Maintenance of Instruments & Systems, 2nd Edition

Vortex shedding meters are excellent for linear flow measurement of liquids and steam. The device has a tolerance for higher temperatures and some solids. The device is simple and does not require a separate transmitter, as the transmitter is an integral part of the sensing device. Mount as you would an orifice plate and troubleshoot the electronics before moving the sensor for inspection.
A damaged densing device or a worn or eroded vortex shedding bar would cause errors in the reading. If the measured flow is hot, check the meter specifications for the maximum operating temperature allowed. Check that the vortex bar is free of trash or buildup.
The vortex shedding flowmeter is not attitude sensitive; flow can be upward or horizontal without affecting performance. When mounting this meter in the pipeline, the mating pipe should ideally be the same diameter as the meter bore. The pipe must be kept full of liquid at all times when measuring. Straight run requirements vary (see Figure 6-21).
If the user provides the correct operating information about how the meter will be used, the manufacturer will calibrate the meter to those conditions. In most cases, the factory calibration includes wet flow calibration whether the meter is installed in a calibration standard where water or air can be used to calibrate the flowmeter element. The electronics are then adjusted so the output signal is correct for the application.
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