Badger Meter RVL Operating Manual
Vortex Flow Meters
Shedding Flow Meter
RVL Series
VRX-UM-00371-EN-03 (April 2017)
User Manual
Vortex Flow Meters, Shedding Flow Meter
Page ii March 2017VRX-UM-00371-EN-03
User Manual
CONTENTS
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Operating Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Fluids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
General Installation Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Flow Rate and Range Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Piping Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Back Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
K-Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Electrical Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Wiring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Three-Pin Connection Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Mechanical Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
RVL Inline Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
RVL Wafer Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
RVL Tube Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
RVL Inline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
RVL Wafer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
RVL Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
RVL Inline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
RVL Wafer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
RVL Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Current Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Over-Stressed Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Calibration Certicate Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Page iii March 2017 VRX-UM-00371-EN-03
Vortex Flow Meters, Shedding Flow Meter
Page iv March 2017VRX-UM-00371-EN-03
Description
DESCRIPTION
The RVL series meter uses vortex-shedding technology for repeatable flow measurement accurate to ±1 percent of full
scale. The meter has no moving parts, and any potential for fluid contamination is eliminated by the corrosion-resistant all
plastic construction. The meter includes a compact two-wire (4…20 mA) or three-wire (pulse) transmitter, contained within a
conveniently replaceable plug-in electronics module. All electronics are housed in a corrosion-resistant enclosure.
Unlike meters containing metal or moving parts, the RVL is perfect for aggressive or easily contaminated fluids. Applications
range from ultra-pure water to highly corrosive chemicals and slurries. Units can be recalibrated and the meter output span
can be reprogrammed in the field.
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
Operation of the RVL vortex flow meter is based on the vortex shedding principle. As fluid moves around a body, vortices
(eddies) are formed and move downstream. They form alternately, from one side to the other, causing pressure fluctuations.
The pressure fluctuations are sensed by a piezoelectric crystal in the sensor tube, and are converted to a 4…20 mA or pulse
signal. The frequency of the vortices is directly proportional to the flow rate. The results are extremely accurate and repeatable
measurements using no moving parts.
Counter
Blu
Body
Detector
Detector
Figure 1: Operating principle
FLUIDS
Use any clean liquid compatible with the plastic material of construction that does not contain significant amounts of fibers
or abrasive materials.
DO NOT USE WITH EXPLOSIVE OR FLAMMABLE MATERIALS, FOOD OR BEVERAGES, OR GASEOUS FLUIDS.
Viscosities above 1 cSt raise the minimum usable flow rate and reduce the flow range. This effect is linear to viscosity. No
adjustments are required for viscosities up to 2.0 cSt. Liquids with higher viscosities adversely affect the permissible amount
and duration of over range flow. See Table 1.
Viscosity Minimum Maximum Flow Range
1 cSt 1 12 12:1
2 cSt 2 12 6:1
3 cSt 3 12 4:1
4 cSt 4 12 3:1
5 cSt 5 12 2.4:1
6 cSt 6 12 2:1
Table 1: Viscosity and flow range
Page 5 April 2017 VRX-UM-00371-EN-03
General Installation Information
GENERAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION
Before installing the meter:
• Find an area for installation away from large electrical motors, transformers or other devices that can produce high
electromagnetic or electrostatic fields. The vortex transmitter contains electric circuitry that can be affected by
these interferences.
• Proper grounding is required to eliminate electrical noise which may be present within the fluid and piping system or in
the near vicinity of the vortex transmitter. Use exterior grounding strap for non-conductive piping systems to provide a
path to earth ground. Properly ground pipes in conductive piping systems.
Flow Rate and Range Requirements
Most manufacturers state flow range capabilities by publishing the maximum allowed flow rates. Then they provide a
turndown ratio to determine minimum flow rate. To use the turndown ratio, simply divide the maximum rate by the ratio
to determine the minimum rate. Vortex flow meters have a 12:1 turndown ratio at a viscosity of 1 cSt. Higher viscosities will
reduce the turndown.
OTE:N The 1/4 in. NPT and 1/2 in. flare end meters have a standard turndown ratio of 8:1.
Piping Requirements
Turbulence in the pipeline can affect the accuracy of flow meters. Typical sources of turbulence are pumps, valves, change
in pipe diameter or changes-in-direction in the line. Install the meter away from the turbulence source to avoid turbulence
issues. These distances are indicated in Pipe Diameters (PD). For example, 10 PD is ten times the inside pipe diameter away
from the source of turbulence. Follow upstream and downstream distances for all sources of turbulence. See Figure 2 on page
7, Figure 3 on page 8, Figure 4 on page 9 and Figure 5 on page 9 for proper piping distance requirements.
OTE:N Pulsating flow affects accuracy. Pressure pulses affect accuracy.
Page 6 April 2017VRX-UM-00371-EN-03
General Installation Information
Piping Requirements
Configuration
(pipe diameters)
Inlet Outlet
1 plane change
1 plane change w/outlet valve 10
2 plane changes
2 plane changes w/outlet valve 10
Two Plane
Changes
20
27
20 Dia
Minimum
Flow
20 Dia
Minimum
Flow
27 Dia
Minimum
Flow
5
5
5 Dia
Minimum
10 Dia
Minimum
5 Dia
Minimum
Accuracy
(full scale)
Repeatability
(of point)
±1.00% 0.25%
Two Plane
Changes
27 Dia
Minimum
Flow
Figure 2: Horizontal flow with sensing element in vertical orientation
10 Dia
Minimum
Page 7 April 2017 VRX-UM-00371-EN-03
General Installation Information
Configuration
1 plane change
1 plane change w/outlet valve 10 PD
2 plane changes
2 plane changes w/outlet valve 10 PD
Two Plane
Changes
Piping Requirements
Inlet Outlet
20 PD
27 PD
20 Dia
Minimum
Flow
20 Dia
Minimum
Flow
27 Dia
Minimum
Flow
5 PD
5 PD
5 Dia
Minimum
10 Dia
Minimum
5 Dia
Minimum
Accuracy
(full scale)
Repeatability
(of point)
±1.50% 0.25%
Two Plane
Changes
27 Dia
Minimum
Flow
Figure 3: Horizontal flow with sensing element in horizontal position
10 Dia
Minimum
Page 8 April 2017VRX-UM-00371-EN-03
Loading...