Bell VFM60 Series Reference manual

VFM60 Series
Vortex Flowmeter
Introduction Manual

VFM-60
Vortex Flowmeter
Rev1.3
Date:24/04/2020 User’s Manual
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CONTENTS
Support................................................................................................................................................2
Place an order ..................................................................................................................................2
1 General.....................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Model Number and General Specification...........................................................................4
1.2 Packing List...........................................................................................................................4
1.3 Storage...................................................................................................................................4
1.4 HazardousArea Installation:.................................................................................................4
1.5 Measuring principle:.............................................................................................................5
2 Installation........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Find Most Suitable Location.................................................................................................6
2.2 Requirement on straight pipe line.........................................................................................6
3 Wiring.............................................................................................................................................10
3.1 Wiring for 5-terminal board................................................................................................11
3.1.1 Wiring for 3 wire pulse output.................................................................................11
3.1.2 Wiring for 2 wire HART@4~20mA........................................................................11
3.1.3 Wiring for RS485.....................................................................................................12
3.2 Wiring for 12-terminal board..............................................................................................12
3.2.1 Wiring for 3 wire pulse output.................................................................................12
3.2.2 Wiring for 4 wire 4~20mA......................................................................................13
3.2.3 Wiring for 4 wire HART@4~20mA........................................................................13
3.2.4 Wiring for RS485.....................................................................................................14
3.3 Shell grounding and elimination of interference................................................................14
3.4 Requirement on wiring .......................................................................................................14
4 Display ...........................................................................................................................................15
4.1 Intruction of multi-functional LCD display........................................................................15
4.2 Unit of the variable displayed.............................................................................................17
4.3 Three button setting ............................................................................................................17
4.4 Total flow displaying ..........................................................................................................18
4.5 Status...................................................................................................................................19
5 Setting.............................................................................................................................................19
5.1 How to set ...........................................................................................................................19
5.1.1 Code setting .............................................................................................................19
5.1.2 Digital setting...........................................................................................................20
5.2 Setting list ...........................................................................................................................21
5.3 Example of setting ..............................................................................................................26
5.4 Password setting instruction...............................................................................................26
6 Instruction of RS485 Modbus Communication.............................................................................27
6.1 Interface regulation.............................................................................................................27
6.2 Commends ..........................................................................................................................29
6.3 Calculation of CRC parity code..........................................................................................30
6.4 The float date format of the instrument..............................................................................31

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6.5 The sequence of the float date bytes of instrument............................................................31
6.6 Modbus error reponse.........................................................................................................32
6.7 Examples of communication ..............................................................................................33
7 Introduction of HART communication protocol ...........................................................................34
7.1 HART commands................................................................................................................34
7.1.1 Command 0:Read transmitter unique identifier......................................................34
7.1.2 Command 1: Read primary variable value (PV).....................................................34
7.1.3 Command 2:Read primary variable’s current and percentage value ......................35
7.1.4 Command 3:Read primary variable current and dynamic variables.......................35
7.1.5 Command 6:Write polling address..........................................................................36
7.1.6 Command 11:Read unique identifier associated with tag.......................................36
7.1.7 Command 12:Read message....................................................................................37
7.1.8 Command 13:Read tag, descriptor, date..................................................................37
7.1.9 Command 14:Read primary variable sensor information: device serial number and
limits..................................................................................................................................38
7.1.10 Command 15: Read primary variable output information....................................38
7.1.11 Command 16: Read final assembly number..........................................................39
7.1.12 Command 17: Write message................................................................................39
7.1.13 Command 18: Write tag, descriptor, date..............................................................39
7.1.14 Command 19: Write final assembly number.........................................................40
7.1.15 Command 34: Write primary variable damping value..........................................40
7.1.16 Command 35: Write primary variable range values..............................................40
7.1.17 Command 36: Write primary variable upper limit value ......................................41
7.1.18 Command 37: Write primary variable lower limit value ......................................41
7.1.19 Command 40: Enter/Exit primary variable current mode.....................................42
7.1.20 Command 45: Trim primary variable current DAC zero......................................42
7.1.21 Command 46: Trim primary variable current DAC gain......................................43
7.1.22 Command 140: Reset totalizer ..............................................................................43
8 Maintaining....................................................................................................................................43
8.1 How to reverse the transmitter front and back ...................................................................43
8.2 Replace a transmitter circuit boards ...................................................................................44
9 Troubleshooting and repair............................................................................................................44
9.1 Safty introduction................................................................................................................44
9.2 Troubleshooting and repair.................................................................................................45
9.3 Self-diagnose funcstion.......................................................................................................46
10 Remark.........................................................................................................................................47
Appendix...........................................................................................................................................48

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Vortex Flowmeter
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1 General
Every VFM60 vortex flowmeter will be carefully inspected before delivered to users.
Please carefully check if there is any damage on the package and product when you received them
Please check if the package contains all the accessories according to 1.2 or your purchase order.
Please make sure the person in charge of this device has carefully read this manual and understand its
descriptions.
1.1 Model Number and General Specification
Please check if the model number and specifications on the name plate match your requirement on the
purchase order.
Please kindly record the model number and instrument ID code, which will be required if you need and
service or support from us.
1.2 Packing List
When you recived the package, please check if it contains the items as below:
VFM60 vortex flowmeter x1
User’s manual x1
Calibration certificate x1
Quality certificate x1
Cable (For remote type only, length according to customer’s requirement)
Counter flanges (For wafer type, or for flanged type when customer requied so)
Screws and bolt (For wafer type, or for flanged type when customer requied so)
1.3 Storage
If the product needs to be stored for a long period before use, please be awared of below:
(1) The product should be kept in the origin package and same as it was when received.
(2) Please store the product in a proper location according to the requirements below:
Not in a uncovered field.
Not in a location where could have great vibration.
Please keep the enclosure of the meter closed.
The ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity should be:
Temperature:
-20~+60℃
；RH：
5%~99%
；Pressure：
86~106Kpa
1.4 Hazardous Area Installation:
Our vortex flowmeter can be installed in hazardous area according to the approval below:
Exd IICT3 (NEPSI) NOT EUROPE or USA

