Vortex CV-HS Meter for Steam
Our CV-HS Vortex meter employs the use of Piezoelectric crystals as sensors, mounted in the flow body downstream of the shedder bar.
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The meter of choice for high pressure saturated and super-heated steam
The Cadillac® High Sensitivity (CV-HS) Vortex Meter is a rate and totalizing meter which is capable of measuring liquid, steam and gas. Due to its rugged design it is particularly suitable for direct saturated steam measurement. In any steam system the Cadillac® Vortex Meter is the number one technology choice due to Cadillac®’s accuracy, linearity, reliability and rangeability.
Like many other flow meters, the Cadillac® Vortex Meter is a velocity measuring device which computes flow by multiplying the effective cross sectional area of the flow meter with the detected fluid velocity. The meter has no moving parts and consists of a meter & bluff body (shedder bar) and amplifier assembly. It detects velocity by measuring the frequency of the vortices, as they peel off the shedder bar of the flow meter. The frequency of these “Karman” vortices is directly proportional to the velocity of the moving fluid, whether this is a gas or liquid.
Cadillac Vortex CV-HS Meter for Steam
Explore the operating principle, steam applications, performance, flow-range guidance, available configurations, installation requirements and selection considerations for the Cadillac Vortex CV-HS Meter. This guide covers both saturated and superheated steam measurement.
High-Sensitivity Vortex Metering for Steam
The Cadillac® High Sensitivity CV-HS is a rate-and-totalizing vortex flow meter designed for measuring liquids, gases and steam. Its rugged, no-moving-parts construction makes it particularly suitable for direct saturated and superheated steam measurement.
The meter determines flow velocity by measuring the frequency of Karman vortices generated as the process fluid passes its shedder bar. The measured velocity is combined with the effective flow area to calculate flow rate. Depending on the selected electronics, readings can be displayed locally, totalized or transmitted to a remote energy management, control or building-automation system.
Steam Applications
Configurable for direct saturated-steam measurement and compensated superheated-steam systems.
No Moving Parts
Vortex frequency is detected electronically without a mechanical rotor, turbine or other moving flow element.
Flexible Installation
Published configurations include wafer-style, insertion and hot-tap insertion meter arrangements.
Application sizing is essential: Steam condition, line size, pressure, temperature and expected minimum and maximum flow rates should be reviewed for every CV-HS application. Selecting a meter solely by nominal pipe size can compromise low-flow performance and usable rangeability.
How the CV-HS Vortex Meter Works
As steam passes the CV-HS shedder bar, alternating areas of low pressure form downstream. These repeating Karman vortices place a small alternating force on the sensing structure.
Piezoelectric crystals detect the resulting pressure pulses and convert them into electrical signals. Because the frequency of the vortices is directly proportional to fluid velocity, the meter electronics can use the calibrated K-factor to calculate flow rate and totalized flow.
Steam Crosses the Shedder Bar
Flow through the meter encounters the precisely formed bluff body.
Karman Vortices Form
Alternating vortices are shed downstream in proportion to velocity.
Sensors Detect Pulses
Piezoelectric crystals convert the repeating pressure changes into electrical signals.
Electronics Calculate Flow
Vortex frequency is converted into instantaneous and totalized flow.
Mass-Flow Compensation by Steam Condition
| Steam Condition | Measurement Inputs | Application Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Saturated Steam | Flow measurement with the selected mass-compensation configuration and temperature sensing. | Published Cadillac Meter material states that direct saturated-steam mass computation can be configured without an external pressure input. Confirm the intended compensation basis during selection. |
| Superheated Steam | Flow, temperature and external gauge-pressure measurements. | The pressure and temperature inputs allow the connected mass-flow electronics or flow computer to compensate using steam-property data. |
Available signal functions: Depending on the selected electronics and connected system, the CV-HS can provide local indication and totalization together with remote 4–20 mA, pulse or building-automation-system outputs.
