When Inches Count: Flow Metering In Constrained Spaces

From offshore oil platforms that come with a hefty cost for every square foot to college campuses that rely on steam plants jammed into cramped basements, flow metering is critical to many operations where space comes at a premium.

The big problem is that most flow metering technologies conflict with space limitations because of their substantial straight pipe run requirements for accurate readings. Concentric orifice plate flow meters, for example, need as much as 40x diameters upstream and 20x diameters downstream. That means a 6” pipe will require 240” of straight pipe run, with no elbows or other obstructions in the line.

The good news is there is an alternative.