Flow Monitors

Where “non-invasive” monitoring is essential, either transit time or Doppler ultrasonic flow monitoring technologies offer compelling benefits for fluid industry applications.

Clamping ultrasonic transducers to the outside of pipe works makes for no interruptions of fluid flow or for service downtime. Flow monitoring of highly volatile liquids, contaminated liquids or even waste liquids clearly benefit from “non-invasive” ultrasonic techniques.

For clean fluids or gases, transit time is the technology of choice in the ultrasonic flow monitoring. The principle behind this method of flow measurement is that acoustic waves with a frequency of more than 20 kHz are emitted from one of the transducers to the other side of the pipe and back to the second transducer. Transit flow can also be used for fluids with 5% solids; greater percentages of solids rely on flow monitoring with Doppler technology. Doppler relies on having the signal deflected by particles in the flow stream. As the signal passes through the stream, its frequency shifts in proportion to the mean velocity of the fluid. According to Research & Markets Online, ultrasonic flow monitoring is one of the five “new technology” methodologies (the others are Coriolis, magnetic, vortex, and thermal) that are reshaping today’s flow industry.

Best-in-Class Flow Monitors feature:

• Offers measurements of liquids up to 2500C.
• Provides for use with most pipe materials and linings and on pipes from 10mm to 7000mm diameter.
• Minimal installation, low cost and no pressure loss make portable ultrasonic flow monitoring the best choice for many applications.

Top Considerations before Buying Flow Monitors:

Variety of application is an important consideration when deciding on ultrasonic flow monitoring. Designed for hazardous environments, they are safe and explosion-proof and, unlike older technology flow monitoring devices, can be used for measuring almost any liquid, including applications in oil and gas, power generation, water industries, with liquids like chemicals, solvents, weak acids, water, petroleum products, lubricating oils, and hydrocarbons.

Key Providers:

1. Burkert Fluid Control Systems applies its measurement, control and regulation technology to engineering systems and solutions for water, steam, gases and other fluid media with products that include solenoid, process and analytical valves, pneumatic actuation, sensors and controllers. The company provides individual products as well as complete system and application solutions, from initial planning to after-sales support. Founded by Christian Burkert in 1946, Burkert is now in 35 countries. The company operates in the categories of industrial measurement, control and fluid technology. General product lines include fluid control systems; systems for measuring, controlling and regulating gasses and fluids from individual valves, sensors or controls up to complete automation solutions and fluid systems, as well as hygienic processing, steam, water treatment, cooling systems, gas handling, microfluidics

2. General Electric's Division of Sensing & Inspection Technologies develops sensing elements, devices, instruments, and systems that monitor, protect, control, and validate critical processes and applications, among which are its multivariable flowmeters and Coriolis Mass flowmeters. Additionally, the company designs and develops precision instruments and systems which measure temperature, pressure, liquid level, humidity, gas concentration, and flow rate applications, including ultrasonic and vortex. The company’s technologies and solutions include thermal validation, dew point measurement, ultrasonic and gas flow measurement, control circuit protection, liquid level detection, process control instrumentation, and microstructure design. In 2009, the company signed a pressure contract with Honeywell, the contract also includes production, aftermarket and spares; and also launched ACCUSOLVE and Kaye RF ValProbe In 2008, the company introduced a new corrosion-resistant, submersible level probe that offers level measurement in a wide variety of applications. Also in 2008, the company acquired Rheonik, a leading manufacturer of high accuracy coriolis mass flowmeters used in the oil & gas, process and power industries.

3. Emerson Process Management provides the industry-specific process solutions in oil, gas, water, and wastewater. In addition, the company supplies flow computers, SCADA RTUs and presets.  Emerson's Remote Automation Solutions target measurement and control needs in remote locations, providing technology, services and integrated architecture for business improvement and optimum production, operations and reliability. Emerson also offers a fully digital plant automation system, what it calls the DeltaV system, an Emerson-termed PlantWeb architecture for embedded advanced control, integration and optimization of plant-wide process automation. The company claims that “thousands of process manufacturers from industries including oil and gas, refining, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, pulp and paper, food and beverage, metals, mining and utilities” who use the DeltaV system in their operations.

4. Polycontrols Technologies, founded in 1982, provides flow measurement, fluid and gas systems, and comprehensive process integration. The company designs, produces and supports industrial control systems and telemetry applications; and since 1992 has developed expertise in gas and liquid fluid-flow measurement, a metrology laboratory that specializes in gas and liquid flow calibration, and a product line of high performance gas mixers. The company claims to be the largest flow calibration laboratory in Canada; U.S. office locations include California, Texas, and New York. Polycontrols' line of industrial controls include a line of flowmeters, level indicators and proximity sensors; toxic and explosive gas detectors, and water quality analysis.

Flow Monitors
Definition: Flow Monitors are measuring instruments used for displaying either a partial or total volume flow.