Topic: Flowmeter Technology Library

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This nifty resource helps you find anything and everything you need to know about flowmeters without having to endlessly surf the web. It provides descriptions and general information for all flowmeter technologies used in process control and automation applications, and allows you to view online intelligence reports, white papers, articles, and technical book abstracts on all things related to flow and the flowmeter instruments that control and measure it.

Flowmeters measure, monitor, regulate and control the flow of industrial gases and fluids. Flowmeters also measure other parameters of liquids and gases commonly used in the process controls and instrumentation industries and are typically chosen based upon the nature of the fluid being calibrated. Considerations for flowmeter selection include viscosity of the liquid, operating pressure, temperature, and flow rate, all of which must be measured in advance.

A flowmeter is a device that meters movement of fluid in a conduit or an open space. This fluid could be water, chemicals, air, gas, steam or solids. Some of the most common types of flow meters include Coriolis, magnetic, ultrasonic, vortex, turbine and multiphase. Flowmeters are made of several basic technologies. Each type has a niche but can generally be used for other applications as well.

Types of Flowmeters

Coriolis Flowmeters are twisting meters that are used to measure mass flow as opposed to volumetric flow. These meters are known for their accurate readings however their size is limiting.

Magnetic Flowmeters are generally used for water applications. They are limited to conductive fluids and they operate on a voltage generator.

Mass Flowmeters are designed for use in gas flows where pressure and temperature are variable. They measure flow rate in terms of the mass of the fluid substance and have units such as lbs/min.

Mass Gas Flowmeters are less affected by density, pressure, and fluid viscosity. They use differential pressure transducers and temperature sensors.

Multiphase Flowmeters are advanced types of flowmeters which accurately measure the flow rates of oil, gas, and water. These flowmeters don’t have any moving parts and cause no separation or mixing.

Positive Displacement Flowmeters are used to measure the flow rate of fluids in areas where straight piping is not possible.

Turbine Flowmeters are mainly used for both liquids and gas. They operate best for applications that have steady, high-speed flows.

Ultrasonic Flowmeters are effective for measuring natural gasses. These meters are non-intrusive and they have no pressure drop. It is important that ultrasonic flowmeters work on clean fluids.

Ultrasonic Doppler Flowmeters are used in slurries and wastewater applications. They use the Doppler effect principle to measure the flow rate.

Variable Area Flowmeters, more commonly known as Rotameters, are used to measure the linear flow of gases and clean liquids.

Velocity Flowmeters and flow sensors measure flow rate in terms of how quickly the gas or liquid is moving. Velocity meters use units like ft/sec.

Volumetric Flowmeters measure flow rate in terms of the quantity of material that is flowing and use units like mL/min.

Vortex Flowmeters are mainly used as an alternative to differential pressure flowmeters. These meters work best with clean, low-viscosity, medium to high speed fluids.

Vortex Shedding Flowmeters are suitable for water flow and coolant flow. They are not mechanical meters like positive displacement or turbine meters and do not hang up.

Flowmeter Research Library

An Introduction to Flowmeters
An educational resource for students, industrial technicians and buyers that are either new to flowmeters or who have some general background knowledge about them but wish to have a broader understanding of flowmeters.

Search related terms for flowmeters
Search with these words combined with flow meter to find alternate paths of research.

Search flowmeter specifications by product category
GlobalSpec offers a variety of flowmeters for engineers. Use SpecSearch to search for the exact flowmeter specifications needed.

Search industry links related to flowmeters
This directory provides links to associations and organizations, consultants and specialists, glossaries and reference tools, regulatory agencies and standards committees, and other industry sources.

Submit Articles on Flowmeter Technologies
CONTROL welcomes contributions from process automation professionals and controls engineers on anything to do with flowmeters that will help educate others.

Featured White Paper Using a Coriolis flowmeter’s multivariable characteristics to validate calibration stability This document describes a procedure that uses the multivarialbe capabilities of a flowmeter to provide an in-situ validation of flow calibration stability.

 

White Papers: In Depth Research

Flow Conditioning Improves Flow Measurement Accuracy and Reduces Process Plant Costs
Author: FCI
Posted: 03/19/2008
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 pipe straight runs required by pumps, compressors, valves, flowmeters, blowers, burners and other devices that must have a stable material process flow in order to operate effectively. Flow conditioners can be an effective, flexible and economical solution when process pipe layouts are an issue affecting instrument performance and accuracy.

Cost effective leak detection and repair
Author: Honeywell Process Solutions
Posted: 09/06/2006
As the population of valves and safety relief valves continues to grow so do leak detection and repair costs. New wireless technologies offer the potential to reduce these costs significantly while providing access to many new monitor points previously not accessible.

A new method for measuring viscosity
Author: BiODE
Posted: 07/28/2006
This White paper describes new technology and product applications that are enabling process control solutions that weren't possible before. New dual-sensor technology puts engineers in control with a small device that can be placed in-line where fluid characteristics measurement is needed.

Heated, smart and modular sample handling system: Enabler for closed-loop process control
Author: Parker Instrumentation Group
Posted: 07/14/2006
This white paper/case study documents the rationale and steps for deploying a modular sample handling system solution in a moisture-sensitive process, from concept through commissioning and operational performance.

More White Papers »

Timeless Resources

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