Flow Meter
In petroleum, chemical, metallurgy, electric power, textile, and military manufacturing industries, throttling devices are widely used for fluid flow measurement and process control. Among them, the orifice flow meter remains one of the most mature and commonly adopted differential pressure flow measurement solutions.
Standard orifice plate flow meters operate based on well-established international measurement principles, providing stable performance for liquid, gas, and steam flow measurement under various operating conditions.
Standard-Compliant Throttling Devices
Our company manufactures a full range of throttling devices strictly in accordance with international standard ISO 5167:2003 and national standard GB/T 2624-2006. These standards ensure the accuracy, repeatability, and interchangeability of each orifice plate flow meter supplied.
Standard products include concentric orifice plates designed for differential pressure flow measurement in high-pressure, high-temperature, and continuous industrial processes.
Flow Meter Description
Orifice Flow Meter-Features
The throttling device features a simple and standardized structure, ensuring stable, reliable performance and a long service life under continuous industrial operation.
Orifice plate flow meter design and bore calculation are carried out strictly according to international standards, allowing the device to be installed and commissioned without on-site flow calibration.
The orifice flow meter offers wide applicability and is suitable for measuring single-phase fluids such as liquids, gases, and steam, as well as certain mixed-phase flow conditions.
The measuring range is wide, with a turndown ratio exceeding 10:1, enabling stable flow measurement across varying process loads.
Installation is simple and flexible. The orifice plate flow meter can be directly connected to a differential pressure transmitter or pressure transmitter, eliminating the need for long impulse lines.
Multiple communication interfaces are available, supporting common industrial protocols for easy integration into DCS and PLC control systems.
The intelligent orifice plate flow meter supports self-diagnosis functions and flexible range configuration, improving operational reliability and reducing maintenance requirements.
Orifice Plate Flow Meter Applications
The orifice flow meter is widely used for steam, natural gas, and high-pressure pipeline flow measurement in industrial process systems.
For steam applications, the orifice plate flow meter provides stable and repeatable measurement for saturated and superheated steam in boilers, power plants, and thermal energy systems, supporting mass flow calculation with temperature and pressure compensation.
In natural gas pipelines, the orifice flow meter is commonly applied in transmission lines, metering stations, and industrial fuel gas systems, offering standardized differential pressure flow measurement in accordance with ISO 5167.
For high-pressure liquid and gas pipelines, the orifice plate flow meter features a robust structure with no moving parts, making it suitable for long-term operation in petrochemical, chemical, and energy industries.
Orifice Plate Flowmeter Measuring Principle
The LG throttling device is the primary element of a differential pressure flow measurement system. It consists of an orifice plate (throttling element), pressure tapping device, and the required upstream and downstream straight pipe sections.
Throttling devices are classified into standard and non-standard types. Orifice flow meters that comply with ISO 5167 and GB/T 2624 standards are defined as standard throttling devices, while other specially designed throttling elements are considered non-standard throttling devices.
When a fluid fully fills the pipeline and flows through the orifice plate, a local constriction is formed at the throttling element. According to the principles of energy conservation and flow continuity, the fluid velocity increases at the orifice, while the static pressure decreases. As a result, a differential pressure is generated between the upstream and downstream sides of the orifice plate.
The magnitude of the differential pressure is directly related to the flow velocity and flow rate of the fluid. By measuring the differential pressure across the orifice plate using a differential pressure transmitter, the volumetric or mass flow rate can be accurately calculated.
In practical applications, standard orifice flow meters are generally recommended due to their well-defined coefficients and high measurement reliability. Non-standard throttling devices may be selected when the Reynolds number is low or when the fluid contains impurities or special flow characteristics.
Orifice Flow Meter Product Structure
A standard orifice flow meter system consists of the following components:
• Orifice plate with precise bore diameter
• Orifice plate holder or flange tapping structure
• Upstream and downstream pressure tapping ports
• Differential pressure transmitter
• Impulse lines and mounting accessories
Different tapping types such as corner taps, flange taps, or D-D/2 taps can be selected based on application standards and pipeline conditions.
