Overview
Reduce swirl and crossflow – without compromise
Striking the perfect balance for your ultrasonic flow meter configuration can be a challenge. From swirl and crossflow to pressure-loss penalties – there are a lot of variables to consider when deciding on the right conditioner to keep your operation running accurately.
For example, chordal ultrasonic meters with four paths based on the principles of Gaussian integration are very tolerant of changes in axial profile but are sensitive to the swirl and/or crossflow that is also generated when flow changes direction in a pipeline system.
Traditional plate-type conditioners are good at removing swirl and crossflow, but do so with a relatively high pressure-loss penalty.
Tube bundles, which are more common in liquid applications, have the advantage of lower pressure loss in turbulent flow than traditional plate conditioners. However, tube bundles can have an adverse effect on the axial velocity profile and are more difficult to manufacture with good reproducibility. Tube bundles also have higher pressure losses in liquid applications in the laminar regime
The CALDON Brownian Flow Conditioner (BFC) has the answers
CALDON engineers have combined decades of experience with ultrasonic meters and detailed research into the various forms of flow conditioners developed since the 1960’s to produce a flow conditioner that is optimized for use with ultrasonic meters.
The patented* BFC flow conditioner combines the reproducibility and performance benefits of a plate-style conditioner with the low-loss characteristics of a tube bundle – as well as eliminating the higher frictional losses associated with the long tubes used in traditional tube bundles. In gas applications – where pressure drop plays a key role in generation of acoustic/ audible noise – the significantly reduced pressure drop and balanced hole geometry of the BFC can alleviate the noise problems that may be encountered with typical plate conditioners.
The BFC is suitable for use with other primary technologies subject to consideration of compliance with international standards or qualifications. Please consult Sensia for specific advice.
FEATURES
+ Suitable for liquid or gas applications
+ Designed specifically for use with ultrasonic meters
+ Approximately 3 to 6 times lower pressure loss than a typical plate style flow conditioner, BFC delivers K = 0.55.
+ Dramatically reduces swirl and crossflow, without introducing undue turbulence and pressure loss
+ Balanced hydraulic hole geometry for consistent performance over a wide range of Reynolds numbers
+ Reproducible and predictable performance
*US Patent No. 9,506,484: Flow conditioner and method for optimization
