Performance measurement analysis of various cone flow meters with various beta edge types and flow field parameters

The beta edge, as one part of the cone element in cone flow meters, has several types. Cone flow meters with different beta edges have different applications and measurement performance. The sharp angle, corner cut and arc are the most common forms of beta edges used in cone flow meters. Their structures are analyzed without changing other parameters. Through theoretical analysis of their hydromechanics, a conclusion can be drawn that the discharge coefficient linearity error and permanent pressure loss in cone flow meters can be predicted based on the consistency in the recirculation quantity and the dissipation function value. The research objects are cone flow meters with different beta edge forms whose inner tube diameter is 100 mm and whose beta values are 0.45, 0.55 and 0.65. The cone wake flow field characteristics were obtained and analyzed using the CFD method. Different beta edges cause different changes to the recirculation quantity and the dissipation in the cone wake flow region. Based on the theoretical prediction, the corner cut beta edge has the best discharge coefficient linearity error and relatively small permanent pressure loss. The accuracy of this prediction was experimentally verified. The experimental results demonstrate that the sharp-angle beta edge achieves the best performance in mechanical processing consistency, while the arc beta edge is the worst. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.