Flow acoustics modelling and implications for ultrasonic flow measurement based on the transit-time method

• Published in: Ultrasonics Vol. 41; no. 10; pp. 805 - 810
• Main Author: Willatzen, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-05-2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Acoustics; Exact sciences and technology; Flow; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Mathematical modelling; Physics; Ultrasonic flow measurement; Ultrasonics, quantum acoustics, and physical effects of sound; Ultrasound propagation; Ultrasonic flow measurement; Ultrasound propagation; Mathematical modelling; Flow; Acoustic measurement; Transit time; Flow measurement; Time measurement; Pipe; Modeling; Power series; Linear flow; Piping; Ultrasonic control; Series expansion; Flow velocity; Flowmetry
• ISSN: 0041-624X; 1874-9968
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2003.12.044

A comparison between three mathematical models frequently used in flow acoustics is presented and discussed with respect to ultrasonic flow-meter performance based on the transit-time method. The flow-meter spoolpiece geometry is assumed to be a cylindrical pipe. Semi-analytical calculations employing the Frobenius power series expansion method are shown for the cases of a constant-, linear-, parabolic-, and cubic-flow profiles although the Frobenius method presented can be applied to any smooth flow profile. It is shown that the so-called deviation of measurement, often used as a measure of the flow-meter accuracy, is strongly dependent on the acoustic mode excited and the flow profile. Furthermore, differences with respect to deviation of measurement results exist among the three mathematical models analyzed.