Best Practices Engineering Guide: Installation Recommendations for FCI Single-Point, Thermal Dispersion Flow Meters
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FCIҒs exclusive AVAL software tool is designed to make proper sizing and selection of thermal dispersion flow meters simple and effective. AVAL is always available and accessible by visiting FCIs website at www.fluidcomponents.com and clicking on the AVAL icon.Since process parameters, fluid compositions and installation constraints can limit ideal performance, FCI AVAL AVAL application evaluation software is a proprietary FCI service designed from years of fluid testing and installation experience. Using software, FCI models an installation with straight run variations and obstructions. When a complete evaluation is performed, an output report clearly defines expected ғinstalled accuracy or offers recommendations for improvement. FCI relates laboratory calibrations to true installed field performance. The configuration software matches specific process conditions and makes appropriate configuration recommendations for each flow meter application. AVAL software will ensure you are fully aware of process conditions that can potentially produce installed uncertainty. > All flow meter technologies have recommended installation and engineering practices to ensure they meet their published specifications and for optimal performance, accuracy and repeatability. Flow meter users are frequently challenged with wide variations in their actual field conditions and installation constraints that are much different from the ideal conditions under which their flow meter was calibrated. In fact, the most common installation constraint for most all flow meter installations is inadequate straight-run. Flow meter users expect their flow meter suppliers to provide engineering recommendations and solutions to overcome real world application conditions to obtain expected flow meter performance to specifications. This guide provides recommended engineering practices with diagrams and specifications for straight-run, installation orientation and depths, as well as use of flow conditioners as an engineering solution for FCI single-point, thermal dispersion flow meters. >

Figure 1: Straight Run Recommendations > Pipe Size Upstream Downstream r 6 inches [150 mm] 15 x Pipe ID 7.5 x Pipe IDwith Vortab flow conditioner 6 x Pipe ID 2 x Pipe ID > Upstream Downstream < 6 inches [150 mm] 20 x Pipe ID 10 x Pipe ID > r 6 inches [150 mm] 10 x Pipe ID 5 x Pipe IDwith Vortab flow conditioner 6 x Pipe ID 1 x Pipe ID < 6 inches [150 mm] 15 x Pipe ID 7.5 x Pipe ID Pipe Size Upstream Downstream > Upstream Downstream Upstream Downstream Upstream Downstream Upstream Downstream Upstream Downstream r 6 inches [150 mm] 15 x Pipe ID 5 x Pipe IDwith Vortab flow conditioner 6 x Pipe...

Figure 2: Sample of Effects on Accuracy with Flow Obstructions Before and After Installation Point of Single-Point, Insertion Flow Meter With Pipe ID < 6 inches [150 mm] Distance From Flow Meter 19D17D15D13D11D9D7D5D3D1D1D3D5D7D9D > FLOWME T ER Obstruction Type: 90֋ Elbow 0%0%<1%1%1%2%3%4%5%5%4%3%2%1%0%Two Elbows (with 4D between them)1%1%2%2%2%3%4% 6%8%9% 5%4%3%2%1%Gate Valve1%2%3%4%5% 6%8%10%17%20%15%13%8% 3%1%With Pipe ID > See Vortab discussions below on how to eliminate effect and improve accuracy. See Vortab discussions below on how to eliminate effect and improve accuracy. r 6 inches...

Figure 4: Pipe Installation Orientation Options for Insertion Style Flow Meters > Installation in Horizontal Pipe: For General Air/Gas Applications Top MountedBottom MountedSide Mounted Angled at 45 from Horizontal Installation in Horizontal Pipe: High Humidity/Wet Gas Applications Installation in Vertical Pipe: For All Gas Applications Bottom MountedSide Mounted Installation thru Ball Valve for Easy Installation and Removal under Pressure TypeSize Ball Valve Mounting of FCI ST98/ST50 with closed ball valveInstallation preparation 1" or 3/4" ball valveInsertion of FCI ST98/ST50 thru opened...