Vortex Flow Meters
Vortex flow meters measure fluid velocity from the frequency of vortices shed by a bluff body in the pipe.
How a vortex meter works
- A fluid flows past a bluff body (shedder bar) inserted across the pipe.
- Alternating vortices detach at a frequency proportional to flow velocity (Strouhal relationship).
- A sensor downstream converts each vortex into an electrical pulse.
- Volume flow = pulse frequency × meter factor × pipe area.
Typical selection data
| Parameter | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Measured media | Liquid, gas, steam | Low-viscosity fluids preferred |
| Fluid velocity | ≈ 0.5–80 m/s | Optimal band often 5–40 m/s |
| Pipe diameter | DN15–DN300 common | Match to line size |
| Accuracy | ±0.5–1 % of reading | Depends on calibration and Reynolds number |
| Output | 4–20 mA, pulse, HART | For PLC/DCS integration |
When to choose vortex
Steam and gas lines where moving parts would wear, clean liquids at moderate Reynolds numbers, and applications needing custody-transfer-grade repeatability without moving rotors.
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