Product Overview
The Preso Ellipse averaging pitot tube (commercial grade) is Badger Meter’s lower-pressure, cost-effective insertion DP element for buildings, campuses and central plants — the same self-averaging probe as the industrial Ellipse, trimmed to the duty and budget of building air-handling, hydronic and light plant service. It covers 2–24 in. lines for liquid or gas to 400 psig / 250°F, holding ±0.75% of reading at ±0.1% repeatability on the BAR / BHL / BHR models; where a simple, economical air or water reading is enough, the BIN round-pitot model runs ±3% at the lowest cost. Compression (BAR), hot-tap dual-rod (BHL) and wet-tap (BHR, 75 psig / 120°F) bodies install or service under pressure, and an optional integral 100Ω RTD (480°F standard, 1000°F high-temp) supports temperature-compensated or BTU energy metering. When the line runs hotter or higher than 400 psig / 250°F, step up to the industrial Ellipse. Pair the element with a DP transmitter to read flow.
Key Features & Benefits
- Commercial building grade — matched to building and central-plant duty — the economical Ellipse variant for hydronic, air-handling and light plant service
- Hot- and wet-tappable — BHL hot-tap dual-rod and BHR wet-tap (safety-chain) models install or service under pressure, with no shutdown
- Averaging-pitot accuracy — the multi-port probe averages the velocity profile for ±0.75% of reading at ±0.1% repeatability; the economical BIN round pitot trades that down to ±3% where a simpler air or water reading is enough
- Integral RTD option — a 100Ω RTD (480°F standard, 1000°F high-temp) can be ordered integral to the element for temperature-compensated or BTU service
- Low permanent pressure loss — an insertion probe that samples rather than restricts the flow
- Liquid or gas — one element technology across both phases of commercial service
Specifications
- Measurement principle
- Averaging pitot tube — a commercial-building-grade insertion probe that averages the velocity profile across the pipe to create a differential pressure proportional to flow; the lower-pressure, lower-cost counterpart to the industrial Ellipse.
- Accuracy
- ±0.75% of reading on the BAR / BHL / BHR averaging-pitot models; ±3% on the BIN round-pitot model
- Repeatability
- ±0.1%
- Line sizes
- 2–24 in.
- Max pressure / temperature
- 400 psig / 250°F (BHR wet-tap model 75 psig / 120°F)
- Compatible fluids
- Liquid or gas (commercial building service)
- Model variants
- BAR (compression); BHL (hot-tap dual-rod); BHR (wet-tap with safety chain, 75 psig / 120°F); BIN (round pitot, ±3%)
- Connection styles
- Compression, hot-tap dual-rod and wet-tap. Optional: integral TT3 / TT5 (3- or 5-valve) transmitter-mount manifold (rated to 225°F); integral 100Ω RTD temperature sensor (480°F standard, 1000°F high-temp)
- Straight-run requirement
- Upstream straight run required to settle the flow profile
- Permanent pressure loss
- Low — the probe only samples the flow
Common Applications
- Hydronic (chilled / hot water) and supply / return air flow in buildings
- Building and campus utility sub-metering
- Commercial water and low-pressure gas mains
- BTU / thermal-energy metering with the integral-RTD option
- Hot-tap or wet-tap retrofit into an existing line without a shutdown
Design & Selection Considerations
- A primary element, paired with your transmitter — Preso supplies the DP primary element — the shaped obstruction that creates a pressure drop proportional to flow (flow tracks the square root of ΔP). You pair it with the DP transmitter and readout of your choice. One technology covers liquid, gas and steam, with no moving parts in the line.
- Choose the element by fluid, size, loss and straight run — the Ellipse averaging pitot is the low-loss insertion choice for clean fluids in large lines; a Venturi gives high accuracy with strong pressure recovery; the Coin segmented wedge handles dirty, abrasive and slurry service; the Gemini cone conditions the flow itself for tight piping. Start from the fluid and the pipe, not the model number.
- Mind the permanent pressure loss — every DP element leaves some unrecovered pressure loss that costs pumping energy over the life of the line. The averaging pitot has the lowest loss (it only samples the flow); a Venturi recovers most of its pressure; segmented-wedge and orifice-type elements run higher. Use the input form to tell us how much loss you can give up and it steers the choice.
- Match the element to the straight run you have — averaging-pitot and Venturi elements need upstream straight run to settle the flow profile. Where the piping is cramped, the Gemini cone conditions the flow as it passes and holds accuracy in as little as 0–3 pipe diameters upstream. If straight run is short, say so up front and the selection moves toward the cone.
- DP excels on steam, high temperature and high pressure — with no moving parts in the line, a DP element is often the most practical primary device for large, hot or high-pressure lines and for steam. The Ellipse handles up to about 800°F and 800 psi with dedicated steam variants; Venturi tubes and nozzles suit large high-pressure liquid, gas and steam. For saturated or superheated steam and process gas in big or hot lines, DP earns its place.
- Dirty, abrasive or slurry service → the segmented wedge — the Coin segmented wedge’s V-shaped restriction sweeps solids through instead of trapping them, staying accurate at low Reynolds numbers (down to about 300) and to 800°F — conditions that foul or erode a pitot or orifice. Averaging-pitot and Venturi elements are for cleaner fluids.
- Specify calibration and certifications up front — every element can ship with a factory 6-point ±0.5% flow calibration, 3- or 5-valve instrument manifolds, hardcoating for abrasive duty, and traceable material certifications — NACE MR-0175 / MR-0103, PMI, hydrostatic, and radiographic / magnetic-particle / dye-penetrant (NDE) examination, specified at time of quote. List the certs your project requires and they are built into the order.
To size & select the right Preso Ellipse Averaging Pitot — Commercial:
Use the input form to tell us the line size, fluid, temperature and pressure, the straight run you have, and any material or NDE certifications — and we’ll spec the element, factory 6-point calibration, instrument manifolds and certifications for your application. Preso DP elements are engineered to your line, so each is quoted to specification.
Flow Meter Application Sheet ›Talk to an engineer directly — Scott Prater, Principal · 917-580-0878 · scott@pratertechnical.com
Specifications compiled by Prater Technical Partners from Badger Meter Preso differential-pressure flow-element datasheets.