Orifice Assemblies
Integrated flow solutions for small and large pipelines - accurate, repeatable, and compliant with global standards.
Endress+Hauser offers orifice-based flow assemblies for accurate DP flow measurement. Integral orifice carriers combine plate and tappings in one unit, ideal for pipes without tapping provisions. Carrier assemblies mount between flanges for precise readings. Orifice flange assemblies simplify setup with built-in tappings. Meter runs include calibrated pipe sections for high-accuracy needs like custody transfer. Explore options in more detail below.
Benefits
- Integral Orifice Carriers
• Space-saving design for tight installations
• Simplified installation and maintenance, eliminating the need for separate tapping provisions
• Suitable for low/moderate Reynolds number flows in clean liquids, gases and steam - Orifice Carrier Assemblies
• Multiple different options for tapping configurations
• Robust and modular design, compliant with ISO 5167 and ANSI B16.36 standards
• Suitable for clean fluids and low-velocity steam within small to medium pipe sizes - Orifice Flange Assemblies
• Simplified installation with no need to drill into the pipe
• Ideal for clean liquids, gases and steam while supporting high-pressure applications with minimal leakage risk
• Available in multiple different flange types - Orifice Meter Runs
• Highest level of accuracy amongst DP flow elements
• Compliance with ISO 5167 and AGA standards with availability for direct transmitter mounting and secondary systems
• Minimised flow profile disruption and installation errors
Integral Orifice Carrier
An integral orifice carrier is a compact flow measurement device that combines an orifice plate and pressure tappings into a single unit. They are designed for differential pressure flow measurement of liquids, gases and steam in small-bore pipelines where space is limited or pipe tapping is impractical. It typically features integrated pressure tappings, a one-piece or split-ring construction.
Orifice Carrier Assembly
An orifice carrier assembly is a flow measurement device that positions an orifice plate between two carrier rings or within a carrier body. They provide accurate differential pressure tappings for measuring the flow of clean liquids, gases or steam. These assemblies are typically installed between standard pipe flanges and are designed to meet ISO5167 and ANSI B16.36 standards. There are multiple configuration options such as single or double ring carriers, corner or annular chamber tappings.
Orifice Flange Assembly
The traditional orifice flange assembly consists of an orifice plate and a pair of orifice flanges. An orifice flange assembly removes the need to drill further into the pipe, thus ensuring the tapping is as per the standard. This type of assembly allows for the orifice plate to be interchangeable (either bore diameter or plate rating etc). As standard, all of the flanges in these assemblies come as weld neck, but other types of flanges are available upon request.
Orifice Meter Runs
Orifice flanged meter runs are generally used for small diameter pipes within the range of DN15 to DN40. They incorporate not only an orifice plate within a ‘carrier’, but also upstream and downstream pipe sections with the required lengths in accordance with ISO5167 standards. The orifice meter runs consist of annular chambers, orifice plates and 2 flanged pipe sections.
Tapping options
There are four different types of tapping options available for orifice assemblies: flange tapping, corner tapping, vena contracta (radius) tapping and pipe tapping.
Flange Tapping – Flange taps are the most common and are generally used for pipes that are sized from 2” and above. The pressure tapping is positioned 1” (25.4mm) from either face of the orifice plate. They are also usually drilled through the body of the orifice flanges as detailed in the standard ANSI B16.36.
Corner Tapping – These taps are similar to flange taps in many aspects except for the fact that the pressure is measured at the ‘corner’ between the orifice plate and the pipe wall. Typically, these taps are used in pipes where the size is that of 2” or less. This tapping type can be achieved by either a single tapping or an annular chamber within a carrier ring. The annular chamber “averages” the pressure around the pipe which improves accuracy.
D - D/2 (Vena Contracta / Radius) Tapping – Often referred to as “vena contracta” or “radius” taps, these offer the greatest differential pressure for any given flow rate. Tappings are positioned one pipe diameter upstream for the high-pressure tapping location and one-half diameter downstream for the low-pressure tapping location.
Pipe Tapping – Pipe taps are located 2.5 pipe diameters upstream and 8 pipe diameters downstream from the orifice plate. They are typically used in existing installations, where other tapping configurations cannot be used. They are also used in applications of greatly varying flow however accuracy is reduced.
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