Flowmeter Selection: differential_pressure
Flowmeter selection guide covering 16 meter types across 6 categories (differential_pressure, velocity, mass_flow, electromagnetic, positive_displacement, variable_area, open_channel) — each record documents accuracy (% reading or full-scale), rangeability, pressure drop class, fluid compatibility, installation straight-run requirements, and relative cost class
| meter category | meter type | accuracy basis | accuracy pct reading (%) | cost class | cost relative | downstream diameters max | downstream diameters min (pipe_diameters) | fluid compatibility | fluid phase | fluid restrictions | installation notes | measurement principle | moving parts | notes | pressure drop class | pressure drop notes | rangeability | rangeability num | requires power | temp limit C max (degC) | temp limit C min (degC) | typical applications | typical pipe size in max (in) | typical pipe size in min (in) | upstream diameters max (pipe_diameters) | upstream diameters min (pipe_diameters) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| differential_pressure | averaging_pitot_tube | percent_of_reading | 3 | low | 1 | 5 | 5 | Clean liquids and gases; low solids | liquid|gas|steam | Not suitable for slurries; sensitive to velocity profile | Insertion-type; can be hot-tapped; 3-in to 36-in standard | Multiple-port pitot averaging differential pressure | no | Annubar and similar multi-port designs; ISO 3966; low cost retrofittable | low | Less than 0.5 pct permanent pressure loss | 3:1 | 3 | yes | 500 | -40 | HVAC, natural gas, large-diameter pipes, retrofit applications | 96 | 2 | 40 | 20 |
| differential_pressure | flow_nozzle | percent_of_reading | 1.5 | medium | 2 | 5 | 5 | High-velocity steam and hot liquids; erosive fluids | liquid|gas | Poor for dirty or viscous service; wear increases error | ASME/ISA throat taps or corner taps; sturdy for high velocity | Differential pressure, convergent nozzle (no divergent section) | no | More robust than orifice for erosive or high-velocity service; beta 0.25 to 0.80; ISO 5167-3 | medium | Permanent loss 40 to 60 pct of differential | 4:1 | 4 | yes | 480 | -200 | High-pressure steam, boiler feedwater, high-temperature gas | 36 | 1 | 25 | 15 |
| differential_pressure | orifice_plate | percent_of_reading | 2 | low | 1 | 5 | 5 | Clean to mildly dirty liquids, gases, steam | liquid|gas|steam | Slurries and viscous fluids reduce accuracy; wear degrades beta ratio | Flat flange or weld-neck connections; conditioning orifice reduces straight-run to 2D | Differential pressure via Bernoulli (square root law) | no | Square-root relationship limits low-flow accuracy; ISO 5167-1:2022; most widely used DP meter; beta ratio 0.3 to 0.75 | high | 0.2 to 10 pct of line pressure lost permanently | 4:1 | 4 | yes | 650 | -200 | Water, steam, natural gas, air, HVAC | 72 | 0.5 | 30 | 10 |
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