Mechanical Flowmeter Research Articles

Metazoan zooplankton in the Bay of Biscay: a 16-year record of individual sizes and abundances obtained using the ZooScan and ZooCAM imaging systems

Abstract. This paper presents two metazoan zooplankton datasets obtained by imaging samples collected on the Bay of Biscay continental shelf in spring during the PELGAS (PELagique GAScogne) integrated surveys over the 2004–2019 period. The samples were collected at night with a 200 µm mesh-size WP2 net fitted with a Hydrobios (back-run stop) mechanical flowmeter and hauled vertically from the sea floor to the surface, with the maximum depth set at 100 m when the bathymetry was deeper than this. The first dataset originates from samples collected from 2004 to 2016 and imaged on land with the ZooScan and is composed of 1 153 507 imaged and measured objects. The second dataset originates from samples collected from 2016 to 2019 and imaged onboard the R/V Thalassa with the ZooCAM and is composed of 702 111 imaged and measured objects. The imaged objects are composed of zooplankton individuals, zooplankton pieces, non-living particles and imaging artefacts ranging from 300 µm to 3.39 mm in equivalent spherical diameter which were individually imaged, measured and identified. Each imaged object is geolocated and associated with a station, a survey, a year and other metadata. Each object is described by a set of morphological and grey-level-based features (8 bit encoding, 0 = black, 255 = white), including size, that were automatically extracted from each individual image. Each object was taxonomically identified using the web-based application Ecotaxa with built-in random-forest and CNN-based semi-automatic sorting tools, which was followed by expert validation or correction. The objects were sorted into 172 taxonomic and morphological groups. Each dataset features a table combining metadata and data at individual-object granularity from which one can easily derive quantitative population and community descriptors such as abundances, mean sizes, biovolumes, biomasses and size structure. Each object's individual image is provided along with the data. These two datasets can be used in combination for ecological studies, as the two instruments are interoperable, or they can be used as training sets for ZooScan and ZooCAM users. The data presented here are available at the SEANOE dataportal: https://doi.org/10.17882/94052 (ZooScan dataset, Grandremy et al., 2023c) and https://doi.org/10.17882/94040 (ZooCAM dataset, Grandremy et al., 2023d).

Acoustic Field Imaging of Pipeline Turbulence for Noninvasive and Distributed Gas Flow Measurement

Precise control and measurement of the flow are essential for pipeline safety monitoring and economic accounting. Nowadays, the measurement of pipeline flow relies on point measurement schemes such as mechanical flowmeters, which invade the pipeline and can irreversibly damage the fluid pressure, especially when multipoint measurements are required. To overcome these problems, we have explored a novel technique in which the acoustic field properties of pipeline turbulence are reflected by distributed backscattering light field, from which the flow can be measured via acoustic field imaging. The acoustic field information is recorded by a helical deployment scheme using backscattering-enhanced optical fiber (BEOF) encapsulated in the polyethylene anticorrosive layer, thereby achieving highly sensitive, noninvasive, and distributed online monitoring of gas flows. We obtained 24-h flow fluctuation distributions with only one sensing fiber for two operating gas pipelines, and the flow measurement accuracy reached higher than 98% within the error range of −15% to 15%. Moreover, the minimum detectable flow is evaluated and it is demonstrated that the proposed scheme is extremely sensitive to weak flows. We successfully demonstrated noninvasive and distributed online measurement of operational pipeline flow, which will exhibit great potential for pipeline integrity management in the future.

An Analytical Method for Gas Flow Measurement Using Conservative Chemical Elements

Mass flow meters (MFMs) are widely used to secure reliable flow rates based on the mass value of the gas being measured. However, chemical reactions produce various kinds of gases, and their composition also changes in real time. Thus, there may be a large deviation in the gas flow if the gases’ composition and its mixing ratio are not known. In this study, we derived a gas flow rate measurement method using a chemically stable chemical specie and verified the precision of the proposed method through comparative analysis with an MFM. The flow rate by this method showed reliable results in both single and mixed gases. Notably, the results were within ±2.74% of the injected flowrate values in the gas mixtures. This method is expected to be able to fundamentally overcome the limitations of the mechanical flowmeter because it is not affected by changes in gas composition or mixing ratio during the reaction.

