1/8/2021 Choosing the right flow meter - Buying Guides DirectIndustry

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guides and make Choosing the right flow meter
the right choice Flow meters are used to measure the amount of fluid flowing through a pipe, which is esse
industrial processes.
As is often the case, there are several measurement technologies available. In order to cho
technology, it is important to know the type of fluid you’re going to measure the flow of (liquid
clean or loaded) and the temperature and pressure conditions of the process.

This buying guide does not deal with “flow indicators” which do not measure the value of the flow r
indicate whether or not the fluid is moving within a circuit.

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How to choose a flow meter?
HOW TO CHOOSE A FLOW There are several different technologies used for flow meters that exploit different physical phe
METER?
technologies can measure a volumetric flow rate (the volume of fluid flowing through a pipe f
period of time), but there are also some technologies that can measure a mass flow rate (the
WHY CHOOSE AN ORIFICE FLOW flowing through a pipe for a specified period of time). You can calculate the volumetric flow rate
METER?
flow rate, and vice versa, when the characteristics of the fluid (density, etc.) are known, but it is
yourself from the outset what information concerning the flow will be required and to choose th
WHY CHOOSE AN VENTURI FLOW technologies accordingly.
METER?
Another important factor when choosing flow meter technology is the nature of the fluid. The
WHY CHOOSE A GEAR FLOW shows which fluids are compatible with each type of flow meter:
METER?

WHY CHOOSE AN
ELECTROMAGNETIC FLOW Type of flow meter Fluid characteristics
METER?

• Orifice  • Clean liquids, clean gases

WHY CHOOSE AN TURBINE FLOW
METER?
• Venturi  • Clean, loaded and highly loaded liquids; clean and load

WHY CHOOSE AN ULTRASONIC

FLOW METER?
• Variable-area  • Clean, loaded and viscous liquids; clean gases

WHY CHOOSE A VARIABLE-AREA

• Gear  • Clean, loaded and viscous liquids; clean gases
FLOW METER?
• Electromagnetic  • Clean, loaded, highly loaded, viscous, conductive and m
liquids
WHY CHOOSE A VORTEX FLOW
METER?
• Vortex  • Clean and loaded liquids; clean gases
WHY CHOOSE A THERMAL MASS
FLOW METER? • Ultrasonic  • Clean, loaded, highly loaded and viscous liquids

WHY CHOOSE A CORIOLIS FLOW • Coriolis  • Clean, loaded, highly loaded and multiphase liquids; cle
METER? loaded gases

• Thermal  • Clean liquids; clean and loaded gases

The installation conditions of the future flow meter are also an important point to consider. In a
irregularities (elbows, valves, decreases in diameter, etc.) generate disturbances in the fluid fl
measurement technologies are sensitive to these disturbances. In order to avoid measurement e
type of technology the flow meter is installed after a portion of straight piping so that the fluid flo
disturbed. This length of straight pipe ahead of the flow meter is expressed as a function of the d
pipe. For example, 10 to 30 D means you need a length of straight pipe 10 to 30 times the inside d

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pipe. For this example, if the diameter of the pipe is 10 cm, the straight pipe ahead of the flow me
measure between 100 and 300 cm.

The table below gives an estimate of straight pipe lengths and common pipe diameters fo
technologies:

Type of flow meter Straight pipe length Pipe diame

• Orifice 10 to 30 D 0.025 to 1

• Venturi 5 to 10 D 0.05 to 1.2

• Variable-area 0 0.004 to 0.12

• Gear 0 0.003 to 0.3

• Electromagnetic 5D 0.002 to 2.6

• Vortex 15 to 25 D 0.015 to 0.3

• Ultrasonic 5 to 20 D 0.025 to 4

• Coriolis 0 0.001 to 0.1

• Thermal 0 0.003 to 0.12

In addition to these parameters, the choice of a flow meter will also depend on the temperature
conditions of the fluid, the measuring range required and the desired output signal (direct re
digital, etc.).

Why choose an orifice flow meter?

If you need to measure the volumetric flow rate of a liquid or gaseous
medium, we recommend the use of an orifice flow meter  .
The principle behind an orifice flow meter is relatively simple: an orifice
plate is inserted into the flow, and the constriction caused by the plate
generates a pressure drop. The flow meter measures the pressure
difference before and after the orifice plate and determines the volumetric
flow rate.
Orifice flow meters are not adapted for particle-laden fluids because the
abrasion caused by the suspended particles eventually erodes the orifice,
changing its shape and size, which tends to distort the measurement.
Orifice flow meters are popular because of their accuracy, but also because ROSEMOUNT orific

of their low price.

In order to use an orifice flow meter, you will need to replace a portion of the pipe with the flow me

Why choose an venturi flow meter?

Venturi flow meters  are used to measure the volumetric flow rate of a
clean or loaded liquid or gaseous medium. This type of flow meter
measures the pressure difference generated by the passage of the fluid
through a venturi, this difference being proportional to the flow rate of the
fluid.

These flow meters have a good accuracy of about 0.5%. This technology is
Arthur Grillo ventu
less sensitive to particles than orifice flow meters and is therefore more
suitable for loaded fluids.

In order to use a venturi flow meter, you will need to replace a portion of the pipe with the flow met

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Why choose a gear flow meter?

