Handheld tools for CFM measurement... Suggestions?

Several customers want to do VFD on big-ass dust collector fans. I need a measuring device that can be inserted into a duct intake or test port and measure CFM.

These ducts are at least 60" round and the systems have airflow at the fan of 150,000 cfm. We need to verify what slowing those fans down does to the CFM on all the ductwork branches.

Is there an electronic instrument out there today capable of doing that? I can do it other ways, like using duct pressure and trying to extrapolate the data, but I'd really like to verify it with a REAL CFM reading.

Any suggestions?

Jake

Reply to
Jake
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Ummm... I think that 'BAC' on the side stands for 'Baltimore Air Coil', not 'Big Ass Collector', Jake :-)

Regardless of where the transducer is ( tip integrated or remote ). BTW - placement is VERY critical. I've been on jobs where the flow was ACTUALLY 10,000 CFM or whatever, but the system read 'zero' or even 'negative', due to incorrect sensor placement.

You need to be at least 6 duct diameters downstream from any turns or transitions ( so, 30 feet in your case ) - more is better - and if you can place multiple sensors and average them, so much the better. Turbulance, and variations in the laminar flow can throw any given spot 'out'.

You could go with something like

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, a Duct Mount Anemometer, but it's STILL subject to the issues above.

You need to traverse the duct, if putting a hood on the oulets is not an option.

One of our newer members may have something to add on the subject :-)

Reply to
pjm

Oh - you said 'hand held'. OK, same thoguhts apply as re : measruing position, but ...

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and here

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and search 'anemometer'

Reply to
pjm

Good luck with that. I can verify that slowing down the fan will reduce cfm in each of those branches, and I can do so without even having taken measurements :)

The relative flow rates, which you seem to be interested in, will not necessarily remain proportional over changes in fan speed, especially if equal friction wasn't a consideration in the system's design. If turning vanes aren't present then you have even more problems introduced by turbulence, a science that for all practical purposes doesn't yet exist.

If proportional flow rates are what you are in fact attempting to check, then get yourself some good duct design software and do it the easy way.

Richard Perry

Reply to
RP

Jake,

Try a TSI Velocicalc. I have one and I love it. This is a hot wire annemometer with other options, dependong on the model. If you enter the duct size, whether round or rectangular, and do the traverse, it will give you actual CFM. It does all the math for you to eliminate math mistakes. Mine also has pressure ports for hooking up a pitot tube, good of there is dust in the duct when you test, still does the math. Dust will ruin the thernal sensor over time, Mine also measures differentioa bressure across coils etc. And it measures wet bulb, dew point and relative humidity in a duct. Telescoping probe i 40" long, so you will have to measure from both sides of the duct, unless you can buy a 60 inch pitot tube. TSI do not sell pitot tubes but dwyer does.

Very versatile instrument, I love vaving mine. The model I have was about $2100.00. Not cheap, but worth it.

Stretch

Reply to
stretch

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I have dealt with this supplier a few times and they are really pros Their catalog is amazing and its free

Rich

Reply to
Geoman

What model are you using? I looked at TSI's web site and they have an array of stuff. Is it the 'multi-parameter' model line?

Maybe a rotating van model would do the job as I do have duct sizes and might be able to calc it easily enough. Looks like these instruments have the capability of logging/download so dumping the data into a spreadsheet or utility program might be OK.

The prices don't look too bad in their on-line store, either.

The airflow in these systems are gonna be dirty and quite likely above 225 (f) most of the time if I'm measuring under operating conditions (which I should be !). They typically feed wet 'scrubbers'.

If you've got more info, I'd appreciate it.

Jake

Reply to
Jake

Jake,

You will have trouble getting a rotating vane anemometer inside a duct. The thermo-anemometer probe will be ruined by long exposure to dust. Use a pitot tube, hooked to the TSI.

If you get a cheap instrument, your results will be less accurate. If you want to guess, skip the instruments and just guess.

I will look up the model number of my TSI and post it later.

Rotating vamne anemometers have their bearings wear out after prolonged use and lose accuracy. They can also block the duct. Rotating vane anemometers are best used to measure uniform flows to or from grilles.

Stretch

Reply to
stretch

You've never seen Jake's hole saw :-)

Reply to
pjm

I don't want a 'cheap' instrument... as a matter of fact, I don't think I have any now (-;.

I'm just looking for the best instrument for the job is all. If I'm going to ruin either type, I might as well ruin the one that's less expensive (not cheap).

I'll have to do some calcs on the bigger diameters to see if the rated measurement flow would still be OK in the main system.

150,000 cfm will pull your hard-hat off!!

Jake

Reply to
Jake

Does he still use that old Homelite?

Reply to
Oscar_Lives

Not if the duct is big enough :-)

Reply to
Noon-Air

Dust removal systems usually require very high velocities in the duct to carry the dust. Dust won't hurt the pitot tube. and neither will the high velocities. My instrument is a model 8386 from TSI.

Stretch

Reply to
stretch

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