Tek-DP 1640A Venturi Tube is extensively used as a flow restriction in order to measure differential
pressure in pipes and flow lines. This measurement is used to calculate volumetric flow.
1.2 Certifications
Tek-DP 1640A has UL, CE, NTEP, and HMO certification.
1.3 Safety Instructions from the Manufacturer
1.3.1 Disclaimer
The manufacturer will not be held accountable for any damage that happens by using its product,
including, but not limited to direct, indirect, or incidental and consequential damages.
Any product purchased from the manufacturer is warranted in accordance with the relevant
product documentation and our Terms and Conditions of Sale.
The manufacturer has the right to modify the content of this document, including the disclaimer,
at any time for any reason without prior notice, and will not be answerable in any way for the
possible consequence of such changes.
1.3.2 Product Liability and Warranty
The operator shall bear authority for the suitability of the device for the specific application. The
manufacturer accepts no liability for the consequences of misuse by the operator. Wrong
installation or operation of the devices (systems) will cause the warranty to be void. The
respective Terms and Conditions of Sale, which forms the basis for the sales contract shall also
apply.
1.3.3 Information Concerning the Documentation
To prevent any injury to the operator or damage to the device it is essential to read the
information in this document and the applicable national standard safety instructions. This
operating manual contain all the information that is required in various stages, such as product
identification, incoming acceptance and storage, mounting, connection, operation and
commissioning, troubleshooting, maintenance, and disposal.
1.4 Safety Precautions
You must read these instructions carefully prior to installing and commissioning the device. These
instructions are an important part of the product and must be kept for future reference. Only by
observing these instructions, optimum protection of both personnel and the environment, as well
as safe and fault-free operation of the device can be ensured.
For additional information that are not discussed in this manual, contact the manufacturer.
Venturi Tubes are differential pressure flow measurement devices particularly designed to
measure non-viscous, clean liquids and gases. The prominent features of Venturi tubes include
maximum pressure recovery, minimal upstream and downstream pipe length requirement.
Tek-DP 1640A Venturi Tubes are available in various models for normal liquid applications and wet
gas applications. Tek-DP 1640A series Venturi Tubes provide consistent accuracy, maximum
pressure recovery and sustained performance for various applications where permanent pressure
loss is intolerable.
2.2 Measuring Principle
A Venturi Tube is nothing but a tubular section with a constriction in it. It has a convergent nozzle
section towards upstream and a divergent diffuser section towards downstream which is
responsible for creating a Venturi effect in the flowing fluid.
The Venturi Tube is placed inside the pipe or positioned between two flanges. It is ensured that
the pipeline is completely filled with a fluid, while operating the device. A differential pressure
sensor is attached between the two points, convergent and divergent sections, to determine the
fluids' differential pressure.
Fig 1: Venturi Tube Cross-Section
The DP sensor measures the pressure of the fluid flow, upstream and downstream. The differential
pressure (P1-P2) is proportional to the flow rate and can be determined by mathematical
equations and appropriate calibration. Bernoulli described this relation between differential
pressure and volumetric flow rate by a mathematical equation.
Where ρ is density of fluid.
The differential pressure generated, ΔP, is proportional to the square of mass flow rate Qm. In
simple terms, or a given size of restriction, higher the Δp, higher is the flow rate.
Tek-DP 1640A Venturi Tubes are available in various models for single phase gas, liquid
applications, steam and wet gas application. The Tek-DP 1640A Venturi Tube is available in the
following two configurations:
2.3.1 Classical Venturi
The convergent inlet is like a truncated Venturi Tube. The Classical Venturi is used in gas and fluid
flow applications, where low pressure loss is a primary requirement and can prevent sediment
clogging.
2.3.2 Venturi Nozzle
The convergent inlet matches with the structure of a flow nozzle. The Venturi nozzles are suitable
in the measurement of superheated fluid, steam and gas, where the pressure gradient is below
critical, and the flow pattern is steady.
• When removing the instrument from hazardous processes, avoid direct
All installation must comply with local installation requirements and local
Tek-DP 1640A
3 Installations
This section covers instructions on installation and commissioning. Installation of the device must
be carried out by trained, qualified specialists authorized to perform such works.
• The pressure taps on the primary device should be between the center of the horizontal line
and the pipe (3 o’clock to 12 o’clock or 9 o’clock to 12 o’clock) shown in figure 16.
• The taps should be vertical to allow the liquids to drain away from the secondary device if
the fluid is a “wet gas,” i.e., a gas containing small quantities of liquids.
• For gases, the connecting lines from the primary device to the secondary device should be
slope upwards.
• The recommended slope for self-draining is a minimum of 30°.
3.4.2 Vertical Installation Gases
• Standard taps can be used in clean, dry, non-condensing gases, where no liquid or dirt can
fill the Venturi Tube.
• The position of the transmitter is not critical.
• The transmission lines should be straight to the transmitter or horizontal and then up or
• The pressure taps should be between the center of the horizontal line and 60° below the
centerline (3 o’clock to 5 o’clock or 7 o’clock to 9 o’clock) shown in figure 18.
• Taps at the bottom-dead-center may accumulate solids if they are present in the liquid and
taps above the centerline will accumulate air or non-condensing gases.
• The taps should be more than 60° to the horizontal plane in any case.
• In most process applications, the presumption should be made that there may be gas or
vapor associated with a liquid, even though the liquid is water.
• The piping must then allow gas to rise back into the flowing medium.
• The DP piping should be carried out horizontally for a short distance and then down to the
transmitter and the transmitter should be below both taps.
