TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT ELBOW METERS FOR FLOW MONITORING.

It has long been recognized that an ordinary elbow fitting in a flow line could be supplied with pressure taps and converted into a simple flow meter. However, because of differences in fabricating procedures and lack of accepted standards for elbow meters, they have not been extensively used in flow metering applications. Changes in conventional tap placement, combined with a unique design that includes approach and discharge sections, now allow the elbow meter to be considered a primary flow measuring device. They can be looked upon as practical alternatives to orifice plates and venturis. In addition, elbow meters are currently available in different forms so that their advantages of low cost and pressure loss, along with excellent repeatability and accuracy, are finding use in monitoring gas and liquid flows, sludges, slurries, corrosive and other problem fluids.