Experimental optimization for dual support structures cone flow meters based on cone wake flow field characteristics

• Vortex structure in wake flow of cone flow meter is cone vortex ring.
• We have numerically investigated the characteristics of cone vortex rings.
• A way optimizing the cone flow meters with dual support struts has been proposed.
• Experiments have verified good measurement performance of cone meters optimized.

Currently, poor safety and processing repeatability are two primary problems that restrict the development of cone flow meters. Cone flow meters with upstream and downstream support structures can improve the safety performance and the level of processing repeatability. For a dual support structures cone flow meter, known as a DSSC, the selection of the downstream support position can greatly affect the discharge coefficient and linearity error below a certain range ratio. Through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation research, the conclusion can be drawn that there exists a large scale vortex ring in the wake field of the cone and that the distribution of the vortex is related to the parameters of the cone. Based on the characteristics of the cone vortex ring, optimizing experiments examining downstream pressure tapping and support structure positions have been designed. The downstream pressure tapping and support positions were obtained for DSSCs with DN100 and β values between 0.45 and 0.65. A set of DSSCs was manufactured according to the conclusions of the optimizing experiments, and performance tests were conducted. The DSSC prototypes had β values ranging from 0.45 to 0.65 and diameters of 50 mm, 100 mm, and 200 mm, respectively. Test results indicate that the discharge coefficient linearity error of DSSC flow meters is smaller than that of V-Cone flow meters. The discharge coefficient uncertainty of DSSCs with different inner tube diameters is 1.27%. The relative discharge coefficient uncertainty of prototypes because of machining consistency is 0.68%.