All pumps require a smooth, regular symmetrical inlet liquid fluid flow profile for efficient operation. Pump manufacturers typically recommend 10 diameters of straight pipe be placed upstream from their pumps to avoid creating the turbulent flow conditions that can lead to pump cavitation.
Many times, however, such a long straight pipe run is impractical because of insufficient plant real estate, the need for elbows or U-joints, flow meters, valves and other equipment. In these all too real world situations, the installation of a flow conditioner solves the problem by vigorous mixing action that eliminates the irregular flows prior to contact with the inlet port on the pump.
The resulting pre-conditioned flow stream achieved with the Vortab Elbow Flow Conditioner from The Vortab Company mimics the straight run needed for efficient pump operation and removes asymmetric velocity flow profiles. In addition to conditioning the flow stream, the 90-degree angle tab-type Vortab Elbow Flow Conditioner eliminates the straight pipe run cost and installation technician labour.
The Vortab Elbow Flow Conditioner isolates the flow irregularities and conditions the flow stream into a swirl-free and symmetrical velocity profile. Swirl reduction and velocity profile correction occur naturally in long lengths of straight pipe due to diffusion and turbulent mixing. Vortab’s anti-swirl and inclined vortex generating profile correction tabs, projecting from the inside pipe surface, generate vortices that accelerate these natural pipe effects to create a uniform, non-swirling, symmetrical flow profile in a much shorter section of pipe.
The simple, flexible designs of the Vortab Elbow, the Vortab Insertion Panel (VIP) and the Vortab Insert Sleeve, Short Run, Meter Run and Field Kit configurations provide a cost effective solution to crowded installations for flow meters and other critical process equipment. Vortab provides the most effective flow disturbance isolation, lowest pressure drop and least affected by fouling of any of the flow conditioners available.
Vortab flow conditioners can be made from carbon steel, 316L stainless steel or Hastelloy C-276. A variety of process connections are also available–ANSI flanges, male NPT threads, butt welded preps or retaining wafers. Delivery time for the VORTAB flow conditioner is available in less than five weeks, depending on size. Custom configurations are also available from the factory.