Accuracy, Rangeability and Best-Fit Selection
CV-HS performance depends on matching the selected meter configuration to the complete steam operating envelope. Low-flow capability is affected by fluid velocity, density and Reynolds number, while the upper measuring limit is governed by the electronics’ ability to distinguish individual vortices.
| Performance Parameter | Published Guidance |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | ±1.0% of reading for liquids, gases and steam. |
| Typical Rangeability | Typically 15:1 turndown. |
| Best-Fit Rangeability | Up to 30:1 when the meter is sized for the application’s actual flow range. |
| Gas and Steam Velocity Reference | The published sizing narrative identifies approximately 250 ft/s as the typical high-end velocity reference for gases. |
| Calibration | The live product specification states that the meter is calibrated and supplied with a NIST calibration certificate. |
Why Best-Fit Sizing Matters
Steam demand can vary significantly according to season, production schedule and point-of-use demand. A meter selected solely to match the existing line size may not generate a reliable vortex signal at the lowest operating flows.
Best-fit selection evaluates the required minimum and maximum flow, steam density and available piping arrangement. An optimized meter size or insertion configuration may provide more useful turndown than a full-line-size meter selected without an application review.
Information Required for Sizing
- Saturated or superheated steam
- Nominal line size, pipe schedule and material
- Minimum, normal and maximum flow rates
- Minimum and maximum operating pressure
- Operating temperature range
- Available upstream and downstream straight run
- Nearby elbows, reducers, valves and other disturbances
- Required display, outputs, communications and approvals
Do not extrapolate beyond the selected range: Published flow ranges identify the operating envelope within which the stated accuracy can be achieved. Outside those limits, accuracy deteriorates and becomes increasingly dependent on installation quality and operating conditions.
Published Saturated-Steam Flow Ranges
The following legacy Cadillac Meter table provides preliminary minimum-to-maximum saturated-steam flow ranges at several gauge pressures. All flow values are expressed in pounds per hour.
Scroll horizontally to view the complete table on a phone or narrow screen.
| Meter Size | 5 psig | 10 psig | 20 psig | 50 psig | 100 psig | 150 psig |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75 in | 8–132 | 11–204 | 14–280 | 16–410 | 23–702 | 29–980 |
| 1 in | 14–220 | 18–331 | 22–454 | 27–676 | 38–1,158 | 48–1,620 |
| 1.5 in | 31–537 | 42–780 | 51–1,070 | 65–1,616 | 92–2,850 | 110–4,000 |
| 2 in | 55–901 | 68–1,287 | 84–1,763 | 115–2,775 | 170–4,760 | 215–6,670 |
| 3 in | 120–2,005 | 150–2,834 | 185–3,884 | 255–6,210 | 385–10,650 | 480–15,000 |
| 4 in | 215–3,500 | 260–4,881 | 320–6,688 | 455–11,000 | 670–18,550 | 830–26,000 |
| 6 in | 498–7,920 | 588–11,077 | 725–15,179 | 1,050–24,500 | 1,500–42,000 | 1,900–58,900 |
| 8 in | 850–15,200 | 1,017–19,181 | 1,255–26,280 | 1,800–47,000 | 2,600–81,000 | 3,300–115,000 |
| 10 in | 1,372–23,940 | 1,603–30,234 | 1,980–41,430 | 2,915–74,080 | 4,175–126,990 | 5,235–178,110 |
| 12 in | 1,900–34,000 | 2,275–42,915 | 2,810–58,805 | 4,050–106,000 | 5,900–180,000 | 7,400–253,000 |
How to Read the Table
Each range represents the published minimum and maximum steam flow for that nominal meter size at the stated gauge pressure. It is not a recommended meter selection by itself.
Confirm Current Sizing
This is legacy published data intended for preliminary screening. Confirm current meter availability, steam quality, actual pressure, temperature, pipe internal diameter and required accuracy with Cadillac Meter.
Important: Insertion and hot-tap configurations must be checked against the exact line size, internal pipe diameter and mounting geometry. Do not use this table as a fabrication or procurement specification.
