
Initial parameter configuration
Connect the power supply (confirm that the voltage is consistent with the instrument label, such as DC 24V or AC 220V), start the meter display screen, and enter the parameter setting mode (press the "Set" button or connect through dedicated software).
Key parameter settings:
Type of medium (gas/liquid), nominal diameter (DN), range of measurement (minimum/maximum flow rate);
Working pressure and temperature (if it is a gas, standard condition/working condition conversion parameters need to be set, such as standard temperature of 20 ℃ and standard pressure of 101.325kPa);
Measurement units (such as m ³/h, L/min), communication parameters (such as RS485 baud rate, address, used for remote transmission).
Start and exhaust
Slowly open the front and rear valves of the flowmeter (first open the upstream valve, then open the downstream valve) to avoid medium impact on the sensor (especially for liquids, to prevent water hammer phenomenon).
If measuring gases or liquids that are prone to bubble formation, it is necessary to open the exhaust valve of the pipeline, exhaust the air inside the pipeline, and then close it to ensure that the sensor is fully filled with the medium.
4、 Operation monitoring and operation
Daily data viewing
The header displays real-time parameters such as instantaneous flow rate, cumulative flow rate, pressure, temperature, etc. The "switch" button can be used to cycle through different data.
If equipped with a remote monitoring system (such as PLC, SCADA), data can be read through communication interfaces (RS485, 4G, etc.) to monitor the trend of traffic changes.
exception handling
If the display shows' flow rate is 0 'but there is medium flow in the pipeline: check if the sensor is blocked, if the wiring is loose, or if the medium flow rate is below the minimum range.
If the data fluctuates greatly: check whether there is turbulence in the pipeline (such as valves not fully open), whether the medium contains bubbles, or whether the sensor installation is insufficient in the straight pipe section.
If a "fault code" (such as Err-01) is displayed, refer to the corresponding code meaning in the instrument manual, such as sensor failure, power supply abnormality, etc., and repair or replace the component in a timely manner.
5、 Maintenance and Calibration
regular maintenance
Check the sealing of the meter head (to prevent water ingress), whether the connecting flange leaks, and whether the sensor inner wall is scaled (especially for measuring liquids that are prone to scaling, such as cooling water) every 3-6 months. If necessary, disassemble and clean (requires professional operation).
Clean the dust on the header display screen to ensure clear readings; Check the power circuit to avoid aging or poor contact.
Calibration operation
It is recommended to calibrate once a year (by sending it to a metrology institution or on-site calibration), adjust the instrument coefficient (K value) through comparison with standard flow meters, and ensure that the measurement accuracy meets the requirements.
Before calibration, it is necessary to record the current parameters, reset them according to the new coefficients after calibration, and save the parameters.
6、 Shutdown operation
Short term shutdown: Close the downstream valve of the flowmeter, then close the upstream valve, and keep the instrument filled with medium (to avoid dry sensors or impurity deposition caused by empty pipes).
Long term shutdown: Close the upstream and downstream valves, empty the medium in the pipeline, disconnect the power supply, and protect the meter head from dust and moisture; If measuring corrosive media, rinse the sensor and store it.