Which flowmeter to choose? To determine the perfect flowmeter, consider essential criteria such as the fluid being measured, the flow range, the accuracy required and the process parameters. Our flowmeter selection guide will help you choose the most suitable flowmeter to optimize your industrial processes and ensure accurate fluid measurement.
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Selecting the ideal flowmeter requires careful attention to several important criteria, including the type of fluid to be measured, the flow scale involved, the desired level of accuracy, as well as various parameters related to the process in question.
With our flowmeter selection guide, find the fluid measurement tool perfectly suited to your industrial needs, helping you optimize your operations and ensure flawless accuracy in your measurements.
In this article, we'll guide you in choosing the right flowmeter for your specific needs.
Whether you're looking for a flowmeter to measure the flow of liquids, gases or steam, we'll provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
A flowmeter is a measuring device used to determine the quantity of fluid flowing through a pipe. It is essential in many industrial processes, as it enables fluid flow to be monitored and controlled.
Now that we've defined the concept of a flowmeter, let's move on to the next question.
The choice of flowmeter depends on a number of factors, such as the type of fluid, the temperature and pressure conditions of the process, and the characteristics of the application.
Determine the type of flowmeter required
Take specific parameters into account
Consider installation requirements
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By following these tips, you'll be able to choose the flowmeter best suited to your specific needs.
Now that we've covered the basics of flowmeter selection, let's move on to a more detailed explanation.
Volume flowmeters measure flow in terms of the volume of fluid flowing through a pipe over a given period of time.
Here are the most commonly used types of volume flowmeters:
The differential pressure flowmeter is suitable for measuring the flow of clean liquids and gases, or steam. It uses the differential pressure created by the passage of fluid through an orifice such as an orifice plate or diaphragm.
Differential pressure is measured using differentialpressure transmitters and converted into flow.
The venturi flowmeter is used to measure the flow of clean, charged and highly charged liquids, clean gases and charged gases.
It consists of a tapered pipe section where the fluid velocity increases, enabling flow to be measured as a function of the differential pressure between two measurement points.
The V-cone flowmeter is designed to measure the flow of clean, loaded or highly loaded liquids. It consists of a widening pipe and a cone placed in the middle of the pipe.
The pressure difference between the cone inlet and outlet is measured to determine the flow rate.
The Pitot tube flowmeter is used to measure the flow of clean or slightly contaminated gases and liquids. It consists of a measuring tube placed parallel to the flow in the pipe. The pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the tube is measured to determine the flow rate.
The main advantage of this type of device is that it doesn't obstruct the flow in the pipe, which means higher speeds and greater efficiency are maintained.
This type of flowmeter is suitable for measuring the flow rate of clean, charged and viscous liquids, as well as clean gases. It uses a float whose position varies according to the flow rate, thus enabling measurement of the volume flowing.
Gear flowmeters are suitable for measuring the flow of clean, charged and viscous liquids, as well as clean gases. They use a pair of rotating gears to measure the volume of flowing fluid.
This type of electromagnetic flowmeter is suitable for measuring the flow of clean, charged, viscous and conductive liquids.
The electromagnetic flowmeter uses a magnetic field to induce an electromotive force proportional to the fluid flow velocity, enabling volume flow to be measured.
The vortex flowmeter is suitable for measuring the flow of clean, charged liquids and clean gases. It uses vortices generated by the fluid flow to measure flow.
This type of non-intrusive flowmeter is used to measure the flow of clean liquids. It operates on non-conductive fluids.
It uses ultrasonic waves to measure the fluid's transit time, enabling flow rate to be calculated.
The latest generation of ultrasonic flowmeters can also measure saturated steam flow. These flowmeters are also available in a portable version. They enable uninterrupted flow measurement.
Mass flowmeters measure flow in terms of the mass of fluid flowing through a pipe over a given period of time.
Here are the most commonly used mass flowmeters:
The Coriolis flowmeter is suitable for measuring the flow of clean, loaded, highly loaded, multiphase liquids, clean gases and loaded gases. It measures flow by detecting the deflection resulting from Coriolis forces when a fluid flows through a vibrating tube.
Thermal mass flowmeters are suitable for measuring the flow of clean liquids, clean gases and charged gases. They measure flow by detecting heat transfer caused by fluid flow.
