Effect of wall roughness changes on ultrasonic gas flowmeters

A theoretical flow model has been developed to describe accurately a fully developed velocity profile of a gas flow in pipe lines with wall roughness as parameter. The model applies the Colebrook and White skin friction correlation which has been adjusted based on experimental data from Princeton SuperPipe facilities. This has resulted in a flow profile model in line with the latest views. The model has shown a significant flow profile variation for wall roughness changes. An ultrasonic ray propagation model of a single path meter has been developed to study the influence of the mentioned flow profile variations on ultrasonic meters. The model has been applied for various cases with different Reynolds number and wall roughness. The results of the study confirm field data that ultrasonic meters are affected by wall roughness changes. To quantify the effect for multipath ultrasonic meters the flow meter algorithm and path position is required. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.