Patent GB-943543-A (GB)
Title: Method of an apparatus for correcting head type steam flow meters from steam pressure and superheat referred to superheat base
IPC: F22D11/00
Filed: 1960-11-02
Abstract: 943,543. Fluid-pressure servomotor control systems. HAGAN CONTROLS Ltd. Nov. 2,1960 [Nov. 3,1959], No. 37737/60. Heading G3P. [Also in Division G1] Flow measurement in a steam-line is corrected for pressure and superheat by developing correction factors for temperature and pressure which are dependent upon temperature difference from a preselected superheat-temperature reference base and upon pressure variation at the same reference base, multiplying these correction factors together and using the product to modify the flow value. Arguments illustrated by graphs in Figs. 6 to 12 (not shown) indicate that by measuring the difference between the actual steam temperature and the saturation temperature corresponding to the actual steam pressure, and thereby referring the compensation factors to the degree of superheat rather than the total steam temperature, accurate compensation is obtained over a wide range of superheat conditions. Flow is measured by a headmeter across a fixed orifice 23, a Venturi 33 or a fixed length of pipe and a signal derived which is proportional to the square root of the pressure difference. The temperature difference between superheated steam, at 27 or 35, and saturated steam in the boiler drum 11, at 26, or near the heat exchanger at 36 is measured by thermocouples and signalled to the meters 22 or 38 respectively where it is combined with a pressure signal from 24 or 32 and applied to the meter flow measurement. In the case of the low pressure line in Fig. 1 the factors for pressure and temperature are combined at a separate meter 38 before being applied to the head-meter 31. Meters 22, 31 and 38 all transmit their readings to remote stations if required. Figs. 2 and 3 (not shown) illustrate a device whereby the superheat temperature is measured in a main conduit whilst the saturated steam temperature is measured in a section of a by-pass pipe which is only partially heat insulated and where the steam from the conduit is expanded to a saturated condition through an orifice therein. The head-meter described in Fig. 4 comprises a hollow ring 108 divided internally by a partition 106a and containing mercury in each limb up to a level 107a. Unequal pressure from either side of the restricting orifice 23 in the steam-line is conveyed by pipes 110a and 111a to the spaces 108a and 109a above the mercury 'surfaces on each side of the partition 106a and, by displacing the mercury column, causes the annulus to tilt above a pivot 105b. In order that movement may be obtained which is proportional to the square root of the pressure difference in the Spaces 108a and 109a a rod 113a controlled by an adjustable leaf spring 117 has its pointed end in a seating 114a on the annulus and a bracket 123 with a cam slot 124 transmits the movement of the ring to a cam follower 125 and thence to a recording pen 134 which records the corrected flow value. A second pen 122 records the uncorrected value. The correction for pressure and temperature difference, which in this instance have been conveyed respectively by pressure lines to a Bourdon gauge 153 and a pressure transducer 146, are multiplied together and applied to the pen lever 133 through the linkages shown in Fig. 4. Motion of the pen 134 controls a signal generator 155 by way of a baffle 167 which coacts with an air jet at 166. If, due to movement of the "corrected steam-flow link" 132, the baffle 167 moves towards the jet nozzle pressure builds up on a diaphragm 161 causing it to move a valve 157 towards the air inlet port 158. The pressure from the port then passes through a pipe 171 into a diaphragm chamber 172 and out through a signal transmitting pipe 173 to a remote station, for example, to control the supply of feedwater. To stabilize the controller the baffle is repositioned by a means which include a diaphragm 174 operating a spring 175 and push-rod 176 carried on a screw 177 which'rotates the jet pipe about a pivot 164 until there is a balance between the position of the baffle and the output signal. A thermocouple amplifier signal circuit is illustrated in Fig. 5. It comprises an electrical circuit (not shown here, see Division G1) whereby signals from each pair of thermocouples are made to position a baffle 88 controlling a jet 89 of a pneumatic amplifier 90 which is then transmitted by a signal line 29 to the apparatus shown in Fig. 4. In the amplifier 90 pneumatic pressure is admitted through orifice e to a chamber c in which the pressure depends on the rate at which the baffle 88 permits air to escape from the jet 89. Increase of pressure in chamber c causes a diaphragm a to lift a ball 99 off an inlet port 101 to admit air from pipe 106 into chamber d until the force on diaphragm b, equals that on diaphragm a, which is larger than b. The pressure thus established in chamber d is delivered through the signal line 26. Follow-up between the jet and the baffle is provided by securing the jet pipe 89 to a lever 110 pivoted at 111 and feeding back pressure from the signal chamber d to a chamber 113 with a repositioning diaphragm 112.