Vortex flowmeter common faults and treatment methods

Project Overview

The vortex flowmeter installs one or more non-streamline bluff bodies in the fluid. The fluid alternately separates and releases two series of regular vortices on both sides of the bluff body. This vortex is called Karman vortex. Within a certain flow range, the vortex separation frequency is proportional to the average flow velocity in the pipeline. Various forms of detection components are used to measure the vortex frequency, and the fluid flow rate can be calculated. Vortex flow meters can be used to measure, detect and control the flow of various single-phase, uniform liquids, gases, high/low temperature superheated steam and saturated steam. They are widely used in petroleum, chemical industry, metallurgy, electric power, papermaking, pharmaceuticals, food and other industrial sectors and municipal construction, environmental protection engineering and other industries.

Common faults of vortex flowmeters and their solutions are as follows:

1. There is flow in the pipeline but no output (or no LCD display)

Main reasons and solutions Method:

1. The power supply is not connected and the power supply needs to be checked.

2. The power supply voltage is not within the working range and the power supply voltage needs to be checked.

3. The flow rate is too low and does not enter the measurement range of the flow meter. It is necessary to increase the flow rate or reselect the flow meter.

4. The pipeline valve is not opened or the valve is closed, the valve needs to be checked.

5. If the amplified version is faulty, you need to contact after-sales service to repair or replace the amplified version.

2. There is no flow in the pipeline, but there is output (or LCD display)

Main reasons and solutions:

1. There is strong electrical equipment near the flow meter or high-frequency interference, the installation point needs to be reselected.

2. If there is strong vibration in the pipeline or there is a strong vibration source nearby, the pipeline needs to be reinforced or the installation point needs to be reselected.

3. The valve is not completely closed and the valve needs to be checked.

4. The amplification factor or trigger sensitivity of the amplifier board is too high, and the amplification factor or sensitivity needs to be reduced.

3. The flow output is unstable

Main reasons and solutions Method:

1. There is a strong electrical interference signal, the instrument is not grounded, and the flow rate and interference signal are superimposed. It is necessary to check whether the shielded cable signal and the fastening nails of the amplifier board are firm.

2. If the straight pipe section is not enough or the inner diameter of the pipe is inconsistent with the inner diameter of the instrument, you need to reinstall it according to the instructions and select a pipe with the same diameter as the instrument.

3. Due to the impact of pipeline vibration, the pipeline needs to be reinforced or the installation point needs to be reselected.

4. The flow meter is not installed concentrically and needs to be reinstalled.

5. The inner diameter of the gasket is smaller than the inner diameter of the instrument or the gasket protrudes into the pipe and needs to be reinstalled.

6. The upstream and downstream valves are disturbed and the valves need to be checked.

7. The fluid does not fill the pipe or the gas-liquid two-phase flow needs to be re-selected for installation.

8. If there are foreign objects or entangled objects at the inlet of the meter, the flow meter needs to be removed and the foreign objects must be cleaned.

9. If the flow rate is lower than the lower limit or exceeds the upper limit, you need to recheck the process parameters and select a suitable flow meter aperture.

10. Presence in fluidsIn case of cavitation, a valve needs to be installed downstream of the instrument to increase the back pressure.

4. The flow rate displayed by the instrument does not match the process flow

Main reasons and solutions:

1. There is no real-time temperature and pressure compensation or fixed settings for measuring gas or steam. If the temperature and pressure are inconsistent with the on-site process conditions, temperature and pressure measuring components need to be installed to verify the on-site operating temperature and pressure.

2. The installation position of the measuring gas or steam temperature and pressure measuring components is incorrect and needs to be re-selected for installation.

5. Measuring pipeline leakage

Main reasons and solutions:

1. The pressure in the pipe is too high and the design pressure must be strictly followed.

2. If the temperature of the fluid in the pipe is too high or the temperature of the fluid in the pipe changes too quickly or too much, it is easy to cause the fasteners to loosen, and the fasteners need to be tightened.

3. The seal fails and needs to be replaced.

4. The meter body or detection components are corroded and need to be replaced.