The V-Cone Flow Meter is a flow meter based on the differential pressure principle. Its unique center cone design prevents a sharp contraction of the fluid within the pipeline, resulting in relatively smooth pressure changes. This results in a more stable differential pressure signal, ensuring accurate flow measurement. It is ideal for measuring high-viscosity and dirty media such as liquids, steam, gas, crude oil, and slurries under harsh conditions.
| Diameter | DN15～DN2000 |
| Accuracy | Class 0.5 |
| Temp. range | -160 °C ~ 700 °C |
| Pressure | ≤ 16MPa, 42MPa(maximum) |
| Medium | all kinds of gas, liquid, and steam |
| Normally types | A. Flange type B. Welding type C. Clamped type |
Features
1. Wider flow measurement range.
The unique structure of the V-cone flow sensor and flowmeter enables the generation of sufficiently resolvable differential pressures even at low flow rates. This allows for a lower differential pressure range than traditional differential pressure instruments, extending the range to 10:1.
2. Repeatability is better than ±0.1%; measurement accuracy is better than ±0.5%.
3. Wear-resistant, self-cleaning, with excellent long-term stability and long service life.
4. Short straight pipe requirements
Generally, the upstream flowmeter has a 0-3D diameter and the downstream flowmeter has a 0-1D diameter. If a valve is installed upstream of the V-cone flowmeter, the distance between the flowmeter and the valve should be 3D.
5. Lower pressure drop
Because the outlet edges of the V-cone flow sensor and flowmeter body are not sharp, the fluid pressure changes gradually, minimizing pressure loss caused by vortices generated by friction.
6. Advanced multivariable measurement technology
The two-wire transmitter features multiple sensors operating simultaneously. It can simultaneously monitor and display differential pressure, pressure, temperature, and flow.
7. Comprehensive Compensation Function
The V-Cone flowmeter can dynamically compensate for various factors that affect measurement accuracy online, such as temperature, pressure, Reynolds number, discharge coefficient, expansion coefficient, and compressibility. This improves the flowmeter’s measurement accuracy.
V-Cone Flow Meter Technical Parameters
| Measured media | Liquid, gas (including natural gas), steam |
| Accuracy class: | ±0.5%, ±1.5%, ±2.5% |
| Long-term stability: | ± 0.1% F.S / Y |
| Repeatability: | ± 0.1% |
| Minimum flow velocity: | 0.1m |
| Range Ratio | 10:1 |
| Reynolds number range: | 8 × 10^3 ~ 5 × 10^6 |
| Operating pressure: | 2.5MPa, 4.0 MPa, 6.3 MPa, 10.0 MPa, 16.0 MPa, 26.0 MPa, 42.0 MPa |
| Operating temperature: | -160 °C ~ 700 °C |
| Nominal diameter: | DN15~DN2000 (1/2″~120″) |
| Environment temperature: | ≤ 80 °C |
| Relative humidity: | 5 ~ 85% |
| Output signal: | 4 ~ 20mA |
| Power supply: | 24VDC |
| Voltage of DP transmitter : | 24VDC |
| Communication mode of the DP transmitter: | 4mA ~ 20mA |
| Voltage of intelligent flow totalizer: | 220VDC |
| Current of intelligent flow totalizer: | 4 ~ 20mA |
| Current of the DP transmitter : | 4 ~ 20mA |
| Communication mode of DP transmitter: | RS485/ HART |
| Normally types: | A. Flange type B. Welding type C. Clamped type |
Featured Applications
Compared to traditional flowmeters, V-cone flowmeters offer higher accuracy and stability, especially for complex fluids and unstable flow conditions. Therefore, they have a wider range of applications.
Petrochemical Industry
In the petrochemical industry, V-cone flowmeters are commonly used to monitor the flow of media such as oil, natural gas, and chemical reaction fluids. This industry involves a variety of complex fluids. V-cone flowmeters perform particularly well in special environments with high temperatures, high pressures, and low flow rates.
Metallurgical Industry
During production processes, the metallurgical industry often requires flow monitoring of molten metal or high-temperature gases. V-cone flowmeters operate stably in high-temperature and highly corrosive environments, making them ideal flow measurement tools for the metallurgical industry.
Food and Pharmaceutical Industry
V-cone flowmeters, due to their adaptability to fluid velocity fluctuations, are commonly used for monitoring production processes of liquid pharmaceuticals, beverages, and foods. They are unaffected by bubbles and changes in fluid composition, ensuring accurate and consistent measurement results.
Environmental Protection Industry
V-cone flowmeters are also widely used in the environmental protection industry, particularly in sewage treatment plants and emission monitoring. Their high accuracy and corrosion resistance enable them to accurately measure the flow of exhaust gases, wastewater, and other fluids.
Energy and Power Industry
In the energy and power industry, V-cone flowmeters are used to measure the flow of steam, cooling water, and various fuels. They are particularly useful for monitoring cooling water flow in power plants and measuring flow in natural gas pipelines, ensuring efficient energy utilization and safe equipment operation.
FAQ
The V-cone flowmeter is a new differential pressure flow measurement device that uses a pointed cone coaxially mounted within the measuring tube as a throttling element. It is also known as an internal cone flowmeter, conical flowmeter, or V-cone.
This new high-precision differential pressure flowmeter features low pressure loss, excellent flow coefficient stability, and requires minimal upstream and downstream straight pipe lengths.
