Vortex flowmeter is a flowmeter based on the Karman vortex street principle, widely used for flow measurement of gases, liquids, steam and other media. The vortex flowmeter calculates the flow rate by measuring the vortex frequency generated during the fluid flow process. The following is the operation method of the spiral vortex flowmeter:
1. Preparation before installation
Check the instruments and accessories:
Check if the packaging of the flowmeter is intact and confirm that the equipment has not been damaged during transportation.
Verify the model and specifications, and confirm that the received vortex flowmeter matches the order.
Check if the wiring terminals, power lines, signal output lines, and other accessories are complete.
Select installation location:
Choose a suitable installation location to ensure that the flowmeter is installed in the middle of the pipeline, avoiding installation near the inlet and outlet or near bends or valves, as fluid flow may be unstable and affect measurement accuracy.
Ensure that there are no bubbles or impurities inside the pipeline to avoid interference from vortex signals.
During installation, ensure that the fluid flow direction of the flowmeter is consistent with its indicated direction, usually indicated by arrows on the equipment.
2. Install the spiral vortex flowmeter
Pipeline connection:
Connect the pipeline according to the interface type of the flowmeter (such as flange, thread, etc.). Use appropriate sealing gaskets to ensure that there is no air or liquid leakage at the connection.
During installation, attention should be paid to the alignment and fastening of pipelines to avoid uneven equipment stress caused by improper installation.
Installation angle:
According to the instructions of the flowmeter, it is usually necessary to install the flowmeter vertically or horizontally. Avoid installing diagonally to ensure that the fluid can flow evenly through the vortex generator.
Installation distance:
To ensure smooth fluid flow, a certain length of straight pipe section (usually 10-20 times the diameter of the pipeline) should be maintained before and after the flowmeter to prevent flow field disturbances caused by pipe bends, valves, etc.
Before installation, it is necessary to check the tightness of the connection between the flowmeter and the pipeline to avoid loosening during operation.
3. Wiring and power supply
Wiring:
According to the wiring diagram of the flowmeter, connect the cable to the power terminal of the flowmeter and pay attention to the correctness of the wiring. Usually, there are two types of output signals for a vortex flowmeter:
Pulse signal: used to connect flow data acquisition instruments or remote devices.
Analog signal: such as 4-20mA current output, representing the magnitude of the flow rate.
Power connection:
Ensure that the power supply voltage is consistent with the requirements of the flowmeter. The common power supply voltage is 24VDC or 220VAC.
Check if the power supply is stable to avoid voltage fluctuations affecting the flowmeter.
4. Debugging and Calibration
Power on debugging:
Turn on the power and observe the display and output signals of the flowmeter. Preliminary check the working status of the flowmeter to ensure that the displayed value matches the actual flow rate.
Check if the flow meter output signal is normal under air traffic control conditions. If the flowmeter does not display or the signal is abnormal, check whether the power connection and signal line connection are correct.
Calibration test:
After the installation of the flowmeter, flow calibration is required to ensure its accuracy. Standard flow meters are usually used for comparison and calibration of flow rates.
Adjust the zero point and full range of the flowmeter to ensure measurement accuracy.
5. Operation and Data Reading
Activate fluid flow:
Open the pipeline valve and allow fluid to flow through the flowmeter. The vortex flowmeter calculates the flow rate based on the vortex frequency generated when the fluid passes through the vortex generator. The size of the flow is directly proportional to the frequency of the vortex street.
Read display:
Read real-time flow data from the digital display screen based on the type of flow meter. The displayed data may be real-time traffic or cumulative traffic.
If the flowmeter is equipped with remote data transmission function, flow data can be remotely monitored through PLC, DCS or other data acquisition systems.
6. Daily maintenance and troubleshooting
Cleaning and maintenance:
Regularly check the cleanliness of the flowmeter, especially when handling liquids containing impurities, corrosive or viscous substances, to ensure that the vortex generator and sensor parts are not blocked or damaged.
Check if the power and signal wires of the flowmeter are loose, ensuring stable connection.
Regularly calibrate the flowmeter to ensure accuracy during long-term operation.
Common faults and troubleshooting:
Display no data or unstable: Check if the power connection is normal, if the signal output line is securely connected, and ensure that there are no interference sources.
Unstable signal output: Check if the fluid flow rate is too low and if there are bubbles or impurities interfering with the flow. Check if the vortex generator is blocked.
The flowmeter cannot start: check if the power supply voltage is normal and if the signal line is connected properly.
7. Close operation
Close fluid flow:
When no measurement is needed, the fluid valve can be closed.
Turn off the power:
Follow the normal procedure to turn off the power supply of the flowmeter to avoid equipment failure caused by unexpected power outages.
Precautions
Fluid characteristics: Ensure that the flow conditions of the fluid are suitable for using a vortex flowmeter, especially the viscosity, temperature, pressure, etc. of the fluid, to avoid exceeding the working range of the flowmeter.
Flow meter accuracy: Regularly check the accuracy and precision of the flow meter to ensure that it meets the design requirements.
Protective measures: Avoid working the flowmeter in extreme environments such as high temperature and high pressure, especially in highly corrosive environments, and choose suitable materials and protective measures.