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A new differential pressure flow meter for measurement of human breath flow: Simulation and experimental investigation
Author(s) -
Bridgeman Devon,
Tsow Francis,
Xian Xiaojun,
Forzani Erica
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.15143
Subject(s) - pitot tube , multiphysics , laminar flow , mechanics , turbulence , differential pressure , flow measurement , flow (mathematics) , flow conditioning , magnetic flow meter , tube (container) , pressure measurement , materials science , mechanical engineering , acoustics , physics , engineering , reynolds number , structural engineering , finite element method
The development and performance characterization of a new differential pressure‐based flow meter for human breath measurements is presented in this article. The device, called a “Confined Pitot Tube,” is comprised of a pipe with an elliptically shaped expansion cavity located in the pipe center, and an elliptical disk inside the expansion cavity. The elliptical disk, named Pitot Tube, is exchangeable, and has different diameters, which are smaller than the diameter of the elliptical cavity. The gap between the disk and the cavity allows the flow of human breath to pass through. The disk causes an obstruction in the flow inside the pipe, but the elliptical cavity provides an expansion for the flow to circulate around the disk, decreasing the overall flow resistance. We characterize the new sensor flow experimentally and theoretically, using Comsol Multiphysics ® software with laminar and turbulent models. We also validate the sensor, using inhalation and exhalation tests and a reference method. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J , 62: 956–964, 2016