TITTLE

LIQUID FLOW SENSOR

ABSTRACT
This report is all about the Liquid Flow Sensor. It include all the applications and uses of
the liquid flow sensor. The objective of this report is to study all the applications and uses
of the liquid flow sensor and to explain about the theory behind the sensor development
parameters (linearity, sensitivity, dynamic, range, repeatability and physical size). It also
to discuss about the liquid flow sensor in industrial application and to determine the
advantages and disadvantages of liquid flow sensor. The liquid flow sensor basically
a device for sensing the rate of fluid flow. As is true for all sensors, absolute accuracy of a
measurement requires a functionality for calibration. It widely use in the medical
devices, diagnostics and process technology benefit daily from our solutions. It have a lot
of advantages and also have disadvantages regarding it function.

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 INTRODUCTION

A flow sensor is a device for sensing the rate of fluid flow. Typically a flow sensor is the
sensing element used in a flow meter, or flow logger, to record the flow of fluids. As is
true for all sensors, absolute accuracy of a measurement requires a functionality
for calibration.
There are various kinds of flow sensors and flow meters, including some that have a vane
that is pushed by the fluid, and can drive a rotary potentiometer, or similar devices.
Other flow sensors are based on sensors which measure the transfer of heat caused by the
moving medium. This principle is common for microsensors to measure flow.
Flow meters are related to devices called velocimeters that measure velocity of fluids
flowing through them. Laser-based interferometry is often used for air flow measurement,
but for liquids, it is often easier to measure the flow. Another approach is Doppler-based
methods for flow measurement. Hall effect sensors may also be used, on a flapper valve,
or vane, to sense the position of the vane, as displaced by fluid flow.
This sensor have many type which are Orifices, Venturies, Nozzles, Rotameters, Pitot
Tubes, Calorimetrics, Turbine, Vortex, Electromagnetic, Doppler, Ultrasonic, Thermal,
Coriolis.
A flow meter is an instrument used to measure linear, nonlinear, mass or volumetric flow
rate of a liquid.
EXAMPLE

Liquid flow
sensor
Flow averaging
tube

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 BACKGROUND PARAMETERS

With most liquid flow measurement instruments, the flow rate is determined inferentially
by measuring the liquid's velocity or the change in kinetic energy. Velocity depends on
the pressure differential that is forcing the liquid through a pipe or conduit. Because the
pipe's cross-sectional area is known and remains constant, the average velocity is an
indication of the flow rate. The basic relationship for determining the liquid's flow rate in
such cases is:
Q=VxA
where
Q = liquid flow through the pipe
V = average velocity of the flow
A = cross-sectional area of the pipe

Other factors that affect liquid flow rate include the liquid's viscosity and density, and the
friction of the liquid in contact with the pipe.
Direct measurements of liquid flows can be made with positive-displacement flowmeters.
These units divide the liquid into specific increments and move it on. The total flow is an
accumulation of the measured increments, which can be counted by mechanical or
electronic techniques.

Reynolds Numbers
The performance of flowmeters is also influenced by a dimensionless unit called the
Reynolds Number. It is defined as the ratio of the liquid's inertial forces to its drag forces.
It is used to help predict similar flow patterns in different fluid flow situations.In practice,
matching the Reynolds number is not on its own sufficient to guarantee similitude. Fluid
flow is generally chaotic, and very small changes to shape and surface roughness can
result in very different flows.

Nevertheless, Reynolds numbers are a very important guide and are widely used.

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The Reynolds number is defined below for each case:

[8]
where:
- is the mean velocity of the object relative to the fluid (SI units: m/s)
- is a characteristic linear dimension, (travelled length of the fluid; hydraulic
diameter when dealing with river systems) (m)
- is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid (Pa·s or N·s/m² or kg/(m·s))
- is the kinematic viscosity () (m²/s)
- is the density of the fluid (kg/m³).
Note that multiplying the Reynolds number by yields , which is the ratio of
the inertial forces to the viscous forces. [9] It could also be considered the ratio
of the total momentum transfer to the molecular momentum transfer.

Flow rates and Accuracy

The next step is to determine the required meter range by identifying minimum and
maximum flows (mass or volumetric) that will be measured. After that, the required flow
measurement accuracy is determined. Typically accuracy is specified in percentage of
actual reading (AR), in percentage of calibrated span (CS), or in percentage of full scale
(FS) units. The accuracy requirements should be separately stated at minimum, normal,
and maximum flowrates. Unless you know these requirements, your flowmeter's
performance may not be acceptable over its full range.
In applications where products are sold or purchased on the basis of a meter reading,
absolute accuracy is critical. In other applications, repeatability may be more important
than absolute accuracy. Therefore, it is advisable to establish separately the accuracy and
repeatability requirements of each application and to state both in the specifications.

