On first lifting this substantial text on flow measurement (it weighs in at over 3.5 kilos) one is inclined to view it as a work of reference to be left on the shelf until required to resolve a particular flow measurement problem. However, it is much more; a practical guide to the theory and application of flow measurement coupled with outlines of individual techniques and their installation and operation, with advice on technique selection and potential problems.
The first chapter, which would make a book in itself, sets out the basics of flow measurement and introduces the principal processes/phenomena that can be exploited for flow measurement. Working through the multitude of techniques presented one is in awe at the variety of phenomena that have been exploited to derive flow measurements and the amazing ingenuity of those who developed them.
Operational details of the measurement systems are then provided in succeeding chapters including those that exploit the measurement of head, velocity, impact, centripetal force, the Coriolis effect, and induced voltage in addition to positive displacement metering.
Of course, not all flows are of simple gases, liquids or solids. The flow behaviour of slurries (solid-liquid systems) and multiphase gas-liquid systems (including gas-water-oil) are reviewed with illustrations of the flow regimes that can be expected in these systems.
A further complication is that not all flows are in closed conduits and measurement systems are described for fluid flows in open channels and solid flows on conveyor belts.
From a user’s perspective there is useful advice on control and integration of measurement devices and flow conditioning to improve system performance. Alongside this there are data on the typical accuracy that can be expected for the different systems – one must be realistic about the accuracy of the devices we use. With details of so many procedures it is a pleasure to find that the author has provided selection tables and guidance on the flow measurement techniques that may be employed in a variety of industry sectors including cement, mining, metallurgy, nuclear, and oil and gas. A minor criticism is that despite the 1268 pages some of the process descriptions are rather brief. However, there are substantial lists of references including standards as well as published papers.
Reviewed by Stephan Jefferis
PLANT FLOW MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL HANDBOOK: FLUID, SOLID, SLURRY AND MULTIPHASE FLOW by SWAPAN BASU, 2019. Published by: Academic Press, 1268pp (hbk) ISBN: 978-0-12-812437-6 List Price: £170.00. W: www.elsevier.com/books/plant-flow-measurement-and-control-handbook/basu/978-0-12-812437-6.