Orifice Meter Blowdown Flow Control

The Madden Orifice Meter gives the boiler operator precise repeatable control of the continuous blowdown flow rate. 17 different hole sizes are drilled in the stainless steel orifice plate. Each hole is precision drilled to a diameter that will produce the flow shown on he flow chart, see pages 3 and 4. By selecting a larger hole the continuous blowdown flow is increased, or by selecting a smaller hole number on the index band the blowdown is reduced. Four different orifice plates (1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A) are available to provide a blowdown flow range suitable for the boiler operator to maintain the target boiler water quality level.

The boiler must have a continuous blowdown skimmer pipe installed inside the boiler drum, with the opening for the pipe within 6" of the normal water level in the boiler drum. The Madden Orifice Meter may be mounted near the boiler or near a continuous blowdown heat recovery system. The constant blowdown flow provided by the Madden Orifice Meter makes it an ideal device for use in conjunction with a blowdown heat recovery system, see Madden Blowdown heat recovery system for details.

The Madden Orifice Meter has been in production for almost 50 years. The units are generally used on industrial boilers from 200 HP up to over 100,000 PPH steam production, operating at pressures from 50 psi up to 650 psi. One unit is required for each boiler. The meter can be utilized as the sole flow control device or pipe in parallel with a conductivity sensing blowdown control. The units are also used with non-fired boilers and reboilers used in refineries. The Madden Orifice Meter is guaranteed for up to 10 years against damage from cutting, wire drawing, or other distortion in the orifice plate.