Every month, Control's editors take a specific product area, collect all the latest, significant tools we can find, and present them here to make your job easier. If you know of any tools and resources we didn't include, send them to [email protected], and we'll add them to the website.
MAKE IT FIT
If you're expanding, upgrading or retrofitting your plant, you may face a real estate crisis when it comes to finding a place for all your new equipment. This lack of space can lead to problems with providing the upstream/downstream straight runs of pipe required by pumps, compressors, valves, flowmeters, blowers, burners and other devices that must have a stable material process flow in order to operate effectively. This white paper discusses the use of flow conditioners as a solution for process pipe layout issues that affect instrument performance and accuracy. The white paper is free, but registration is required. The direct link is www.controlglobal.com/whitepapers/2008/031.html.
Fluid Components International
800/854-1993
www.fluidcomponents.com
ANIMATED FLOWMETERS
A primer on flow measuring techniques, this series of animated cartoons link to explanations of flowmeter types, including vortex-shedding, vane style, float, laminar, thermal, paddle wheel, Coriolis mass, magnetic, positive displacement, propeller, target, ultrasonic, turbine and differential pressure. The direct link is found at www.flowmeters.com/index.cfm?task=technologies_page.
FlowMeters.Com
866/542 - 9641
www.flowmeters.com
CORIOLIS FOR THE MASSES
This report carries the subtitle, "The Essentials of High-Performance Mass Flow Measurement." It revisits the fundamental operating principles of mass flowmeters based on the Coriolis principle, and introduces a range of new technology innovations that have moved Coriolis to become a mainstream alternative to other flow measurement technologies. Also included is a case study outlining how engineers at Eli Lilly and Co. are improving their pharmaceutical manufacturing operations with the latest Coriolis advances. The direct link is at www.controlglobal.com/wp_downloads/101208_MicroMotion_Coriolis.html. The report is free, but registration is required.
Micro Motion
800/522-6277
www.emersonprocesscom/micromotion
GOT GAS?
"Measuring the Flow of Liquids with Non-Condensable Gas," by David Spitzer, addresses the challenges of measuring liquids that contain gases. Getting the air out is a cardinal rule of liquid flow measurement, but sometimes the gas is a necessary and desirable component of the mixture. Then what? Go to www.controlglobal.com/articles/2007/350.html for the answers.
ControlGlobal.com
www.controlglobal.com
FLOW MEASUREMENT VIDEO
This video from ABB helps clarify mass and volume flow confusion. It explains the difference between mass and volume flow, and how to decide which technique is appropriate for particular applications. Though both technologies will deliver almost identical results under certain conditions, the deviations that can occur where a process is subject to pressure and temperature changes makes it crucial to make the right choice from the outset. Understanding the effects of these deviations and how to correctly select the right flow variable can lead to significant improvements in process performance and cost effectiveness. Free on YouTube at www.youtube.com/abbukinstrumentation#p/u .
ABB Instrumentation
www.abb.com
FLOWMETER TRANSACTIONS
Get your flowmeter basics here. The first half of this 113-page, free, downloadable PDF covers the basics of flow measurement. Omega's "Transactions, Vol. 4, Flow and Level" covers differential pressure, mechanical, electronic and mass flowmeters. It contains plenty of diagrams, charts, equations, plus the history and theory of flow measurement. The direct link is at www.omega.com/literature/transactions/Transactions_Vol_IV.pdf.
Omega Engineering
203/359-1660
www.omega.com
MORE FLOW ON THE TUBE
Watch Control's editor in chief, Walt Boyes, explain the basics of differential pressure flow measurement theory in this "Back to the Basics" video, found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9MJEjgrUqo&NR=1.
ControlGlobal.com
www.controlglobal.com
