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How Does a Pitot Tube Flow Meter Work in Wet Air?

A Pitot tube flow meter for wet compressed air works on the differential pressure principle. It uses a stagnation port facing the flow and a static port positioned sideways. The pressure difference between these two points is used to calculate the air velocity according to Bernoulli’s principle.

With additional temperature and pressure data, the meter can determine the flow rate under defined reference conditions. Because this method does not rely on heat transfer, it is well suited for wet compressed air and less sensitive to moisture than thermal mass flow meters.

Pitot tube flow meters offer a simple, robust design, low pressure drop and reliable long-term performance. They are especially suitable for applications with влажный compressed air where thermal measurement technologies may be less suitable.

What are the typical conditions of air directly at the compressor outlet?

The typical conditions of air directly at the compressor outlet are that it is wet and often dirty, primarily due to the presence of compressor oil. To ensure the quality of the compressed air, it must be filtered, and water and oil separators should be installed. The pressure at the compressor outlet can reach up to 90 bar, and the oil amount is expected to be around 10.00 mg/m³.