A glass tube rotameter is a type of flow meter used to measure the flow rate of liquids or gases in a pipeline. It consists of a glass tube with a float inside that is free to move up and down with the flow. The float is typically shaped like a cylinder or a ball, and is designed to have a higher density than the fluid being measured.

The flow rate can be determined by observing the position of the float inside the tube and referring to a calibration chart. The glass tube allows the operator to visually observe the float and the flow, making the rotameter a simple, low-cost, and reliable method of flow measurement.

Principle Of Glass Tube Rotameter

The principle of operation of a glass tube rotameter is based on the relationship between the flow rate and the pressure drop across an orifice. The float inside the glass tube is positioned in such a way that it creates an obstruction, or orifice, in the flow stream. As the flow rate increases, the pressure drop across the orifice increases, causing the float to rise. Conversely, as the flow rate decreases, the pressure drop decreases, causing the float to fall.