Damage to the integrated orifice plate flow meter
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Our company has used many Emerson integrated orifice plate flowmeters to measure steam flow – why are so many of the transmitter diaphragm bags damaged? During installation, the transmitter is located below the orifice plate.
The integrated orifice plate has a high flow capacity; its temperature resistance is probably around 120 degrees. Even if the transmitter is installed downward, the heat from the steam will still be transmitted to it. This situation was likely caused by the person who made the selection at the time lacking experience or having no understanding of the specifications and parameters of the instrument. Check whether the transmitter can be removed from the pressure tap; if so, remove it and install accessories such as pressure tubes, along with a three-valve assembly, so that testing can be carried out smoothly. If it is in the north, pay attention to pipeline insulation and heat tracing.
The transmitter of an integrated orifice plate flow meter is located very close to the pipeline; when used for measuring steam, the high temperature can damage the transmitter, so it is better not to use integrated orifice plate flow meters for measuring steam~
The pressure guide tube can be extended, and condensate pipes can be installed at the pressure-taking ports on the positive and negative sides of the orifice plate to prevent the transmitter from being damaged due to excessive temperatures!
For the three-valve assembly, a condenser is needed. What material is the diaphragm box made of?
Saturation steam can be measured using an integrated vortex flow meter; in the case of superheated steam, a separate vortex flow meter should be considered
For integrated measurement, it’s better to keep the on-site operating conditions simple – just measure the two types of steam. If an integrated solution is chosen, as mentioned by the colleague above, corresponding protective measures need to be implemented. QQ: 1602603976
Outsmarted by technology. An integrated differential pressure flow meter for measuring steam should be equipped with an integrated condenser tank.
I encountered the same problem as you; mine was an integrated Anubaa flow meter used to measure the flow of high-temperature, high-pressure steam. It has not been accurate since it was put into use. Later, due to process-related reasons, oil got mixed into the steam pipeline, which caused the pressure measurement ports to become blocked and the meter to become unusable. We had to carry out technical modifications: we installed pressure lead pipes, placed the transmitter in a surface-mounted instrument box, and added heating to the pressure lead pipes. The modifications are still in progress, and it’s not yet known how well they will work.
Damage to the diaphragm box can be caused by impurities in the process medium, as well as factors such as temperature and pressure. Integrated measurement systems are generally not used for steam applications; temperature is a factor that transmitters particularly struggle with. It is recommended to use pressure conduits for connection in order to prevent excessive temperatures at the diaphragm box.