Fluid Flow Metering and Mixing Technologies

The following matrix can help you determine which version of the technology best meets your needs for a specific application.

• Chemical processing facilities
• Manufacturing facilities
• Ground test facilities
• Industrial processing
• Petro-chemical processing
• Mechanical operations
• Mining
• Water analysis
• Liquid rocket engines
• Space propulsion
• Combustion nozzles
• Spray nozzles
• Variable orifice steam jets
• Venturi applications
• Density measurements
• Flow conditioners
• Compressor and pump inlets
• Near pipe bends, tees, elbows

How It Works

The innovations included in this technology suite are variations of the same base technology, which typically consists of a fluid plate or plug of varying thickness. The device is simple to install and can be mounted between two flanges in a fluid-flow conduit, or it can be threaded or welded into the conduit. In some curved pipe applications, the device can be integrated into a pipe fitting, bend, elbow, or tee.

The face of the plug features several openings through which fluid flows. The orientation and position of these openings varies, depending on the needs of a specific application. The design balances fluid flow and kinetic energy across the plug face to create a desired flow effect. The device can smooth the fluid flow for superior conditioning, decrease turbulence for highly accurate metering, or increase turbulence to enhance fluid mixing. For example, discrete openings parallel to the fluid flow will decrease turbulence for accurate metering and conditioning. Other shapes of fluid openings can be introduced to change flow velocity or energy.

Whether flow mixing or conditioning is the goal, the device can be outfitted with flow pressure and temperature sensors to measure flow rate and other parameters of interest. However, the accuracy of flow rate measurements will be far greater in flow conditioning applications. In applications where fluid mixing is the primary goal, flow rate measurements typically are not as accurate because the mixing is dependent on increased fluid turbulence. For specialized applications, the device can be designed to include a radial port for injection of one or more fluids or slurries into the flow conduit, to induce mixing.

Why It Is Better

The base for Marshall’s suite of flow metering, mixing, and conditioning technologies is a unique innovation that offers improved performance in a wide range of applications. It is the only small, easy-to-install device of its kind that provides the ability to control turbulence, improve metering accuracy, or encourage thorough mixing. The innovation also facilitates rapid recovery of fluid pressure, helping to decrease power requirements and their associated costs.

In addition, unlike many conventional technologies, the suite of flow metering, mixing, and conditioning technologies has no moving parts and is minimally intrusive. Moving parts or tubes employed by other technologies can protrude into the flow, break off, and cause damage to equipment located downstream. Some other flow measurement technologies necessitate expensive hardware modifications for Doppler or optical applications that require windows installed into the pipes, and many require complicated design modifications to perform additional functions, such as mixing and conditioning. In comparison, the multi-channel flow plug offers a highly efficient means of balancing flow for metering, mixing, and conditioning in a single device, one that is minimally invasive and requires few hardware modifications to serve a wide variety of applications.

Patents

Marshall has received patent protection for MFS-32733-1 (U.S. Patent No. 7,621,670 (link opens new browser window)) and is seeking patent protection for MFS-32748-1 and MFS-32761-1.

These technologies are part of NASA’s Innovative Partnerships Program, which seeks to transfer technology into and out of NASA to benefit the space program and U.S. industry. NASA invites companies to inquire about the licensing possibilities for Marshall’s flow metering, mixing, and conditioning technologies (MFS-32748-1, MFS-32005-1, MFS-32733-1, MFS-32761-1, MFS-32185-1, and MFS-32171-1) for commercial applications.

If you would like more information or want to pursue transfer of this technology, please contact us via phone or email at:

(919) 249-0327

For more information about other technology licensing and partnering opportunities, please visit:

Technology Transfer and Partnership Office (link opens new browser window)
NASA's Marshall Space Center

Fuentek is a contractor to NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program, providing support for the access and transfer of technology