ABSTRACT

In this chapter we will illustrate and analyze some of the more common methods for measuring flow rate in conduits, including the pitot tube, venturi, nozzle, and orifice meters. This is by no means intended to be a comprehensive or exhaustive treatment, however, as there are a great many other devices in use for measuring flow rate, such as turbine, vane, Coriolis, ultrasonic, and magnetic flow meters, just to name a few. The examples considered here demonstrate the application of the fundamental conservation principles to the analysis of several of the most common devices. We also consider control valves in this chapter, because they are frequently employed in conjunction with the measurement of flow rate to provide a means of controlling flow.