Wilson Flowgrid Design Guide Rev 1.0 v2
Wilson Flowgrid Design Guide Rev 1.0 v2
0
18/02/2020
Page 1
Recommended Distances
The Wilson Flowgrid and the Wilson Radial Flowgrid have always been designed to be used in
keeping with ISO3966:2020 as far as reasonably practicable, this includes the logarithmic spacing
of sensing positions in order to maximise the mean duct velocity accuracy.
ISO3966:2020 states that in order to achieve a reliable and accurate average flowrate in a stable
closed system it is necessary that the measurement be taken under steady flow conditions
whereby any point velocity does not deviate from the mean by more than ± 25%.
Simply put all that is necessary to meet the ideas outlined in the standard ISO3966:2020, is to
allow enough space for the airflow to regain a steady flow before the measuring instrument. This
can typically also be improved (Overall length of duct work is reduced) with the addition of flow
straighteners after features such as a bend or change in direction of the ductwork. This distance is
expressed in hydraulic diameters and the distance required changes from feature to feature. The
following tables show the key equations and factors necessary to calculate the clear distance
required upstream of a Wilson Flowgrid.
Table 1.0 Key Equations
Function Formula Notes
For these calculations, the width is the longer side
Width (W) W=Longest Side
regardless of orientation.
Sensing Precision Limited, 15-16 Bates Ind Est, Stokenchurch, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 3PD
+44 (0) 1494 363 333 - www.sensing-precision.com - info@sensing-precision.com
Design Appendix - Issue 1.0
18/02/2020
Page 2
Table 2.1 Recommended minimum up-stream distance for a Duct Aspect Ratio Less Than 2 (Rectangular)
an opposed bladed
a 90° bend W/ flow
flow straightener
straightener (m)
straightener (m)
Duct Height (m)
a <1 D bend W/
a 90° bend (m)
contraction (m)
contraction (m)
Aspect ratio
damper (m)
a Tapered
a Sudden
Area (m²)
(m)
W H W/H WxH 2xWxH / (W+H) 5D 3.4D 5D 3.4D 3D 2D 5D 2D 2D
0.3 0.2 1.50 0.06 0.24 1.20 0.82 1.20 0.82 0.72 0.48 1.20 0.48 0.48
0.6 0.4 1.50 0.24 0.48 2.40 1.63 2.40 1.63 1.44 0.96 2.40 0.96 0.96
0.7 0.4 1.75 0.28 0.51 2.55 1.73 2.55 1.73 1.53 1.02 2.55 1.02 1.02
0.8 0.4 2.00 0.32 0.53 2.67 1.81 2.67 1.81 1.60 1.07 2.67 1.07 1.07
0.8 0.6 1.33 0.48 0.69 3.43 2.33 3.43 2.33 2.06 1.37 3.43 1.37 1.37
0.8 0.8 1.00 0.64 0.80 4.00 2.72 4.00 2.72 2.40 1.60 4.00 1.60 1.60
Table 2.2 Recommended minimum up-stream distance for a Duct Aspect Ratio Greater Than 2 (Rectangular)
an opposed bladed
a 90° bend W/ flow
flow straightener
straightener (m)
straightener (m)
Duct Height (m)
a <1 D bend W/
a 90° bend (m)
contraction (m)
contraction (m)
Aspect ratio
damper (m)
a Tapered
a Sudden
Area (m²)
(m)
W H W/H WxH W ² / (W+H) 5D 3.4D 5D 3.4D 3D 2D 5D 2D 2D
0.9 0.4 2.25 0.36 0.62 3.12 2.12 3.12 2.12 1.87 1.25 3.12 1.25 1.25
1.0 0.4 2.50 0.40 0.71 3.57 2.43 3.57 2.43 2.14 1.43 3.57 1.43 1.43
Sensing Precision Limited, 15-16 Bates Ind Est, Stokenchurch, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 3PD
+44 (0) 1494 363 333 - www.sensing-precision.com - info@sensing-precision.com
Design Appendix - Issue 1.0
18/02/2020
Page 3
Table 3.0 Recommended minimum up-stream distance for a Round Duct
bend (m)
bend (m)
(m)
(m)
(m)
W 5D 3.4D 5D 3.4D 3D 2D 5D 2D 2D
0.3 1.50 1.02 1.50 1.02 0.90 0.60 1.50 0.60 0.60
0.6 3.00 2.04 3.00 2.04 1.80 1.20 3.00 1.20 1.20
0.9 4.50 3.06 4.50 3.06 2.70 1.80 4.50 1.80 1.80
Key Notes;
- Our experience shows that a Duct Aspect Ratio closer to one achieves a more stable and
accurate reading when using a Wilson Flowgrid. Therefore, when calculating the minimum
downstream distance required in a duct with an aspect ratio of more than 2, it is
recommended that the effective hydraulic diameter is multiplied by a factor of the aspect
ratio divided by two. Aspect Ratios over 4 should be avoided if at all possible. (examples of
aspect ratios and the formula are shown in the table on the next page.)
- For Round Duct work the diameter of the duct is also the hydraulic diameter.
- These values have proven to be reliable estimates over time; however, we always
recommend that any flow measuring device is calibrated within the system that it is installed
in to achieve the best possible accuracy.
Sensing Precision Limited, 15-16 Bates Ind Est, Stokenchurch, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 3PD
+44 (0) 1494 363 333 - www.sensing-precision.com - info@sensing-precision.com
Design Appendix - Issue 1.0
18/02/2020
Page 4
About Sensing Precision
Sensing Precision and its preceding companies have been specialists in air measurement
since 1955 and have developed a number of technologies that are still the gold standard for
air measurement to this day. Examples include the Ellipsoidal Nose Pitot Tube (Developed
alongside the National Physics Laboratory), The Open Jet Wind Tunnel and of course the
Wilson Flowgrid. We have also carried out even more development work carried out
alongside institutes such as the National Physics Laboratory (NPL), the National
Environmental Laboratory (NEL), the British Coal Utilisation Research Association
(BCURA) and the Central Electric Generating Board (CEGB).
It is this heritage and experience that allows us to provide real insight into air measurement
problems regardless of scale and work with the design team to supply the highest quality
equipment so that you can get the best possible results. If you have any questions about air
measurement or any of our products, please do get in touch.
E & O EXPECTED. WHILST SENSING PRECISION LMITED TRIES TO ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT IS ACCURATE, IT DOES NOT ACCEPT
LIABILITY FOR ANY INACCURACIES.
Sensing Precision Limited, 15-16 Bates Ind Est, Stokenchurch, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 3PD
+44 (0) 1494 363 333 - www.sensing-precision.com - info@sensing-precision.com