Autonomous metering system for monitoring water consumption

Abstract Faced with water scarcity and its rising costs, it is necessary to use it in a rational way. This study proposes the development of an autonomous system of water monitoring in condominiums (smart houses), through meters that use turbine flow sensors and ZigBee technology for sending data to a coordinator, allowing monitoring of the consumption at various points of a building in almost real time. Users can read the consumed volume using a smartphone application. This stimulates a more rational way of using water, besides enabling alerts for leaks in pipes, faucets, showers and toilets. The accuracy of this sensor was compared with a mechanical flow meter and an ultrasonic sensor in the laboratory, all presenting errors smaller than 10% of readings for water flow above 2 L/min. The quality of the ZigBee network was analysed, in terms of interference with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth devices and a microwave oven, to assess if there are data losses in the sensor network and only Bluetooth caused losses, showing robustness in the combined ZigBee and Wi-Fi.

Energy consumption of water supply system’s utilities in building

Authors have continued the study of the energy consumption in the building by various engineering systems in this work. The energy consumption of new engineering system, which was previously not taken into account in the total energy consumption of the building, is investigated. There is discusses the consumption of both electric and thermal energy by the building’s cold water supply system. The share of the cold water supply system in the specific thermal and electrical characteristics of the general water supply system (hot and cold parts of the water supply) of the building has been determined. Also, there is a special attention to the passive consumption of thermal energy by the cold water supply system, which was not previously carried out due to its small share in the total heat consumption of the building in this article. In this case, the “active heat energy” is used by the hot water supply system, which, despite the cold, must be forcedly heated in a special installation. Also, there is in this technique, takes into account seasonal fluctuations in the temperature of cold water by dividing the consumption of thermal energy into winter and summer periods of the year. It is also possible to do the full analyse the work of the frequency regulators widely used for the building’s water supply system, but it should also be taken into account that the regulators have additional energy costs which is depending on various operating modes (standby mode, regulation mode, etc.) . In this paper, authors consider only in systems where is only booster pumps, mechanical flow meters, and non-automated valves are installed. The objects in which this study was conducted are: a residential building and a low-capacity pumping station (up to 2000 m3 / h).

A gas flow meter with linear sensitivity based on freely-suspended nanofilms of smectic liquid crystal

A technique of mechanical airflow sensing based on coupling to a film of fluid smectic liquid crystals is presented. A gas jet confined to a narrow channel induces flow in a continuous, freely suspended film with racetrack geometry, whose velocity field is then mapped using video microscopy and particle tracking techniques. Because the nanofilm has so little mass compared to the air, its velocity provides a direct readout of the velocity profile of the gas in the channel. This method of flow measurement offers several advantages over conventional mechanical flow meters: It has linear sensitivity, and so, it can operate at low flows, and the energy lost due to the measurement is negligible.

Development of a flow control valve with digital flow compensator

Flow control valves typically use mechanical pressure drop compensator or dynamic flow meter to lessen the impact of pressure drop on outlet flow. However, there are some disadvantages, such as complex mechanical structure and small flow capacity. In this paper, a kind of digital flow compensator with bilinear interpolation algorithm is presented to compensate the pressure drop, in which the pressure drop and the desired outlet flow are the two input parameters. A two-stage proportional flow control valve with the proposed compensator is investigated. Pressure drop across the metering orifice of the valve is measured and fed back to the proposed compensator. If the detected pressure drop has deviated from the threshold, then the compensator will generate a compensation signal to adjust the poppet opening of the valve, which ensures that the output flow is independent of the pressure drop. Performances of the valve with the proposed compensator are investigated by simulation and experiment. Results show that it has a reasonable static control characteristics. In addition, there is no dead-zone in its steady flow curve; pressure drop have little impact on its output flow. Its dynamics will be affected by pressure drop and input voltage. Increasing pressure drop can improve system dynamics under constant input signal conditions. On the other hand, increasing input signal can shorten the poppet's closing time, but it will result in the longer opening time and the greater overshoot in the opening stage.

Investigation into calibration performance of small volume prover for hydrocarbon flow

Several kinds of commercial flowmeters, namely, Coriolis flowmeters, turbine meters, ultrasonic flowmeters, and positive displacement flowmeters, have been calibrated using the primary standard for hydrocarbon flow measurement in Japan (which is based on static and gravimetric methods with a flying start and finish) and a small volume prover (SVP) at the same calibration condition in order to investigate the performance of the SVP. The differences in calibration results for the mechanical flowmeters between the primary standard and the SVP apparently depend on the flow rate, although the results show agreement within 0.04%. The computer-based flowmeters, which have a time delay in the output pulse signal, indicated larger differences due to the effect of the sudden flow rate change caused by the proving action of the SVP at larger flow damping times.

