Getting the correct flow meter is the secret to success while choosing the wrong flow meter means nothing but an inconvenience. Flow meter or liquid indicator technology has dramatically increased or upgraded the available options for all types of applications.
The correct flow meter is important for critical and essential data gathering, and the wrong choice can result in expensive lost production time and budget loss. Are you aware of what type of flow meter is fitting in your application?
Keep in mind that whether you work within the food and beverage industry, paper industry, pharmaceutical industry, power industry, oil and gas industry, petrochemical industry, chemical industry, wastewater industry, or water industry, precise and error-free flow calculation is paramount. For a little help, we’ll walk you through some of the quintessential factors that affect your decision-making process of choosing a flow meter. Read on!
Popularity versus Price
Be wary of depending on two of the generally known determinants that people use in the selection process: popularity and cost. When you put the cost on top of your point of reference, then most likely it’ll be straightforward for you to choose the incorrect flow meter for your application or a flow meter that is not capable of performing effectively.
And it will easily turn into a budget ordeal. If the flow meter and its supplemental components need expensive and frequent maintenance, the money you used for this measuring device will quickly disappear.
Furthermore, the flow meters that have a greater amount of initial investment can compensate for it by costing less to operate and maintain. For example, Coriolis mass flow meters are more costly compared to other kinds of flow measuring devices. However, you can save more money in the long run since they’re uncomplicated to maintain, imposing less downtime.
Although it’s crucial to research what flow meter type is generally utilized in your industry, choosing what’s popular can translate into a huge mess as well. When the measuring device isn’t fitting for the application, calculations may not be accurate.
New Flow Meter Technologies
Breakthroughs in technology can put devices on the market that might not be popular but offer a much better solution. For example, long ago, inline ultrasound flow indicators required recalibration whenever a new fluid was instigated and couldn’t be utilized in applications where sanitation was crucial.
These days, new models of ultrasound measuring devices have resolved these issues and unlatched the use of inline ultrasound flow indicators to those kinds of applications. Flow meters are very technical devices that are affected by many variables.
Mass or Volume Flow Measurement
Basically, there are two measurements of fluids, mass, and volume flow measurement. Therefore, a flow indicator is either a mass flow meter or a volumetric flow meter. Nevertheless, you can calculate mass from volume and volume from mass if you know the agreed upon variables and density. Arguing which is best depends on the type of application you need. Thus, it’s important to know the intent of the measurement and its components.
Categories
Some measuring devices can be, for the most part, quickly removed because they merely won’t work with the application. For example, electromagnetic flow meters won’t work with distilled water and hydrocarbons and needs a conductive fluid to operate.
A lot of flow indicators can’t calculate slurries or gases. The following are a few flow meter categories along with the type of fluid the devices can handle.
⦁ Vapor: Floating Element, Diaphragm, Ultrasonic, Vortex
⦁ Slurry: Ultrasonic, Electromagnetic, a couple of sets of Variable Differential Pressure, Coriolis Mass
⦁ Liquid: Electromagnetic, turbine flow meters, Positive Displacement, Variable Differential Pressure, Ultrasonic, Thermal Mass, Coriolis Mass
⦁ Gas: Turbine, Positive Displacement, Variable Differential Pressure, Variable Area, Ultrasonic, Thermal Mass, Coriolis Mass
Properties of Fluid
It’s important to know and learn the properties of the fluid that’s being calculated. Listed below are some of the main components:
⦁ The materials’ corrosive nature.
⦁ The maximum and minimum of the flow.
⦁ The consistency of the flow.
⦁ Other contaminants.
⦁ The fluids’ condition.
⦁ Pressure
⦁ Temperature
⦁ Viscosity
⦁ Density
⦁ Fluid type
Physical Properties
Aside from the properties of the fluid being calculated, it’s also crucial and vital to learn the physical properties of the application site. Listed below are some of the properties to consider:
⦁ Is there are a specified angle for a flow meter to work?
⦁ Is the environment variable or stable?
⦁ What is the flow tube made of?
⦁ What is the size of the flow tube?
⦁ What is the configuration of the flow tube before and after the measuring device?
Takeaway
When choosing a flow meter, all of the points outlined in this article should be followed and understood. Apart from them, the flow meter specs should be considered as well. These specifications are the cost, hygiene requirements, rangeability or turndown ratio, repeatability, and accuracy. Once you’ve chosen a flow meter, then installing the device is the next step.
Author’s Bio:
Sylvia Hopkins is a writer and a blogger who specializes in email marketing campaigns and ghost blogging. She writes about flow measurement instrumentation, flow measurement application, and technology.