Topic: Flowmeter Technology Library

• › Articles (120)
• › White Papers (35)
• › News (75)
• › Products (225)

This nifty resource helps you find anything and everything you need to know about flowmeters without having to endlessly surf the web. It provides descriptions and general information for all flowmeter technologies used in process control and automation applications, and allows you to view online intelligence reports, white papers, articles, and technical book abstracts on all things related to flow and the flowmeter instruments that control and measure it.

Flowmeters measure, monitor, regulate and control the flow of industrial gases and fluids. Flowmeters also measure other parameters of liquids and gases commonly used in the process controls and instrumentation industries and are typically chosen based upon the nature of the fluid being calibrated. Considerations for flowmeter selection include viscosity of the liquid, operating pressure, temperature, and flow rate, all of which must be measured in advance.

A flowmeter is a device that meters movement of fluid in a conduit or an open space. This fluid could be water, chemicals, air, gas, steam or solids. Some of the most common types of flow meters include Coriolis, magnetic, ultrasonic, vortex, turbine and multiphase. Flowmeters are made of several basic technologies. Each type has a niche but can generally be used for other applications as well.

Types of Flowmeters

Coriolis Flowmeters are twisting meters that are used to measure mass flow as opposed to volumetric flow. These meters are known for their accurate readings however their size is limiting.

Magnetic Flowmeters are generally used for water applications. They are limited to conductive fluids and they operate on a voltage generator.

Mass Flowmeters are designed for use in gas flows where pressure and temperature are variable. They measure flow rate in terms of the mass of the fluid substance and have units such as lbs/min.

Mass Gas Flowmeters are less affected by density, pressure, and fluid viscosity. They use differential pressure transducers and temperature sensors.

Multiphase Flowmeters are advanced types of flowmeters which accurately measure the flow rates of oil, gas, and water. These flowmeters don’t have any moving parts and cause no separation or mixing.

Positive Displacement Flowmeters are used to measure the flow rate of fluids in areas where straight piping is not possible.

Turbine Flowmeters are mainly used for both liquids and gas. They operate best for applications that have steady, high-speed flows.

Ultrasonic Flowmeters are effective for measuring natural gasses. These meters are non-intrusive and they have no pressure drop. It is important that ultrasonic flowmeters work on clean fluids.

Ultrasonic Doppler Flowmeters are used in slurries and wastewater applications. They use the Doppler effect principle to measure the flow rate.

Variable Area Flowmeters, more commonly known as Rotameters, are used to measure the linear flow of gases and clean liquids.

Velocity Flowmeters and flow sensors measure flow rate in terms of how quickly the gas or liquid is moving. Velocity meters use units like ft/sec.

Volumetric Flowmeters measure flow rate in terms of the quantity of material that is flowing and use units like mL/min.

Vortex Flowmeters are mainly used as an alternative to differential pressure flowmeters. These meters work best with clean, low-viscosity, medium to high speed fluids.

Vortex Shedding Flowmeters are suitable for water flow and coolant flow. They are not mechanical meters like positive displacement or turbine meters and do not hang up.

Flowmeter Research Library

An Introduction to Flowmeters
An educational resource for students, industrial technicians and buyers that are either new to flowmeters or who have some general background knowledge about them but wish to have a broader understanding of flowmeters.

Search related terms for flowmeters
Search with these words combined with flow meter to find alternate paths of research.

Search flowmeter specifications by product category
GlobalSpec offers a variety of flowmeters for engineers. Use SpecSearch to search for the exact flowmeter specifications needed.

Search industry links related to flowmeters
This directory provides links to associations and organizations, consultants and specialists, glossaries and reference tools, regulatory agencies and standards committees, and other industry sources.

Submit Articles on Flowmeter Technologies
CONTROL welcomes contributions from process automation professionals and controls engineers on anything to do with flowmeters that will help educate others.

Featured White Paper Using a Coriolis flowmeter’s multivariable characteristics to validate calibration stability This document describes a procedure that uses the multivarialbe capabilities of a flowmeter to provide an in-situ validation of flow calibration stability.

 

White Papers: In Depth Research

Discussion of Flowmeter Accuracy Specifications
Author: Siemens
Posted: 01/21/2013
Understanding the accuracy of a given flowmeter is an important field but it can also be misleading as different specifications are used to explain how accurate a flowmeter measurement actually measures. This paper discusses the different specifications and interprets the impact of them.