The V-cone flowmeter inherits the advantages of traditional differential pressure flowmeters, including high stability and versatility. Its unique conical throttling structure avoids the limitations of traditional differential pressure flowmeters.
The V-Cone flow sensor also operates on the same basic principle as the differential pressure flowmeter. However, it overcomes many of the limitations of traditional differential pressure flowmeters. It utilizes a throttling element coaxially mounted in the pipeline. The difference is that the minimum flow cross-section of a conventional throttling element is circular, while that of the V-Cone flow sensor and flowmeter is annular.
When the fluid flows through the suspended pipe end, it reaches its maximum pressure, forming a low-pressure end at the upstream end of the V-Cone. This creates a differential pressure across the V-Cone, and flow measurement is achieved by measuring this differential pressure.
Due to the unique structure of the V-Cone flow sensor and flowmeter throttling element, the fluid does not contract rapidly within the pipeline. Fluid pressure changes are relatively smooth, resulting in a more stable differential pressure signal. This ensures accurate flow measurement, especially for low flow rates.
The V-Cone flowmeter is a differential pressure flowmeter based on Bernoulli’s theorem for the conversion of energy in a closed pipeline. Under steady-state flow conditions, the flow velocity in the pipeline is proportional to the square root of the differential pressure. That is:
△P = P1 – P2
Where:
β = diameter ratio, D = pipe inner diameter, mm;
d = cone outer diameter, mm;
Q = flow rate in m³/h;
k = discharge coefficient, dimensionless, varies with different flowmeters;
E = gas expansion coefficient, dimensionless; in non-compressive applications, E = 1;
△P = differential pressure, Pa;
ρ = fluid density, kg/m³.
V-cone flowmeters and Venturi flowmeters each have their advantages and disadvantages.
V-cone flowmeters excel in accuracy, turndown ratio, pressure drop, installation requirements, and compatibility with complex media. They are suitable for applications requiring high measurement accuracy, complex and variable fluid conditions, and limited installation space. However, they are relatively expensive.
Venturi flowmeters have a simpler structure and lower cost. They operate stably when measuring clean media and where turndown ratio requirements are low.
- Accuracy
V-cone flowmeters generally offer high accuracy, typically reaching ±0.5%. Within a specific β range (e.g., β: 0.45 – 0.85, when β < 0.55 and a turndown ratio of 4:1), the accuracy grade can be ≤0.30. This accuracy is due to their structural design, which reduces the impact of fluid disturbances on measurement.
Venturi flowmeters: These are classic flowmeters with a mature design and high accuracy, reaching ±0.5% – ±1%. However, accuracy may be affected under complex operating conditions, such as when the fluid contains impurities or when installation conditions are suboptimal.
- Turndown Ratio
V-Cone Flowmeter: The turndown ratio is wide, typically 10:1. With appropriate parameter selection, a range of up to 50:1 can be achieved. This allows it to adapt well to conditions with large flow rate fluctuations, eliminating the need for frequent equipment replacement.
Venturi Flowmeter: The turndown ratio is relatively narrow, typically 3:1 to 5:1. For applications with large flow rate fluctuations, additional equipment or segmented measurement may be necessary to meet measurement requirements.
- Pressure Drop
V-Cone Flowmeter: The pressure drop is low. At the same β value, the pressure drop is approximately 1/3 to 1/5 that of an orifice plate. Its streamlined cone creates a vacuum layer on the cone surface after throttling, effectively reducing energy loss.
Venturi Flowmeter: The pressure drop is also low, but slightly higher than that of a V-Cone Flowmeter.
- Repeatability
V-Cone Flowmeter: Offers excellent repeatability, better than ±0.1%. Its stable structure and measurement principle ensure high consistency in repeated measurements under the same operating conditions, providing reliable assurance for precise control of the production process.
Venturi Flowmeter: Repeatability is typically between ±0.1% and ±0.2%. While this can also meet the needs of most industrial scenarios, it is slightly inferior to the V-Cone Flowmeter in terms of repeatability.
- Installation Requirements
V-Cone Flowmeter: Requires minimal straight pipe length, requiring only 1-3D of straight pipe upstream and 0-1D of straight pipe downstream (D is the pipe diameter).
Venturi Flowmeter: Generally requires 10-20D of straight pipe upstream and 5-10D of straight pipe downstream.
When selecting a differential pressure flowmeter, users should consider multiple factors, including measurement accuracy, fluid characteristics, installation conditions, and cost budget. Select the flow meter that meets your needs to achieve efficient and accurate flow measurement and production process optimization.
Order Guide
When selecting a V-cone flowmeter, we recommend confirming the following parameters:
- Medium Name:
- Mixed Gas Composition:
- Standard Density:
- Operating Density:
- Minimum Temperature – Normal Temperature – Maximum Temperature:
- Minimum Flow Rate – Typical Flow Rate – Maximum Flow Rate:
- Minimum Pressure – Typical Pressure – Maximum Pressure:
- Regional Atmospheric Pressure:
- Dynamic Viscosity:
- Relative Humidity:
- Inner Diameter – Outer Diameter:
- Material:
- Ambient Temperature:
- Special Requirements
More Flow Measurement Solutions
A V-cone flowmeter is an instrument used to measure the flow of liquids and gases. Its unique design and operating principle have led to its widespread use in industry.
Sino-Inst offers custom V-cone flowmeters, as well as other common differential pressure flowmeters, including orifice flowmeters and Venturi flowmeters. If you require a custom design, please feel free to contact our sales engineers!