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Flow meters are used in many industrial systems for conducting gas or oil flow measurements, or measuring the flow rate of any other fluid. If they are integrated with a valve, even the rate of flow can be controlled. The simplest design of a flow meter is based on the principle of variable area. The variable area apparatus is comprised of three main components: a float, a flow tube and a measurement scale. A flow control valve can also be incorporated into this system if there is a need to limit or increase the flow rate in specific situations. This type of flow meter is placed in a vertical position in the fluid system such that one end of the flow tube touches the bottom of the measuring chamber of the pipe in which the fluid is contained. This end is often termed as the fluid inlet. The fluid inlet is narrower than the other end of the flow tube. The float is often spherical or round in shape, with a diameter that almost equals the diameter of the fluid inlet. The float is affixed onto the bottom of the flow tube towards the inlet. If a fluid is made to pass through the tube, the float shifts its place and starts rising inside. Since the upper end of the tube is wider, more fluid can pass through it until the system reaches its equilibrium point. This is the state when the float is positioned at a fixed level in the tube, because all forces acting on it balance each other. The level of float will correspond to a point on the measurement scale, and that can be used to conduct gas or oil flow measurements. The flow area at the equilibrium state is termed the annular passage. Gas or oil flow measurement is dependent on various factors pertaining to the fluid system such as pressure, temperature and specific gravity. The size of the flow meter should also be suitable for the current application. Flow meters are used in many industrial and commercial systems because they provide a quick and efficient way to determine the flow rate. The measurements are accurate, and are also cost effective in most cases. There are many applications of flow meters; monitoring wells, coalescers, electrostatic desalters and water distribution systems are among the most common of these.
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