Design of a flow deflector for an accurate flow meter calibration facility

The design and test of a flow deflector gate used for controlling the flow deviation toward the primary tank in a flow-meter calibration facility is presented. The deflector gate is pneumatically controlled and permits the flow conduction to either the suction tank or to the primary tank. The deflector is designed to approximately compensate the flow deficit towards the primary tank during the opening, with the flow excess while in the shutting process. Numerical simulations are performed to study the flow hydrodynamics during the deflector operation. Results are compared to experimental data, and used to improve the gate design. The enhanced design proved to guarantee the uniformity of the flow through the calibration section and the dramatic reduction of the error in volume measurement during calibration.