Application of artificial neural networks instead of the orifice plate discharge coefficient

Abstract

Differential pressure flowmeters are very often used in many industries. Therefore, the improvement of this method of flow measurement is an important task of flow measurement and instrumentation. One of the important characteristics of differential pressure flowmeters is the discharge coefficient of the flow transducers. A large number of studies and publications were devoted to modeling this coefficient. Therefore, in the framework of this research, this coefficient is simulated using artificial neural networks. The neural representation of this characteristic is made in the form of a multilayer perceptron. In this paper, we replace the traditional equation for the discharge coefficient with an artificial neural network. The advantages and disadvantages of such application of neural networks as discharge coefficients are discussed. The analysis of the results of gas flow measurement, where the neural network is used instead of the traditional equation, is presented. The estimation of flow rate measurement errors with such an approach is made; the error of calculation of the discharge coefficient is estimated.