Study of errors in ultrasonic heat meter measurements caused by impurities of water based on ultrasonic attenuation

Impurity is one of the main factors that affect the measurement accuracy of an ultrasonic heat meter. To study the effects of different impurity species and concentrations on the accuracy of heat meters, flow tests were carried out for the suspending of calcium carbonate and yellow mud. By analyzing the attenuation characteristics of the ultrasound amplitude in different impurity concentrations and species, the influence of the impurities on the heat meter measurement accuracy is evaluated. In order to avoid the inaccuracy caused by the sediment of the reflective bottom surface, a vortex generator is put ahead of the reflective surface. According to the test, the calcium carbonate suspension with a mass concentration of 1%, which influences the heat meter accuracy severely, is used as the flow media. The influence of the vortex generator on the calcium carbonate suspension flow field in the heat meter body is studied with numerical simulations. The results of this paper provide some theoretical guide on improving the heat meter measurement accuracy when the water contains impurities.