FLUIDIC PRESSURE PULSE TRANSMITTING FLOWMETER

This paper describes a fluidic flowmeter, consisting of a Coanda Switc h and Vortex Amplifier, which has been specially developed for remote flow measurement. The device generates pressure pulses at a frequency proportional to the volume flowrate. The pulses are transmitted via th e flowing fluid and are detected downstream. Details are given of the geometry requirements for oil flow measurement in an oil producer, and how the Coanda Switch and Vortex Amplifier can be matched based on th e scaling of their characteristics. The predicted value of the flowmet er performance index, N, is found to agree well with experimental resu lts. It is found that this index N has a maximum value when the area r atio of the Vortex Amplifier exit to the Coanda Switch supply nozzle i s 0.8. Optimization of the flowmeter device with different control loo p designs has also been conducted and has shown good performance over a wide operating range in the laboratory.