- The triangle foam on the acoustic panels for noise absorption: The triangle height determines what is the frequency being absorbed, the triangle foam material determines the absorption factor
- The flame in the combustor tube excites multiple frequencies. The frequency corresponding to quarter wave length of the combustor tube will be amplified because of resonance from the combustor tube.
Happiness
Friday, November 28, 2025
Acoustic padding and combustor resonance
Monday, November 17, 2025
Orifice type flow meter
How to Build a Low-Cost Orifice Plate Mass Flow Meter for Compressed Air (0.07–0.2 kg/s) – Completely DIY in India
If you need to measure compressed air mass flow in the range 0.07 to 0.2 kg/s (roughly 250–700 m³/hr at 6 bar) in a 1-inch pipeline, and you cannot afford a ready-made thermal/Coriolis meter (₹1.5–3 lakh), here is a proven, fully fabricable orifice-plate-based solution that costs only ₹25,000–₹30,000.
Service Conditions
- Fluid: Dry compressed air
- Mass flow range: 0.07 – 0.2 kg/s
- Pipe size: 1 inch Schedule 40 (ID = 27.3 mm)
- Max gauge pressure: 5 bar → ~6 bar(a)
- Max temperature: 60 °C
Step-by-Step Design Calculations
1. Selection of β ratio
Chosen β = 0.50 (best compromise between accuracy and pressure loss)
Orifice bore d = 0.5 × 27.3 = 13.65 mm → 13.6 mm (easy to machine)
2. Expected Differential Pressure
Density at 6 bar(a), 60 °C ≈ 6.27 kg/m³
Using ISO 5167-2 formula →
- At 0.2 kg/s → ΔP ≈ 11.2 kPa ≈ 1140 mmWC
- At 0.07 kg/s → ΔP ≈ 140 mmWC
This range is perfectly measurable with commonly available Indian DP transmitters.
3. Final Orifice Plate Specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pipe ID (Sch 40) | 27.3 mm |
| Orifice bore (d) | 13.6 ± 0.02 mm |
| β ratio | 0.50 |
| Plate thickness | 3–4 mm |
| Material | SS304 |
| Taps | Corner taps |
| Bevel | 45° on downstream side |
| Permanent pressure loss | ≈ 55% of ΔP (≈ 600 mmWC max) |
Fabrication Drawing (Give This to Any Local Workshop)
- Plate size: 80 mm OD circular or 50×50 mm square with handle tab
- Centre hole: 13.6 mm reamed
- Downstream face: 45° bevel
- Upstream face: polished (Ra < 0.4 µm)
- Weld two 6 mm SS nipples on pipe for corner taps
Recommended Instruments (Easily Available in India – 2025 prices)
| Parameter | Make & Model | Range | Approx Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Differential Pressure | WIKA A-10 / Waaree / Galaxy | 0–2000 mmWC | ₹9,000–12,000 |
| Cheap mechanical option | Galaxy Magnehelic type | 0–2000 mmWC | ₹3,500–5,000 |
| Gauge Pressure | WIKA 233.50 / H Guru | 0–10 bar | ₹1,200–2,000 |
| Temperature | Pt-100 RTD or bimetallic | 0–100 °C | ₹800–1,500 |
Field Calculation Formula (Mass Flow)
Mass flow (kg/s) = 0.000178 × √(ΔP in mmWC) × √(P_abs in bar × 288/(T+273))
You can put this formula in Excel or display live value using Arduino + 4-20 mA DP transmitter.
Total Estimated Cost (India – Nov 2025)
- Orifice plate + welding: ₹4,000
- DP transmitter: ₹10,000
- Pressure & temperature gauges: ₹3,000
- Tubing, valves, manifold: ₹5,000
- Optional display/logging: ₹4,000
- Total: ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 only
Is Thermal Mass Flow Meter Easier to DIY?
Absolutely NOT.
- You still need to buy the sensing element (₹15,000–40,000)
- Complex electronics & calibration required
- Not truly DIY
Orifice plate + DP cell + P&T compensation is the cheapest, most robust and 100% locally fabricable solution in India.