Why deal with accuracy?

The reasons for dealing with flowmeter accuracy specifications are many-folded. One important reason is from an economical point of view. The more accurate a flowmeter can measure, the more money you will save as the medium is measured with only very little inaccurately.

Another reason is in terms of dosing, where a given amount of a medium is added. This must be done with a high level of precision and the accuracy is thus important in order to dose correctly. This is critical in certain industries such as in pharma or chemical.

A third reason is in terms of billing purposes. By performing with good accuracy, you know exactly how much fluid flows into the process. Thereby, you are able to determine the right price of the product and thereby bill the customers correctly.

Therefore, knowing how much that flows through your system is paramount in order to make a profitable and solid business. You need to rely on a precise measurement with good accuracy. However, good accuracy must be obtained not only in one measurement, but in all measurements independent of the time.

New Differential Pressure Sensor Incorporates LVDT Technology to Create More Environmentally-Resistant, Dependable and Economical Pressure Sensing Solution
Author: American Sensor Technologies
Posted: 11/14/2012
Differential pressure (dP) sensors with electronic signal processing are increasing being used to monitor flow, filter condition and level. Since these devices offer linear and accurate output, they are also replacing the differential pressure switch that only support on-off condition and useless for closed loop control system. These dPs are often configured with expensive valves and fluid filled remote seals for added protection against corrosive media, radiation and/or extreme media temperature ranges when operating in demanding environments. In cold ambient environment specially operating in temperatures below -4 deg F (-20 deg C), the sensor need to be heated either by trace heater or within a heated enclosure to maintain the operation of the dP sensor. In addition to being expensive, these valves and seals tend to be bulky and require time to install and maintain. In many critical applications such as food and pharmaceuticals, filled fluids are a serious concern due to process contamination. In gaseous systems such as hydrogen and oxygen and semiconductor applications, fluid filled sensors are being banned since the leakage of fluid into the process could lead to an explosion and serious safety issues.

A new series of LVDT (linear variable differential transformer) based oil-less dP sensor with dual channel ASIC (applications specific integrated circuit) have been developed that can operate in a wide range of corrosive materials, radiation and temperature without any oil filling and bulky sealing systems. By encapsulating LVDT proven technology with digital compensation, the pressure sensors combine the benefits of friction-free operation, environmental robustness and unlimited mechanical life. By selecting the diaphragm thickness and material properties, Table 1 show the dP ranges that can be produced using the LVDT technology.

A Place For Positive Displacement
Author: Jesse Yoder
Posted: 06/07/2012

PD Flowmeters Quitely Excell in Low-Flowrate, High Viscosity, and Liquid and Gas Metering Applications

Positive displacement (PD) flowmeters are the workhorse of today's flowmeter world. They perform many important flow measurements most people take for granted. For example, they are widely used for metering both water and gas in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Chances are good the flowmeter that measures how much water you use at your house is a PD meter.

How A Biogas Processing System Manufacturer Identified the Best Flow Meter for Gas Measurement
Author: Fluid Components International, Achim Sprick, Managing Director, Klargastechnik Deutschland GmbH
Posted: 10/28/2010
Klargastechnik Deutschland GmbH's equipment and processes help customers address organic biomass fermentation and recovery while supporting electric power co-generation. The result is clean, green electric power that also reduces both solid waste and hazardous toxic gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, which pollute the environment and contribute to global warming.

In order to provide these benefits, the company's equipment and systems rely on highly precise and reliable flow measurement of process waste gases. Measuring biogas flow at several points in the system provides operators with critical information for optimal gas production, control, safety and reporting. However, Biogas applications present several challenges in selecting the proper flow meter.

Download this application note to learn how a biogas processinf system manufacturer can identify the best flow meter for gas measurements.

More White Papers »

Timeless Resources

Field Instrumentation Technical Handbook Field Instrumentation Technical Handbook is a useful compendium of physical constants, tables and information no engineer responsible for field instrumentation should be without. It has been required reading in many companies for many years. Download your free copy now. Tools to keep your plant competetive This supplement from the HART Communication Foundation is loaded with useful tips on how to identify projects that provide a high ROI and significant value to your operation. Making a HART connection This "special to the web" aricle is designed to increase your knowledge about the HART Field Communications Protocol. Fnd out its benefits and dispel the myths surrounding this powerful technology.

Sponsored Links