When a flowmeter's accuracy is stated in % CS or % FS units, its absolute error will rise
as the measured flow rate drops. If meter error is stated in % AR, the error in absolute
terms stays the same at high or low flows. Because full scale (FS) is always a larger

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quantity than the calibrated span (CS), a sensor with a % FS performance will always
have a larger error than one with the same % CS specification. Therefore, in order to
compare all bids fairly, it is advisable to convert all quoted error statements into the same
% AR units.
In well-prepared flow meter specifications, all accuracy statements are converted into
uniform % AR units and these % AR requirements are specified separately for minimum,
normal, and maximum flows. All flowmeters specifications and bids should clearly state
both the accuracy and the repeatability of the meter at minimum, normal, and maximum
flows.

Accuracy vs. Repeatability

If acceptable metering performance can be obtained from two different flow meter
categories and one has no moving parts, select the one without moving parts. Moving
parts are a potential source of problems, not only for the obvious reasons of wear,
lubrication, and sensitivity to coating, but also because moving parts require clearance
spaces that sometimes introduce "slippage" into the flow being measured. Even with well
maintained and calibrated meters, this unmeasured flow varies with changes in fluid
viscosity and temperature. Changes in temperature also change the internal dimensions of
the meter and require compensation.

Furthermore, if one can obtain the same performance from both a full flowmeter and a
point sensor, it is generally advisable to use the flowmeter. Because point sensors do not
look at the full flow, they read accurately only if they are inserted to a depth where the
flow velocity is the average of the velocity profile across the pipe. Even if this point is
carefully determined at the time of calibration, it is not likely to remain unaltered, since
velocity profiles change with flowrate, viscosity, temperature, and other factors.

Structure of liquid flow sensor

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FEATURES
- Turbine flow sensor with high resolution output
- Flow measuring by revolutionary IR turbine reflection
- PVDF for high chemical and corrosion resistance
- High accuracy and repeatability
- Meets all the requirement of the US Pharmacopeia Class VI
- BSE/TSE certificate available
- All wetted parts are made of PVDF with ruby bearing
- Low voltage (5v) option available (LV Series)
- PVDF flow tube gamma radiation resistant up to 50kGy
- Suitable for opaque liquids

Working
Principal: A
static worm
forces the
passing
fluid to
spin. The
spinning
fluid drives
a rotor with
reflectors into a frictionless rotation. A high resolution infrared sensor determines the rate
of flow by counting the passing reflections. The set-up even allows the flow of opaque
liquids to be determined accurately. The ultra low mass of the rotor guarantees a quick
response to changes in the rate of flow.

SPECIFICATIONS
General
Model PVDF

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 PVDF0045 PVDF0085
Inner diameter in mm 4.7 9.3
Flow range (L/min) 0.06 - 2.0 0.3 - 20.0
Hose barb tube connection 7 mm 12 mm
Tube length in mm 53 62
Max. pressure at 20°C in bar (psi) 25 bar (363 psi) 20 bar (290 psi)
K factor (water) in pulse/Liter 100,000 4,500
Wetted parts PVDF/Ruby
Accuracy 1% of reading
Repeatability <0.15%
Liquid temperature in °C -20 to +80
Viscosity in cSt 0.8 - 10
Power supply 5 - 30 Vdc
Output signal 5 - 30 V sq. wave
Power consumption 34 mA at 5 V
Electrical lead PVC, 1 meter
Recommended line filter 100 μm
Flow tube sterilizable up to 140°C
Gamma radiation resistant 50 kGy

APPLICATIONS
LIQUID FLOW SENSOR

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This is the basic application for liquid flow sensor to sensing or measure the flow of
liquid in the pipelines. The sensor was put in the flow of liquid and connected to the
meter measurement instrument by using special cable.
When the liquid is flow the liquid flow sensor will sensing the velocity and the rate of
liquid flow. Then, the meter will display the measurement of liquid flow.

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 The example of circuit for fluid level detector using liquid flow sensor
LIQUID FLOW METER PLASTIC

Measure liquid/water flow for your solar, computer cooling, or gardening project using
this handy basic flow meter. This sensor sit in line with your water line, and uses a
pinwheel sensor to measure how much liquid has moved through it. The pinwheel has a
little magnet attached, and there's a hall effect magnetic sensor on the other side of the
plastic tube that can measure how many spins the pinwheel has made through the plastic
wall. This method allows the sensor to stay safe and dry.

