Meter flow conditioner

Abstract

A fluid conditioner for a fluid traveling through a conduit, the conduit having a longitudinal axis and substantially circular cross-section. The fluid conditioner includes a static mixing element and a straightener plate. The plate is affixed to a substantially rectangular member located downstream of the static mixing element and oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the conduit, the plate substantially covering the cross-section of the conduit having a plurality of openings to facilitate the passage of the fluid within the conduit.

1 . A flow conditioner for a fluid traveling through a conduit, said conduit having a longitudinal axis and substantially circular cross-section, said fluid conditioner comprising a static mixer element and plate, said static mixer element positioned upstream of said plate, wherein said plate is substantially circular and substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and substantially covering the cross-section of said conduit and having a plurality of openings to facilitate the passage of said fluid within said conduit, said openings being of a size and density to substantially eliminate any fluid profile resulting in said fluid being distributed evenly across said conduit, and further comprising a fluid flow meter, said fluid flow meter receiving and discharging fluid flowing within said conduit having been acted upon by said flow conditioner. 
     
     
         2 . A flow conditioner for a fluid traveling through a conduit, said conduit having a longitudinal axis, circular cross-section and straight run downstream of a flow disturbance feature, said flow conditioner comprising a static mixer element and plate, said static mixer element positioned upstream of said plate wherein said plate is substantially circular and substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and substantially covering the cross-section of said conduit and having a plurality of openings to facilitate the passage of said fluid within said conduit, said openings being of a size and density to substantially eliminate any fluid profile resulting in said fluid being distributed evenly across said conduit, and further comprising a fluid flow meter, said fluid flow meter receiving and discharging fluid flowing within said conduit having been acted upon by said flow conditioner, said static mixer element and plate being positioned within said straight run and, in combination, reducing the distance between said plate and flow disturbance feature upstream of said straight run and reducing the distance between said plate and said fluid flow meter as compared to a flow conditioner devoid of said combination. 
     
     
         3 . The flow conditioner of  claim 2  wherein said flow disturbance feature comprises an elbow in said conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The flow conditioner of  claim 2  wherein said flow disturbance feature comprises a valve. 
     
     
         5 . The flow conditioner of  claim 2  wherein said flow conditioner is located within zero pipe diameters of said flow disturbance in at approximately three pipe diameters of said meter.