Vortex Flowmeters

Vortex Flowmeters

Vortex flowmeters measure flow by placing a bluff body in the pipe and detecting the vortices that are shed downstream as velocity increases. The shedding frequency is directly proportional to the mean flow velocity and therefore to volumetric flow, providing a robust, widely applied measurement method for liquids, gases, and steam.

Vortex technology is often selected for utility services because it combines broad applicability with strong long-term stability. Performance is largely unaffected by changes in pressure, density, temperature, and viscosity within typical operating envelopes, and stable meter factors (including lifetime K‑factor behavior in many designs) support consistent totals over years of service. Wide operating temperature capability makes the technology suitable for everything from cryogenic gas services to high-temperature steam.

Modern vortex meters are commonly configured with integral temperature and/or pressure compensation to report mass flow for steam and gases and to support energy monitoring. Some designs add process diagnostics such as wet-steam or steam quality monitoring and can be applied in safety-instrumented functions when certified, extending their value beyond basic flow indication and reducing the risk of undetected measurement bias in utility systems.

Typical applications span chemical and petrochemical facilities, power generation, district energy, and general heat-supply systems. Common media include saturated and superheated steam, compressed air, nitrogen, liquefied gases, flue gas, carbon dioxide, demineralized water, solvents, heat-transfer oils, boiler feedwater, and condensate - making vortex a practical choice for utility headers and distribution networks with multiple service types.

Selection considerations include Reynolds-number limits, vibration sensitivity, two-phase behavior, and straight-run requirements around the bluff body. Correct sizing to avoid operating below the shedding threshold, plus good upstream piping practice to reduce swirl and pulsation, helps sustain accuracy. When paired with compensation and periodic verification, vortex meters support reliable energy and mass balance calculations in steam and gas systems. In services with significant entrained solids, strong cavitation potential, or sustained wet-steam conditions, suitability should be evaluated carefully and alternative technologies considered.

Engineered Equipment Company, a leading supplier of specialized industrial equipment.