A vortex flow meter is a type of flow meter used to measure the flow rate of fluids such as liquids, gasses, and steam. All the steam measurement is the most popular application as there are no flowmeters that can measure steam directly without other sensors.  It works based on the principle that when a fluid passes by a bluff body or an obstruction, it creates alternating vortices on either side of the body. These vortices create a series of pressure fluctuations that can be detected and measured by the flow meter.

The vortex flow meter consists of a bluff body, a sensor, and a transmitter. The bluff body is installed in the fluid stream, and as the fluid flows past it, it creates vortices on either side of the body. The sensor detects these vortices and sends a signal to the transmitter, which calculates the flow rate based on the frequency of the vortices.

One advantage of vortex flow meters is that they can measure flow rates over a wide range of fluid velocities, temperatures, and pressures. Vortex flow meters are mainly used for steam applications such as boiler controls but are also used in industries such as chemical processing, oil and gas, and water and wastewater treatment.

Overall, the vortex flow meter provides accurate and reliable measurement of fluid flow, making it a popular choice for many industries.

How does a Vortex Flow Meter work?

A vortex flow meter works based on the principle that when a fluid flows past a bluff body, it creates alternating vortices on either side of the body. These vortices create a series of pressure fluctuations that can be detected and measured by the flow meter.

The vortex flow meter consists of a bluff body, a sensor, and a transmitter. The bluff body is a specially designed obstruction in the flow path that creates vortices as fluid flows past it. The sensor is placed on one side of the bluff body and detects the vortices. The transmitter receives the signal from the sensor and converts it into a flow rate measurement.

As fluid flows past the bluff body, vortices are created on either side of the body. These vortices cause pressure fluctuations that are detected by the sensor. The sensor typically contains a piezoelectric crystal or strain gauge that generates an electrical signal in response to pressure fluctuations.

The transmitter then calculates the flow rate based on the frequency of the vortices detected by the sensor. The frequency of the vortices is proportional to the fluid flow rate, and the transmitter can use this information to provide an accurate measurement of the flow rate.  It is very critical to note that vortex flowmeters measure fluid volume flow rates and not mass flow rates.  Often times vortex meters include pressure and temperatures within their construction to measure mass flow, especially in steam and gas applications where the dynamic changes of temperature and pressure must be considered.

One advantage of vortex flow meters is that they can measure flow rates over a wide range of fluid velocities, temperatures, and pressures. The most common application for Vortex flow meters is steam commonly used in industries such as thermal power plants, chemical processing, oil, and gas, etc. Vortex flowmeters can measure both gases and liquids, however, there are better technologies available in the market but no better for steam measurement.

Overall, the vortex flow meter provides accurate and reliable measurement of fluid flow, making it a popular choice for many industries.