Flow Meter Parameter
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Nominal diameter | DN10 – DN1200 |
| Measuring accuracy | ±0.5%, ±1.0%, ±1.5% |
| Flow range (turndown ratio) | ≥ 1:15 |
| Nominal pressure | 0.6 MPa, 1.0 MPa, 1.6 MPa, 2.5 MPa, 4.0 MPa, 6.4 MPa, 10 MPa |
| Measured medium | Saturated steam, superheated steam, water, air, natural gas, other mixed media |
| Medium temperature | -10°C to +450°C |
| Power supply | Intelligent flow totalizer: 220 VAC; Flow transmitter: 24 VDC (powered by the totalizer) |
| Output signal | 4–20 mA DC or RS485 communication |
| Explosion-proof rating | Intrinsically safe Ex ib IIC T5 |
Instrava OEM/ODM
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By combining selection expertise with application understanding, Instrava helps customers reduce risk, improve efficiency, and achieve dependable results in complex industrial environments.
Related Product Recommendations
What are the main advantages of an orifice flow meter compared with other flow meters?
The orifice flow meter is one of the most widely used differential pressure flow meters due to its standardized design and long-term stability. Compared with turbine, vortex, or ultrasonic flow meters, the orifice plate flow meter offers superior performance in high-temperature, high-pressure, and large-diameter pipeline applications.
Its simple structure with no moving parts ensures high reliability and minimal maintenance requirements. In addition, orifice flow meters comply with international standards such as ISO 5167, making them suitable for standardized projects and long-term industrial operation.
Can an orifice plate flow meter be used for steam flow measurement?
Yes, the orifice plate flow meter is particularly suitable for saturated steam and superheated steam flow measurement. It is widely applied in boilers, power plants, and thermal energy systems.
When combined with pressure and temperature compensation, the orifice flow meter can accurately calculate steam mass flow. This makes it ideal for energy management, steam distribution monitoring, and process control in high-temperature environments.
| Steam type | Application advantage |
|---|---|
| Saturated steam | Stable measurement under constant pressure and temperature |
| Superheated steam | Accurate mass flow calculation with compensation |
| High-pressure steam | Strong mechanical strength and pressure resistance |
Is an orifice flow meter suitable for natural gas measurement?
The orifice flow meter is one of the most recognized solutions for natural gas flow measurement, especially in transmission pipelines and industrial gas systems. Its measurement principle is well-defined and traceable, making it suitable for process monitoring and custody transfer applications.
With proper straight pipe length and installation in accordance with ISO 5167, the orifice plate flow meter provides stable and repeatable flow measurement across a wide operating range.
What is the difference between standard and non-standard throttling devices?
Standard throttling devices refer to orifice flow meters designed and manufactured according to ISO 5167 or GB/T 2624. These devices have fixed calculation formulas and coefficients, ensuring consistent measurement accuracy.
Non-standard throttling devices are used when process conditions deviate from standard requirements, such as low Reynolds numbers, limited straight pipe lengths, or fluids containing impurities.
| Type | Typical use case |
|---|---|
| Standard orifice plate | Clean fluids, stable flow, standardized pipelines |
| Segmental orifice plate | Fluids with impurities or solids |
| Double orifice plate | Low Reynolds number applications |
| Conical entrance orifice | Short straight pipe conditions |
Does an orifice flow meter require on-site calibration?
In most cases, an orifice flow meter does not require on-site flow calibration. The orifice plate bore is calculated and manufactured according to international standards, allowing the device to be installed and commissioned directly.
However, correct installation, proper straight pipe lengths, and accurate pressure and temperature measurement are critical factors affecting overall system accuracy. For custody transfer or high-accuracy applications, system verification may be recommended.
Can orifice flow meters be customized for high-pressure or special applications?
Yes, orifice flow meters can be fully customized to meet specific operating conditions. As an OEM / ODM orifice flow meter manufacturer, throttling devices can be designed based on customer drawings or process data.
Customization options include special materials, high-pressure flange ratings, special tapping configurations, and integration with intelligent differential pressure transmitters. This ensures the orifice plate flow meter performs reliably even in harsh industrial environments.
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