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1.5 Measuring principle:
Vortex flowmeter measures the flow by sensing the vortices in the flow according to “Karman Vortex
Street”. When put an shedder in the path of flow, vortices are alternately shed on each side (see picture
1.2)
1.2 Von Karman vortices
The frequency of vortices (f) is in direct ratio with velocity of flow (v) and in inverse ratio with width
of obstacle (d).
f=St*v/d (formula 1)
v=fd/St (formula 2)
St is Strouhal Number, is a dimensionless constant related to shape of the shdder, which can be get by
testing. St is Strouhal Number, is a dimensionless constant related to shape of the shedder, which can
be get by test.
Because d and St is constant, flow velocity (v) and average velocity (v0) also have certain relationship
( v0=v/(1-1.25d/D) ), so, you could get v0 by having the frequency of vortices shedding (f) , and then
get the mass flow. The ration between quantity of vortex in a certain period of time and the volume of
the flow pass by is called coefficient of the instrument (K)
K=N/V (formula 3)
VFM60 series digital vortex flowmeter is designed to provide most reliable performence. This series of
vortex flowmeter is designed on PA60 plateform. Every part utilized is universal for all VFM60 series
products. The circuit boards use signal isolation and self-diagnose technology. VFM60 series utilize
spectrum analizing signal process technology, which ensured lower under measuring limit and better
turndown ratio. The enhanced version uses unique dual-sensor design and vibration signal analyzing
technology to improve its anti-vibration cabability and provide with more stable reading. VFM60 also
has density calculation function as option, which means it can calculate the density and measure mass
flow rate of air/satureated steam/superheated steam without secondary device. It also has AGA-NX-19
and AGA-8 algorithm to measure natural gas directly.

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2 Installation
2.1 Find Most Suitable Location
(1) Ambient temperature
Please avoid installing the flowmeter at a location where temperature could dramaticly changes. If
the meter is under heavy heat radiation, please implement effective heat insulation and venting method.
(2) Atomosphere
Please do not install the meter at a locaition where the atomosphere contains a high level of
corrosive substance. If can not install the meter at a better location, please make sure there is enough
venting.
(3) Vibration
The meter should not be installed at a location where could have strong vibration. If the mounting
pipeline could have heavy vibration, the pipe line should be hold steady by some support racks.
(4) Caution
(a) All screws and bolts should be tighen.
(b) Make sure there is not leakage point on the connection.
(c) The process pressure should not be higher than the meter’s rated pressure.
(d) Once the meter is under pressure, please do not screw the bolts and screws.
2.2 Requirement on straight pipe line
Standard
Down sized

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Upsized
Curve pipeline
Dual-curve pipeline
Steam measurement
(Only allow
installation in
shadow areas)
when medium over 150°C(302°F),
recommend flow meter installs
vertical to the pipeline (as picture), or
install on a horizontal pipe, flow
meter recommend to install in the
shadow areas.
Valve in
downstream
Valve in upstream

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Pressure
sensor:2~7D
downstream of
flowmeter
Temperature
sensor: 1~2D
downstream of
pressure sensor
Roots blower or
piston blower or air
compressor in
upstream
Roots blower or piston blower or air compressor or pump in upstream, could
cause vibration of the fluid itself. To eliminate this vibration, please install a
orifice plate or a upsized pipe at about 25D upstream the meter. The valve
should be located downstream the flowmeter in this condition
After a piston pump
Please install a accumulator to reduce the vibration
T type pipeline in
upstream
When upstream pipe line is T typethe flowmeter and a valve downstream the
meter is shut (see above picture), the fluid will all flow towards direct B, but
the meter may still have reading for it may be detecting the pulsating
pressure. Please move the valve to upstream of the meter to avoid this
situition

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Gaskets should not
get into the pipeline
Heat insulation: If
the fluid is in high
temperature, the heat
insulation material
should not cover the
heat dissipation hole
on flow meter
Pipe cleaning: If
thepipeline need to be
cleaned, please use a
subtitied pipe to
replace the flowmeter
to invoid the meter
being damaged by the
cleaning fluid

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3 Wiring
VFM60 vortex flowmeter has 2 different terminal boards, the 5-terminals board and the 12
terminals board, please reference to picture 3.1 and 3.2 below.
V+ V- A B
Picture 3.1 5-terminals board
V+ V- RT3
RT2RT1
I-
I+ A B
P-
P+
Picture 3.2 12-terminals board
On above boards, V+ and V- are for power. is pulse output terminal. A, B are “+” and “-” for
RS485Modbus communication, I+ and I- are + and –for 3-wire or 4-wire 4~20 mA.RT1, RT2, RT3 are
for separate RTD. P+,P- are for pressure transmitter . VFM60 multi –variable version has built in RTD
and pressure sensor, so clients are not required to wire for temperature or pressure compensation.