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H. Koizumi, M. Serizawa
Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, Volume 19, Issue 6, December 2008
Abstract
A simple measurement method of micro volumetric flow rate with high precision and low cost is proposed for industrial use. Poiseuille flow is obtained within a very short entrance length, especially for low Reynolds number flows. A locally accelerated thermal flow is produced by a small electric heater which is placed in the center part of an upwardly directed Poiseuille flow. It was found that the mean velocity of locally accelerated flow Va between the heater and the thermal sensor, which accelerates the local maximum velocity of the base Poiseuille flow, is directly proportional to the volumetric flow rate Qv in a pipe within low Reynolds number flows. Qv can be obtained by using the linear relationship between Va and Qv. The validity of measuring the flow rate below 1 mL/min was confirmed for both water and air flows experimentally and numerically. Numerical simulation was performed using unsteady two-dimensional Boussinesq equations in order to validate the measurement principle of this new micro flowmeter, and also to determine the optimized flowmeter design, such as the most suitable sensor position and the amount of Joule heating.
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