Abstract
This paper presents a new estimation method to determine the optimal number of transducers using an Ultrasonic Velocity Profile (UVP) for accurate flow rate measurement downstream of a single elbow. Since UVP can measure velocity profiles over a pipe diameter and calculate the flow rate by integrating these velocity profiles, it is also expected to obtain an accurate flow rate using multiple transducers under nondeveloped flow conditions formed downstream of an elbow. The new estimation method employs a wave number of velocity profile fluctuations along a circle on a pipe cross-section using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The optimal number of transducers is estimated based on the sampling theorem. To evaluate this method, a preliminary experiment and numerical simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) are conducted. The evaluating regions of velocity profiles are located at 3 times of a pipe diameter () for the experiment, and 1 and for the simulations downstream of an elbow, respectively. Reynolds numbers for the experiment and simulations are set at and , respectively. These results indicate the efficiency of this new method.
Highlights
Accurate pipe flow rate measurements are important to generate electricity with high efficiency at nuclear power plants
This paper presents a new estimation method to determine the optimal number of transducers to measure flow rate accurately downstream of a single elbow
This paper presents a new estimation method to determine the optimal number of transducers using Ultrasonic Velocity Profile (UVP) to measure flow rate accurately downstream of a single elbow
Summary
Accurate pipe flow rate measurements are important to generate electricity with high efficiency at nuclear power plants. Accurate flow metering has been required recently to improve plant performance and reduce the environmental impact of plant discharge on the surrounding sensitive environment. The accuracy of nuclear reactor feed water flow rate measurements is receiving special attention, since they represent the largest source of uncertainty when calculating reactor thermal power. The accuracy of flow rate measurement for turbine cooling systems is important to monitor any temperature increase in discharge water and improve steam condenser performance. We aim to apply the UVP method to measure the flow rate of feed and circulation water in power plants. Compact piping configurations are often used at the suction of centrifugal pumps due to space restrictions
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