The sensor comes with three wires: red (5-24VDC power), black (ground) and yellow
(Hall effect pulse output). By counting the pulses from the output of the sensor, you can
easily track fluid movement: each pulse is approximately 2.25 milliliters. Note this isn't a
precision sensor, and the pulse rate does vary a bit depending on the flow rate, fluid
pressure and sensor orientation. It will need careful calibration if better than 10%

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precision is required. However, its great for basic measurement task

Figure of
liquid flow
meter plastic

DRAG
RACING

Typically a small HO Series flowmeter with a magnetic pick up coil is supplied to meter
a
nitro-methane fuel mixture on the supply side of the engine.
This allows the driver to accurately monitor consumption during the race. The flowmeter
monitors both flow rate and total. This allows the car crew team to evaluate how
much fuel was used during the race. This is critical information in drag racing. A typical
race is a 1/4 mile and is completed in under 5 seconds. Approximately 5 gallons of fuel
are used during the race and the dragster is moving at in excess of 300 miles per hour at
theend of the race. The fuel consumption information is used to evaluate future car design
changes.
A critical issue in the selection of a flowmeter is accuracy, response time, and low
pressure drop. The Hoffer HO precision series flow meters are supplied with 100% of the
meter components precision machined. No "cast" components are used. The low mass
rotor responds in 5 to 7 milliseconds. An additional consideration was the pressure drop
created by the meter. The Hoffer design provides a shallower blade angle than other
turbine designs. This minimizes the pressure drop. The typical pressure drop on these

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meters is about 4 to 5 PSI at full scale. This is about half of what other turbine designs
exhibit.

LEAK DETECTION IN PIPELINES

This type of meter is commonly used for leak detection and not custody transfer. Custody
transfer applications are addressed with "in-line" axial flowmeters such as the Hoffer API
Series. Leak detection flow applications, for checking the integrity of the pipeline, can be
addressed with the HP Series of insertion turbine flowmeters.
The principle of operation for an insertion type turbine flowmeter is much the same as an
in-line turbine flowmeter. The insertion meter includes a rotor assembly and pickup coil.
The flowmeter measures velocity at a specific point in the fluid stream.
Volumetric flow can be inferred provided the I.D. of the line is known. Accuracies can
approach ±0.25%depending on the type of transmitter specified with the flowmeter.
Insertion Turbine Meters provide multiple advantages when compared both to in-line
turbine flowmeters and other types of flowmeter technologies. These advantages include
low cost, negligible pressure drop, low installation costs, minimal potential points of
leakage, and avoidance of high pumping costs. Additionally, the HP insertion turbine
flowmeter can be specified for use in velocities up to 50 FPS. This allows pipeline
companies to move a maximum amount of product in the shortest time possible.

Leak detection and pipeline integrity is not only essential to the bottom line for the
pipeline company, it is an environmental issue. In California, in particular, Hoffer has
supplied insertion turbine flowmeters for pipeline integrity verification. Many of the
petroleum products being measured include the additive MTBE. Proper selection of the
flowmeter seal is essential for any application, however, is sometimes more challenging
with various additives factored into the equation. Hoffer has successfully specified and
supplied the insertion turbine flowmeter for a wide cross section of pipeline applications.

The HP Series flowmeters are available in both low pressure and high pressure versions.
The unit produces a frequency pulse output. Hoffer can supply either a pulse producing

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preamplifier or an analog signal converter with the HP meter. A smart signal converter
allows user to take advantage of the excellent repeatability of the HP flowmeter.This
means that users can achieve ±0.25% linearity over a 10:1 flow turndown range when
they specify a Hoffer transmitter with the HP insertion turbine flowmeter.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
The plot of the volumetric flow is continuous since Expensive to set up with all options
the turbine is constantly rotating with a speed. Of
course, it would be zero if the flow stops as well.
Repeatability is a highly desirable factor in any
flow meter

The rate of response for a flow meter is quite fast The lower end can accumulate viscosity, resulting

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 (down to about a quarter of a second) in loss of accuracy although that can be
compensated for by use of jewelled pivot and low
drag fluid bearings

Accuracy is very good (about ±0.25%) The solids mixed in the fluid must be of negligible
Fairly low pressure drop size to allow for the turbine to work seamlessly
Easy to install and maintain over a large period of time
Good pressure ratings

Rugged nature of the flow meter, allowing for Application of flow straighteners are highly
daily usage desirable in case of uneven flow of fluid
Of course, the efficiency of whole setup is, at the
end depend on the expertise of those operating.

Modifiable to take into consideration various extra Limited use for slurry applications and problems
features like temperature compensation, viscosity caused by non-lubricating fluids
and effects of density

CONCLUSION
In the conclusion, the liquid flow sensor is the type of instrument that applicable to
sensing the rate flow of liquid. It use in the flow meter or flow logger, to record the flow
of the liquid. It was used in many type of application that have to measure the rate of
liquid flow such as detection of leakage in the pipeline, the bag in box in the beverage
industry and drag racing. The liquid flow sensor give us facility to work with liquid and
can specify how the flow of liquid can be advantages to us. This sensor have many
advantages and also disadvantages, so depends on us how we use this sensor.

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 REFERENCES

http://www.sensirion.com/en/products/liquid-flow-meters/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_sensor

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/flow-meters-d_493.html

https://www.adafruit.com/products/828

http://www.bestflowmeter.com/

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http://www.hofferflow.com/

Third edition-Electronic Instrumentation- HS KALSI

http://sunnymeter.en.alibaba.com

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