Experimental investigation of an oscillating circular piston positive displacement flowmeter: I – Piston movement and pressure losses

Tests of an oscillating circular piston positive displacement flowmeter are described which focused on the effect on pressure drop across the meter of variation in key parameters. These included flow rate, liquid density and viscosity, mass of piston and length of connecting pipes. In addition to the average pressure loss, the pressure loss variation during the oscillation cycle was measured and found to vary with an amplitude dependent on the various parameters. A companion paper reviews data on leakage and wear.