Meter Configurations and Published Specifications
The CV-HS product family can be configured around the required piping arrangement, steam condition, indication and control-system interface. Final availability and ratings must be confirmed for the exact meter body, process connection and electronics selected.
| Category | Published Options and Guidance |
|---|---|
| Meter-Body Configuration | Wafer-style inline, insertion and hot-tap insertion arrangements. |
| Indication | Local or remote indication, with blind-housing configurations also published. |
| Flow Information | Instantaneous and totalized flow can be displayed locally. Remote availability depends on the selected converter and output configuration. |
| Primary Analog Output | 4–20 mA. The legacy brochure specifies 14–36 VDC, two-wire operation for the published analog configuration. |
| Additional Outputs | The live product page lists pulse and analog outputs. The connected CMASS application layouts also show configurable pulse or analog signals and building-automation communications. |
| Sensing Technology | Vortices are detected by piezoelectric crystals hermetically sealed within the sensing assembly. |
| Mass-Flow Computation | MASS electronics are published for direct saturated-steam mass computation. Superheated-steam systems require pressure and temperature compensation. |
| Noise-Immunity Adjustment | The live specification lists one-button auto-tuning for the meter’s noise-immunity circuits. |
| Calibration | Published as calibrated with a NIST calibration certificate. |
| Remote Electronics Cable | The legacy model-code sheet lists a maximum cable length of 300 feet between the electronics and flow tube. |
Published Pressure and Temperature Ratings Conflict
−40°F to 650°F
−40°F to 500°F
These values may relate to different configurations, pressure classes or revised product limits. They must not be combined into one operating envelope. Confirm the allowable working pressure and temperature for the exact body style, probe, process connection, valve assembly, material and approval required for the project.
Installation and Straight-Run Requirements
Proper flow conditioning is essential for stable vortex measurement. Cadillac Meter’s published steam guidance specifies a baseline of at least 10 nominal pipe diameters of straight run upstream and 5 nominal pipe diameters downstream.
The same 10D upstream and 5D downstream arrangement appears in the supplied 2024 saturated- and superheated-steam application drawings.
Installation Checklist
Confirm Flow Direction
Align the meter’s flow-direction arrow with the actual direction of steam flow.
Preserve Straight Run
Provide the published 10D upstream and 5D downstream baseline around the meter.
Position Disturbances Carefully
Keep valves, reducers, expanders and other disturbances outside the prescribed straight-run zone where practical.
Verify Insertion Geometry
Confirm insertion depth, probe orientation, process connection and required valve assembly.
Protect Remote Electronics
Support the electronics securely and route interconnecting cable away from excessive heat and electrical noise.
Apply Insulation Correctly
Insulate steam piping as required without covering service points or exposing the electronics to excessive temperature.
Check Compensation Inputs
For superheated steam, verify that pressure and temperature transmitters are correctly installed, powered and scaled.
Commission the Complete System
Verify steam condition, engineering units, scaling, totalization and every mapped output before placing the system into service.
Disturbance-specific review is still required: The published 10D/5D arrangement is a minimum baseline, not a universal guarantee. Elbows in multiple planes, headers, control valves, partially open valves, reducers and poor steam quality can require additional straight run or flow-conditioning measures.
CV-HS for Saturated-Steam Measurement
This application arrangement shows a CV-HS-I insertion vortex meter connected to a Cadillac CMASS wall-mount enclosure for saturated-steam flow measurement.
The CV-HS provides a 4–20 mA flow input to the CMASS system. A separate temperature-transmitter input is also shown, together with configurable outputs and communications to a building-automation system.
Flow-Meter Input
The diagram shows the CV-HS input loop-powered by the connected CMASS enclosure and providing a 4–20 mA flow signal.
Temperature Input
A separate loop-powered temperature transmitter is connected to the CMASS system in the published arrangement.
System Outputs
The CMASS enclosure can provide configurable pulse or analog outputs and supported building-automation communications.
Selection note: The application sheet labels this insertion arrangement for line sizes from 6 to 72 inches. Confirm current availability, probe dimensions, insertion depth, process connection and line-size suitability before specifying or fabricating the installation.
CV-HS for Superheated-Steam Measurement
Superheated-steam mass and energy measurement requires more than volumetric flow alone. The published system arrangement combines a CV-HS-HT insertion vortex meter with separate pressure and temperature measurements connected to a Cadillac CMASS energy flow station.
The CMASS system uses the measured flow, gauge pressure and temperature to calculate compensated steam properties and provide mass-flow or energy information to local and remote systems.
