Abstract
Present study deals with the problem of “pulsation error” in the measurement of mean flow-rate of a pulsating stream by the use of a float (area) type flowmeter. This error appears as the “deviation” of the flow-rate value indicated by the mean float-position from the true value of the mean flow-rate, in a pulsatile flow. The cause and magnitude of the “deviation” are examined theoretically based on the equation of motion of the float. A relevant experimental study is also carried out. It is found that the “deviation” in a sinusoidal pulsation of small amplitude may be expressed in a product form of the magnitude of the mean flow-rate, square of the amplitude of the flow-rate pulsation and a characteristic value which is determined by the flow Reynolds number, pulsation frequency and a damping parameter.
