Operating principle: Laminar differential pressure mass flow technology
Most Alicat mass flow instruments use laminar differential pressure technology to measure highly accurate mass flow rates for over 98 gases.
In this article, we explain the operating principle behind these devices.
How Alicat devices measure mass flow rate
There are four simple steps an Alicat differential pressure device uses to calculate a mass flow rate.
- Convert turbulent flow into smooth laminar flow
- Measure the pressure drop across a flow channel
- Calculate the volumetric flow rate
- Calculate a standardized mass flow rate
This video gives a quick overview of this process:
Calculating volumetric flow rate
Alicat devices contain a flow passage called a laminar flow element (LFE) that converts all turbulent flow into laminar flow. The instrument first measures the differential pressure drop across the LFE, and then uses the Poiseuille Equation to calculate a volumetric flow rate.
Volumetric flow = (P1-P2)πr4/8ηL = K(ΔP)/η
P1 = Static pressure at the inlet; P2 = Static pressure at the outlet; r = Hydraulic radius of the restriction; η = Absolute viscosity of the fluid; L = Length of the restriction
The Poiseuille equation shows the linear relationship between volumetric flow rate, differential pressure (ΔP), and absolute viscosity (η). In the simplified equation, K is a constant that encompasses the geometric factors of the LFE.
Calculating mass flow rate
Laminar DP mass flow instruments use the volumetric flow rate and a series of density correction factors to calculate a mass flow rate.
1. Temperature density correction = Ts/Ta
Ta = Absolute temperature at flow conditions; Ts = Absolute temperature at standard conditions (STP)
2. Pressure density correction= Pa/Ps
Pa = Absolute pressure at flow conditions; Ps = Absolute pressure at standard conditions (STP)
3. Compressibility = Zs/Za
Za = Compressibility at flow conditions; Zs = Compressibility at standard conditions (STP)
When combined, you can produce an equation that uses volumetric flow, temperature, pressure, and gas compressibility to calculate a mass flow rate.
Mass flow = (Volumetric flow)(Ts/Ta)(Pa/Ps)(Zs/Za)
(Ts/Ta)(Pa/Ps)(Zs/Za) = Density correction factors
In an Alicat mass flow device, a discrete absolute pressure sensor is placed in the laminar region of the flow stream. This information is sent to the microprocessor and is combined with the data from the discrete absolute temperature sensor to make the correct mass flow calculations.