Getting accurate and repeatable flow measurement is every operator’s desire when using flow measurement devices. For this to happen, proper flow systems and flow meters have to work together in synergy. That is why the flow meter selection is very important. As a plant manager, you need to be knowledgeable about the water flow meters and their right application. Failure to match a water flow meter with the correct application often leads to inaccuracies and irregularities in the flow system.
Flow meters come in various technologies. These technologies have particular designs built to provide accurate flow rates in particular flow systems. When choosing a water flow meter, you have to consider many things, including the type of fluid or gas that requires measurement and installation requirements. Let’s look at some of the popular flow meters used in industrial processes.
Popular water flow meter Technologies
If you are not quite knowledgeable about flow meters, you need to ask for professional advice and guidance. This will help you to select suitable flow meters for your flow system. Some of the commonly used flow meters include:
Thermal Flow Meters
Thermal mass flow meters measure flow rate in mass and not volume. Therefore, if you need to measure mass flow rate, these are the right types of flow meters to use. Thermal mass flow meters are quite effective because they rely on the media’s thermal properties when measuring flow rate. They are designed to withstand high heat. Therefore, you can use them in very hot or very cold environments.
Thermal mass water flow meter types are inline flow meters. Inline flow meters are often installed along the pipeline to measure flow rate permanently. To measure flow rate using these types of flow meters, fluid needs to pass through them. Among the many benefits of thermal mass flow meters is that it does not require temperature or pressure compensation.
Vortex Flow Meters
Vortex flow meters work using a flow measurement principle called vortex shedding. Fluids that require measurement need to go through a bluff body. A bluff body is not streamlined. When doing this, it will create oscillating vortexes. The vortex shedding created by the fluid is directly proportional to the flow velocity. The best flow system to install vortex water flow meter types is those that require low maintenance.
Electromagnetic Flow Meters
Electromagnetic flow meters are also referred to as mag meters. These flow meters are very effective for measuring conductive fluids. Conductive fluids are liquids that conduct electricity. They use the principle of Faraday’s Law of Induction when measuring flow rate. They don’t come into contact with fluids when measuring flow rate. The cost of maintenance in these water flow meter types is low because they don’t have moving components inside them. They are perfect flow measurement devices for measuring wastewater, slurry, or muddy fluids.
Ultrasonic Flow Meters
Ultrasonic flow meters also don’t mix with fluids when measuring flow. This means that fluids don’t need to go through them to measure flow rate. They use sound waves to measure flow rate. Ultrasonic flow meters measure flow in volume rather than mass. They are often used with corrosive fluids that can damage the flow meters since they don’t come into contact with the media. They also don’t have running parts inside them, which reduces the cost of maintenance. You can ask for guidance from a water flow meter expert of the manufacturer to know whether this is the right flow meter for your system.
Conclusion
If you intend to purchase a flow meter, then you must make sure that they work effectively in your flow system. Flow meters come in various types and categories, and you have to be knowledgeable about your flow requirements. Proteus water flow meter manufacturers have years of experience in making high-quality flow measurement products. We will guide you through the process of flow meter selection if you are not sure which meets your flow measurement requirements.
