Effect of upstream flow disturbances on the performance characteristics of a V-cone flowmeter

The performance characteristics of a V-cone flowmeter with different diameter ratios have been evaluated experimentally as a function of Reynolds number and upstream disturbance. The experiments have been conducted using water and oil to cover a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The effect of upstream velocity profile has been investigated by placing a gate valve upstream of the V-cone flowmeter at a distance of 5D, 10D and 15D and performing the experiments at 25%, 50%, 75% and fully open conditions of the valve. From the study, it is seen that the discharge coefficient of a V-cone flowmeter is nearly independent of Reynolds number. The value of the discharge coefficient is 0.7256 +/- 1.78% for beta = 0.64, and for beta = 0.77 the discharge coefficient is 0.7315 +/- 1.97%. The value of the discharge coefficient is not affected by the upstream disturbance if the disturbance is placed at a distance of 10D or more. The variation in value of the discharge coefficient is approximately 6% for a disturbance placed at a distance of 5D. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.