Quiz Corner: Insertion flowmeters

Which of the following flowmeter technologies are not available as insertion flowmeters?

A.  Coriolis mass

B.  Differential pressure

C.  Magnetic

D.  Positive displacement

E.  Target

F.  Thermal

G.  Turbine

H.  Ultrasonic

I.  Variable area

J.  Vortex shedding

Insertion flowmeters infer the flow in a pipe by measuring flow at one (or more) strategic locations in the flowing stream. The cost of insertion flowmeters of a given technology is similar for most size lines so these flowmeters are often applied to large pipes where full-bore flowmeters would be much more expensive plus involve shutting down the line for installation. Coriolis mass (Answer A), positive displacement (Answer D) and variable area (Answer I) are not available as insertion flowmeters.

Additional complicating factors

Insertion flowmeters are generally much more susceptible to velocity profile disturbances as compared to full-bore flowmeters, so careful consideration should be given to the upstream piping configuration and straight run.

David W. Spitzer is a principal at Spitzer and Boyes, LLC, which offers engineering, focused market research, writing/editing white papers, strategic marketing consulting, distribution consulting, seminars and expert witness services for manufacturing and automation companies. Spitzer has written more than 400 technical articles and 10 books about flow measurement, instrumentation and process control. He can be reached at 845-623-1830 or via spitzerandboyes.com.