Gear flow meters  are used to measure the volumetric flow rate of liquid
media. In these flow meters, liquid flows between two oval gears. Since the
volume circulating with each rotation of the gears is fixed, all you have to do
is count the number of revolutions per unit of time to determine the
volumetric flow rate. Thanks to their robust construction, gear flow meters
are particularly suitable for highly viscous media.

KRACHT gear f

Why choose an electromagnetic flow meter?

Electromagnetic flow meters  are used to measure the flow rate of
electrically conductive liquids, even those that are highly loaded or
abrasive. The conductive media flows through a magnetic field, a voltage
proportional to the flow rate is induced in an electrode as the media passes
through, allowing the flow rate to be calculated very accurately. These flow
meters are particularly resistant and will allow you to obtain measurements
in difficult environments.
As they have no moving parts, electromagnetic flow meters are
maintenance-free, and in addition to being very accurate, they are
moderately priced.

LTH Electronics electr

meter

Why choose an turbine flow meter?

Turbine flow meters  are used to calculate the flow rate of gases and
liquids. A turbine is placed in the flow axis, the turbine is driven under the
effect of the fluid’s flow and its rotation speed is proportional to the speed
of the fluid.
This technology works very well for large flow volumes, but for lower flow
volumes the turbine turns too slowly to obtain an accurate measurement.
These flow meters are accurate and offer a low response time to flow
variations, they are independent of the pressure and temperature of the
medium and can operate at high pressures and temperatures.
MEDENUS turbine
The turbine is a moving part subject to wear and tear however, so these
flow meters require regular maintenance.

Why choose an ultrasonic flow meter?

Ultrasonic flow meters  are used to measure the flow rate of clean,
loaded, highly loaded or even viscous liquids, but are not recommended for
highly viscous liquids.
The operating principle of these flow meters is relatively simple: two
transducers alternately emit and receive ultrasound through the fluid. The
difference in transit time is proportional to the speed of the fluid and
therefore to the flow rate.
The main advantage to ultrasonic flow meters is that the transducers do not
need to be inserted in the flow itself, so they can be installed on tapping BLUE-WHITE ultraso

clips or on the outside of the pipe, without any drilling. This technology can
be used for spot measurements without needing to stop the circuit to set up the transducers.
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However, ultrasonic flow meters are expensive and not suitable for low flow rates.

Why choose a variable-area flow meter?

Variable-area flow meters  are used to measure the volumetric flow rate
of clean, loaded and viscous liquids as well as clean gases. However, we
do not recommend using this type of technology for highly viscous liquids
or highly loaded liquids.

This type of flow meter must be installed vertically, as the fluid flows from
the bottom to the top by pushing a shaped float. The height at which the
float stabilizes corresponds with the flow rate and allows direct reading on
a graduated scale printed on the transparent side of the tube.

These very inexpensive flow meters only provide a visual reading of the KOFLOC variable-ar
flow measurement (the flow meter has a graduated scale).

Why choose a vortex flow meter?

This type of sensor uses the phenomenon of vortex creation downstream
to an obstacle, similar to vortices formed by the wind blowing over the
pillars of a bridge. An obstacle is placed in the flow, vortices then form and
detach from the obstacle, dragged by the flow. A pressure sensor is used
to detect the pulse created by the detachment of a vortex. The number of
vortices and therefore of pulses is proportional to the flow rate of the fluid.

Vortex flow meters  are used to measure the flow of liquids, gases and
vapors. It is possible to work with loaded fluids, but regular maintenance is
Bronkhorst vortex
then essential.
This type of flow meter is suitable for high flow rates, if the flow rates are
too low, the formation of vortices will be too limited, and the flow reading will be either impossible o

Why choose a thermal mass flow meter?

Thermal mass flow meters  allow you to measure the mass flow rate of
clean liquids and clean or loaded gases directly. The principle of thermal
flow meters is relatively simple: a heated temperature sensor is cooled by
the circulation of the fluid, this cooling being proportional to the mass flow
of the fluid.
These flow meters have several advantages: they directly give a mass flow Vögtlin thermal mas
rate independent of the temperature and pressure of the fluid, they have no
moving parts (low maintenance), they cause little disturbance to the flow
(negligible pressure losses) and, given the small size of the sensor, they can be found
configuration on a pipe connection.

Why choose a Coriolis flow meter?

Coriolis flow meters  are used to measure the mass flow of a fluid. They
can be used for almost all media: clean, loaded and highly loaded liquids
and gases. However, they are not recommended for viscous, conductive or
multiphase fluids.
A Coriolis flow meter consists of a straight or U-shaped tube equipped with
vibration sensors at the inlet and outlet of the tube. When a fluid flows
through the tube, the tube is vibrated perpendicularly in the direction of
flow, which generates Coriolis forces that cause a phase shift of frequency
vibrations. This phase shift, measured by the two sensors, is proportional
to the mass flow rate of the fluid flowing through the tube.
Coriolis flow meters have the advantage of simultaneously providing three YOKOGAWA Corio
pieces of information about the flowing fluid: its mass flow rate, density and

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temperature. However, this technology is still very expensive and the device is larger than average
Coriolis flow meters are generally used in the pharmaceutical industry, for water treatment p
facilities and in the measurement and transfer of natural gas.
A Coriolis flowmeter is installed replacing a portion of the pipe.

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