Volumetric Flow Input
The CV-HS-HT insertion meter measures vortex frequency and supplies the flow input used by the CMASS system.
Gauge-Pressure Input
A separate pressure transmitter provides the live steam-pressure measurement required for compensation.
Temperature Input
The temperature transmitter supplies the corresponding live superheated-steam temperature measurement.
Compensated Calculation
The flow station combines the three measured inputs with steam-property data to calculate compensated mass flow or energy.
Published Process Connections
- 1½-inch FNPT process connection for the published CV-HS insertion arrangement.
- ½-inch FNPT weld-o-let process connections for the pressure and temperature instruments shown.
Engineering confirmation required: The application diagram is conceptual and is not a construction submittal. Verify all pressure ratings, materials, tapping locations, valve assemblies, insertion dimensions, transmitter ranges and electrical requirements for the actual steam system.
Published Dimensions and Model-Code Guidance
The following legacy dimensions and model-code information are provided for preliminary reference. Obtain current certified documentation before ordering equipment or fabricating the installation.
Wafer-Style Meter Dimensions
Dimensions are in inches and correspond to the letter references in the published dimensional drawing.
0.75 in: W 0.75, H 12.75, E 2.25, C 5.50, B 5.00, A 11.63, 5 lb
1 in: W 0.75, H 13.13, E 2.63, C 5.50, B 5.00, A 11.82, 5 lb
1.5 in: W 0.75, H 14.00, E 3.50, C 5.50, B 5.00, A 12.25, 6 lb
2 in: W 0.75, H 14.75, E 4.25, C 5.50, B 5.00, A 12.63, 7 lb
3 in: W 1.25, H 16.00, E 5.50, C 5.50, B 5.00, A 13.25, 11 lb
4 in: W 1.50, H 17.50, E 7.00, C 5.50, B 5.00, A 14.00, 16 lb
6 in: W 2.00, H 19.50, E 9.00, C 5.50, B 5.00, A 15.00, 26 lb
Hot-Tap Insertion Dimensions
Dimension A by line size: 2 in = 27.75; 4 in = 26.75; 6 in = 25.75; 8 in = 24.75; 10 in = 23.75; 12 in = 22.75; 14 in = 21.75; 16 in = 20.75; 18 in = 19.75; 20–24 in = 18.75.
Common published dimensions: B = 7 in; D = 10 in; H = 36 in; published assembly weight = 25 lb.
Published Model-Code Structure
Family: CV = Cadillac Vortex; HS = High Sensitivity.
Sizes: A = 0.75 in, B = 1 in, C = 1.5 in, D = 2 in, E = 3 in, F = 4 in, G = 6 in, H = 8 in, I = 10 in, J = 12 in, K = 14 in, L = 16 in and N = 18 in.
Electronics: S = standard; M = mass electronics with integral RTD.
Converter: II = integral indicator/totalizer; IN = integral blind; RC = remote converter.
Body: W = wafer; I = insertion; HT = hot-tap insertion.
Published options: ANSI Class 150 or 300 for wafer bodies, legacy 900 psig testing for insertion assemblies and FM approval where applicable.
Confirm the complete model number: Not every published size, body, electronics, pressure and approval combination will necessarily be available or suitable for the application.
CV-HS Steam-Meter Selection Checklist
Provide the following information when requesting an application review or quotation. A complete operating envelope allows Cadillac Meter to evaluate the meter body, measurable range, compensation, installation and electronics as one system.
Steam condition: Confirm whether the application uses saturated or superheated steam.
Piping: Provide line size, schedule, material and actual internal diameter.
Flow range: State minimum, normal and maximum steam flow.
Operating conditions: Provide minimum and maximum pressure and temperature.
Installation: Include a piping sketch showing straight run, elbows, valves, reducers, headers and other disturbances.
Meter configuration: Identify any preference for wafer, insertion or hot-tap installation.
Electronics: Specify local display, totalization, remote mounting, outputs, communications, power and required approvals.
Do not select by pipe size alone: Minimum steam load, operating density and available straight run determine whether the meter can provide the required low-flow performance and rangeability.
Ready to Size the CV-HS?
Review the complete guide or send Cadillac Meter your steam conditions and piping information for application verification.