As a plant manager, maintenance engineer, instrumentation and engineering manager, or industrial buyer, it is important for 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 flow meters.
Ultrasonic flow meters are devices that measure the velocity of fluids using transit time ultrasonic signal technology. This innovative technology is increasingly used by industry to measure the flow velocity of liquids. They offer many advantages over other types of flow meters.
The price of an ultrasonic flow meter does not depend on the size of the pipes. It is a pair of probes simply fastened to the outside of the pipe. They therefore require no work, no maintenance, no interruption of production and no pressure drop. An ideal solution for measuring flow at low cost! Several versions are available depending on the type of application and operating frequency.
The external or clamp on system of an ultrasonic flow meter allows installation in less than half an hour! There is no need to interrupt the process or cut and/or weld the pipe. It can be adapted to all pipes, regardless of their diameter and material.
Unaffected by pressure or temperature conditions, ultrasonic flowmeters provide extremely precise 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 flow meters have the advantage of being able to measure non-conductive fluids (pure water, condensate, hydrocarbons...), which is not possible with an electromagnetic flow meter.
Even when installed in harsh conditions, such as on oil and gas equipment, ultrasonic flow meters remain reliable and accurate. With self-tuning signal strength capabilities, you can confidently measure liquid in existing or old pipes with ease. Some ultrasonic flow meters, such as those from Fuji Electric, even feature anti-bubble technology to meet your needs and guarantee accurate results, no matter the environment.
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 is no risk of contaminating your products or fluids. Unlike electromagnetic flow meters, the transducers of ultrasonic flow meters are mounted outside the pipe. This means that no particles or debris can infect the liquids. They are ideal for use in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic 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 like Fuji Electric.
Electromagnetic flow meters 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 flow meters 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 provide 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.
The installation of conventional magmeters requires process interruption, dedicated teams and shutdowns. This is an extremely expensive process, which sometimes holds plant, maintenance or engineering managers back from renewing or installing these measuring instruments.
In addition, because magmeters rely on mechanical seals, failure is a potential hazard that can cause fluid leakage, compromise internal compounds and create dangerous spills.
Therefore, electromagnetic flow meters should only be used if they are deemed appropriate for the specific process, considering the pros and cons of their use.
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 popularity in the industry. By investing in this innovative technology, companies can efficiently and simply measure liquid flows and energy consumption accurately, at a lower cost!
These ultrasonic meters offer companies a solution for the future to streamline their operations, protect their profitability and the environment, without compromising the quality of their products or their industrial performance.