Energy Harvesting from Fluid Flow in Water Pipelines for Smart Metering Applications

In this paper a rotational, radial-flux energy harvester incorporating a three-phase generation principle is presented for converting energy from water flow in domestic water pipelines. The energy harvester together with a power management circuit and energy storage is used to power a smart metering system installed underground making it independent from external power supplies or depleting batteries. The design of the radial-flux energy harvester is adapted to the housing of a conventional mechanical water flow meter enabling the use of standard components such as housing and impeller. The energy harvester is able to generate up to 720 mW when using a flow rate of 20 l/min (fully opened water tab). A minimum flow rate of 3 l/min is required to get the harvester started. In this case a power output of 2 mW is achievable. By further design optimization of the mechanical structure including the impeller and magnetic circuit the threshold flow rate can be further reduced.

Comparison of Paper and Plastic to Collect Spirometry and Patient Reported Outcomes Data in Elderly Subjects with COPD

Many electronic devices and technologies are available to capture home spirometry and patient reported outcomes (PRO) for clinical trials; but there is a paucity of data to examine user acceptance and quality of data as compared with traditional mechanical peak flow meters (PFM) and paper diaries, especially in older subjects. Single center, three way crossover trial of subjects with COPD. Subjects were randomly assigned to complete one week each of: electronic PFM/diary; mechanical PFM/paper diary; or both. Fifty-three subjects (mean age = 63 years [SD = 9.1], median age = 62 years; all but 3 older than 50 years; 33 male) with COPD were studied. Subject preferences for the electronic device, paper and no preference were 51%, 19% and 30%, respectively. Subjects judged the easiest to use, for the electronic device, paper and no difference, as 42%, 28% and 30%, respectively. Subjects recorded that they missed entering more data with the electronic device and that it took 4.7 min to collect and enter data versus 5.2 min with the mechanical device/paper diary. Subjects recorded that both methods were “easy” or “very easy” to use. Approximately 70% of entries were consistent and not missing between the two capture methods; more were missing from the electronic device than the paper form. Subjects preferred electronic devices over mechanical PFM/paper diaries; and quality of data was enhanced with the use of electronic devices suggesting electronic devices should be used in clinical trials rather than mechanical devices and paper diaries even in elderly subjects.

Distribution and abundance of Cladocera (Branchiopoda) in the Paraíba do Sul River estuary, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

To characterize the cladoceran community of the Paraíba do Sul River estuary, located in the district of São João da Barra, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, cladocerans were collected monthly in nine sampling stations from September 2002 until August 2003. Samples were obtained by subsurface tows using a plankton net with a 30 cm opening mouth and 70 micron mesh size, fitted with a mechanical flowmeter. Environmental parameters such as salinity and temperature were also obtained. Seventeen species of Cladocera were identified: Pseudoevadne tergestina, Penilia avirostris, Macrothrix triserialis, Moina micrura, Simocephalus kerhervei, Simocephalus vetalus, Simocephalus latirostris, Simocephalus serrulatus, Alona rectangula, Alona quadrangularis, Bosmina longirostris, Bosminopsis deitersi, Camptocercus dadayi, Ceriodaphnia richardi, Diaphanosoma fluviatile, Kurzia latissima and Pleuroxus similis. The highest total abundance of Cladocera occurred in April in the marine zone of the estuary. The most abundant species during this period was Penilia avirostris. At the mixing and freshwater zones of the estuary, the most abundant species were Moina micrura, mainly in January; and Simocephalus vetalus and Bosmina longirostris during spring. From this scenario, it can be inferred that the cladoceran community of the Paraíba do Sul River estuary presents characteristics of marine, brackish and freshwater environments. Temperature and salinity seem to limit the occurrence and distribution of cladocerans in the estuary.

Seasonal chaetognath abundance and distribution in a tropical estuary (Southeastern, Brazil)

This study focuses on the seasonal variation of the chaetognath species in the Vitória Bay/Passage Channel estuarine system, Espírito Santo, Brazil, in terms of their abundance and distribution. Specimens of chaetognaths were collected between July 1997 and April 1998 at 10 sampling stations, with a cylindrical-conical plankton net of 200 µm mesh and 30 cm mouth, fitted with a mechanical flowmeter. Five chaetognath species were identified: Sagitta enflata, Sagitta decipiens, Sagitta hispida, Sagitta friderici and Sagitta minima. Most of them were distributed in areas of high salinity (e.g. at the stations closest to the outer estuary). The dominant species, S. enflata and S. friderici, were more frequent in the outer estuary where salinities varied from 32 (wet season - summer) to 28 (dry season - winter). S. friderici was the only species found right in the middle of the Passage Channel, at a station close to the main freshwater input into the estuary. Results showed that chaetognaths only enter the estuary due to the tidal effect, and that they are not typical residents of this system. This is to be expected because the group normally inhabits only truly marine regions.

