Under what flow conditions should closed-pipe (pressure conduit) flowmeters be installed?

Closed-pipe flowmeters, which measure the flow of liquid or gas within pressurized conduits, should be installed in a section of pipe that remains full under all normal discharge conditions. This requirement is crucial because flowmeters rely on having a consistent and uninterrupted flow to provide accurate measurements. When the pipe is full, the flow is stable, which allows the flowmeter to operate correctly by ensuring that it can effectively measure the velocity of the fluid without interference from air pockets or fluctuations in pressure that could occur if the pipe were partially filled or if it were operating in an open channel.

Installing the flowmeter in a section that remains full ensures that the measurements reflect the actual flow rate and are not influenced by external factors such as changes in pressure or the introduction of air. Accurate flow measurement is essential for monitoring, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in various environmental and engineering applications.