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The Doppler flowmeter measures the velocity of
particles moving with the flowing fluid . Acoustic
signals of known frequency are transmitted, reflected
from particles, and are picked up by a receiver.
The received signals are analyzed for frequency
shifts and the resulting mean value of the frequency
shifts can be directly related to the mean velocity
of the particles moving with the fluid. Software
can be used to reject stray signals and correct
for frequency changes caused by the pipe wall
or transducer protective material. Doppler flowmeter
performance is highly dependent on physical properties
such as the liquid's sonic conductivity, particle
density, and flow profile. Likewise, nonuniformity
of particle distribution in the pipe cross section
results in a computed mean velocity that is incorrectly
weighted. Therefore, the meter accuracy is sensitive
to velocity profile variations and to distribution
of acoustic reflectors in the measurement section.
Unlike other acoustic flowmeters, Doppler meters
are affected by changes in the liquid's sonic
velocity. As a result, the meter is sensitive
to changes in density and temperature. These problems
make Doppler flowmeters unsuitable for highly
accurate measurements in some applications. Doppler
meters play a very important role where other
meters will not work. These might be liquid slurrys,
aerated liquids or liquids with some small or
large amount on suspended solids

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