*Note: Wall taps must be used for dirty liquids. Standard taps should only be used on clean liquids.
Fig 19: Vertical Installations for Liquids
3.6 Installations for Steam
3.6.1 Horizontal Installation for Steam
• Steam applications require careful consideration during installation.
• Steam at a very high temperature can damage the transmitter. Additionally, it can be in the
liquid or gaseous phase, depending on temperature and pressure. Therefore, the DP
pipework must be positioned in such a way that it can operate with a gas or liquid present.
• The pressure taps should be on the center of the horizontal line(3 o’clock or 9 o’clock ) of the
primary device. In condensing hot vapor service, such as steam, the fluid in the impulse lines
is liquid condensed from the vapor. In this case, the pressure taps should be horizontal with
the impulse lines and positioned to the DP transmitter, as shown in figure 20.
• There is a concern that before the lines fill with condensed liquid and cool, the secondary
system will become exposed to the vapor temperature at start-up. In this case, it is wise to
have a plugged tee fit in the impulse line to allow the liquid (water for steam service) to be
filled with the impulse line and secondary unit before starting up (see Figure 20).
• Cryogenic (very low temperature) systems may require special designs, which are not
considered here.
• The liquids in the lines will isolate the secondary device from the temperatures of the primary
flowing fluid.
• Over a short distance of 100 mm (4”) to 200 mm (8”), the temperature difference can be
considerable.
Fig 20: Horizontal Installation for Steam
3.6.2 Vertical Installation for Steam
• Wall Taps are mostly recommended for condensing vapors, preventing condensation from
the buildup in the Venturi Tube or evaporating and changing the DP.
• The impulse lines are shut down horizontally to a “T” at a minimum distance of 18” for
saturated and superheated steam to reduce the temperature to below the saturation
temperature.
• The “T” enables a plug to be installed at the top for the liquid filling to avoid overheating of
the DP cell.
• The manifold block will be placed directly below at a distance to maintain the DP transmitter
at a safe operating temperature.
•Vent low side of transmitter to ensure the
signal responds to pressure changes.
•Process conditions do not match actual
flow coefficient.
•Foreign material trapped in gauge lines. Dirt
o’clock).
•Flow calculations have an error.
signal directly.
Unsteady Signal
•Partially full pipe occurring (liquids only).
wrong readings. See above for details.
•Insufficient Power supply to generate signal.
Check power specifications for transmitter.
Slow response time
Transmitter
Dampening.
Sudden change in readings
•Foreign object lodged in meter.
and raise the DP.
Tek-DP 1640A
conditions.
ontact Tek-Trol or your sales representative to
•C
recalculate using the correct process
conditions.
Wrong Signal High or Low
Tek-DP 1640A
Gauge Lines
• Wrong meter.
• Verify serial numbers on meters to ensure
correct specifications.
ometimes two meters are interchanged.
•S
Remember each Venturi Tube has a unique
and sediment can settle into the gauge lines. If
the fluid is safe, vent the gauge lines and
inspect for spurts of solids, gasses, or liquids
(whichever should not be there).
•I
f the fluid is not safe, open the center manifold
valve for several minutes under high DP. Close
the valve and compare the signal level to
before readings.
n a horizontal, liquid application, install the
•I
meter with the taps on the sides of the pipe (3
or 9 o’clock). For a horizontal, gas application,
install at top or sides of the pipe (12, 3, or 9
Flow Computer
Tek-DP 1640A
Transmitter
Tek-DP 1640A
•Use loop calibrator and apply 4, 12, and 20mA
to computer / system.
•Each of these points should be correlate with
the Venturi Tube sizing information.
•Ze
errors more pronounced at the low end of the
transmitter range.
•Verify by closing the manifold side valves and
opening the center valve. The reading should
go to zero (4mA).
•R
ecalibrate if necessary. DP span is set very
Instruction Manual
Tech nology S olutions
23
•Use pressure calibrator or handheld
communicator to verify span point.
•Both the transmitter and flow computer are set
error will increase dramatically as the signal
Use a loop calibrator to check 12mA point.
•4mA set to minimum flow.
offset.
•Manifold is cross-vented. The center valve
valve is not closed completely.
•Leak on high pressure gauge line.
transmitter.
•Perform a leak check on valve to identify leak
to verify span point.
• Neither the transmitter nor flow computer is
• Use a loop calibrator to check 12mA point.
Tek-DP 1640A
to take the square root of the signal.
Transmitter/
Flow Computer
Flow Computer
Manifold
he signal will be correct at 20mA. The positive
•T
decreases from 20mA.
•
• Our calculations assume that 4 mA will be
equal to zero flow. Sometimes 4 mA is set to
equal the minimum flow on the sizing page.
•This error will be zero at maximum flow and
increase as the flow decreases.
he amount of error will depend on the zero
•T
must be closed.
test, close the two side valves and watch the
•To
transmitter signal.
•I
f the signal goes to zero (4mA), the center
Signal Very Low
Gauge lines
Transmitter
Transmitter/
Flow Computer
•Perform a leak check from the meter to the
on high pressure vent valve.
ro point when shifted negatively will cause
•Ze
errors more pronounced at the low end of the
transmitter range. Verify by closing the
manifold side valves and open the center valve.
The reading should go to zero (4mA).
Recalibrate if necessary.
ransmitter DP span is set too high hence use
•T
pressure calibrator or handheld communicator
set to take the square root of the signal. The
signal will be correct at 20mA.