Flow profile conditioner for pipe flow systems

An apparatus for measuring flow in a pipe, comprising:

• a receiving pipe section for receiving fluid flow;
• a first pipe section including an end flange;
• a second pipe section including an end flange;
• a converging pipe structure connected to the receiving pipe section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the receiving pipe section for causing a disturbed fluid flow;
• a flow condition apparatus positioned downstream of the converging pipe structure and mounted between the end flanges of the first pipe section and the second pipe section, the flow conditioning apparatus including:
• a centrally disposed hub;
• a plurality of angled members attached to the hub on a first end portion, the angled members having a second end portion extending radially outward from the hub;
• the second end portion of the angled members being attached to an inside diameter of a plate, wherein the plurality of angled members cause the disturbed fluid to swirl within the pipe and the inside diameter of the plate reduces the effective diameter of the pipe, and wherein a combination of the fluid swirling within the pipe and the reduced effective diameter of the pipe creates a symmetric flow profile in the pipe;
• and
• an ultrasonic flow measurement device mounted externally to the pipe to measure flow characteristics of the symmetric flow profile.