As a plant manager, maintenance, instrumentation and engineering manager, or industrial buyer, more and more of you want to detect and remedy the slightest leak to protect the environment, save energy or raw materials, and/or improve your plant's efficiency. As a result, many manufacturers are looking to add or replace flowmeters on their installations. But which flowmeter should you choose? This article will help you assess the differences between electromagnetic and ultrasonic flowmeters.
Summarize this article with :
Ultrasonic flowmeters are devices that measure fluid velocity using ultrasonic waves. This innovative technology is increasingly used by manufacturers to measure the flow velocity of liquids. They offer a number of advantages over other types of flowmeter.
The price of an ultrasonic flowmeter does not depend on the size of the pipes. They are simply a pair of probes attached to the outside of the pipe. They therefore require no work, no maintenance, no interruption of production, and no loss of head. The ideal solution for cost-effective flow measurement! Several versions are available, depending on the application and frequency of use
The ultrasonic flowmeter's external or flange mounting system enables installation in less than half an hour! There's no need to interrupt the process, or cut and/or weld the pipe. It adapts to all pipes, whatever their diameter or material.
Unaffected by pressure or temperature conditions, ultrasonic flowmeters provide extremely accurate measurements, whatever the type of fluid that accepts the propagation of ultrasonic waves: water metering, wastewater, cooling water, beverages, oil and various chemicals, alcohols, etc.
Ultrasonic flowmeters have the advantage of being able to measure non-conductive fluids(pure water, condensate, hydrocarbons, etc.), which is not possible with an electromagnetic flowmeter.
Even when installed in harsh conditions, such as on oil and gas equipment, ultrasonic flowmeters remain reliable and accurate no matter what. Thanks toself-adapting signal strength capabilities, you can confidently measure liquid in existing or old pipes with ease. Some ultrasonic flowmeters, like those from Fuji Electric, even feature anti-bubble technology to meet your needs and guarantee accurate results, whatever the conditions.
This makes them highly effective flow measurement instruments for many industrial processes. Thanks to their non-intrusive installation, they can monitor and control equipment without disrupting operations - an ideal solution for measuring particle-free liquids in automated systems or forenergy efficiency audits.
With no contact with the environment, there's no risk of contaminating your products or fluids. In fact, unlike electromagnetic flowmeters, the transducers of ultrasonic flowmeters are mounted outside the pipe, in compliance withISO 24062:2023, which standardizes flowmeter practices. This ensures that no particles or debris can infect liquids. They are particularly well suited to thefood, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries to prevent process contamination.
Ultrasonic transit time flowmeters offer many advantages. They are capable of measuring the flow rate of a variety of liquids, including those containing small quantities of suspended solids and small quantities of gas.
However, these instruments have a number of drawbacks. A major disadvantage is their unsuitability for measuring liquids containing solid particles.
This disadvantage is due to the short wavelength of ultrasound. In addition, they are not suitable for pipes that are only partially filled. This is in contrast to electromagnetic flowmeters, which handle these situations more easily.
Ultrasonic flowmeters are also slightly less accurate than electromagnetic flowmeters. Nevertheless, some models are equipped with dual transducers that enable flow to be measured simultaneously on two pipes, or to install two channels on a single pipe, for extremely reliable results. These extended flowmeter models are particularly suitable for accurately calculating energy consumption in heating or air-conditioning systems, for example.
Last but not least, ultrasonic flowmeters don't come in a fixed, battery-powered version, like some stand-alone electromagnetic flowmeters. However, a portable, battery-powered version does exist, enabling you to quickly obtain flow measurements, anytime, anywhere!
You can request a demonstration or hire a portable ultrasonic flowmeter from a specialist company such as Fuji Electric.
Electromagnetic flowmeters are effective measurement tools for electrically conductive liquids. They can be used to measure the flow rate of various liquids, such as water, acids and bases.
These flowmeters offer high accuracy for all types of liquids, regardless of their viscosity. They are particularly useful for measuring liquids containing heavy suspended particles. For example, they are used in the cement and metal industries to measure ore slurries. They are also used in paper and textile manufacture to measure cellulose.
Extremely resistant, electromagnetic flowmeters enable reliable flow measurements over time, even under extreme conditions, such as in hazardous areas of the chemical or oil industries.
What's more, electromagnetic flowmeters deliver slightly more accurate readings, enabling them to achieve the MID (Measuring Instruments Directive) certification required in legal metrology. They are therefore perfectly suited to transactional liquid metering.
Electromagnetic flowmeters only measure electrically conductive liquids. Their technology cannot measure the flow of pure water, alcohol or fuel oil, for example.
Installing conventional electromagnetic flowmeters requires interrupting processes, mobilizing specialized teams and shutting down operations. An extremely costly process, which sometimes holds back plant, maintenance or engineering managers from renewing or installing these measuring instruments.
What's more, since electromagnetic flowmeters rely on mechanical seals, there's always a risk of failure, which can lead to fluid leaks, compromise internal components and create hazardous spills.
Consequently, electromagnetic flowmeters should only be used if they are deemed appropriate for the specific process, taking into account their advantages and disadvantages.
Ultrasonic flow meters | Electromagnetic flow meters | |
| Economical | ★★★★★ No maintenance | ★★★☆☆ |
| Reliable and precise | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Quick to install | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 100% hygienic | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
As a non-invasive option with no risk of contamination, ultrasonic flowmeters are gaining in popularity in industry. By investing in this innovative technology, companies can simply and efficiently measure liquid flows and energy consumption accurately, at lower cost!
These ultrasonic meters offer companies a forward-looking solution for streamlining operations, protecting profitability and the environment, without compromising product quality or industrial performance.