In situ detection of inaccurate gas flow meters using a fingerprint technique

This work describes an in situ method for the testing of mechanical flow meters. The method was developed on diaphragm gas meters, but can be applied to most mechanically-based flow meters. The proposed fingerprint method analyses the behaviour of the meter during a work cycle. The result from the analysis is a “fingerprint” of the meter, in which mechanical errors in the meter can be detected. This is explained by the mechanical connection between the sensing mechanism and the mechanical output from the meter. An error analysis of a diaphragm meter was carried out to deduce the type of errors that are likely to occur in such meters. The most severe malfunctions are leakage, internal friction and liquid in the meter. These errors can either lead to measuring errors or can cause the meter to cease functioning. The fingerprint method has been tested on meters with simulated errors and on used meters taken from the gas grid in Lund. The fingerprint method can correctly diagnose errors such as leakage, increased friction and liquid in the meter.

In situ measurement of fluid flow from cold seeps at active continental margins

In situ measurement of fluid flow rates from active margins is an important parameter in evaluating dissolved mass fluxes and global geochemical balances as well as tectonic dewatering during developments of accretionary prisms. We have constructed and deployed various devices that allow for the direct measurement of this parameter. An open bottom barrel with an exhaust port at the top and equipped with a mechanical flowmeter was initially used to measure flow rates in the Cascadia accretionary margin during an Alvin dive program in 1988. Sequentially activated water bottles inside the barrel sampled the increase of venting methane in the enclosed body of water. Subsequently, a thermistor flowmeter was developed to measure flow velocities from cold seeps. It can be used to measure velocities between 0.01 and 50 cm s −1, with a response time of 200 ms. It was deployed again by the submersible Alvin in visits to the Cascadia margin seeps (1990) and in conjunction with sequentially activated water bottles inside the barrel. We report the values for the flow rates based on the thermistor flowmeter and estimated from methane flux calculations. These results are then compared with the first measurement at Cascadia margin employing the mechanical flowmeter. The similarity between water flow and methane expulsion rates over more than one order of magnitude at these sites suggests that the mass fluxes obtained by our in situ devices may be reasonably realistic values for accretionary margins. These values also indicate an enormous variability in the rates of fluid expulsion within the same accretionary prism. Finally, during a cruise to the active margin off Peru, another version of the same instrument was deployed via a TV-controlled frame within an acoustic transponder net from a surface ship, the R.V. Sonne. The venting rates obtained with the thermistor flowmeter used in this configuration yielded a value of 4411 m −2 day −1 at an active seep on the Peru slope. The ability for deployment of deep-sea instruments capable of measuring fluid flow rates and dissolved mass fluxes from conventional research vessels will allow easier access to these seep sites and a more widespread collection of the data needed to evaluate geochemical processes resulting from venting at cold seeps on a global basis. Comparison of the in situ flow rates from steady-state compactive dewatering models differ by more than 4 orders of magnitude. This implies that only a small area of the margin is venting and that there must be recharge zones associated with venting at convergent margins.

A capillary manometer system for preparing mixtures of gases with a very high ratio between components

<dm:abstracts xmlns:dm="http://www.elsevier.com/xml/dm/dtd"><ce:abstract xmlns:ce="http://www.elsevier.com/xml/common/dtd" view="all" class="author" id="aep-abstract-id1"><ce:section-title>Publisher Summary</ce:section-title><ce:abstract-sec view="all" id="aep-abstract-sec-id1"><ce:simple-para id="fsabs008" view="all">The flow of fluids is-most commonly measured using head flowmeters. The operation of these flowmeters is based on the Bernoulli equation. A constriction in the flow path is used to increase the flow velocity. This is accompanied by a decrease in pressure head; since the resultant pressure drop is a function of the flow rate of fluid, the latter can be evaluated. The flowmeters for dosed conduits can be used for both gases and liquids. The flowmeters for open conduits can only be used for liquids. Head flowmeters include orifice and venturi meters, flow nozzles, Pitot tubes and weirs. They consist of a primary element, which causes the pressure or head loss and a secondary element that measures it. The primary element does not contain any moving parts. The most common secondary elements for closed conduit flowmeters are U-tube manometers and differential pressure transducers. In the head flowmeters, the primary element has no moving parts. The constriction area is fixed and the pressure drop varies as the flow-rate changes. In the rotameter the pressure drop is held constant and the constriction area varies as the flow-rate changes. A float is free to move up and down in a tapered tube. The float remains steady when the upward force of the flowing fluid exactly balances the weight of the float in the fluid. The tapered tube is marked with a scale, which is calibrated for a given fluid to give flow speed at each scale reading. As the fluid-flow rate is increased, the float moves to a higher position in the tube. Other commonly used mechanical flowmeters are velocity meters.</ce:simple-para></ce:abstract-sec></ce:abstract></dm:abstracts>