High-Accuracy Differential Pressure Flow Measurement for Harsh Process Conditions
The V-Cone flow meter is an advanced differential pressure (DP) flow measurement device designed for accurate and repeatable measurement of liquids, gases, and steam under demanding process conditions. By placing a cone-shaped obstruction in the center of the pipe, the V-Cone creates a stable differential pressure that is less sensitive to upstream flow disturbances.
Instrava V-Cone flow meters are engineered for applications where space is limited, flow profiles are unstable, or traditional DP meters struggle to maintain accuracy. With no moving parts and strong resistance to erosion and vibration, the V-Cone meter delivers long-term reliability in high-pressure, high-temperature, and multiphase environments.
Flow Meter Description
V-Cone Flow Meter-Key Features 1
Minimal installation requirements
Built-in flow conditioning reshapes velocity distribution, eliminating eddies and dead zones. Straight pipe requirements are greatly reduced: upstream 0–3D (up to 30D depending on application), downstream 0–1D.
Wide turndown ratio
Typical turndown ratio of 10:1, with a maximum up to 50:1, enabling accurate measurement across wide flow ranges.
Low permanent pressure loss with stable signal
For the same β ratio, pressure loss is only 1/3–1/5 of an orifice plate, while signal fluctuation is reduced to approximately 1/10, ensuring superior measurement stability.
Excellent wear resistance
The streamlined V-cone geometry creates a localized vacuum effect on the cone surface, significantly reducing direct particle impingement and extending service life.
Self-cleaning, non-clogging design
Full purging flow pattern prevents sediment deposition, particle accumulation, and media adhesion—ideal for dirty and particulate-laden fluids.
V-Cone Flow Meter-Key Features 2
Long-term measurement stability
The β ratio remains stable over extended operation, ensuring consistent accuracy and repeatability throughout the product lifecycle.
High accuracy and repeatability
Measurement accuracy up to ±0.5% F.S, with repeatability of ±0.1% F.S, suitable for demanding process control applications.
Wide β ratio selection
The unique V-cone geometry allows a broad range of β values, enabling flexible design for various flow rates and operating conditions.
Multiple installation configurations
Available in pipeline type, flanged tapping, wafer type, and insertion (plug-in) configurations to suit different installation requirements.
Broad nominal diameter coverage
Nominal sizes from DN15 to DN2000 (1/2″–120″), with larger or customized sizes available upon request.
V-Cone Flow Meter-Key Features 3
High-temperature and high-pressure capability
Designed for extreme conditions with maximum working temperature up to 700 °C and maximum pressure up to 42 MPa.
Suitable for dirty and abrasive media
Proven performance in challenging media such as coke-oven gas, blast furnace gas, feedstock oil, and residual oil.
Capable of multiphase measurement
Reliable measurement of gas–liquid two-phase flows, including moisture-laden gas and fluids containing condensed water.
V-Cone Flow Meter Working Principle
The V-Cone flow meter is a differential pressure flow measurement device operating on the principle of energy conversion in a closed pipeline. As fluid flows through the pipe, its velocity and static pressure change according to Bernoulli’s principle.
When the medium approaches the upstream section of the V-cone, the static pressure is P₁. As the flow passes around the cone, the effective flow area is reduced, causing the fluid velocity to increase and the static pressure to decrease to P₂ at the throttling region. The pressure difference ΔP = P₁ − P₂ is generated.
This differential pressure is transmitted to a differential pressure transmitter through upstream and downstream pressure tapping ports. Because the differential pressure is proportional to the square of the flow velocity, the actual flow rate can be accurately calculated from the measured ΔP value.
As the flow rate increases or decreases, the differential pressure changes correspondingly, enabling continuous, stable, and repeatable flow measurement for liquids, gases, steam, and multiphase media.
Flow Meter Parameter
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | VCF 121 |
| Accuracy Class | 0.5 |
| Long-term Stability | ±0.1% F.S / year |
| Repeatability | ±0.1% |
| Minimum Flow Velocity | ≥ 0.1 m/s |
| Turndown Ratio | Typical 15:1; Maximum 50:1 |
| Reynolds Number Range | 8 × 10³ ~ 5 × 10⁶ |
| Operating Pressure | ≤ 16 MPa (up to 42 MPa maximum) |
| Operating Temperature | -160 °C ~ 700 °C |
| Nominal Diameter | DN15 ~ DN2000 (1/2″ ~ 120″) |
| Ambient Temperature | ≤ 80 °C |
| Relative Humidity | 5% ~ 85% |
| Output Signal | 4 ~ 20 mA |
| Power Supply | 24 V DC |
| DP Transmitter Supply Voltage | 24 V DC |
| DP Transmitter Output Current | 4 ~ 20 mA |
| Intelligent Flow Totalizer Voltage | 220 V AC |
| Intelligent Flow Totalizer Output | 4 ~ 20 mA |
| DP Transmitter Communication | HART / BRAIN |
| Flow Computation Indicator Communication | RS232 / RS485 |
| Installation Types | Flanged type, welded type, clamped type, insertion type |
Nominal diameter: DN15 ~ DN2000
Flow velocity: ≥ 0.1 m/s
Working pressure: -0.1 MPa ~ 42 MPa
Working temperature: -160 °C ~ 700 °C
Ambient temperature: ≤ 85 °C
In addition to standard gas, liquid, and steam measurement, the V-Cone flow meter is suitable for challenging media, including high-dust gases, fluids with high suspended solids, high-viscosity media, strongly corrosive fluids, crystallizing media, and supersaturated process conditions.
Instrava OEM/ODM
Reliable Instruments. Solutions That Fit Your Application.
Instrava is focused on delivering reliable industrial solutions through carefully curated products, application-driven optimization, and flexible customization. We select proven instruments from trusted manufacturers to ensure consistent quality, optimize solutions based on real working conditions to solve practical challenges, and provide tailored configurations to meet specific application needs.
By combining selection expertise with application understanding, Instrava helps customers reduce risk, improve efficiency, and achieve dependable results in complex industrial environments.
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Can V-Cone flow meters operate reliably under high-pressure conditions?
Yes. V-Cone flow meters are designed with robust construction and no moving parts, allowing stable operation under high-pressure conditions. With appropriate material and pressure rating selection, they can be used in systems up to 42 MPa.
How does a V-Cone flow meter handle turbulent or distorted flow profiles?
The centrally mounted V-cone acts as an internal flow conditioner, reshaping velocity distribution and minimizing the influence of swirl and turbulence. This allows accurate measurement even when upstream flow is highly disturbed.
Is a long straight pipe required for V-Cone installation?
No. One key advantage of the V-Cone flow meter is its minimal straight pipe requirement. In many applications, it requires 0–3D upstream and 0–1D downstream, making it ideal for space-limited installations.
Is the V-Cone flow meter suitable for steam measurement?
Yes. V-Cone flow meters are widely used in saturated and superheated steam applications. Their ability to withstand high temperature and pressure, combined with stable differential pressure signals, makes them suitable for power and boiler systems.
Can V-Cone flow meters measure multiphase or wet gas flow?
Yes. V-Cone flow meters perform well in gas–liquid two-phase flow conditions, including wet gas and fluids containing condensed water. The self-cleaning cone design helps maintain measurement stability in multiphase environments.
How does the V-Cone flow meter perform in dirty or particulate-laden media?
The streamlined cone geometry creates a purging flow pattern that prevents particle buildup and clogging. This makes V-Cone meters suitable for high-dust gases, fluids with suspended solids, and viscous or fouling media.
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