Rotameter is a flow meter that measures the flow rate of gases or liquids. The word "rotameter" is spelled as /rəʊtəmiːtər/. The first syllable 'ro' is pronounced with a rounded vowel /rəʊ/, the second syllable 'ta' has a short /ə/ sound, and the last syllable 'meter' is pronounced with a long vowel /miːtər/. The word has a stress on the second syllable ('ta'), and it's written as one word. The spelling and pronunciation of "rotameter" follow the general rules of English phonetics.
A rotameter is a type of flow meter that measures the rate of flow of a gas or liquid in a closed system. It consists of a vertically positioned glass or plastic tube with a tapered shape and a float inside. The float moves up and down in the tube as the fluid flows through it, indicating the flow rate. The movement of the float is directly proportional to the velocity of the fluid passing through the tube.
Rotameters typically have calibrated scales along the outside of the tube, allowing users to easily read the flow rate. The scale is often graduated in units such as liters per minute or cubic feet per hour, depending on the application. In addition to the float inside the tube, rotameters also usually include a needle valve at the inlet to control the flow rate.
The operation of a rotameter is based on the principle of buoyancy. As the fluid flows through the tapered tube, it exerts a force on the float, causing it to rise. The greater the flow rate, the higher the float will rise. The height of the float is then read on the scale to determine the flow rate of the fluid.
Rotameters are commonly used in various industries to measure and control the flow of liquids and gases. They are particularly useful in applications where a continuous and precise measurement of flow rate is required, such as industrial processes, water treatment plants, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and research laboratories.
The word "rotameter" is derived from the Latin word "rota", meaning "wheel", and the suffix "-meter", indicating a device or instrument used for measuring. Thus, "rotameter" refers to a flow meter that uses a rotating wheel to measure the flow rate of a fluid.