THE INFLUENCE OF BLUFF BODY SHAPE AND FEEDBACK CHANNELS ON THE ACCURACY AND SENSITIVITY OF VORTEX FLOWMETERS

Vortex flowmeters are widely used for measuring liquid and gas flows due to their high accuracy and reliability. Their operation is based on the generation of vortices formed by a bluff body (BB), the parameters of which significantly affect the metrological characteristics of the device. This study investigates the influence of the BB shape and the presence of a feedback channel (FBC) in its design on the vortex formation processes. The research was conducted using numerical modeling of hydrodynamic processes via the finite element method in the Comsol Multiphysics environment. Cylindrical and trapezoidal BB shapes, both with and without FBC, were analyzed at flow velocities of 0.11, 0.27, and 0.44 m/s. The results showed that incorporating an FBC increases the vortex shedding frequency, enhancing the flowmeter's sensitivity, and reduces the amplitude of the forces acting on the BB, thereby improving the device's operational stability. The findings of this study hold practical value for the design of vortex flowmeters, contributing to improved accuracy, durability, and operational reliability.