Optimize the Rectifier Structure to Improve the Accuracy of Gas Ultrasonic Flowmeter Under Low Flow Conditions

Abstract With the promotion of the coal-to-gas policy, the consumption of civil natural gas in China is increasing rapidly. Improving the measurement accuracy of the flowmeter is of great significance in reducing transportation costs. Computational fluid dynamics software (FLUENT) was used for simulation, the upstream choke model of a single elbow pipe was established, and the flow field in the urban pipe network’s transition area was analyzed and optimized to improve the existing commercial flow Conditioner. The effects of the Reynolds number, the installation location of the ultrasonic gas flowmeter, and aperture depth on measurement accuracy were investigated. The results show that installing the flow Conditioner can improve the velocity distribution of the flow field in the pipeline. Optimizing the flow Conditioner can shorten the installation position of the flowmeter. The optimum thickness of the flow Conditioner is 0.25D. The research results provide important theoretical significance and application value for improving the industry’s ultrasonic gas flowmeter measurement accuracy.