The Multi-Objective Optimal Design of Flow Sensor on Heat Meter

A flow sensor and two temperature sensors are included in a traditional heat meter. But in heat exchanger based heat meter, if the temperature of water is measured, the flow value can be obtained according to the mathematical relationship between flow rate and water temperature at inlet and outlet of heat exchanger. Thus the inaccuracy of flowmeter measurement caused by water quality in the traditional heat meter can be effectively avoided. Because of the complexity of the heat exchanger structure, it is difficult to obtain the analytical solution between the flow rate and the temperature of water. Such problem can be effectively solved by CFD fluid numerical simulation. The optimum structure of heat exchanger can be found, the relationship between flow rate and temperature of water can be obtained and the pressure drop of heat exchanger is minimized through the process of numerical simulation and Powell method.