- 7685–A Corporate Blvd. Plain City, OH 43064, USA
- 166 Benjamin Hudon Montreal, QC, Canada H4N 1H8
- +1 614 873 8995
The fundamental principles behind flowmeters are well established, but advancements in technology and materials have led to a wide variety of options available on the market.
Coriolis and thermal.
Ultrasonic and electro-magnetic meters.
Turbine meters, propeller meters.
Oval Gear, nutating disc, oscillating piston.
Variable area meters, mechanical flap devices.
Vortex meters.
Mass flow meters, particularly Coriolis meters, measure mass flow directly and are capable of accurately detecting low flow rates. They operate on the principle that when a fluid is in motion, any change in direction generates a reaction proportional to the fluid’s mass.
Widely regarded as one of the most precise flow measurement technologies, mass flow meters offer exceptional accuracy and performance. However, Coriolis meters can be quite expensive.
Velocity flow meters, like Ultrasonic and Electromagnetic types, measure liquid velocity using full pipe bores and are bi-directional. Multipath meters excel in large pipes, while ultrasonic flowmeters work well in large conduits when combined with additional measurements.
Clamp-on ultrasonic meters for medium-sized tubes offer flow readings without pressure drop but require accurate calibration. In-line ultrasonic volumetric meters, suitable for tubes as small as 1mm, provide precise measurements across various flow types and are resistant to impurities.
Inferential flow meters, such as turbine devices, have been a standard in the industry for years. They offer high accuracy under known operating conditions and perform best in turbulent flow with high Reynolds numbers. However, challenges can arise when operating at the lower end of their range or under variable fluid conditions. For small pipes, Pelton wheel devices perform well, but like turbine meters, they require a high Reynolds number to maintain optimal performance.
Positive displacement meters cover a wide range of devices, from domestic water meters to advanced models designed for high-viscosity liquids, resulting in a broad spectrum of prices and specifications. These flow meters—such as oval gear, nutating disc, and oscillating piston—operate by capturing a discrete volume of liquid and passing it from inlet to outlet without loss or slippage. However, they require clean fluids, as contaminants can cause friction and potentially stop the device. Typically, pulse output devices also need additional external instrumentation.
Differential pressure devices are popular for their simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. They can handle a wide range of operating conditions, from laminar to highly turbulent flow. The most common application of this principle is the orifice plate, a hole in the pipe that obstructs flow. The square root of the pressure differential is proportional to the flow rate.
Fluidic flow meters rely on the physical properties of moving liquids. Devices like vortex shedding meters require high Reynolds numbers, making them unsuitable for very low flows or small pipes.