In-line ultrasonic flowmeters measure gases such as air or nitrogen. They feature pressure and temperature correction to correct and display mass flow.
Now that you have an overview of the different types of flowmeter, let's explore in more detail the parameters to consider when choosing a flowmeter.
When choosing a flowmeter, it's essential to consider several parameters to ensure that it's suitable for your specific application. Here are the main parameters to consider:
Type of fluid
Temperature and pressure conditions
Pressure losses
Flow types: volume or mass
Installation constraints
| Flowmeter type | LIQUID (clean) | LIQUID (charged) | LIQUID (highly charged) | LIQUID (viscous) | LIQUID (corrosive) | LIQUID (polyphasic) | GAS (clean) | GAS (charged) | STEAM (saturated) | STEAM (superheated) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deprimogen (orifice plate) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Depressant (diaphragm) | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Depressant (Tuyere, Venturi) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Depressant (Pitot) | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Depressant (V-Cone) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Variable section | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Turbine | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Volumetric | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Electromagnetic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Vortex | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ultrasound (transit time) | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ultrasound (Doppler effect) | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Coriolis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Thermal | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Flowmeter type | Available diameters | Straight lengths upstream | Maximum temperature | Maximum pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deprimogen (orifice plate) | 10 to 300 mm | 10 to 44D | 300 °C | 300 bar or more |
| Depressant (diaphragm) | 10 to 2000 mm | 10 to 44D | 500 °C | 300 bar or more |
| Depressant (Tuyere, Venturi) | 10 to 1000 mm | 10 to 44D | 500 °C | 300 bar or more |
| Depressant (Pitot) | 10 to 4000 mm | 5 to 20D | 500 °C | 300 bar or more |
| Depressant (V-Cone) | 12.7 to 3048 mm | 0 to 3D | 870 °C | 1380 bar |
| Variable section | 4 to 125 mm | 0D | 400 °C | 450 bar |
| Turbine | 1 to 1200 mm | 0 to 20D | 500 °C | 650 bar |
| Volumetric | 3 to 300 mm | 0D | 300 °C | 650 bar |
| Electromagnetic | 2 to 3000 mm | 5D | 450 °C | 250 bar |
| Vortex | 12 to 500 mm | 15 to 25D | 400 °C | 300 bar |
| Ultrasound (transit time) | 8 to 5000 mm | 5 to 20D | 400 °C | 400 bar or more |
| Ultrasound (Doppler effect) | 12.7 to 4000 mm | 5 to 10D | 200 °C | 100 bar |
| Coriolis | 1 to 350 mm | 0D | 200 °C | 400 bar |
| Thermal | 2 to 120 mm | 0 to 10D | 180 °C | 400 bar |
By taking these parameters into account, you'll be able to choose the flowmeter that best meets your specific needs.
Here's everything you need to know to make the right choice of flowmeter. Don't hesitate to consult reputable brands and ask for professional advice if necessary. The right flowmeter will ensure accurate and reliable flow measurement in your application.
There are several well-known brands in the flowmeter field. Popular brands include Fuji Electric, Endress+Hauser, Yokogawa, Emerson, Siemens, Krohne, and ABB.
The flow rate through a pipe can be measured using an appropriate flowmeter. The flowmeter is installed in the pipe and measures the flow rate of the fluid passing through it, using different measurement technologies.
The ideal conditions for flow measurement depend on the type of flowmeter used. However, in general, stable temperature and pressure conditions, regular piping without excessive disturbance and a clean fluid are favourable for accurate flow measurement.
Flow measurement is essential in industrial processes, as it enables the flow of fluids to be controlled and monitored. This ensures efficient process operation, and enables the early detection of problems or undesirable flow variations.
Mass flowmeters measure flow in terms of the mass of fluid flowing, making them independent of variations in fluid density. This makes them particularly suitable for applications where fluid density may vary.
We hope this flowmeter selection guide has provided you with the information you need to choose the right flowmeter for your application.
The flowmeter is an indispensable measuring instrument for measuring and controlling fluid flows in various industrial applications. Thanks to its advanced features, it ensures accurate measurement and optimum management of your processes.
