Development of a hot-film anemometer calibrator for water flow measurement

A hot-film anemometer (HFA) calibrator for water was developed that gives flat velocity distribution and low turbulence intensity to liquid flow from a contraction nozzle. The velocity distribution was confirmed using a Pitot tube. The turbulence intensity was investigated by laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). The values observed by the HFA using a calibrator agreed with the values observed by LDV. The values of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculated using the standard k−εk−ε model agreed with the values observed by the HFA and LDV. The relationship between the velocity and volumetric flow rate of the liquid was examined by LDV and CFD to investigate the applicability of the calibrator to higher liquid velocity. As a result, the calibrator was found to offer simple operation, correct calibration, and applicability to a wide velocity range.