Vortab Elbow Flow Conditioner

The Vortab Elbow Flow Conditioner helps to eliminate the turbulent fluid flows that result in pump cavitation, which can lead to line shutdowns, maintenance and shorter pump life.

Pump cavitation often occurs after liquid swirls and bubbles form in a pipe. These turbulent asymmetrical flow patterns create a vacuum suction that once it reaches a pump’s impeller will cause high-pressure shock waves. The resulting stress on the impeller blades pits them and requires extra maintenance or costly replacement.

Pump manufacturers typically recommend 10 diameters of straight pipe be placed upstream from their pumps to avoid creating the turbulent flow conditions that can lead to pump cavitation. When this is impractical, the pre-conditioned flow stream achieved with the elbow flow conditioner mimics the straight run needed for efficient pump operation and removes asymmetric velocity flow profiles. In addition to conditioning the flow stream, the 90° angle tab-type conditioner eliminates the straight pipe run cost and installation technician labour.

The conditioner’s anti-swirl and inclined vortex generating profile correction tabs, projecting from the inside pipe surface, generate vortices that accelerate natural pipe effects to create a uniform, non-swirling, symmetrical flow profile in a much shorter section of pipe.

The flow conditioners can be made from carbon steel, 316L stainless steel or Hastelloy C-276. A variety of process connections are also available, including ANSI flanges, male NPT threads, butt welded preps or retaining wafers.