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FLOW CIRCUITRY
Flow Circuitry Summary

Instrumentation and Control Volume 1 of 2
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FLOW CIRCUITRY Flow Detectors A  loss  of  differential  pressure  integrity  of  the  secondary  element,  the  DP  transmitter,  will introduce an error into the indicated flow.  This loss of integrity implies an impaired or degraded pressure boundary between the high-pressure and low-pressure sides of the transmitter.   A loss of differential pressure boundary is caused by anything that results in the high- and low-pressure sides of the DP transmitter being allowed to equalize pressure. As previously discussed, flow rate is proportional to the square root of the differential pressure. The extractor is used to electronically calculate the square root of the differential pressure and provide an output proportional to system flow.  The constants are determined by selection of the appropriate electronic components. The extractor output is amplified and sent to an indicator.   The indicator provides either a local or a remote indication of system flow. Use of Flow Indication The flow of liquids and gases carries energy through the piping system.   In many situations, it is very important to know whether there is flow and the rate at which the flow is occurring.  An example of flow that is important to a facility operator is equipment cooling flow.   The flow of coolant is essential in removing the heat generated by the system, thereby preventing damage to the equipment.  Typically, flow indication is used in protection systems and control systems that help maintain system temperature. Another method of determining system coolant flow is by using pump differential pressure.   If all means of flow indication are lost, flow can be approximated using pump differential pressure. Pump differential pressure is proportional to the square of pump flow. Environmental Concerns As previously discussed, the density of the fluid whose flow is to be measured can have a large effect on flow sensing instrumentation.   The effect of density is most important when the flow sensing  instrumentation  is  measuring  gas  flows,  such  as  steam.   Since  the  density  of  a  gas  is directly affected by temperature and pressure, any changes in either of these parameters will have a direct effect on the measured flow.   Therefore, any changes in fluid temperature or pressure must be compensated for to achieve an accurate measurement of flow. Ambient   temperature   variations   will   affect   the   accuracy   and   reliability   of   flow   sensing instrumentation. Variations   in   ambient   temperature   can   directly   affect   the   resistance   of components   in   the   instrumentation   circuitry,   and,   therefore,   affect   the   calibration   of electric/electronic equipment.   The effects of temperature variations are reduced by the design of the circuitry and by maintaining the flow sensing instrumentation in the proper environment. The  presence  of  humidity  will  also  affect  most  electrical  equipment,  especially  electronic equipment.  High humidity causes moisture to collect on the equipment.  This moisture can cause IC-04 Page 18 Rev. 0







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