What is Vortex Shedding?
Posted on November 27, 2008
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“What is Vortex Shedding? No, it is not something that has to do with pet hair.” That was the question of the day written on the teacher’s blackboard, and I had to answer it by 8am tomorrow.
It is basically an unsteady stream or flow that happens when fluid passes through an obstruction or blunt object. It will create waves, ripples or oscillations, but when the flow stops, the oscillations stop also. Flow meters that are used for fluid, such as lubrication systems, can generate oscillations that result from flow. If you increase the flow, the frequency of movements or oscillations will increase also. An attached sensor can detect the movement and a transmitter that is electronic can generate flow measurement signals.
When using a mass air flow sensor, if the air temperature changes the density, it will expand and contract with the temperature and pressure. Vortex shedding flow meters are used to measure velocity of gases, vapors and liquids in pipes. There is a chance that the flow meter will shut off immediately if the application requires a low range. The vortex shedding flow meter is designed to shut off at too low of levels. If you run them too low, then there will be an inaccurate reading and possibly even read a zero. Piping vibrations can also send an inaccurate reading which makes the flow meter unreliable in those conditions.
I may never use this information, but now I know!
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