Flow measurement is used across many different processing industries, from food and drink manufacture to pharmaceutical and oil and gas processing. In some manufacturing processes, such as pharmaceuticals, flow measurement is used to ensure that the right raw ingredients are mixed together accurately and at precisely the right time. In other areas, such as oil and gas or the production of alcohol, flow measurement has a direct impact on the bottom line. Within the oil and gas industry, there are also extremely tight regulations, and therefore businesses in these sectors often have entire departments dedicated to metering and measurement because it is critical that they meet the stringent demands of industry regulatory bodies. We take a look in this article at the theory of flow measurement, how it is applied across many different industries and some of the more common flow measurement solutions, such as the coriolis flow measurement principle.
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Flow meters are used for the accurate monitoring of liquid or gas flow. They can be used to measure either the mass or the volume of a liquid or a gas. In most industrial processing plants, the basic purpose of a flow meter is to maintain efficiency and accuracy within the plant and to understand and influence profitability.
The vast majority of flow meters use the fact that the cross-sectional area of a pipe is a constant, which means that if you measure the velocity of the liquid inside that pipe, you can use this to calculate an inferential flow rate. Therefore:
volume flow = area x velocity
Why, then, are there such a wide variety of flow measurement devices on the market and a concern about using the right one for your application? Because the type of flow measurement device selected is critical and must be suited to the environment, the application and the type of flow that needs to be measured. For example, contaminants or solids within a flow can disrupt some types of flow meter. Additional phases within the flow can influence the measurement, secondary instrumentation are sometimes needed to complete the measurement process, and the correct installation and calibration of the equipment can be crucial.
One of the most common types of flow measurement is the Coriolis device. The Coriolis flow measurement principle is based on the use of motion mechanics and uses the vibrations made by the flow of the liquid to assess the mass flow. A Coriolis flow meter contains a tube that is caused to vibrate at a non-harmonic frequency. When a fluid passes through this tube the momentum of the fluid mass causes the frequency of the tube’s vibration to change. The tube will deform slightly, causing a measurable phase shift which is directly proportional to flow.
An alternative but extremely effective option for use in hygienic environments applies surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology to the theory of flow measurement. The FLOWave flow meter developed by Burkert requires no contact with the flow itself, and all the elements used to measure flow are contained on the outside of the pipe. This means that, unlike when the Coriolis flow measurement principle is applied, there is no risk of pressure drops or leakage and no dead spaces. The reason that this solution is ideal for hygienic applications is that the lack of contact with the flow means that there is no risk of contamination – of either the fluid or the measurement device – and CIP and SIP cleaning techniques can be used without concern for the flow meter itself.
Flow meters are measuring devices that are vital for many commercial and industrial functions. They have many applications, such as monitoring water leakage, wastewater treatment processing, and much more. Flow meters are integral to processes that contain liquids, gases, or vapor. Without the ability to monitor fluid flow, operators are often unable to control the throughput.
Flow meters from Panametrics improve plant safety, efficiency, and profitability through accurate and reliable flow measurements. This blog details flow meters so you can make an informed decision when selecting one.
What is a Flow Meter?A flow meter (also known as a flow sensor) is an instrument used to measure linear or nonlinear mass or volumetric flow of a liquid, gas, or vapor. These devices can measure the liquid, gas, or vapor flowing inside them during a set period of time. They can also measure the total amount of matter that has gone through them.
Panametrics offers both in-line and clamp-on flow meters. An in-line flow meter has a flow line installed in a process line and has a built-in flow conditioner that enhances the profile of the process liquid, gas, or vapor. With clamp-on flow meters, you can choose where to measure without disrupting production. They are easy to install without process shutdown and versatile for a variety of industries, substances, and pipe thicknesses.
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How Do Flow Meters Work?All flow meters essentially have the same goal—to measure flow by recording how much liquid, gas, or vapor flows through a fixture. However, they do not necessarily go about it in the same way. It depends upon the type of flow meter you are using.
For instance, ultrasonic flow meters use ultrasound to measure the speed and volume of a liquid, gas, or vapor flowing through a pipe. An ultrasonic signal is sent to the material flowing downstream. Another signal is sent against the substance flowing upstream. This type of flow meter measures and compares the two ultrasonic transmissions. Using this data you can calculate different types of data, such as flow velocity or volume.
A magnetic flow meter, on the other hand, uses a magnetic field to measure the speed a liquid, gas, or vapor flows through a fixture, such as a pipe. When a substance, such as a fluid, flows through the created magnetic field, it generates voltage depending on the speed. Quicker fluid generates more voltage versus a slower flow.
What Industries Use Flow Meters?Flow meters are crucial to many different industries. The following are three industries that rely on flow meters.
Oil & GasOil and gas manufacturing require flow meters for many reasons. The main purpose is to measure the volume of the liquids and natural gases at many different points in the process. The oil and gas industries must properly measure flows regardless of whether they are pure or not as well as when flowing long distances.
The oil industry uses flow meters to measure the volume of oil flowing from one point to the other. The natural gas industry uses flow meters for the same reasons as the oil industry. They need flow meters to show and record how much gas is flowing and processing. Both oil and gas use flow meters to record and monitor their various systems and processes.
Wastewater & Water UtilitiesFrom wastewater to drinking water, flow meters are critical for the wastewater and water utilities industry. The water industry currently endures significant challenges caused by rapid urbanization, climate change, and rising customer demands; thus, the industry must accurately measure wastewater, such as sewage and other waste. Flow meters can prevent clogs in systems with thicker wastewater, such as sludge.
Water utilities also need flow meters for potable drinking water. They must accurately measure the correct amount of water that reaches each sector, such as in a city grid. This is very important so people have access to clean drinking water.
Food & BeverageThe food and beverage industry is usually characterized by a high water consumption and considerable waste water discharge volumes. For this reason, they face significant costs for water supply and trade effluent disposal.
Expenses for water supply and waste disposal, increase global competition in the food & beverage industry, rising of raw material costs, and energy supply rates drive the important of having more efficiently and optimized production processes.
We’re Here to HelpPanametrics, a Baker Hughes business, is a leader in flare gas, steam, chilled, and portable metering applications. Our broad portfolio of in-line and clamp-on flow meters and readily available expertise enabled you to optimize your processes and meet your environmental and performance goals.